One of the biggest advantages of SMS marketing is its extremely high open rate—often over 90%. But while the average SMS open rate is impressive, there’s still room for optimization. Knowing how to track and improve your open rates can significantly boost engagement and conversions.
In this article, we’ll explain what SMS open rates really mean, how to measure them effectively, and proven ways to increase them.
What Is an SMS Open Rate?
Open rate refers to the percentage of recipients who open and read your message.
However, unlike email, SMS platforms romania phone number list can’t always track opens directly. Instead, they rely on:
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Delivery rates (message successfully delivered to a device)
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Link click-throughs (which often serve as a proxy for opens)
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Engagement responses (replies, opt-outs, etc.)
While true open tracking may be limited, engagement metrics give you a clear picture of how your audience is interacting.
Why SMS Open Rates Are So High
People check their phones constantly—over 95% of texts are read within 3 minutes. Why?
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Texts appear as push notifications
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SMS inboxes are less cluttered than email
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The format is short and easy to consume
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It’s often used for urgent or personal messages
This makes SMS a powerful communication tool—if used wisely.
How to Estimate Your SMS Open Rate
Since direct open tracking isn’t always available, you can use indirect indicators:
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Click-through rate (CTR): If your message contains a link, divide total clicks by total messages delivered.
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Response rate: For campaigns that request a reply, track how many recipients responded.
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Conversion rate: Track how many recipients took your intended action after the message.
Compare these metrics across different messages to understand which types get better engagement.
7 Ways to Improve SMS Open Rates
1. Send at the Right Time
Timing matters. Avoid early mornings or late nights. Ideal windows:
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Weekdays: 10am–12pm or 2pm–5pm
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Weekends: 11am–1pm
Test timing to find what works best for your audience.
2. Personalize the Message
Use the recipient’s name or tailor the message based on behavior.
Example:
“Hi Sarah, your favorite moisturizer is back in stock—grab it before it sells out.”
Personalization boosts relevance and attention.
3. Use a Recognizable Sender ID
If possible, use your brand name as the sender ID instead of a random number. This increases trust and improves open likelihood.
4. Create Urgency in the First Line
The first few words often appear in strategies for the modern telemarketing agent notifications. Make them count.
Example:
“Final hours: 30% off sitewide—ends at midnight.”
Urgency encourages immediate action.
5. Keep It Short and Clear
Clarity wins. A concise message is more likely to be read and understood.
Ideal length: 160 characters or less.
6. Segment Your List
Send different messages to different groups based on:
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Purchase history
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Location
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Activity level
More relevant messages lead to higher opens and engagement.
7. A/B Test Your Campaigns
Try different versions of the same message and compare results.
Test variables like:
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Wording
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Timing
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Call to action
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Offers
Use the results to optimize future campaigns.
Final Thoughts
SMS open rates are naturally high, but they’re trust review not guaranteed. To maximize your impact, focus on relevance, timing, clarity, and trust. Monitor your engagement data regularly, and always aim to deliver value—not just promotions.
When used effectively, SMS can become one of your most reliable communication channels.