Text vs Landline: Why Enabling SMS on Your Business Number Boosts Customer Engagement

When customers text your landline, those messages vanish. But when you enable texting on your business number, you create a new, powerful channel for customer engagement. In this blog, we’ll explain why text-enabling your landline matters, how it benefits your business, and how to get started with Texty Pro.

October 1, 2025
Text vs Landline: Why Enabling SMS on Your Business Number Boosts Customer Engagement
Text vs Landline: Why Enabling SMS on Your Business Number Boosts Customer Engagement
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Reason for Texting From Your Business Number

Imagine a customer texting your business number with a simple question: “Are you open on Saturday?” They expect a quick reply. Instead, nothing happens. The text doesn’t get delivered, doesn’t notify you, and doesn’t bounce back to them. It just vanishes. That’s what happens when someone sends a text to a traditional landline.

We’ve already explained in our blog on what happens when you text a landline that those messages disappear into the void. In this article, let’s look at the flip side: why enabling SMS on your business number is a smart move, how it helps your business grow, and how to do it the right way.

Why Businesses Miss Out Without Text-Enabled Numbers

When your business number can’t accept texts, you’re leaving customers hanging. Most people assume every phone number works with texting, so they’ll send a message and expect a response. If they don’t hear back, they’ll either call your competitor or give up entirely.

Missed texts mean:

  • Lost sales opportunities
  • Slower customer service
  • Frustrated clients who think you ignored them

In a world where speed and convenience are everything, not being able to receive texts is like shutting the door on your customers.

Why You Should Text-Enable Your Business Number

Text-enabling your landline or VoIP number fixes this problem instantly. Here’s why it matters:

1. One Number for Calls and Texts

Customers trust your business number. By using it for both calls and texts, you give them consistency. No more juggling different phone numbers or confusing short codes.

2. Meet Customers Where They Already Are

Research shows that 85% of consumers prefer to receive texts from businesses instead of calls or emails. People want quick, convenient communication, and texting is their preferred method of communication.

3. Boost Customer Engagement

From appointment confirmations to promotions, SMS keeps customers in the loop. With open rates around 98%, your texts won’t get lost like emails often do.

4. Unlock New Use Cases

Once your number is text-enabled, you can do much more than reply to questions:

  • Send reminders and reduce no-shows
  • Collect feedback instantly
  • Share promotions or new offers
  • Provide fast, two-way support

Real Examples of Text-Enabled Business Numbers

Here’s how different industries use SMS once they enable texting on their business lines:

  • Healthcare: “Hi Jane, your dental cleaning is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply C to confirm.”
  • Home Services: “Reminder: BrightFix Electric is scheduled for your installation on Thursday at 11 AM. Reply YES to confirm.”
  • Beauty & Spas: “Hi Mia, your facial appointment at Bella Spa is Friday at 1 PM. Reply R to reschedule.”
  • Real Estate: “Reminder: Your showing at 123 Main Street is Saturday at 10 AM. Reply YES if you’ll be there.”

Every one of these examples shows the power of turning your existing business line into a two-way text channel.

How to Enable Texting on Your Business Number

The good news is, you don’t need to change providers or get a brand-new text-only number. With a service like Texty Pro, you can add SMS capabilities to your existing landline or VoIP line. Here’s how it works:

  1. Text-enable your number through a provider like Texty Pro within minutes.
  2. Set up your account to manage incoming and outgoing messages.
  3. Use templates for reminders, confirmations, and promotions.
  4. Monitor conversations from your computer or mobile device.

It’s simple to set up, and your customers won’t have to learn a new number to reach you.

Best Practices for Using SMS on Business Numbers

Once you’re text-enabled, keep these best practices in mind:

  • Announce it: Let customers know they can now text you. Add “Text or call us at [number]” on your website and marketing.
  • Keep it short: Texts should be clear, concise, and action-oriented.
  • Be human: Use a friendly tone that matches your brand voice.
  • Stay compliant: Always get consent and offer opt-out options like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

Pitfalls to Avoid

Not all texting setups are created equal. Avoid these common mistakes:

  • Using a random texting-only number instead of your main business line (confuses customers).
  • Forgetting to monitor incoming texts.
  • Sending overly long, email-like messages.
  • Ignoring compliance rules (which could mean fines).

By steering clear of these, your texting strategy will stay strong, professional, and customer-friendly.

Texty Final Thoughts: Text-Enable and Stay Connected

Texts sent to a landline don’t go anywhere. But by text-enabling your business number, you can stop missing messages and start turning them into opportunities. Customers already assume they can text you — now you can make that true.

Ready to get started? With Texty Pro, you can text-enable your existing number in minutes and start engaging customers where they already are: on their phones.

Start your free trial with Texty Pro today and never miss another customer message.

How to Text From a Landline Number in 2025

Can landlines text? If you’re wondering whether landlines can send and receive text messages, the answer is yes! Using a landline number and a computer, you can text-enable your phone number and text from a computer. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that already have local landline numbers.

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Why Business Texting Is Better Than Phone Calls and Emails

See the benefits of adding text messaging to your business phone number to send and receive text from a computer. Compared to phone calls and emails, business SMS is a fast and convenient way to interact with your customers whenever and wherever.

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