«Consumers Are Text-Obsessed». Text Communication. The Next Generation of Business Communication. 2019 Report, by EZ Texting

EZ Texting (@EZTexting)

The EZ Texting Releases 2021 Business Texting Trends Report is avalaible here.

«CONSUMERS ARE TEXT-OBSESSED

»Mobile Phone Usage Has Reached an All-Time High

»Our 2019 survey results confirm that mobile phone usage is at an all-time high. In fact, for many consumers, the first urge to check their phones happens immediately upon waking.

»Our research finds that most consumers check their phones within three minutes of waking, and nearly all consumers check their devices within 30 minutes.

»It’s Not Just Millennials Anymore

»Of course, heavy device usage also continues throughout the day. On average, consumers check their mobile devices at least five times per hour, relying heavily on the medium to communicate with family, friends, and businesses alike.

»Younger generations are likely to check in even more frequently, with consumers between 18 and 29 viewing their mobile devices at least seven times per hour. Even consumers over 60 typically view their devices three or more times per hour!

»Native Messaging Dominates Mobile Usage

»These days, we do everything with our mobile devices, pulling out our minicomputers to reserve a ride, order groceries, or check in with friends on social media. However, the simplest function — sending a message — commands more of our time than any other activity, including social media, gaming, online shopping, and consuming content.

»Text messaging is the top activity performed on a mobile device.

»In terms of how they message, consumers tend to prefer to keep it simple and are more likely to use their phone’s native text messaging app than any other messaging platform. According to our survey, the native text messaging app’s usage is three times higher than Facebook Messenger, six times higher than WhatsApp, and 11 times higher than Instagram.

»Text Messages Are Deemed Worthy of Consumer Attention

»With a nearly 100% read rate, text messages are highly visible and likely to be seen by consumers. In fact, most consumers check new messages within five minutes of receiving them. Consumers also reply to nearly all of their incoming messages.

»Our research confirms that texting is a high priority — more than half of consumers respond to texts in less than three minutes of receiving them, and 78% of consumers respond to texts in 10 minutes or less.

»HOW CONSUMERS PREFER TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR BUSINESS

»Text Messages Are Highly Desirable

»Consumers use text messaging to stay connected, be more productive, and simplify communications. Not only is it a high-priority medium, it’s also a highly preferred one. Consumers want to be able to connect to friends, family, and businesses efficiently by keeping their communications direct and to the point.

»In fact, our study shows that 69% of consumers across all age groups and 75% under the age of 44 want to be able to contact a business via text. Furthermore, 54% are actually frustrated when they’re unable use the medium to connect with a business.

»Unfortunately, most consumers are only able to reach out to a business via phone or email, not because that’s their medium of choice, but because businesses either do not offer texting or choose not to use it. In fact, while our survey indicates that 64% of SMBs are set up to receive text messages, only 13% of SMBs surveyed use the medium to communicate with their customers.

»As a result of the low availability of texting, those who do utilize the technology wind up reaping the rewards. Our study shows that 86% of small business owners who use text messaging find that it offers a higher rate of engagement than email marketing. Businesses are also more likely to receive a response via text message than any other platform used».

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You may also be interested in this review by Gabrielle Pickard-Whitehead (@GabsP78):

«54% of Consumers Want Marketing Text Messages But Only 11% of Businesses Send Them», Small Business Trends (@smallbiztrends).