SMS marketing means sending short text messages to customers about offers, order readiness, bookings or loyalty rewards. Messages are brief, usually under 160 characters per segment, and reach the phone's standard messaging inbox without needing an app.
A business collects mobile numbers with consent, loads them into an SMS platform or its POS or loyalty system, and sends one-off blasts or automated triggers. Links can be tracked, and replies or opt-outs are handled by the platform. Sender names can often be set so messages show a brand name rather than a number.
Venues use SMS for booking confirmations and last-minute table offers, QSRs for order-ready alerts and app promotions, and retailers for sale previews and click-and-collect notices. Because texts are read quickly, they suit time-sensitive messages better than newsletters.
Texts are covered by the Spam Act 2003 in Australia, so you need consent, must identify the sender and must include a working opt-out, honoured promptly. Over-sending leads to unsubscribes. Check costs, since messages are charged per send, and avoid sending outside reasonable hours.
Used sparingly and for useful reasons, SMS is a direct, high-visibility channel. RetailCare includes SMS in its digital marketing services and can connect it to customer data.