In today’s world, nearly everyone sends text messages regularly, both individuals and businesses, whether it’s through SMS, MMS, or messaging apps. SMS stands for Short Message Service, while MMS means Multimedia Message Service. SMS includes only text, while MMS can also have images, audio files, emojis, and more.
Businesses commonly use texting as part of their marketing, support, scheduling, and more. Continue reading to learn more about SMS vs. MMS, how they differ, and their benefits.
What is SMS?
SMS stands for “Short Message Service” and is the original method of texting. It is among the oldest texting-related technology and was invented during the 1980s. There are some very important features of an SMS, including that it cannot include videos, pictures, or other media. It can only include text. Additionally, it must have 160 characters or fewer.
What is MMS messaging?
MMS messaging is a type of communication that allows you to send different kinds of content like images or videos and even audio files. MMS messaging allows for much more flexibility and personalization compared to SMS messaging since you can share visual content and not be constrained by the 160-character limit. With MMS messaging you can communicate with more depth, allowing for an improved messaging experience for the sender and recipient!
What is MMS?
MMS stands for Multimedia Message Service. As the name implies, this type of message lets you include multimedia, such as audio, video, and photos. Importantly, you can have more than 160 characters in a message as well. The limit for MMS is 1,600 characters.
Difference Between SMS vs. MMS
Given the above definitions, there are a few key differences between SMS and MMS. The most obvious differences involve what you can and cannot send.
- Message Length: SMS texts have to have 160 characters or fewer. By contrast, MMS texting lets you include up to 1,600 characters. This reduces the need to break up your message into multiple texts.
- Media Included: You cannot include any multimedia in an SMS. You cannot include photos, audio, GIFS, or video. There is nothing but text. By contrast, you can include all of those types of embedded media in an MMS.
- Cost: Because MMS requires sending more data than SMS, you can expect it to cost more. Your carrier or messaging provider will charge for the extra data sent. Some recipients may also have to pay to receive MMS messages, depending on their plan. In most plans, you can expect an MMS to cost several times as much as an SMS. Or, if a plan offers a certain number of SMS messages, each MMS will likely count as two or three.
- Who Can Send and Receive: Every phone should be able to send and receive SMS messages. By contrast, most phones but not all will be able to receive MMS messages. Specifically, MMS messages will not work for people without smartphones.
SMS vs MMS Business Examples
To get a better idea of SMS vs MMS, consider the following business situations and what works best for each:
- Scheduling an appointment or reservation over text: Either SMS or MMS would work well for this. If you wanted to embed an image of the calendar, then you would need MMS.
- Answering a question about hours: This could be done over SMS or MMS.
- Answering a question about a product: If you answered over SMS, you would be limited to text. If you answered with MMS messaging, you could also send a photo of the product or similar options.
- Answering a question about the menu: If you only use SMS, you will have to type out and explain everything. If you use MMS, you could send an image of the menu or finished dish.
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Should I use SMS or MMS?
Once you understand SMS and MMS, you have to decide what type of text messages to use when contacting clients. To help you decide, consider the following pros and cons of each.
Pros of SMS Messages
- You can keep the message short and sweet, so it doesn’t require much effort.
- Your customers likely won’t have to pay to receive the text since unlimited SMS messaging is a common part of any phone plan.
- Reduced costs for you.
- You can include images or videos as links.
Cons of SMS Messages
- You can easily run out of characters in your message.
- You cannot include any type of multimedia. This means no GIFs, emojis, pictures, videos, or audio files.
- The lack of multimedia makes it harder to grab attention.
- Recipients may think the messages are fake texts.
Pros of MMS Messages
- You are unlikely to reach the 1,600-character limit.
- You can incorporate multimedia, including GIFs, pictures, videos, audio, and emojis,
- Multimedia makes your messages more engaging.
- They are proven to have a higher engagement rate. Some estimates even say that MMS messaging can boost your engagement rate by 250%. There is also 10 times the chance that an MMS will be shared with others.
Cons of MMS Messages
- Not all of your customers will be able to receive MMS messages. Those without smartphones will not be able to.
- Some clients won’t have MMS messaging in their phone plans, so they may have to pay to receive your text. This would reflect poorly on you.
- You will have to pay more to send MMS messages.
- The higher character limit makes it easier to ramble or create a message that is hard to read.
- If you want to include graphics or videos, you will need to either create them yourself or hire someone to do so.
SMS vs. MMS Messaging for Businesses
In our experience at Podium, customers tend to appreciate the ability to sound more personable in MMS messages. This makes them particularly appealing when asking a customer to complete a review or send a promotion. By contrast, SMS messages tend to be better for quick reminders or follow-ups.
Most companies will want to consider sending SMS messages for:
- Short calls to action
- Customer support
- Collecting feedback
- Sending reminders
- Confirming orders
- Tracking deliveries
- Two-factor authentication
- Resetting passwords
- Time-sensitive messages
- Text-to-join campaigns
By contrast, you will want to send MMS messages for:
- Messages that have more information or details
- Sharing instructional videos or audio clips
- Grabbing attention
- Highlighting products or services with multimedia
- Offering coupons
- Running competitions
- Inviting customers to events
- Sharing holiday greetings with images
- Including a QR code in the message
- Times you want to customize the appearance of the message itself
Of course, there are exceptions, and you should pay attention to your customer base and figure out which type of message they prefer in each situation. You will have to take the time to decide what types of messages your target audience wants. For example, if you are targeting people in nursing homes, you may want to stick to SMS, with the occasional MMS, as they may not all have smartphones. But, if you are targeting millennials, you would want to use a combination of SMS and MMS messaging depending on the situation that leans more heavily towards MMS.
SMS & MMS Marketing Strategies
SMS and MMS messaging offer different ways to engage with your audience, each with its benefits and features.
For SMS marketing, use concise text messages to send promotions, discounts, or important updates right to your customers’ phones. SMS is great for appointment reminders, confirmations, and personal messages to boost customer engagement.
MMS marketing allows you to send visual content like picture messaging, gifs, and multimedia elements. You can showcase products, share behind-the-scenes moments, or create interactive campaigns that catch your audience’s eye. Adding rich media to your MMS messages can boost engagement and leave a strong impression.
By combining SMS and MMS strategies, you can create versatile and engaging campaigns that resonate with your audience and deliver great results!
How do I switch from SMS to MMS?
Based on the differences between SMS and MMS, there will be some situations where you want to use SMS and somewhere you want to use MMS. But what do you do if you start with an SMS but realize you need the extra characters or multimedia capabilities of an MMS?
The exact process will depend on the phone or program you are using. With an Android smartphone, for example, you would do the following. Keep in mind that it only works for undelivered messages.
- Open the app for Messages.
- Tap on the conversation in question.
- Tap on the message’s timestamp.
- You will see the option to “Switch to text (SMS/MMS).” Click on it.
For most businesses, however, the best choice is to choose a messaging service that offers both SMS and MMS as well as the ability to seamlessly transition between the two. Podium, for example, offers the flexibility of both options. You can use Podium to send out multimedia, including audio, pictures, coupons, and more.
How to Switch from SMS to MMS on iPhone
If you’re using an iPhone and want to switch from SMS to MMS, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Messages.”
- Toggle the switch next to “MMS Messaging” to enable it. This allows your iPhone to automatically switch to MMS when you include multimedia content like photos or videos in your messages.
By enabling MMS Messaging, your iPhone will automatically send messages as MMS when necessary, based on the content you include in your messages.
How to Switch from SMS to MMS on Android
If you’re using an Android device and want to switch from SMS to MMS, here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Messages app on your Android device.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Scroll down and tap on “Advanced.”
- Find the option labeled “Group messaging” or “Group MMS” and make sure it’s enabled. This allows your Android device to automatically switch to MMS when you include multimedia content in your messages or when sending messages to multiple recipients.
By enabling Group MMS, your Android device will automatically send messages as MMS when necessary, based on the content you include in your messages or when sending group messages.
Why should you care about SMS vs MMS?
Understanding the difference between SMS and MMS can seem simple initially but deciding when to use each is more complex. By understanding SMS vs MMS, you will find it easier to make an informed decision about which works best in a given scenario. This way, you can balance out your budget with the information you want to include and your customer’s preference.
Podium offers a convenient way to take advantage of both SMS and MMS. As a bonus, you also get other helpful features for your business, such as the ability to collect reviews and Webchat.
FAQs:
Q: What is the difference between a text message and an SMS message?
A: Text messages and SMS messages are similar in that they both allow users to communicate with each other using their cell phones. The primary difference between the two is that while text messages are sent through a data connection using a messaging app, SMS messages are sent over a cellular network and can be used without an internet connection.
Q: Should I use SMS or MMS for my business?
A: It depends on the type of message you want to send. SMS is best for short messages such as reminders, notifications, and promotional offers. MMS is better for longer or more complex messages like images, videos, audio clips, or links to external websites.
Q: Can I use SMS on a computer?
A: If you have access to the right tools, it is possible to send text messages from a computer. Want to give texting from a computer a try? Here’s how to do it.
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