Many companies that operate internationally are seeking better ways to contact their global customers. Enter SMS, one of the most powerful channels for direct customer communication. Text messages are read and acted upon, boasting impressive 98 percent open rates and up to 30 percent click-through rates.
If you’re looking into an international texting service for your business, this article will help you understand the key benefits and considerations to know before unlocking global SMS reach.
Jump right to:
- What is international SMS for businesses?
- How businesses benefit from international texting
- Key considerations for businesses wanting international texting
- How companies use international SMS messages
- How to set up international business texting
- Frequently asked questions about international SMS
<h2 id="What">What is international texting for businesses?</h2>
International texting for businesses refers to the ability for companies to send and receive SMS messages to and from contacts in different countries. International text messages allow businesses to communicate with customers, team members, suppliers, or leads located across borders directly on their mobile devices. When a company is internationally texting, it’s messaging customers with international phone numbers. Businesses use international SMS for marketing, order updates, internal communication, and customer service.
<h2 id="How">How businesses benefit from international texting</h2>
There are a plethora of benefits to international text messaging for business. Let’s dive into a few of the core ones.
- Global reach. As of April 2025, a large majority, 70.7 percent, of the world’s population uses a mobile phone capable of receiving text messages. This makes it possible for your business to connect with nearly all of your target customers via a mobile device.
- High engagement rates. Since texts are sent directly to a mobile user’s home screen, they are highly engaging. In fact, 98 percent of text messages are opened, which is nearly five times the open rate of email.
- Instant communication. Most text messages are read within three minutes of receipt, making SMS text messaging effective for time-sensitive messages.
- Reduced call volume. Businesses that add SMS messaging as an option for customer outreach have significantly cut call volume. This helps teams save time and boost productivity.
- Impressive ROI. Whether you want to use international SMS for marketing, customer service, or internal communication, it offers an impressive ROI. Since SMS is an opt-in channel, you only communicate with the customers and leads who want to hear from your business.
<h2 id="Key">Key considerations for businesses wanting international texting</h2>
Before implementing international text messages for business, there are a few key challenges and considerations to understand.
Varying regulatory and compliance requirements
Every country has its own set of laws that govern SMS and marketing messaging. For example, companies looking to get in touch with European customers must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates stringent consent and data protection. In the U.S., companies must follow the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which requires companies to gain consent to text customers.
When internationally texting, businesses must be aware of these differing laws and comply with them.
Picking the right phone number type for your needs
There are several phone number types approved for business texting, including 10DLC, toll-free, and short code numbers. However, depending on the country you want to text, you may need to choose a particular one. For example, Canadian mobile network operators require business messages to come via toll-free numbers. However, a 10DLC number may be better for reaching customers in other countries.
Cost considerations
The reality is that international texting typically costs more money than domestic texting. The amount per message typically depends on where your customers reside and your SMS platform. For example, on Textline, it costs just 3 cents to send a text to both U.S. and Canadian numbers. However, it costs 12 cents to text someone with an Australian phone number.
Choosing an SMS service provider with global reach
Not all SMS platforms are created equal. Before you embark on your international texting efforts, be mindful to choose the right texting partner. You’ll want to ask your platform representative a few questions, such as:
- What countries can I send text messages to?
- What international phone numbers can reply to my messages?
- How much does it cost to text internationally?
- Can I sign up using an international number?
- Can I set up an international phone number to text from?
Be mindful of language, timing, and cultural differences
Being considerate of other countries ensures you deliver appropriate message content and get the timing right. You will want to translate messages into the local languages of your target audience, be aware of any cultural differences, and follow regional SMS etiquette. For example, you will want to ensure you understand the time zone differences and avoid texting promotional messages on family-focused holidays.
<h2 id="Use">How companies use international SMS messages</h2>
Businesses across the world use text messaging to engage with their customers. Let’s look at a few top use cases for global text messaging.
Customer service
Many brands, especially in retail and technology, use text messaging to quickly reply to customer questions or troubleshoot problems. In the example below, you’ll see a quick two-way interaction where a customer service representative helps a customer via text.
Lead outreach
Many businesses have leads who reside in different countries. Ensure you can get in touch with all of them quickly with a text message.
Order updates
Businesses often use SMS to keep international customers in the loop on their purchases and orders. You can use a text to share a shipping confirmation or delay with ease.
Confirmation texts
From hotel booking confirmations to payment confirmations, this text message use case helps businesses ease their customers’ minds. Use a confirmation text to keep customers informed on their purchases no matter their country location.
Out-of-stock texts
When dealing with stock-outs, get in touch with your clients quickly via text. This simple form of outreach can save production headaches and shipment delays.
SMS marketing messages
From promoting a discount to launching a new product, brands across the globe are turning to SMS marketing. These text messages are known for boosting sales and driving engagement.
Abandoned cart alerts
Recover more abandoned carts with a text message. Simply trigger a text message to send about 30 minutes after a contact abandons their cart.
Internal communication
Often, brands have employees across the globe. When you need to reach these employees with time-sensitive updates, a text message is a great solution.
<h2 id="Set">How to set up international business texting</h2>
It’s simple to set up international business texting. The process differs a bit based on whether you want to use an international or U.S. phone number. Let’s take a look at each process on Textline.
If you want an international texting phone number:
- Reach out to customer support. Textline’s customer support team can help prospective customers quickly get an international phone number for texting. Simply email support@textline.com. Most customers wanting an international number need to provide a state-issued identification card and a business document verifying their name and address.
- Register phone number. Phone number registration is required for all businesses looking to text customers, whether domestically or internationally. This is a step required by mobile carriers to protect against spam messaging.
- Start texting. Once your phone number is registered and the Textline account is configured, you can start texting your customers!
If you want a U.S. number:
If you fall into this category, you can request a free Textline trial here! You’ll meet with a sales rep who will show you the platform and help you get your U.S. number properly registered. Once you’re approved by the mobile carriers, you’re ready to start texting customers in these 150+ countries.
<h2 id="FAQ">Frequently asked questions about international texting</h2>
Here are some of the top-asked questions related to international texting and Textline’s international SMS capabilities.
How much does it cost to send an international text message?
The cost to send an international text varies by country, mobile carrier, and business texting platform. For example, on the Textline platform it costs the same to text a customer in the U.S. and Canada. However, it costs more to text a customer in Australia or Germany.
Can I use an international phone number on Textline?
Yes! We support international numbers for 33 countries. View the list here.
How many countries can Textline send text messages to?
Textline can send and receive texts to and from over 150 countries.
Are there any free ways to send SMS messages internationally?
Technically, there is no “free” way to send SMS messages internationally. That’s because SMS messages rely on sending via a mobile carrier network which always costs money. Even if you have an unlimited texting and international plan with Verizon or AT&T, this cost is baked in with your monthly phone payment. However, various OTT messaging applications such as iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, allow you to instant message back and forth using WiFi or cellular data. These instant messages are free, but they are a different type of mobile message. Instant messages are not SMS text messages.
Text customers around the world with Textline
Textline is a secure and reliable business texting platform that supports international SMS to 150+ countries. Ensure you can reach customers on their mobile devices no matter where they are located across the world with Textline. The SMS platform is packed with features that help businesses win, including automation capabilities, scheduled messages, mass texting, and text message surveys.
Ready to start international texting? Request a demo today to learn more about our capabilities.
