Group text messaging for businesses

Keep a group of customers or employees on the same page with the only many-to-many group texting service built for businesses. Send one group text and get any replies on a single text thread to boost efficiency and transparency.
an illustration of a phone and people texting
A screenshot of a text message

How does group texting differ from mass messaging?

Mass text messaging and group messaging are similar in that you can send multiple people the same text message simultaneously. But, there are key differences. Textline’s group messaging feature allows businesses to send SMS messages back and forth with a group of contacts. Group messaging is a many-to-many approach that keeps all recipients and their replies in a single text thread. On the other hand, mass messaging is a one-to-many approach in which all replies start one-on-one conversations with a business.

How does group texting work?

To send a group message in Textline, start a conversation and add up to 10 contacts. Everyone in this conversation will be able to send texts and see all messages in the group. You will also be able to claim existing group conversations, transfer to another team member, and resolve conversations as usual. 

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How are businesses using group messaging?

Keep disparate parties on the same page. Textline’s group messaging feature streamlines communication and ensures your messages reach all the right people at once. 

Logistics and transportation

Hi there! We are in need of a truck driver to haul freight from HQ to San Diego. We will pay a $10K bonus since it is last-minute. Is anyone available? First come first serve.

Healthcare

Hi team! We have a last-minute shift opening tomorrow that starts at 7 a.m. We will pay time and a half. Is anyone available? First come first serve.

Sales

Hi, sales team! I wanted to share that Sofia just closed a $10,000 deal! Reply to send her a congrats!

Home services

Hey crew. My truck broke down on the way to a customer’s house for a repair. Can anyone contact that customer and let them know? I’m going to call the tow truck now.

Marketing and events

Hi VIP subscribers! Our event is taking place tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the ABC Restaurant. Remember to bring something for our special guest to sign. We look forward to seeing you!

Real estate and property management

Hey team. We will have two tenants moving out this month from our condo complex on Adams Avenue. I’ll be providing more details soon, but wanted to give you all a heads up.

A screenshot of a text message

Manage group messages from your conversation dashboard

With Textline, you can initiate and respond to group messages from one centralized inbox. This makes it easier on your team.

Save and name groups in your address book 

Don’t waste time recreating the same group of contacts over and over. Instead, save and name each group to make the process smoother. For example, add your sales team members to a group and name the group “sales team” so you can easily communicate with those team members. With the group messaging feature, you have a separate address book to easily find and identify groups.  

The group messaging you know and love, with powerful business tools

Enhance your group texting experience with SMS software and gain access to all of Textline’s powerful tools and features.

API — Automate workflows.
Auto responses — Use automated greetings and away messages.
Shortcuts — Store templates for frequently used messages.
Whispers — Leave private notes for internal team discussions.
Transfer — Transfer text conversations between team members.
Metrics — Understand customer interactions and monitor team performance.
Notifications — Receive desktop, email, and mobile alerts.
MMS — Send and receive photos, videos, and attachments.

Group messaging FAQs

When should I use a mass message vs. group message?

Both mass SMS and group SMS are great ways to reach customers or employees at the same time, but there are different use cases. Group texting is useful when you have a smaller contact list and you want replies to be in the same message thread for visibility. For example, group texting could be beneficial for internal communication such as coordinating with field team members about who could take on a last-minute project. Mass texting is better for businesses that want to send a high volume of texts to a large group of contacts and want one-on-one text conversations to any replies. A good use case would be SMS marketing.

How many people can be in a group text?

With Textline’s group texting platform, you can include up to 10 people in your group message. This is a great way to keep multiple contacts informed at once on must-know information. 

What are some key benefits of group messaging?

There are many group texting benefits, including:

It boosts transparency. You can keep a group of contacts in the know about important information. Plus, all replies are seen to boost transparency.

It is effective. Texts have an open rate of 98 percent and a response rate of 45 percent. This makes them an effective way to communicate with customers, employees, leads, and more.

It is simple. Short message service platforms like Textline make it easy to send a group message. It is the same general process of creating a group message on your mobile phone.

It can save time. Group messaging allows you to send messages to multiple contacts at once, cutting down on manual copy and paste.

Is business group texting legal?

Yes! Business group texting is legal. But, there are several rules businesses must follow to comply with the laws that regulate texting, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991.

To comply with the law, you must get consent from the people you’re texting. These opt-ins can be obtained by having your contacts fill out a form, asking them in person, or requesting that they text you first. Read more about how to obtain opt-ins here. In addition, you must provide a way for your contact to opt out of getting text messages. This means ensuring customers can exit a group conversation or reply to the message with words such as STOP, CANCEL, END, QUIT, UNSUBSCRIBE.

Additionally, companies that want to text with customers must register for the Campaign Registry. This was created by mobile network operators to decrease the number of SPAM text messages customers receive. The Campaign Registry is used by the carriers to ensure that your phone number and the messages being sent from it are real.

Can I add a recipient to a group message?

Currently, with Textline you can NOT add recipients to a group message once it is sent. You would need to start a new thread with all recipients. This is how SMS-based group messaging works on mobile devices.

Can you remove a recipient from a group message?

Currently with Textline you can’t remove a recipient from a group message. Instead, you’d need to start a new group conversation without the recipient you’re seeking to remove.

What’s the difference between SMS group texting and a group messaging apps?

SMS relies on phone carriers and cellular networks to send messages. On the other hand, group messaging apps like WhatsApp require an internet connection to send and receive messages.

Additionally, all cellphones can receive SMS, while group messaging apps require users to have smartphones and their specific application downloaded to receive messages.

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