Clearstream provides SMS marketing software to businesses looking to expand their marketing campaigns into the realm of text messaging. Within this Clearstream Review we offer information on their text marketing features, pricing, and company information. Keep reading to learn if Clearstream has the mobile marketing tools you are looking for.
Clearstream (the company) –
Clearstream was co-founded by two gentlemen with experience in web development, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media. Clearstream was founded in 2009 and over time has changed from a multifaceted company to one focused on creating and providing a “world class mobile marketing and communication product”. Located in Pensacola, Florida they provide text message services to local and national businesses throughout the U.S.
SMS Marketing –
Like most SMS text marketing companies, Clearstream has created a very simple yet very functional web based text messaging software that allows businesses to text a large number of people all at once. Most cellular phone companies only allow individual users to text a maximum of 10 people at a time, while web based software can send to hundreds (even thousands) of messages all in the click of a button. With SMS marketing there is also the convenience and privacy of business messages being sent from a short code (shortened phone number), such as Clearstreams 97000 shortcode. Using a shortcode makes it possible to keep your personal phone number private while texting via your Internet account directly to your customers (via their cell phone carrier).
Text marketing campaigns are strictly regulated to prevent spamming, in order to send text messages to your customers (even clients established with your company) you MUST have their explicit permission to send them text messages. Just because a customer gave their phone number to a business does not give that business permission to text them. Clearstream offers several ways for customers to opt-in to your text marketing campaign; direct opt-in using a keyword, QR codes, or website widgets. Whether customers text your keyword to the short code, scan the QR code, or enter their phone number on your website they are covering all the legal requirements for the text marketing opt-in process. Clearstream does allow importing of phone numbers. However, when importing customers must still follow the CTIA guidelines and have every persons explicit permission to receive text messages within 48 hours of importing.
There are a couple unique features offered in the Clearstream text marketing packages, the first being dedicated long code numbers. Long code numbers are regular telephone numbers (as opposed to shortcode numbers), each Clearstream account may choose their own local telephone number from which the text messages will come from. The advantage of long codes is there is no need for keywords and it appears your message is coming from a local number. The drawback is that it uses a different protocol than regular SMS text messaging (more like email) and may not have the same receiving capability due to filters, they would also require your customers to memorize a full phone number versus a shortcode.
Many text marketing companies are now allowing potential customers the ability to try their product for free. However, many mobile marketing providers either limit the time (ie. 14 days), limit the subscribers, limit the messages, or require a credit card. With Clearstream the free plan is “forever free”; has no contract, no setup fees, and allows upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations at anytime. While their pricing is very comparable to others within the industry, the Clearstream packages allow for a specific number of free keywords and QR codes. The Clearstream QR codes’ destination (URL) may be changed, without requiring a reprint of the QR codes. Many other text marketing companies require a reprint of the QR code and charge for additional keywords.
Some text marketing companies offer other communication services such as email or multimedia service (MMS). But, if you are looking for an easy-to-use text marketing company then Clearstream may have just what you are looking for. Visit their website for more details.