SMS marketing is sending offers and reminders by text to customers who agreed to receive them. A UK text costs about 5p plus VAT at small volumes, so 1,000 messages cost around £50.
The number: FireText pricing.
MMS marketing sends a picture or video instead of plain text. It is rare in the UK: Twilio, one of the largest providers, lists no UK MMS price. Most businesses send a text with a link instead.
What it means in practice
The mistake is texting a list you bought or a customer who never agreed. PECR treats marketing texts like marketing emails: you need consent, or an existing customer relationship with a clear chance to opt out.
The move is short, useful texts to your own customers: appointment reminders, a rebooking nudge or a time-limited offer, each with a way to stop.
Whito stage: Build. Use it once you have a customer list worth keeping in touch with.
The numbers to hold onto
- FireText charges 5p per text, excluding VAT, at its smallest volume, read 4 November 2026. FireText.
- Twilio lists $0.056 (US dollars) per text segment to UK mobiles, read 4 November 2026. Twilio UK SMS pricing.
- UK email returns £38.33 for every £1 spent, a cheaper channel to compare against. UK Email Marketing ROI Report.
Where to go next
Related: EDM, Email marketing ROI, Cost per lead