Messaging can be used as-is, for example, to send reminders and offers, as well as to receive customer responses. However, messaging applications can deliver even greater value when integrated as part of a company’s other software, such as customer databases, marketing automation, or e-commerce platforms.
By integrating instant messaging apps into a piece of software, you can use the software to send messages such as SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger directly to your target audiences around the world. One way to do this integration is to Zapier.
Toward More Comprehensive Software Utilization
Roger Studio has conducted a commendable study on the use of marketing automation in Finland. According to the study, marketing automation is already in use by over a third of Finnish organizations, meaning the shift from the so-called hype phase to mainstream adoption has occurred. In addition to marketing automation, many other software solutions have been widely adopted in companies and organizations, but they are primarily used for lead generation and data collection.
The key message of the study is that with the adoption of new technologies, sales and marketing are increasingly becoming a service. This means that sales and marketing must be able to target communication more effectively and serve customers personally at different stages of the buyer journey. The next step is to utilize software and collected data more comprehensively in sales and customer service situations.
Consumer communication has increasingly shifted to messaging applications (text messaging is also an application on smartphones), so customers already spend time there. When you want to reach customers personally and with maximum attention value, messaging applications are the most effective channel.
Integrate Communication Channels into Software with Zapier
Zapier is an integration platform that enables easy connection of digital tools and systems. By connecting SmartDialog’s messaging applications to, for example, marketing automation, you can send messages to different channels from processes either one-way or two-way. With Zapier, you can automate tasks and functions that would otherwise require manual work.
Zapier’s strengths:
– No coding skills required to create integrations
– Includes over 2,000 ready-made integrations with different software
– Scalable pricing tier determined by the number of tasks (Zaps) used
– Reasonably priced considering its scope and features
Zapier Implementation and Connection to SmartDialog:
1. Select and connect your desired application/trigger that activates SMS message sending
2. Connect the SmartDialog SMS & WhatsApp application with Zapier.
3. Define your desired message
4. Test and activate the ZAP
How Do I Get Started?
All conversations and connections to different messaging applications can be conveniently managed on a single platform, SmartDialog. You can utilize modern API interfaces and the web management interface’s chat tool to send and receive messages according to your needs.
We handle the connection and maintenance of messaging channels on a turnkey basis and support platform use 24/7.
In our upcoming blog posts, we will explore connecting messaging applications to the most common software and what kinds of processes can be implemented with these integrations.