SMS vs. MMS: Key Differences Explained

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Quick Link: SMS Campaigns

Voizee enables businesses to communicate effectively through SMS and MMS campaigns, helping organizations reach their audience with text-based and multimedia messages. Below, we’ll break down the differences between SMS and MMS, when to use each, and how to send campaigns from Voizee.

What is the Difference Between SMS and MMS?

Both SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) are widely used for mobile communication, but they serve different purposes:

• SMS: A text-only messaging service limited to 160 characters per message. It is ideal for quick updates, reminders, and transactional messages.
• MMS: Supports longer messages (up to 1,600 characters) and allows images, GIFs, videos, and audio files. This format is best suited for marketing campaigns, event promotions, and engaging multimedia communication.

Credit Usage for SMS vs. MMS

💡 Tip: For longer messages, sending an MMS is often more economical than multiple SMS messages—even if no image is included.

When to Use SMS vs. MMS?

✔ Use SMS for:

• Quick reminders, confirmations, and alerts
• Simple text-based announcements
• Messages that do not require multimedia elements

📢 Use MMS for:

• Promotional campaigns (sales, offers, discounts)
• Visually engaging messages with images or GIFs
• Event invitations with media attachments
• Text messages exceeding 160 characters (to save credits)

Best Practices for MMS Image Formatting

To ensure optimal MMS delivery and engagement, follow these formatting recommendations:

• 📏 Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Portrait mode)
• 📸 Resolution: 640px wide × 1,138px tall
• 📂 File Size: Under 500KB to prevent delivery issues
• 📄 Format: JPEG for maximum compatibility

✅ Why Proper Image Formatting Matters?

• Ensures clear and crisp visuals across all devices
• Prevents message failures due to large file sizes
• Improves engagement rates and user experience

How to Send SMS or MMS Campaigns in Voizee

Follow these steps to create and send an SMS or MMS campaign in Voizee:

Step 1: Navigate to the SMS Campaigns Page

1. Log in to your Voizee account.
2. Go to Campaigns > SMS Campaigns.
3. Click the “Create SMS Campaign” button.

Step 2: Set Up Your Campaign

1. Campaign Name: Enter a unique name for easy tracking.
2. Select SMS or MMS: Use the toggle switch to choose between SMS (text only) or MMS (text with multimedia or longer messages).

Step 3: Compose Your Message

• AI Texting Assistant 🧠💡: Click the light bulb icon to generate or refine your message.
• Test Message: Enter your message manually or use the AI-generated text.
• Send As: Choose the phone number from which the campaign will be sent.

Step 4: Select Recipients

You can add recipients using one of the following methods:
✔ By Segments: Enter a segment name to pull a contact list (segments must be created beforehand in Leads > Segments).
✔ By Tags: Enter a tag name to pull contacts (tags must be created beforehand in Leads > Tags).
✔ By Name or Phone Number: Manually search and select recipients.
✔ Assign Tags: Label this campaign for better tracking and reporting.

Step 5: Choose Sending Options

• Send Now: Instantly send the campaign.
• Schedule: Choose a future date and time for sending.
• Recurring: Set up an automated recurring SMS or MMS campaign.

Step 6: Finalize and Send

• Save Draft: Save your campaign and return to it later.
• Cancel: Discard the campaign if needed.
• Send: Click Send to finalize and launch your campaign.

Final Takeaways

• Use SMS for short, text-only messages and MMS for longer messages or multimedia content.
• For messages over 160 characters, consider sending an MMS instead of multiple SMS credits.
• Optimize images for MMS campaigns to enhance delivery and engagement.

By following these steps and best practices, Voizee users can create, schedule, and manage SMS and MMS campaigns effectively, ensuring cost efficiency and maximum impact. 🚀

Still feeling stuck? Please send us your questions using this form.