95% open rates

SMS marketing that UK small businesses can actually afford

Send marketing SMS messages from a real UK number. Built-in compliance, opt-out management, and texts from 1p each. An SMS marketing platform built for small businesses, not enterprises.

Start SMS MarketingTalk to Us

Set up in under 3 minutes. From £1.70/mo + 1p per text.

Why SMS marketing works

SMS in marketing consistently outperforms every other channel for speed, reach, and engagement.

95%

Open rate

vs 20-30% for email

< 3 min

Average read time

Most texts read within minutes

45%

Response rate

vs 6% for email marketing

SMS marketing is sending promotional text messages to customers who have opted in. It covers flash sales, discount codes, appointment reminders, event invitations, re-engagement campaigns, and seasonal promotions. Unlike email that sits unread in an inbox, or social posts that algorithms hide, marketing SMS messages land directly on the customer's phone and get read almost immediately.

For UK small businesses — from local shops and restaurants to tradespeople and salons — SMS marketing is the most cost-effective way to drive repeat visits, fill empty appointment slots, and keep customers engaged. And with Line, you can start for £1.70/month with no contracts.

SMS marketing platform features

Everything you need to run SMS marketing campaigns — sending, scheduling, compliance, and analytics in one place.

Campaign sending
Send marketing SMS messages to your contact list in seconds. Write your message, select recipients, and hit send — or schedule it for the perfect time.
Message templates
Start with proven SMS marketing templates for promotions, flash sales, appointment reminders, and re-engagement. Customise them to match your brand voice.
Scheduled campaigns
Schedule marketing texts for when they will have the most impact. Morning appointment reminders, lunchtime offers, or weekend event promotions.
Opt-out management
Built-in STOP word handling. When a customer replies STOP, they are automatically unsubscribed. Stay compliant without manual list maintenance.
Delivery and response tracking
See which messages were delivered, who replied, and which campaigns drive the most engagement. Simple analytics that show what is working.
Two-way conversations
Customers who reply to your marketing SMS land in your shared inbox. Turn a promotional text into a real sales conversation — reply personally from the same number.
Shared team inbox
Marketing replies visible to your whole team. Assign leads to the right person, follow up fast, and never lose a customer who responded to your campaign.
Contact groups
Segment your contacts into groups — VIP customers, new leads, lapsed clients — and send targeted marketing SMS messages to the right people at the right time.
UK compliance built in
PECR and GDPR compliance features are built into the platform, not bolted on. Consent tracking, opt-out handling, and clear audit trails for every marketing message.

SMS marketing compliance in the UK

PECR and UK GDPR set clear rules for marketing SMS messages. Follow these five principles and you will stay on the right side of the regulations.

1

Get explicit consent

You need clear opt-in permission before sending marketing SMS messages. A customer giving you their phone number is not enough — they must specifically agree to receive marketing texts. Record when and how they opted in.

2

Include an opt-out in every message

Every marketing SMS must include a way to unsubscribe — typically "Reply STOP to opt out." Line handles STOP replies automatically, removing the contact from future marketing sends.

3

Identify yourself

Recipients should know who is texting them. With Line, your texts come from a real UK number that customers can save in their contacts — no anonymous short codes or random sender IDs.

4

Respect the rules on timing

Do not send marketing texts at unsociable hours. While there is no hard legal curfew, best practice is to send between 9am and 8pm. Line's scheduling feature makes this easy to manage.

5

Keep records

Under GDPR, you need to demonstrate compliance if asked. Keep records of consent, opt-out requests, and your messaging practices. Line's inbox provides a clear history of every conversation.

SMS marketing pricing: Line vs the rest

Enterprise SMS marketing platforms charge enterprise prices. Line is built for small businesses.

FeatureLineEnterprise platforms
Monthly platform feeFrom £1.70/mo£50-300+/mo
Cost per SMS1p3-5p
ContractNone — cancel anytimeAnnual contracts typical
Setup timeUnder 3 minutesDays to weeks
Real UK numberYes — replies welcomeOften short codes or sender IDs
Voice calls + WhatsAppIncludedSeparate products/costs
Best forUK small businessesLarge e-commerce brands
Start SMS Marketing — From £1.70/mo

How UK businesses use SMS marketing

Flash sales and promotions
Send a text about today's offer and see customers walk through the door within hours. SMS marketing has the fastest time-to-action of any marketing channel.
Appointment reminders
Reduce no-shows by up to 40% with automated text reminders. Salons, clinics, and tradespeople save hours of wasted time every week.
Re-engagement campaigns
Win back lapsed customers with a targeted text. "We haven't seen you in a while — here's 15% off your next visit" gets more responses via SMS than email.
Event marketing
Fill seats with event announcements, send logistics on the day, and follow up with a thank-you message. All from the same number.
Seasonal campaigns
Christmas offers, summer sales, Black Friday deals — SMS marketing lets you reach your entire customer list in seconds when timing matters most.
New product launches
Text your most loyal customers first when you launch something new. Give them early access or an exclusive discount to reward their loyalty.

Simple SMS marketing pricing

No hidden fees. No per-campaign charges. No enterprise sales calls.

  • 1p per SMS — marketing or transactional
  • Real UK number — customers can reply
  • Built-in opt-out management
  • Scheduled campaigns
  • Shared team inbox for replies
  • Delivery reporting
  • No contracts or minimum spend
  • Voice calls + WhatsApp included
Start SMS Marketing

From £1.70/mo. Prices exclude VAT. Full pricing

SMS marketing FAQ

Common questions about SMS marketing in the UK.

What is SMS marketing?

SMS marketing is sending promotional or informational text messages to customers who have opted in to receive them. It covers everything from flash sale announcements and discount codes to appointment reminders and re-engagement campaigns. With 95%+ open rates, SMS marketing consistently outperforms email, social media, and most other marketing channels.

Is SMS marketing legal in the UK?

Yes, SMS marketing is legal in the UK provided you follow PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations) and UK GDPR. You need explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing texts, must include an opt-out mechanism in every message, and must identify yourself as the sender. Transactional messages like appointment reminders have more flexibility, but promotional texts require clear consent.

What open rate do SMS marketing campaigns get?

SMS marketing messages see open rates of 95% or higher, with most texts read within 3 minutes of delivery. Compare that to email marketing at 20-30% open rates. The immediacy of SMS makes it one of the highest-engagement marketing channels available to small businesses.

How much does SMS marketing cost in the UK?

With Line, each marketing SMS costs 1p (one credit). Your business number starts from £1.70/month. There are no campaign fees, no monthly platform charges on top, and no minimum spend. Enterprise SMS marketing platforms like Omnisend or Attentive typically charge £50-300/month in platform fees alone, plus 3-5p per message.

What is the difference between SMS marketing and bulk SMS?

Bulk SMS is the mechanics — sending a text message to many people at once. SMS marketing is the strategy — using those texts for promotional purposes like offers, flash sales, and re-engagement campaigns. Line handles both: you can send bulk operational messages (appointment reminders, delivery updates) and marketing campaigns from the same platform.

Can I use SMS marketing alongside email marketing?

Absolutely. Email and SMS marketing work best together. Use email for longer content like newsletters and detailed offers, and SMS for time-sensitive promotions, reminders, and follow-ups. Many businesses send an email campaign and follow up with an SMS to non-openers — combining email SMS marketing for maximum reach.

How do I build an SMS marketing list?

Build your SMS marketing list by collecting opt-in consent from customers at every touchpoint: checkout forms, website popups, in-store sign-up sheets, and social media. Always make it clear they are subscribing to marketing texts. Never buy SMS lists — purchased contacts have not consented and sending to them violates PECR.

What is the best SMS marketing platform for UK small businesses?

For UK small businesses, the best SMS marketing platform is one that is simple, affordable, and compliant. Line offers 1p texts, built-in PECR/GDPR compliance, real UK numbers, a shared team inbox, and no contracts. Enterprise platforms like Omnisend, Attentive, and Klaviyo are designed for large e-commerce brands and come with complexity and cost that most SMBs do not need.

SMS Marketing UK | SMS Marketing Platform for Small Businesses | Line | Line