WhatsApp dominates the messaging landscape in the United Kingdom, securing its position as the top messaging channel. According to Statista, WhatsApp stood out as the most used messaging channel in the UK in 2023.
As we approach 2024, the ever-evolving landscape of technology continues to shape how customers connect, consume and communicate with businesses. Forrester even predicts customer experience (CX) will improve for the first time in three years, meaning 2024 will be a pivotal year for engagement with every touchpoint becoming a make-or-break opportunity in the customer journey.
During the Black Friday rush, retailers significantly increase SMS traffic to share exclusive deals, limited-time offers, and early access with customers. In 2022, brands sent 68% more SMS messages on Black Friday. By harnessing the power of this popular communication channel, businesses can reach eager shoppers, boost engagement and drive conversions. Some SMS campaigns have delivered an incredible 2000% return on investment (ROI) during Black Friday. Yet, with increased traffic, retailers must effectively manage and measure SMS campaigns to truly capitalise on the Black Friday weekend.
Black Friday stands out as one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, with half (51%) of UK adults planning to spend during the Black Friday weekend, higher than the 39% planning to spend in 2022. With this, big and small businesses will strive for maximum exposure. Yet, this task is far from straightforward. Retailers must compete to be visible, overcome high advertising costs, and meet escalating customer expectations to cut through the noise and drive conversion. Moreover, every touchpoint in the customer journey represents a make-or-break opportunity to form relationships and drive transactions or risk losing a consumer’s interest and trust.
In recent years, the integration of SMS has played a pivotal role in transforming the Black Friday shopping experience. Retailers and consumers alike have embraced SMS as a powerful tool for communicating promotions, exclusive offers, and time-sensitive alerts.
One might assume that SMS has lost relevance in an era dominated by popular messaging channels such as WhatsApp and Instagram. However, when it comes to Black Friday, one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, SMS remains as important as ever. While consumers are bombarded with emails, push notifications, and social media advertisements, the humble SMS message, with its 98% open rate, often cuts through the noise and connects businesses with eager shoppers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are technologies that are evolving fast. You may have heard of NLP, but what about its close relatives, NLU and NLG?
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