Imagine customers clicking a button on your website and instantly texting your business—no waiting, no hassle. With mobile devices accounting for over half of internet traffic, customers want fast, easy communication.
Phone calls aren’t always convenient, and emails often get lost in cluttered inboxes. Text messaging provides a quicker, more direct option.
By adding SMS links to your website, you give customers an effortless way to reach out, ask questions, or book services—all while boosting engagement. The best part? Setting up an SMS link is as easy as adding any regular hyperlink.
This guide will walk you through how to create and add SMS links to your website, making customer communication faster and more efficient.
What is an SMS Link?
An SMS link, also called a click-to-text, is a hyperlink or button that opens the default text messaging app on a mobile device when clicked. It works similarly to an email link, but instead of opening an email app, it launches a new text message with the phone number pre-filled and, sometimes, the message body.
By embedding SMS links on your website, you make it easy for visitors to start a text conversation with your business instantly. This one-click interaction simplifies customer engagement, removing the need for them to manually input your phone number, and speeds up communication.
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Why Should You Use SMS Links for Your Business
SMS links are extremely beneficial and can transform how your business connects with customers. Here's why they are a must-have:
- Instant Communication: SMS links allow for fast and direct communication. Unlike emails, which often go unread for hours or days, 90% of SMS messages are read within three minutes. This makes SMS ideal for urgent customer inquiries and time-sensitive updates.
- Higher Engagement: With 98% open rates, SMS outperforms email, which averages only around 20%. SMS achieves response rates as high as 45%, meaning your customers are more likely to engage quickly and take action.
- Customer Preference: Most consumers prefer texting over calls or emails. More than 80% of people would rather interact with businesses via SMS. This makes SMS a convenient channel for customer support and on-the-go engagement.
How Does an SMS Link Work?
An SMS link triggers the phone’s default texting app once a user clicks it. This lets customers quickly open a text conversation without manually entering a phone number.
You can also pre-fill the text message body to make communication even easier. For instance, when a customer clicks the link, a default message is already populated, saving them from having to type out their own.
Here’s what an SMS link might look like:
sms:+1234567890?body=Hello%20there!When clicked, this link automatically opens a text to the number +1234567890 with the pre-written message "Hello there!" ready to send.
Note: While SMS links work well on mobile devices, desktop users (especially those with PCs) may be unable to use them unless they have SMS functionality set up, like iMessage for Mac users. For most, SMS links are best suited for mobile interactions. Fortunately, over 61% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices.
How to Create an SMS Link for Your Website
Creating an SMS link for your website is a straightforward process that allows your visitors to easily text your business with just a click. Follow this step-by-step guide to set it up:
Step 1: Choose the contact number for the link
The first step is deciding which phone number will receive the text messages. Ideally, you should use your existing business phone number for this link.
Many businesses can send and receive texts using their landline or VoIP phone numbers, so don't worry if your business number is not attached to a mobile device.
If you don't have SMS capabilities on your business number, it might be worth looking into solutions that allow you to send and receive text messages from your current number.
Step 2: Format the SMS link
Once you've chosen the contact number, the next step is formatting your SMS link. This involves deciding how it will appear on your website—whether as a hyperlink or a button—and what it will say.
Example hyperlink copy:
- “Text Us!”
- “Click Here to Send Us a Message”
- “Text Here for a Discount!”
Along with choosing your call-to-action (CTA) copy, you can also include a pre-filled message in the link. This will automatically appear when the customer clicks to text you.
For example, a pre-filled message might say, "Hello, I'm interested in learning more about your services," or "Hello, I'd like to book an appointment."
Note: If you choose to go the button route, some basic knowledge of CSS or using a button generator tool might be required for custom designs.
Step 3: Build the SMS link
Now that you’ve decided on the format and text for the link, it’s time to build the actual SMS link.
Building an SMS link is similar to creating any other HTML link. In some website builders, you can simply type "sms:[phonenumber]" , but for more customization, you may need to add custom HTML to your site.
The code itself is simple:
<a href="sms:[phone number]&body=[default message]">[link text]</a>In this example:
- [phone number] is your business number.
- [default message] is the pre-filled message that will appear in the text message body.
- [link text] is the clickable CTA button or hyperlink text, such as “Text Us Now!”
If you'd prefer not to write raw HTML, many website platforms offer SMS plugins that allow you to create and manage SMS links more easily, connecting directly to your business number without manual coding.
Step 4: Add the SMS link to your website
Next, add the SMS link to your website in strategic locations where customers are most likely to contact you. These might include:
- Contact page
- Product or service pages
- Homepage header or footer
- Email signature
Placing SMS links where customer engagement is most likely or where customers can easily see them helps encourage quick engagement.
Step 5: Test the SMS link across devices
Finally, test the SMS link across different devices to ensure it works correctly. Since SMS links are mainly designed for mobile users, make sure the link functions properly on both iOS and Android devices.
If your website has a desktop version, test how the link behaves on desktop as well, especially for users with SMS capabilities like iMessage on Macs.
Using SMS Links Strategically
SMS links offer businesses an efficient way to connect with customers, but there are several different ways to use them depending on your business needs. Here are some alternative SMS links:
Website Widgets
To help customers reach your team faster, use a website widget. This is typically a small, clickable image or button that sits in the corner of your site. With TextNinja’s web-to-text chat, visitors can text your team directly through a web form, enabling real-time, two-way conversations that instantly engage leads or customers.
SMS Integrations
SMS integrations make it easy for your team to manage customer communication. By connecting SMS with your CRM or ticketing system, your team can text customers directly from the software they already use, keeping everything centralized.
Promotional Sign-Ups
SMS links are also great for marketing. Many businesses offer sign-ups for promotional messages or discounts via SMS. In these cases, the business often sends the first text, providing a discount code for checkout or confirmation of a subscription, such as automated marketing updates.
Unlike real-time chats, promotional SMS links are mainly for building customer relationships over time through future marketing efforts.
Note: Be sure you have a compliance message in place when using SMS marketing campaigns. Clearly state your brand’s name, how often contacts can expect to receive texts, the type of messages they’ll get, and how they can opt out of future message
Best Practices for Adding SMS Links
To get the most out of your SMS links, it’s important to follow some key best practices. By optimizing placement, messaging, and device compatibility, you can ensure a seamless experience for your users and maximize engagement.
- Use a Dedicated Phone Number: It’s best to use your business’s dedicated phone number for SMS links to ensure consistency and professionalism.
- Keep It Short and Clear: When creating SMS links, keep the message concise. Ensure it's actionable, like “Text Us!” or “Get a Discount!” Try and avoid spammy language or all caps in your copy.
- Test Across Devices: Make sure your SMS links work on both iOS and Android to avoid compatibility issues.
- Use Clear CTAs: Be explicit that clicking the link will open a text conversation. This way, users know they’re sending a text and aren’t caught off guard.
- Strategic Placement: Add SMS links where they’ll have the most impact, such as your contact or product pages.
Potential Challenges & How to Overcome Them
- Device Compatibility: SMS links work best on mobile. Desktop users, especially on PCs, may not be able to send texts. Consider hiding SMS buttons on desktop or offer alternative contact methods such as click-to-call buttons, livechats or chatbots.
- Browser Compatibility: Different browsers handle SMS links differently. Test them across browsers to ensure functionality.
- Message Length Limits: Keep pre-filled messages within standard SMS character limits (usually 160 characters) to avoid message truncation.
Start Adding SMS Links Today
SMS links offer instant communication, higher engagement rates, and a seamless experience for both customers and businesses. By implementing SMS links on your website, you’ll make it easier for customers to reach you, boost engagement, and build lasting customer relationships.
If you’re ready to elevate your SMS marketing, TextNinja can help take your business to the next level. With features like customizable message templates and auto-replies for after-hours or busy times, TextNinja ensures that you’ll never miss a message.
See how TextNinja can transform the way your business communicates today!
