Why Businesses Rely on Bulk SMS and WhatsApp for Achieving Faster ROI on Marketing Activities

Abhishek Prakash

•April 16, 2025

Strategic sales leader with deep focus on customer relationship building and revenue growth. With over two decades of experience at corporates like IBM, Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio, driving excellence in enterprise profitability and competitive advantage.

There are several advantages of Bulk SMS and WhatsApp as communication channels that makes them a reliable choice for business for helping them achieve their Marketing ROI faster. But which channel should the businesses choose? Rely on Bulk SMS and WhatsApp Or should they choose both according to their advantages. Let’s analyze both of these channels and their advantages. Here's a comparison of the two:

1. Engagement Rates

Bulk SMS: SMS messages have an open rate of around 98%, with 90% of messages read within three minutes of receipt. WhatsApp: WhatsApp messages are equally effective, with high engagement due to their integration into users' daily communication habits.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Bulk SMS: Relatively inexpensive compared to traditional advertising methods like TV, radio, or print. This affordability allows businesses to reach a large audience without a significant financial outlay. WhatsApp: Not as inexpensive as SMS, yet it’s still quite cost-effective, especially with the use of WhatsApp Business API which allows for scalable messaging solutions.

3. Delivery and Response

Bulk SMS: Allows businesses to send messages instantly. This immediacy is crucial for time-sensitive OTPs, promotions, flash sales, and urgent updates. WhatsApp: Provides instant delivery and real-time response capabilities, making it ideal for interactive and conversational marketing.

4. Wide Reach

Bulk SMS: This does not require an internet connection, making it accessible to virtually all mobile users. WhatsApp: With almost 3 billion users globally, WhatsApp provides extensive reach, particularly in regions where it is a dominant messaging app. Yet it’s still dependent on an active internet connection, hence not suitable for very urgent and important updates.

5. Personalization and Targeting

Bulk SMS: Allows for personalized messaging, improving relevance and effectiveness of marketing campaigns through segmentation and tailored messages. WhatsApp: Offers advanced personalization and targeting features, including rich media content like images, videos, and documents.

6. Conversion Rates

Bulk SMS: Bulk SMS is known for its direct approach, resulting in high open rates. However, conversion rates can be inconsistent due to the lack of verification features. Unlike RCS's verified profiles and WhatsApp's green tick, Bulk SMS does not provide a way to authenticate a business's brand via message ID. This can lead to fewer link clicks or other desired call to actions from the audience. WhatsApp: Known for high engagement and conversion rates due to its interactive nature and the ability to use multimedia content. Moreover businesses can have a green tick by verifying their business via CPaaS providers like Mtalkz.

7. Versatility

Bulk SMS: Supports text-based content, which can include links and short codes. WhatsApp: Supports a variety of content types, including text, images, carousels videos, voice messages, and documents, making it highly versatile.

Conclusion

The term 'Rely on Bulk SMS and WhatsApp' offers unique advantages that help businesses achieve faster ROI on their marketing activities. The choice between the two depends on specific business needs, target audience preferences, and the nature of the marketing campaign. Consider the advantages and features of both of these channels as listed above and decide which one suits you the best, or it may be a combination of both.