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What is TextMagic?
TextMagic is a SMS marketing platform that helps a wide range of small businesses with successful SMS marketing campaigns.
TextMagic was founded by Dan Houghton in 2001 in the United Kingdom. Today, the company has served over 100,000 businesses around the world.
TextMagic is the best solution for businesses that want to import their existing customer lists and send SMS blasts. However, businesses will find TextMagic's price and lack of segmentation compelling.
Overall, TextMagic is suitable for small businesses looking to engage with their existing subscriber base.
Due to limitations in data collection methods, segmentation, and customer list creation, businesses are likely to use TextMagic for mass texting. Alternatives like SlickText are similarly priced but much more powerful.
Features
Let's discuss the main features that TextMagic offers and how they can help you reach your SMS marketing and business goals. Product screenshots are included to add context and demonstrate the user interface.
1. Creating subscriber lists
TextMagic has a decent amount of options for creating subscriber lists.
You can create your list through manual imports, keywords, and web forms. SlickText and SimpleTexting offer alternative campaigns such as text surveys and opt-in links.
This lack of variety means that your business has fewer opportunities to create followers and customers in a diverse and engaging way.
Manual imports
You can manually import subscribers from.csv, .xls, and.xlsx files. TextMagic also supports importing from existing CRM or Helpdesk applications. Here are some of the most popular applications you can import contacts from:
Keywords
Keywords are phrases that customers text to subscribe. They are one of the main ways to build your SMS contact list.
TextMagic's keyword creation is easy to set up and comes with a multitude of editing options.
Changing your keyword response is slightly different from other SMS marketing tools. There are a number of types of automatic replies, including voice messages. While you're most likely using standard text answering machines, these unique options can help your business stand out and engage subscribers.
You can also target keywords to work with specific countries. This is useful for businesses that want to target a particular population without running the risk of subscribers from other countries signing up.
Web forms
TextMagic web forms are basic. While they allow your subscriber list to grow, the only data fields you can enter are subscribers' names and phone numbers. That means your business can't gather valuable subscriber data to use in highly personalized messages.
Form design options are limited to color. This means that you will have virtually no opportunity to communicate your company's brand image and style.
2. Creating messages
Creating messages in TextMagic is inadequate. There are two main drawbacks. The first problem is that MMS messages are sent as links rather than gifs or images. Additionally, you have to manually enter all customer data into the system, making it difficult to implement personalization at scale.
TextMagic has a number of templates for you to choose from, like the example above.
- Appointment reminder
- Real estate promotion
- Customer alert
- Call back request
- Delivery service reminder
- Booking confirmation
You can also create an unlimited number of custom fields, which increases your ability to produce highly personalized messages. Unfortunately, you have to enter all customer data manually. This makes it difficult to take full advantage of your customer data for custom fields and content personalization.
Finally, TextMagic cannot generate trackable short links.
3. Campaign creator
Campaign creation is average in TextMagic. Personalized campaigns are easy to set up, and text surveys are the most remarkable type of campaign. Ultimately, this simplicity means that your business has very basic methods of engaging with customers.
International coverage
TextMagic supports messaging in over 200 countries. Messages are sent via dedicated local SMS numbers or text-compatible landlines.
Personalized campaigns
Creating a custom campaign in TextMagic is similar to creating a custom campaign in TextMagic like many other SMS marketing tools. You can choose who to send your campaign to, custom fields, and external media for MMS messages. As we mentioned in the Creating Messages section, MMS messages are automatically converted to short links.
Programming options are also standard. There is no option that prevents messages from being sent to subscribers who have already received one within a certain period of time. This means that your business needs to consider additional measures to avoid spam.
Text surveys
TextMagic's text surveys are a unique way to engage with subscribers. Creating surveys is an intuitive experience. However, the data collected through surveys cannot be automatically added to your database, which would prevent you from fully exploiting it for segmentation and content personalization.
The best part of surveys is the user interface. It's a useful way to visualize the progress of your investigation.
Unfortunately, there is no type of question to choose from - all questions have open-ended, text-based answers. This means that it is much more difficult to set up multiple-choice or numerically scaled questions. There's also no way to store your subscribers' data the way SlickText surveys do.
4. Two-way conversations
TextMagic's inbox for two-way conversations is useful and easy to navigate. This allows your business to facilitate individual engagement with customers.
The inbox is well-designed and displays the history of subscribers' texts for additional context.
TextMagic allows you to add team members and delegate them to specific inboxes. Team members can be assigned two levels of access: administrator or regular user.
5. Automations
Automations are actions that are triggered by specific events. The most common use cases for automations in SMS marketing include automatically sending messages to customers, ranking customers in different lists, etc. In TextMagic, automations are found in keyword autoresponders and in list creation, both of which streamline your engagement and list creation.
Autoresponders by keyword
TextMagic's autoresponders are messages sent to customers immediately after they sign up using a keyword. Some unique editing options are available, such as targeting your keyword to specific countries. The most remarkable feature is the selection of specific countries that your keywords target.
When customers subscribe, they are automatically added to a list that matches the keyword they used. TextMagic's automation rules also allow you to add them to additional lists for targeted marketing opportunities.
You can also choose to send your autoresponder once per single sender. Additionally, you can program your answering machine to only work during certain hours of the week.
6. Analytics
The analyses in TextMagic are very basic. This is due primarily to the fact that there is practically no opportunity to go deeper into the statistics. In addition, there is no analysis of campaigns. This means that your business has no quantifiable way to assess the success or failure of its campaigns.
7. Integrations
All TextMagic integrations are managed by Zapier. TextMagic also has a REST API. Here are some common uses of the TextMagic REST API:
- Finding information on incoming and outgoing messages
- Contact Management
- Creating models
- Scheduling recurring text messages
Customer Support
The TextMagic customer support team is very helpful. She can be reached via live chat, text message, and phone. Business hours are 06:00 to 23:00 UTC Monday to Friday, and 9:00 to 15:00 UTC on weekends.
TextMagic's secondary material consists of a blog, as well as SMS marketing guides for the various businesses they support. SMS marketers, whether new or experienced, will find these resources useful.
- Customer support channels: Live chat, email, text
- Other support resources: Free SMS marketing guides and blog posts
- Request status page: Yes
Pricing
Their pricing depends on the country you want to send messages to. Prices vary depending on whether you want to send a text message, an MMS, or a consultation. Also, incoming text messages are free.
- A 30-day, no-obligation trial period and test credit are included.
- Send and receive messages using virtual numbers, your email address, business name, or an existing phone number.
- Your account is completely free and gives you access to all of our premium features. Only pay for the texts you send.
TextMagic offers the following payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal. In addition, you can pay by normal bank transfer by requesting an invoice on our payment page - the SMS credit will be applied after your bank transfer has been cleared.
The price of TextMagic is very reasonable. As mentioned earlier, your account is free; you only pay for text messages sent. However, if you live in the United States or Canada, you need to have a dedicated virtual number to send and receive messages. This is a legal requirement, not a TextMagic requirement.
As all accounts include a free trial, you'll get this number for free for the first month. After that, it's only $4/month, and there are lots of other benefits, like increased customer engagement rates.
The pricing depends on the country of destination. Text messages cost $0.04 per unit in the United States and Canada. To send messages, you buy blocks of credit of various denominations.
Plus, TextMagic is offering a 10% bonus on your first purchase in addition to $0.40.
Alternatives
TextMagic competes with a number of SMS marketing tools that are aimed at either all businesses or specific sectors like e-commerce.
The product is mostly comparable to SlickText and SimpleTexting.
1. Postscript
Postscript specializes in SMS marketing for Shopify users, offering an intuitive platform for creating and managing targeted, regulatory compliant text message campaigns.
Features
- Advanced Shopify integration : Synchronization and automation specific to Shopify.
- SMS automation : Sending messages based on customer activity.
- Compliance with standards : Compliance with TCPA and GDPR regulations.
- Detailed segmentation : Precise targeting for personalized campaigns.
- Analytics and reporting : Monitoring and optimizing campaign performance.
Pricing
- Usage-based pricing : Variable costs depending on the volume of SMS.
- Customized plans : Customizable options according to the needs of retailers.
Postscript is an ideal Textmagic alternative for Shopify e-retailers, offering features specific to this platform.
Its ability to create personalized and compliant SMS campaigns makes it a preferred choice for businesses focused on e-commerce.
FIND OUT MORE: Give Postscript a try today
2. SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting offers a complete SMS marketing solution, facilitating the sending of mass messages, the management of surveys and the analysis of customer engagement, for a variety of business sectors.
Features
- Sending bulk text messages : Effective management of large-scale communications.
- Campaign automation : Scheduled messages and automatic replies.
- Interactive tools : Surveys, contests, and data collection via SMS.
- Multiple integrations : Compatibility with other tools and platforms.
- Detailed reports : Precise monitoring of campaign performance.
Pricing
- Flexible plans : Starting at €25/month for 500 message credits.
- No long-term contracts : Monthly payments with no commitment.
SimpleTexting is a great Textmagic alternative for businesses looking for an easy to use SMS marketing platform with interactive engagement tools. It is particularly suitable for customer engagement and loyalty campaigns.
FIND OUT MORE: Try SimpleTexting today
3. ClickSend
ClickSend offers a cloud communication platform allowing businesses to send SMS, emails, and even faxes, through a simple API and an intuitive dashboard.
Features
- Multi-channel : Management of SMS, emails, faxes, and voice messages.
- Powerful API : Easy integration with existing systems.
- Automation of communications : Customizable workflows.
- Security and compliance : Respect for international standards.
- Analysis and reporting : Detailed monitoring of campaign performance.
Pricing
- Based on usage : Flexible pricing according to the volume of shipment.
- No long-term contracts : Maximum adaptability with monthly plans.
ClickSend is a robust choice for businesses that need a multi-channel communication solution that integrates SMS, email, and other services. Its versatility and ease of integration make it an attractive alternative to Textmagic.
FIND OUT MORE: Try ClickSend today
FAQs
Does TextMagic offer global coverage?
TextMagic offers its services to over 700 networks in over 190 countries.
What's included in the free TextMagic trial?
During your free TextMagic trial, you'll have full access to all features. No credit card information is required. They give you 0.4 credits. You can evaluate the service for up to 30 days. You can experiment with texting all over the world as long as you have enough credit.
Final Verdict
TextMagic is a basic SMS marketing solution used by over 100,000 businesses.
It includes the majority of the features of most SMS marketing tools, with the exception of segmentation. Its strengths are surveys and two-way messaging.
TextMagic is ultimately expensive compared to other solutions.
SimpleTexting has similar features but is much more affordable. SlickText, while in the upper price range, is still more affordable and offers more features.
