What is SMS & Viber Marketing in Tourism?

SMS and Viber marketing in tourism refers to the use of messaging channels to communicate with travelers, confirm bookings, send updates and promote services throughout the customer journey.

In a highly competitive industry like tourism, where timing and customer experience are critical, messaging has become an essential communication tool.

By combining SMS and Viber, businesses can leverage:

• the reliability and immediacy of SMS
• the rich, interactive experience of Viber

Why SMS and Viber are Ideal for the Tourism Industry

Tourism businesses rely heavily on:

• real-time communication
• instant updates
• seamless customer experience

Traditional channels such as email are often less effective, especially when travelers are on the move.

Key benefits:

• Instant message delivery and visibility
• Global communication with international travelers
• Real-time updates for critical information
• Personalized communication
• Combination of simplicity (SMS) and interactivity (Viber)

The result is faster, more effective and more engaging communication with customers.

SMS vs Viber: Which Channel Should You Use?

SMS is ideal for immediate and critical notifications, while Viber is better suited for rich and interactive communication.

In practice, businesses achieve the best results by combining both channels into a unified messaging strategy.

How to Use SMS & Viber in Tourism

Messaging channels can support every stage of the customer journey.

1. Booking Confirmations

Confirmation messages reduce uncertainty and increase customer trust.

SMS:

“Your booking at Hotel XYZ is confirmed for July 15.”

Viber:

Message including:

• booking details
• dates
• “View booking” button

SMS ensures immediate visibility, while Viber enhances the experience with additional information.

2. Check-in Reminders

Reminders help reduce no-shows and improve operational efficiency.

Use SMS for instant alerts

Use Viber for additional details such as:

• check-in time
• directions
• contact information

3. Real-time Updates

Tourism businesses often need to communicate:

• booking changes
• delays
• urgent updates

SMS is ideal for critical alerts

Viber is ideal for more detailed communication

4. Promotional Campaigns

Viber is highly effective for:

• early booking offers
• last-minute deals
• seasonal promotions

with images, links and call-to-action buttons

SMS can be used as:

• a reminder
• an urgency trigger

Example:

“Last chance for 20% off! Book now: link”

5. Upselling & Cross-selling

Messaging can significantly increase revenue per customer.

Examples:

• spa packages
• airport transfers
• excursions

Use Viber for rich offers

Use SMS for reminders

6. Enhancing Guest Experience During the Stay

Customer experience is a key differentiator in tourism.

SMS and Viber can be used for:

• welcome messages
• stay information
• concierge services
• quick support

This creates a more personalized and premium guest experience.

SMS & Viber Across the Customer Journey

Combining SMS and Viber allows businesses to cover the entire customer journey.

Before the stay

• booking confirmations
• reminders
• arrival information

During the stay

• updates
• service offers
• assistance

After the stay

• feedback requests
• reviews
• repeat offers

This creates a seamless and consistent communication experience.

How to Build an Effective Messaging Strategy

To maximize results, tourism businesses should follow a structured approach.

1. Segment Your Audience

Group customers based on:

• new guests
• returning guests
• international travelers

2. Automate Messaging Flows

Create automated workflows for:

• confirmations
• reminders
• follow-ups

3. Personalize Communication

Personalized messages significantly improve engagement and conversions.

4. Optimize Timing

Send the right message at the right moment.

5. Use an Omnichannel Approach

Combining SMS and Viber delivers better results than using a single channel

Best Practices for SMS & Viber in Tourism

• keep messages short and clear
• use strong call-to-action (CTA)
• include links for immediate action
• avoid excessive messaging
• ensure GDPR compliance and user consent

How Effective is Messaging in Tourism?

SMS and Viber marketing deliver some of the highest engagement rates in the tourism industry.

They help businesses:

• reduce no-shows
• increase bookings
• improve customer experience
• boost revenue

How Yuboto Supports Tourism Businesses

Yuboto provides advanced messaging solutions that enable tourism businesses to communicate more effectively with their customers.

With Yuboto, you can:

• send SMS and Viber campaigns
• create automated messaging workflows
• leverage rich messaging features
• integrate messaging with your existing systems

This enables businesses to build a complete communication strategy that enhances both customer satisfaction and revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use SMS and Viber in tourism?

For instant, reliable and interactive communication with customers.

Which is better: SMS or Viber?

Both work best when combined.

Can I reach international customers?

Yes, easily and effectively.

Is it compliant with regulations?

Yes, as long as user consent is obtained (GDPR).

Conclusion

SMS & Viber marketing for tourism is a powerful tool for modern hospitality businesses.

By combining both channels, businesses can:

• improve communication
• increase bookings
• enhance customer experience
• drive additional revenue

Companies that adopt a messaging-driven approach gain a significant competitive advantage in a highly demanding industry.

What is SMS Marketing for E-commerce?

SMS marketing for e-commerce is the use of text messages to promote products, communicate with customers and drive sales for an online store.

It is one of the most effective marketing channels, as SMS messages achieve extremely high open rates and immediate customer engagement.

Why SMS Marketing is Ideal for E-commerce

E-commerce success depends on speed, timing and conversions — and SMS excels in all three.

Key benefits:

• Open rates up to 98%
• Instant delivery and visibility
• Higher conversion rates
• Direct communication with customers
• Ideal for personalized messaging

Unlike email, which can often be ignored, SMS messages are typically read within minutes.

How to Use SMS in E-commerce

SMS can be used across multiple stages of the customer journey.

1. Abandoned Cart SMS

Abandoned cart SMS messages are sent to users who did not complete their purchase.

Example:

“Did you forget something in your cart? Complete your purchase now and get 10% off!”

This is one of the most effective ways to recover lost sales.

2. Order Notifications

Transactional SMS messages help build trust and improve customer experience.

Examples:

• order confirmation
• shipping updates
• delivery notifications

3. Promotional Campaigns

SMS is ideal for:

• flash sales
• discounts
• new arrivals
• seasonal campaigns

Thanks to its immediacy, it delivers high engagement rates.

4. Customer Retention

SMS can also be used to strengthen customer relationships through:

• loyalty campaigns
• repeat purchase incentives
• exclusive offers

5. Personalized Messaging

Personalized SMS messages significantly improve engagement and conversion rates.

Example:

“John, check out the new sneakers just added to our store!”

SMS vs Email Marketing for E-commerce

SMS is more immediate, while email is better suited for detailed communication.

Best Practices for SMS Marketing in E-commerce

1. Choose the Right Timing

Send messages when your audience is most active.

2. Keep Messages Short and Clear

SMS should be concise and easy to understand.

3. Use Strong Calls-to-Action (CTA)

Examples:

• “Shop now”
• “View offer”

4. Segment Your Audience

Divide your audience into groups such as:

• new customers
• repeat buyers
• inactive users

5. Ensure Compliance (GDPR)

Always obtain user consent before sending SMS campaigns.

How Effective is SMS Marketing?

SMS marketing delivers some of the highest engagement and conversion rates among all marketing channels.

In many cases:

• 3–5x higher engagement than email
• higher click-through rates
• faster customer response

When Should You Use SMS in E-commerce?

SMS is most effective when:

• you want immediate action
• you promote limited-time offers
• you want to recover abandoned carts
• you aim to increase repeat purchases

How Yuboto Supports SMS Marketing

Yuboto provides advanced messaging solutions that enable e-commerce businesses to fully leverage SMS marketing.

With Yuboto, you can:

• send bulk SMS campaigns
• create automated messaging workflows
• track campaign performance with analytics
• integrate SMS with your e-commerce platform

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SMS marketing in e-commerce?

It is the use of SMS messages to promote products and communicate with customers.

Is SMS marketing more effective than email?

In many cases, yes — due to higher open and response rates.

When is the best time to send SMS?

Typically during active hours, such as midday or early evening.

Is SMS marketing legal?

Yes, as long as customer consent is obtained in compliance with GDPR.

Conclusion

SMS marketing for e-commerce is one of the most powerful tools for increasing sales and customer engagement.

Businesses that use it effectively can:

• reduce cart abandonment
• increase conversions
• improve customer experience

Communication on Viber is evolving, giving brands powerful new tools to stand out directly inside the chat.

Viber Carousel Messages and Viber List Messages are two new business message types designed to deliver richer, more interactive experiences that increase engagement, guide users, and drive them more easily toward the desired outcome, from product discovery to instant decision-making.

What are Viber Carousel Messages?

Viber Carousel Messages offer businesses a dynamic and visually engaging way to showcase their products within a single Viber message. Using up to five eye-catching cards, brands can present a full range of products, services, or offers, each enhanced with a call-to-action button that instantly guides users to the next step: purchase, landing page visit, or direct contact.
This format is ideal for boosting engagement, improving product visibility, and increasing conversion rates, all directly within the chat.

What do they include?

• Up to 5 swipeable cards that users can browse horizontally
• Each card includes an image
• Support for text and emojis
• Up to 2 CTA buttons per card, linking to destinations of your choice

How can you use them?

• Highlight multiple products in a single message
• Promote bundles or combination offers
• Run limited-time promotions
• Showcase new arrivals or product launches

Pricing
Carousel Messages are charged as promotional messages and can be used with both 1way and 2way Viber Sender IDs.

What are Viber List Messages?

Viber List Messages are a modern, interactive business messaging format that allows brands to present up to five clear text options within a single message. Instead of typing a response, users simply tap the option that fits them best, which is then automatically sent back to the business as a text reply.
This approach makes conversations faster, more guided, and more efficient, while enabling brands to collect structured, actionable data that strengthens the customer journey, automation flows, and conversions.

How do they work?

• You define up to 5 available response options
• Each option can include text and emojis
• The user’s selection is automatically delivered to you as a text response

How can you use them?

• Delivery or shipping method selection
• Customer satisfaction surveys and ratings
• Booking and appointment management
• Payment method selection

Pricing
Viber List Messages are charged as transactional messages and are supported exclusively by 2way Viber Sender IDs, ensuring full interactivity.
If you currently use a 1way Sender ID and wish to take advantage of List Messages, you can easily upgrade to 2way, simply by contacting us.

Conclusion

Whether you want to showcase products and offers in a visually compelling way or guide conversations through fast, smart user choices, Viber Carousel & List Messages give your brand a clear advantage inside the chat.

Get in touch with us to help you choose the right message format and fully unlock the potential of Viber for your business.

SMS is a highly personal communication channel, shaped by many unwritten rules that most of us follow instinctively. The way we text varies depending on age, culture, and even individual personality.

Brands often go through an “awkward phase” before discovering how to use SMS effectively. That’s why in today’s article, we break down the essential steps for creating impactful SMS marketing campaigns.

What is an SMS marketing campaign?

An SMS marketing campaign is a structured strategy in which a business uses text messages to communicate directly with customers and prospects on their mobile devices.
SMS can include several types of content:

• Promotions and special offers. Discounts, exclusive deals, and flash sales perform exceptionally well via SMS and reinforce the value of being a subscriber.
• Product updates. Restocks and new releases make excellent use of SMS due to its immediacy.
• Appointment and event reminders. These messages are practical, timely, and generally welcomed by recipients.
• Order confirmations. These SMS messages help customers stay informed and are almost never seen as intrusive.
• Shipping updates. They keep customers updated on the status of their orders, building trust and confidence.
• Customer service messages. These allow businesses to respond quickly and directly, no matter where the customer is.

Why should you invest in an SMS campaign?

If your business hasn’t explored SMS yet, there are several compelling reasons to start now. SMS is a direct and highly personal way to reach your audience at the exact moment you have their full attention.

It is an effective tool for increasing engagement, boosting sales, and building stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships. Below, you’ll find the 9 essential steps to creating a successful SMS marketing campaign.

1. Define your campaign objectives

SMS should never be treated as a “filler” channel. It must work in full harmony with your email marketing and social media ads not against them.

You need a well-rounded strategy with goals that match your business needs. An SMS campaign may aim to:

• Increase brand awareness
• Strengthen relationships with VIP customers through perks, early access, or exclusive offers
• Promote a discount or special promotion
• Announce a new product
• Help move excess stock

However, since 53% of consumers unsubscribe when they receive “irrelevant or pointless messages,” your objectives must also take subscriber needs into account. In other words, the best SMS campaign is one that provides real value to the recipient. Don’t interrupt someone on their phone unless the message truly deserves their attention.

2. Know your audience and show them that you do

More than half of consumers will unsubscribe from SMS if they receive too many messages about topics or products they’re not interested in and the same percentage will opt out if messages feel generic, impersonal, or not tailored to them.

Consumers particularly enjoy the following types of SMS messages, in order of preference:

• Shipping and delivery updates
• Coupons or promotional codes
• Order confirmations

Simply put:
consumers want SMS marketing campaigns that are personalized and genuinely relevant to them. Personalization means meeting the customer where they prefer to interact with you, rather than sending broad, impersonal information.

3. Craft concise, direct content that fits the SMS format

While longer, visual, and narrative content works well in email, SMS requires a different approach. The key is clarity and immediacy, your message should be quick, sharp, and to the point.

When you clearly state the offer or the purpose of your message right from the start, you achieve higher click-through rates, better conversions, and greater revenue per SMS. To optimize SMS engagement, the content must be short, well-written, and impactful. For example:

• If you’re promoting a product, highlight the main benefit quickly.
• If you’re promoting a campaign, make every character count to build excitement.

4. Send your SMS campaign at the right time

Keep in mind that nearly 40% of consumers will opt out if they receive messages at “inappropriate times,” which makes timing a critical factor.

To determine which days and times generate the highest engagement and revenue for your SMS campaigns, you should always run A/B tests and avoid sending messages during quiet hours.

In short, the right moment is just as important as the right message.

5. Define your KPIs and measure performance continuously

Before you start evaluating the KPIs of an SMS campaign, remember that open rate is not a meaningful metric for SMS, as most people open texts simply to clear the notification. That’s why experts recommend focusing on engagement metrics such as:

• Click rate
• Conversion rate
• Revenue per recipient
• Delivery rate
• Unsubscribe rate

Which KPIs matter most?
It depends on what you want to achieve, not only with your overall SMS marketing strategy, but also with each individual campaign. Every send may emphasize a different KPI as the most important performance indicator.

6. Perform A/B testing and continuously refine your approach

As SMS becomes an increasingly popular - and therefore more competitive - marketing channel, it’s essential to practice, experiment, and learn what truly works by testing different approaches.
Some ideas and variables you can A/B test include:

• Types of incentives (e.g., discount, gift, early access)
• Descriptive vs. direct messaging
• Message length
• SMS vs. landing page click-through
• Link destination
• CTA wording and placement
• Different audience segments
• Message timing

Testing all possible variations helps you understand what truly makes a difference what works for your business, and just as importantly, what doesn’t.

7. Integrate SMS campaigns into your overall marketing strategy

SMS campaigns can be highly effective on their own, but their true power emerges when they are combined with email campaigns, email automations, customer reviews, social media marketing, and other communication channels.

SMS should be used strategically and consistently, as part of a broader, fully integrated omnichannel marketing strategy. A common mistake we see is brands treating SMS campaigns as something separate from the rest of their channels. The highest return on investment comes when SMS campaigns complement automations and email touchpoints.

And don’t forget: what makes SMS truly unique as a marketing channel is the immediacy it offers—something no other channel can replicate.

Conclusion

SMS marketing is not just another communication channel, it is a direct, personal, and highly effective way to connect with your customers at the exact moment it matters most. When used strategically, with the right content, smart timing, A/B testing, and a complete omnichannel approach, it can become one of the most powerful growth drivers for any business.

In a world where consumers are constantly bombarded with emails, notifications, and ads, SMS Marketing continues to stand out. With open rates above 90% and an average read time of less than three minutes, SMS remains one of the most direct and effective communication channels for any business.

However, the goal isn’t simply to send more SMS messages, it’s to send them to the right people. Below are six proven strategies to help you grow your SMS subscriber lists and build a loyal, engaged audience.

1. Offer a Real Incentive to Subscribe

People don’t share their phone numbers without a good reason.
Give your audience a clear and valuable incentive, such as:

• A discount on their first purchase
• Access to exclusive deals
• Early access to new products or services

The more specific and appealing the offer, the more sign-ups you will see.

2. Place Opt-In Options Everywhere

Don’t limit the opt-in to your e-shop’s checkout page or your website footer. You can collect SMS subscriptions at every touchpoint:

• During the checkout process
• Through website pop-ups or banners
• On social media via a link or QR code
• Inside physical stores using a QR code

The easier and more visible the subscription process is, the faster your list will grow.

3. Use Mobile Landing Pages

Traditional signup forms often perform poorly on mobile devices. The solution? Mobile Landing Pages designed specifically for seamless, fast mobile submissions.
With Yuboto’s Mobile Landing Pages, you can:

• Create fully branded signup pages
• Collect mobile numbers with a single tap
• Automatically sync collected data with our SMS marketing platform

This improves your conversion rates and builds a modern, professional communication channel.

4. Combine SMS & Email Campaigns

If you already have an email list, you have an audience that’s perfect for SMS enrollment.
Inform your subscribers that by joining your SMS program they will receive:

• Flash offers lasting just a few hours
• Real-time updates about orders and deliveries
• Invitations to special events or new product releases

The synergy of SMS and email significantly boosts customer engagement and increases conversion rates.

5. Prioritize Transparency & GDPR Compliance

Trust is a critical component of any successful marketing strategy.
Clearly communicate:

• Why you collect their information
• How their data will be used
• That they can unsubscribe at any time

A transparent and honest opt-in promotes trust, increases sign-ups, and reduces opt-outs.

6. Keep Your SMS List “Alive”

Success isn’t measured only by how many new subscribers you gain but by how many stay engaged. Send valuable, relevant content and avoid excessive frequency.
Effective practices include:

• Useful updates (order status, appointment reminders, etc.)
• Personalized offers based on customer behavior
• Short, targeted messages that don’t overwhelm

This way, you maintain a list that not only grows — but performs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Your List

Buying or scraping lists

Purchasing or scraping phone numbers is ineffective and, in many countries, illegal. It leads to low engagement and harms your sender reputation.

Skipping consent

Explicit opt-in is always required — both for legal compliance and to build trust.

Sending too many messages

Stick to the frequency you promised. Irrelevant or excessive SMS messages quickly lead to unsubscribes.

Complicated unsubscribe process

The opt-out option must be clear and simple. Hiding it can cause complaints and regulatory issues.

Generic and boring messages

Segment your list and personalize your content. Targeted SMS campaigns deliver far higher engagement.

Conclusion

Growing your SMS list is not a matter of luck — it requires strategy, the right tools, and consumer trust. With Yuboto’s solutions, you can build dynamic subscriber lists, communicate effectively, and turn every message into an opportunity for growth.

Yuboto Forms, like Google Forms, are a useful tool for collecting vital data and creating surveys and polls. Both form builds essentially collect data, nevertheless they present quite a few key differences that we’ll present in this article. This way, you’ll be in the position to make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the right builder for your needs.

Yuboto Forms Key Features

With the user-friendly Yuboto Forms builder you can create any type of online form including the following:

• Opt-in Forms
• Surveys
• Data Collection Forms
• Online Contracts

All the above forms can be easily embedded in any website and are fully customizable. If you are looking for advanced functionalities from your forms then Yuboto Forms, as we’ll discuss later, are probably the way to go.

Moreover, they have 20+ question types that include between others the following: multiple choice, scale, ranking and matrix questions.

Additionally, Yuboto Forms enable you to collect digital signatures, export answers in detailed reports and create custom PDF files containing the answers.

Google Forms Key Features

With Google Forms you can create basic and simple online forms and see the answers. The question types are similar to the ones of the Yuboto Forms, but quite more limited.

In addition, with Google Forms you can see graphs and charts of the collected answers and connect them with Google Sheets.

Comparison Chart

The Most Important Differences

Which Form Builder should I Choose?