As technology advances, companies’ ways to market to customers have also changed. In the past, most companies had landlines, but now they also need to send texts. After all, SMS marketing is a crucial business strategy.
This leads to many business owners wondering if they have to get a cellphone in addition to their business landline and what happens if you text a landline.
The short answer is that solutions like Podium let you send texts from your landline via a mobile app or desktop. This enables you to use the same landline phone number that your customers already recognize.
That being said, there are a few essential things you should know before you text message on landline phones.
Landline vs. mobile phones
Landline phones are connected to the telecommunications grid using utility lines. They were traditionally corded, but now most people have cordless phones. Cordless phones rely on their base charging station to connect to the network.
By contrast, cell phones don’t connect directly to the telecommunications grid of utility lines. Instead, they rely on microwave frequency signals sent over your carrier’s wireless network. This means that they can work from anywhere, as long as they are within range of a telecommunications tower.
Another important distinction is that landlines are only designed to receive voice calls. By contrast, cell phones can receive voice calls or texts. Smartphones can also use various messaging applications and other programs.
Most businesses still rely on landline phones, but they have some uses for a mobile phone, such as texting and SMS marketing.
Your customers prefer texting
Given that most companies still have landlines, you may wonder if you really need to be able to text. The short answer is yes. That is because customers strongly prefer receiving text messages.
Seventy-four percent of customers have a higher chance of texting, assuming that they know there is a real person on the other end, not a chatbot.
There are multiple reasons that customers prefer texting, including:
- It’s easier to fit into a busy schedule
- You can multitask while texting
- You don’t have to wait for someone to respond immediately
- Some questions only require a few words in response
- You can text in loud or crowded places you couldn’t answer or make phone calls
How to send text messages from a landline to a mobile phone step-by-step
Given that your customers strongly prefer texting over calling, it’s good news for businesses that the answer to can you text from a landline is yes.
The specific steps you have to take will depend on the platform you use to text from a landline. Remember, landlines are not set up with keyboards or texting capabilities built-in, so you need to use a separate solution.
That being said, you will typically follow the same general steps.
– Step 1: Choose a service
The first step to texting from your landline is to decide what service or platform you will use. As mentioned, Podium offers the ability to send text messages from a landline.
– Step 2: Set up your account
From there, you will have to set up your account, which will involve entering your landline phone number, confirming it, and downloading the appropriate software. You will also have the ability to import contact information or targeted phone number lists. This stage will also require you to text-enable your phone, which will happen as you set up the landline text messaging service.
– Step 3: Text
Once your account is set up, you can go ahead and text from your landline. To do so, you open the program on your computer or other device and enter a message in the relevant space.
The best solutions will let you send bulk texts and automate some processes to maximize your SMS marketing strategy.
As you text, remember to follow the mobile marketing need to knows.
– Step 4: Receive a response
For a landline to receive text messages, you have to set it up to do so. The good news is that you will do this during the process of creating an account and setting up the platform that lets you text from a landline phone.
Therefore, you will be able to receive text messages in the same program that you send them. Exactly how it appears will depend on the platform, but they are typically designed to be user-friendly and mimic the familiar format of messaging platforms.
The impact of texting from a landline phone
Before deciding to text from a landline phone, make sure you understand the pros and cons of doing so. You will notice that the pros far outweigh the cons, which is part of why this service is so popular.
Pros
You can use the business number that your customers are familiar with. There is no need to advertise a new landline number or cell phone number. This adds convenience and helps with brand recognition.
- You do not need to get a mobile device to send text messages.
- You can text-enable toll-free business numbers.
- You can automate certain text messages.
- You can send mass text messages.
- You can get data and analytics from your chosen platform.
- Customers prefer texting.
- Multiple employees can access the text thread.
- You will see a detailed record of all past business communication via your text-enabled number.
Cons
You have to set up your landline phone to be able to text. It cannot do so automatically. However, most platforms make this simple.
There will be a cost, as you have to use a platform and enable your landline for texts. That being said, it can be incredibly low.
Conclusion: Start texting today
As mentioned, the easiest way to text from a landline and receive texts from a landline is via SMS software. Podium is simple to sign up and start using and offers a range of features. You can start texting your customers today and receiving texts in return as part of your marketing strategy.
Once your landline telephone is set up to send SMS text messages, you can send promotional offers, transactional messages, and more. You will also be able to offer customer support via text messages with the same phone number you would use for calls.
FAQs
What happens if you text a landline?
Once you know that you can text a landline, it’s common to wonder what happens if you text a landline. From your end, the process is identical.
What happens with the message will vary depending on the software that the landline in question uses. There is text-to-landline software that will read text messages sent to landlines so you can listen to them in the form of voice messages instead of reading them.
If the landline in question is a business with a text-enabled landline, they will get your text message via their messaging software.
If neither of the above is the case, nothing will happen. The text message will not be noticed or recovered, and it won’t be delivered.
How do you know if you’re texting a landline?
The best way to know if you’re texting a landline is to use a platform to send your messages. The software should be able to recognize if the message was received. If not, it is either a landline or an incorrect number. Either way, you will know that the phone number isn’t valid for your SMS campaign.
Some cellphone carriers will also let you know if you accidentally text a landline. They typically do so by sending you a text message notifying you.
Do landline phones receive text messages?
Landline phones will not receive text messages by default. You have to set up a text-to-landline service or use a program that lets you access texts on your computer or another device. This requires you to enable texts. After you set up text enabling, you can easily use landline texting for your business.
How can I send a text from my business landline number?
Create a Podium account to send a text from your landline number. You will be able to set it up within minutes.
What is a landline?
Landlines are phones that are rooted in a single location. Traditionally, they were wired and plugged directly into the telecommunications grid. Modern cordless landlines have a base that gets plugged into that grid, and the phone communicates with that base so you can move around the house. However, you must stay within a certain distance of the base.
How can I text-enable my business?
The easiest way to text-enable your business is to get software, such as Podium, that handles your text messages. As you set it up, you will text-enable your business.
