Why SMS Matters for Webinar Marketing
The data is clear:
- Email open rates: 20-30% (and declining every year)
- SMS open rates: 98% (within 3 minutes of delivery)
- Webinar attendance with email only: 25-35%
- Webinar attendance with email + SMS: 45-60%
A 40%+ improvement in attendance directly translates to more sales. If your webinar funnel converts at 5%, doubling attendance doubles revenue.
SMS Capabilities by Platform
| Platform | Built-in SMS | SMS Reminders | SMS Follow-up | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WebinarKit | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ✅ | Included |
| Demio | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Requires Twilio ($25+/mo) |
| EverWebinar | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Requires Twilio ($25+/mo) |
| GoToWebinar | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available |
| Livestorm | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available |
| Zoom Webinars | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available |
| WebinarJam | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ | ❌ | Included but limited |
| ClickFunnels | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available natively |
WebinarKit's Built-In SMS Features
- Registration confirmation — Instant SMS with webinar details
- Timed reminders — 24hr, 1hr, and 15min before the webinar
- Just-in-time alerts — "Starting now!" messages for automated webinars
- Post-webinar follow-up — Replay links and offer reminders via SMS
- Segmented messaging — Different texts for attendees, no-shows, and partial viewers
- GHL sync — SMS data flows into GoHighLevel for unified communication
The Hidden Cost of Adding SMS to Other Platforms
| Setup | Platform Cost | SMS Tool | Total Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demio + Twilio | $59-199/mo | $25-75/mo | $84-274/mo |
| EverWebinar + Twilio | $99/mo | $25-75/mo | $124-174/mo |
| GoToWebinar (no SMS) | $49-399/mo | N/A | No SMS option |
| WebinarKit (built-in) | $79/mo or LTD | Included | $79/mo or LTD |
Get Built-in SMS Automation — $1 Trial
WebinarKit includes Built-in SMS Automation built-in. Join 20,000+ businesses. No commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which webinar platform has built-in SMS?
WebinarKit is the only major webinar platform with fully built-in SMS automation at no extra cost. It includes registration confirmations, timed reminders, and post-webinar follow-up via text message.
Do SMS reminders really improve webinar attendance?
Yes. Data shows SMS reminders boost webinar attendance rates by 40%+ compared to email-only reminders. SMS has a 98% open rate vs 20-30% for email.
How much does it cost to add SMS to a webinar platform?
If your platform doesn't have built-in SMS, you'll need Twilio, SimpleTexting, or similar — adding $25-100+/month depending on volume. WebinarKit includes SMS for free.
Can I send SMS from automated webinars?
With WebinarKit, yes. SMS reminders and follow-ups work on both live and automated webinars, including just-in-time scheduling alerts.