Black Friday + Cyber Monday Special! New customers get 30% off their first month with code FLASH30 at checkout.

Customer service text messaging for a dependable service desk

Turn your service department into a powerhouse with quick answers and automatic updates via SMS. Thirty-eight percent of customers would sign up for texts for customer service reasons, so why not accommodate them?

  • Engage with customers on their terms with two-way conversations
  • Text-enable your number for a consistent experience
  • Keep your customers in the know with automated updates and notifications
Image for Customer service text messaging for a dependable service desk
Trusted by clients of all sizes

What is SMS for customer service?

SMS for customer service, also referred to as customer texting, is a service in which a business or organization uses SMS marketing software to respond directly to messages from customers or constituents. Text messaging for customer service can allow for faster response rates and more personalized service. Businesses that enable text to landline functionality can provide seamless customer support, allowing customers to text the same number they call for inquiries.

Text customer service, also known as SMS customer service, enables businesses to provide fast and convenient support through text messaging. Using a text-to-landline enabled number, companies can instantly assist customers with order questions, special requests, and product availability. With an SMS customer service platform like SimpleTexting, businesses can streamline communication, enhance customer satisfaction, and make support more accessible than ever.

Unlike mass texting, which relies on shortcodes for large-scale campaigns, business texting uses standard 10-digit phone numbers for direct, personalized communication. This makes it ideal for SMS customer service and text customer service interactions, allowing businesses to provide one-on-one support for inquiries, troubleshooting, and customer assistance.

Create a smooth support experience for your customers with SMS

Your customer service desk’s job is to make your customers’ lives easier, and texting offers all the amenities for happier customers. With a customer support SMS system, you can:


Twenty-eight percent of customers prefer to send a text when they have a question for a business. Give them the channel they want for their customer service.

Customers catch and respond to texts within minutes. While 80% check their phone within five minutes of getting a text, 91% respond to their texts every day.

Texting lets customers reply whenever they want. There’s no need to ask “am I calling you at a good time?” when you send an SMS.

Every phone comes with a built-in messaging app, so your customers won’t need to install a new one to text you. Think of texting as a live chat that works directly on your customers’ phones – a win-win.


How texting helps your customer service reps do their job better

Customer support reps get to benefit from texting, too. It makes their jobs easier and more efficient with:


Thirty-six percent of businesses using SMS marketing platforms invest in texting for its two-way interactions. SMS customer service and text customer service provide a direct, conversational way to engage with customers, answer questions, and showcase your brand’s personality—building stronger relationships through real-time messaging.

Unlike many SMS platforms, SimpleTexting works right out of the box so you can go from sign-up to expert in five minutes. No need to code to get started.

Text messaging creates a threaded conversation that you can reference at any time. One agent can step out and another can jump in and read previous messages to get up to speed.

SMS costs just cents per text. And with a flexible pricing system like SimpleTexting’s, you can scale up or down with your texting needs.


Must-have features in SimpleTexting’s SMS customer service platform

Our more than a decade’s experience in business texting gives us the knowledge to develop features suited to your needs. Engage your customers with these service texting features:

Use your number

With SimpleTexting, you can text-enable long codes, just like your existing 10-digit business phone number. Whether it’s landline, VoIP, or mobile, we’re happy to get it ready for texting.

Share the workload

Add multiple team members to your account so they can all read and reply to customer texts. The best part? Every account comes with three free users.

Set an away message

Need to step away from your station? Use an auto-reply away message to let customers know when they can expect to hear from you.

Send and receive images

In customer service, show, don’t tell makes for clearer communication. Instead of customers describing an issue with a product, get them to send you a picture.

Save time with templates

Personalization is important, but don’t waste time rewriting the same SMS. Templates create saved replies for common inquiries, appointment reminders, order notifications, and delivery updates.

Filter and prioritize conversations

If you deal with a high volume of requests, filter conversations by time waiting or most recent so you always prioritize pressing questions and requests. Organize your SMS inbox your way.

Avoid inbox mayhem

Marie Kondo your inbox by marking conversations as resolved. This hides them from your inbox until the next time the customer sends you a text message. See it in action on our dashboard.

Offer support over your mobile device

If you’re a team of one (or a few), business happens on the go, too. Answer support requests on your mobile device with SimpleTexting’s iPhone and Android apps.

Schedule texts

Send texts at the right time, every time. Schedule texts with SimpleTexting for follow-ups, time zone differences, and late-night catch-up.

Inspiration for your customer service texting

When Lighthouse Dental wanted to increase patient response rates, it picked up SimpleTexting to communicate with them one-on-one.

Texting quickly became an essential part of the patient experience. The Lighthouse Dental team uses SMS customer service and text customer service to send follow-up texts for unconfirmed appointments, answer patient questions, and share important forms. They even encourage patients to send pictures of symptoms for more efficient communication and care.

While many of the team’s phone calls and voicemails didn’t get responses, they have a nearly 100% response rate when they send texts.

Your SMS toolkit for happy customers

Companies of all sizes and industries use SMS as a key channel for customer service to send outgoing messages and respond to incoming questions. Here are the top ways to incorporate SMS customer service into your business.

Send Notifications

Prompt customers with reminders and notifications

Your customers expect proactive SMS customer service. From payment reminders to notifications that their dry-cleaning is ready for pick-up, these messages show customers you’re on top of their needs.

  • Send payment notifications to improve cash flow
  • Manage and schedule appointments to reduce no shows
  • Schedule automatic follow-ups for visits and service tickets
Image for Prompt customers with reminders and notifications

Two-way Conversations

Quickly reply to customers with one-on-one conversations

Answer questions and resolve issues via two-way conversations from our user-friendly inbox. Plus, any messages you receive from customers are free.

  • Solve customer service tickets quickly with a custom solution
  • Answer pre-purchase questions to convert more leads to customers
  • Take advantage of cross-sell and up-sell opportunities with SMS
Image for Quickly reply to customers with one-on-one conversations

Click-to-Text

Improve customer service communication with Click-to-Text

With our Click-to-Text Button Generator, you can add a button to your website that instantly launches your customer’s messaging app.

  • Make it easy for customers to get in touch
  • Pre-write the SMS and pre-fill your contact details for service in a few clicks
  • Build a seamless customer journey from your website to your help desk
Image for Improve customer service communication with Click-to-Text

Integrations

Integrate with existing support tools

Connect SimpleTexting to more than 1,000 apps instantly. Automate repetitive workflows and increase your productivity.

  • Link SimpleTexting to your existing ticketing system with Zapier or our API
  • Combine SimpleTexting with your email app to coordinate your customer service emails and texts
  • Automate text notifications for order and service updates
Image for Integrate with existing support tools

Our users love using SMS for customer support

Don’t just hear it from us. Check out wat customers have to say about communicating with customers with SimpleTexting.

Awesome!

We’ve been using SimpleTexting for quite some time now. It has truly helped both our CS and Sales team connect with our customers in such an efficient way. We will continue using the app as a part of our day-to-day communications with our customers. Fast, efficient, reliable!

-Melissa Centeno

Efficient and easy

We like the better response rate we get from texting. We used to have to call and leave message after message with minimal calls back. Now with SimpleTexting, we get an almost immediate response from clients most of the time.

– Phillip E.

Intuitive, helpful, future-forward

SimpleTexting has a very intuitive yet powerful UI, making it easy to learn and provide excellent support for our customers who are looking for a quicker resolution to their issues than email can provide. They also have their own fantastic support team that resolves problems quickly, even during peak seasons in live chat, so no waiting around for an answer.

– Amber Canales

User-friendly & highly effective

We get to stay in touch with our customers and community in more meaningful ways. It helps us increase engagement on our live trainings and keep our customers in the loop of new features and content they’re paying for.

– Kim J.

How to get started with SMS for customer service

Look for an SMS platform that lets you send and receive text messages in an inbox. Thousands of businesses choose SimpleTexting because we support two-way conversations and all incoming SMS messages are free. Follow our simple process and try us out completely free for 14 days.

When you sign up with SimpleTexting, you’ll choose and verify a toll-free number or text enable your current number. Companies often go with the latter as their customers are already familiar with that line.

Spread the word about your ability to support customers over text on your website, social media, or physical locations. With our free click-to-text button generator, you can place a button on your website for customers to start support conversations seamlessly.

Any time you receive a customer support question in your SimpleTexting inbox, you can use any of our business texting features to give them the best experience. Respond personally, leave a note for a team member, use a template, or schedule a text for later.

Ask your customers for feedback on how your service desk did by manually sending a text through your inbox or setting up an automatic message through our Zapier integration.

SMS Customer Service Best Practices

Texting is one of the most convenient ways to connect with customers, but great service still requires strategy. These best practices will help your team deliver fast, friendly, and compliant support while making the most of every message.

Be Prompt

Respond to customer inquiries quickly to show customers they’re a priority. Even a short message acknowledging the request can improve satisfaction and reduce frustration.

Keep Messages Clear & Concise

Focus on clear, helpful texts that get right to the point.

Personalize When Possible

Use the customer’s name and tailor your response based on their inquiry. It makes the interaction feel more human and builds trust.

Set Expectations

Let customers know your hours and when they can expect a reply. Setting clear expectations helps reduce follow-up texts and improves the overall experience.

Stay Professional & Friendly

Keep your tone courteous and approachable. A friendly, helpful message goes a long way in building brand loyalty.

Use Automation Wisely

Auto-replies can handle simple FAQs and after-hours inquiries, but make sure customers can reach a real person when needed.

Obtain Consent & Follow Compliance

Make sure customers have opted in to receive texts and stay compliant with regulations like the TCPA. This protects both your business and your audience.

Include a Call to Action (CTA)

End messages with a clear next step, like clicking a link, replying with a keyword, or calling a number for more help.

Monitor & Improve

Review your SMS conversations regularly. Look for trends, gather feedback, and adjust your strategy to better serve your customers.

What are the benefits of a customer texting platform?

Customers don’t want long hold times, slow responses, and confusing email threads. Delight them by adding the efficiency and convenience of SMS customer service. Incorporate metrics to track your performance and continually improve your customer interactions. Setting clear goals for your SMS strategy ensures you meet both your business objectives and customer expectations.

Happy customers

66% of people prefer texting over phone and email. Don’t send emails that might never be seen or play phone tag. Communicate how your customers want you to.

Fast responses

People open 90% of SMS within 3 minutes, and 45% of text messages receive a response. Your texts are quickly seen and acted upon, saving you valuable time.

Build relationships

SMS is the best way to connect with customers on a more personal level. Texting gives you the platform to show your brand’s personality and be less formal.

Cost-effective

The cost of a phone call is–on average–$15.50 to your business. SMS is between $1 to $5. All of those dollars and cents add up.

Attract attention

Only 7% of businesses use SMS to communicate with customers. Stand out with a more convenient customer service offering.

No coding required

Unlike many SMS platforms, SimpleTexting works right out of the box so you can go from sign-up to expert in 5 minutes.