Bulk SMS vs WhatsApp Messaging

When it comes to staying in touch with clients, and customers, text messages and WhatsApp messages can both be equally useful tools for business communication. 

Bulk SMS Marketing  is frequently used for business purposes because they are quick, simple, and accessible from almost any mobile phone. Although they offer features like group chats and multimedia messaging, they are limited in terms of the amount of data that can be transmitted.

On the other hand, WhatsApp offers a number of additional features that are useful for business communication. Users can send voice messages, images, videos, and documents in addition to text messages, making it a more versatile tool for information exchange. Additionally, WhatsApp supports group creation, which is helpful for customer support and team collaboration. Businesses should be aware of their data privacy and security policies because WhatsApp might not be the best option for sensitive or confidential information. WhatsApp isn’t designed with business communication in mind.

Text Message VS Whatsapp Message:-

Text messages and WhatsApp messages are both popular communication methods for businesses to connect with their customers.

However, there are some key differences between the two that businesses should consider when choosing which platform to use.

Bulk SMS vs WhatsApp messaging

Ease of Access

Text messages can be sent and received by almost any mobile phone, while WhatsApp requires a smartphone and an internet connection.

Features that include DLT Templates & Automation of Messages

The features are mutually beneficial for Whatsapp and SMS. WhatsApp offers a broader selection of features, such as support for multimedia, group messaging, and read receipts. You can send up to 2 lakh messages at once using WhatsApp for Business’s bulk messaging feature.

On the other hand, SMS offers features such as bulk SMS, workflow creation, automatic replies, real-time OTP & transactional message automation, DLT template approval, etc. as these are essential features.

Reach

Text messages can reach any mobile phone with a cellular connection, while WhatsApp requires the user to have the app installed and an internet connection. This can limit the reach of WhatsApp, especially in areas where internet access is limited. Whatsapp for business promotes Rich media messaging including photos, videos, and documents, while text messages are typically limited to text only. Whatsapp for business also promotes chat automation.

How can we figure out how big our campaigns will be? Both the SMS Panel and the Whatsapp Panel at MyOperator, a leading cloud call center service provider, have unique reporting standards that are very useful for locating the performance report and can be used to create strategies based on those. Yes, reports are crucial for any platform and the best place to evaluate what worked and what didn’t.

Privacy

Both services are very secure in terms of security because SMS was delivered to your number directly without the help of any third parties and WhatsApp has two-factor verification. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which means that messages can only be read by the sender and recipient. Text messaging, on the other hand, is not as secure and can be intercepted.

Although messages are always secure, it is advisable to carefully review the links and sender source before clicking on them as doing so could lead to issues that are the sender’s rather than the provider’s responsibility.  There are some strict rules that must be followed before sending the messages in order to reduce the amount of spam links and phishing links. One such rule is DLT template verification, which requires the sender to review their message template with the authorities and obtain approval before sending messages.

Delivery and read receipts

With WhatsApp, you can see when a message has been delivered and when it has been read. This can be helpful for ensuring that important messages have been received and read. Text messages, on the other hand, do not offer delivery or read receipts.

Opt-in

Businesses need to obtain explicit opt-in consent from customers before sending marketing messages via text, while WhatsApp requires users to add the business as a contact before receiving messages.

Since these are the people who have chosen to receive messages and are aware of your business, getting their contact information information, including a toll-free number,from your lead generation sources is advised because doing so will help you increase the effectiveness of your campaign.

Conclusion: Bulk SMS or Whatsapp – Which makes the best choice?

Text messages and WhatsApp messages can both be practical for business communication depending on your specific needs and preferences. Text messages are a good way to reach a large audience and can be useful in places with limited internet access, despite the fact that they are frequently more expensive and do not offer the same level of multimedia and privacy features as WhatsApp. WhatsApp API, on the other hand, is free and offers multimedia messaging, delivery and read receipts, and both for increased security and privacy. When selecting the business communication tool that best suits your needs, it’s important to take into account aspects like cost, reach, multimedia capabilities, delivery and read receipts, and privacy features.