In short, absolutely.

Think about the last time you received a call on your cell phone from an unknown phone number. Did you answer? Chances are that you ignored the call and let it go straight to voicemail—there’s no shame in that. The majority of society does the same. However, when it comes to business, the constant phone screening has become problematic. Customers are notoriously hard to get in touch with—so hard, in fact, that text messaging has become a viable communication option for businesses. Here are four reasons why you should be texting.

• High read rate.
  It’s not uncommon to come across somebody who has an e-mail inbox of hundreds of unopened e-mails but zero unread text messages. Text messages can be read on the fly, regardless of the time of day. According to report done by Dynmark, text messages have an open rate of 98%. In fact, 90% of text messages are read within just seconds. If you’re looking for a foolproof way to get your message viewed, consider shooting them a quick text.
• Convenience.
  Perception is key. Often, sales reps are apprehensive about reaching out to customers due to the fear of being viewed as an inconvenience. A phone call can be seen as intrusive, whereas a text message can seem like a friendly reminder. Whether you’re reaching out for a specific answer or just checking in, a text message won’t make your customers drop what they’re doing to speak to you—a definite win-win for both of you!
• Competitive edge.
  In order to stand out from the competition, you need to provide customers with something that differentiates you from others. If you offer similar products, focus on high-quality customer service. Customers want to feel like they’re not just another face in the crowd or number in your paycheck. Text messaging may very well be the personal touch that your customers are craving.
• Millennials.
  Millennials have become the largest generation, quickly surpassing baby boomers. This means that a good portion of your customers may end up being born after 1981. This technology-hungry generation is known for their persistent demand for answers. To put it lightly, they’re quite impatient. Text messaging is a speedy form of communication that will strongly appeal to millennials more so than a lengthy call.

If you’re struggling to get in touch with customers, consider adding text messaging to your communication plan. You’ll be surprised at how receptive customers are to the idea.