With more than 300 hundred million Americans owning smartphones and nearly 80 % of them texting , it ’ s no surprise that consumers have a clear preference for it over other forms of communication .
Kenect analyzed data from small dealerships using its platform and discovered a 55 % increase in text message volume per location in the last two years . This means that more trailer buyers are texting these businesses . Consequently , it could stand to reason that any dealers that are not using digital platforms are missing out on a large portion of their leads .
Four Questions to Ask When Evaluating an SMS Solution When evaluating an SMS / texting platform , make sure that the platform offers features that make communicating as easy as possible for the customer .
Does the platform integrate with other digital platforms ? When your customers find you online , you want to make it easy for “ hot leads ” to act . Look for a platform that offers website widgets and options to integrate with your social accounts , so customers can ask questions , request service appointments , or respond to offers .
Does it allow you to use your existing business phone line ? A texting platform like , Kenect , that allows you to use your existing number offers simplicity for everyone involved . There is no need to purchase a new number or require employees to use their own personal phone numbers . Additionally , you won ’ t confuse customers with multiple contact numbers . All texts should appear as if they are coming from your company phone numbers , for a seamless customer experience .
Does it offer text-to-pay options ? During the pandemic , text-to-pay became a preferred alternative to in-person interaccontinued on page 20
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