Many mainstream SMS platforms, like Klaviyo, do not support SMS services for cannabis brands. However, several cannabis-friendly SMS platforms, such as Alpine IQ, Happy Cabbage, and SpringBig, are well-informed and compliant with industry regulations, offering tailored solutions to help these brands succeed. In this article, we compare these three top cannabis SMS marketing platforms to help brands choose the best solution.
Best SMS Marketing Platforms for Cannabis Brands
To assist brands with making the correct choice, we’ll analyze and review the best features of popular dispensary text marketing platforms. Here you can find information about their SMS marketing functionality, compliance policy, integrations, and other things to note before paying for one of the tools.
Alpine IQ
Alpine IQ is specifically designed for the cannabis industry, offering a comprehensive suite of marketing tools including SMS marketing, email marketing, loyalty programs, and data analytics. The platform offers clients the broadest range of solutions available in the market to safeguard, categorize, and advertise all online and in-store activities. The goal of Alpine is to assist companies in extending the typical in-store or online customer experience, which lasts between five and seven minutes, to a lifetime of follow-up visits, sales, and interesting interactions. By offering customer-focused technology, this cannabis text message marketing tool enables high-risk sectors by assisting retailers and brands of all sizes in overcoming growth obstacles and generating income. According to the vendor, Alpine IQ has already facilitated over 3,000 brand connections and generated over $2 billion in unrealized revenue.
Key Features
- Integrations
The company has integrations with major cannabis retail platforms like Dutchie, Jane, Shopify, WooCommerce, and others. With non-cannabis platforms, they do custom integration via API.
- SMS Marketing
Focuses heavily on SMS/text marketing with features like sign-up forms, double opt-in, audience segmentation, and customizable campaigns. Personalized shopping recommendations in messages and abandoned cart text messages.
- Compliance
The platform is compliant with the TCPA and CASTL. Meets HIPAA and SOC2 standards and does not sell customer data. Ensures that messages avoid cannabis-related language to reduce blocking by carriers.
- Special Notes to Features
- Cellphone carriers try to block messages containing cannabis-related language because it’s not federally legal, so it’s not recommended to use such language.
- To collect SMS subscribers, you need to get explicit consent (“yes”) from customers, allowing you to send SMS messages. Once you have permission, you can create and segment audiences.
- Brands can’t advertise Delta A, but everything else is permissible.
- They claim 99% average deliverability.
Pricing
Costs range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month, depending on usage and features. The company doesn’t disclose the pricing on its website. However, we found and extracted more detailed information about approximate price ranges from reviews on VendrMarketplace and SourceForge. According to the reviews, More comprehensive packages, particularly those with substantial use of marketing messages or numerous premium products, can reach up to $70,000 yearly, while basic subscriptions can start at about $45 per month. The number of marketing messages and integrations impacts these costs, but Alpine IQ is renowned for not charging extra for things like per-store or loyalty program membership.
Happy Cabbage
Happy Cabbage provides analytics-driven marketing solutions for cannabis brands with a primary focus on data analytics, and email and SMS marketing capabilities. Happy Cabbage is a platform for retail optimization designed for cannabis delivery services and shops. Through cash savings on inventory, marketing, and retail operations, this top dispensary SMS platform helps operators increase sales. By combining analytics, pricing, and marketing into a single automated platform, it aims to close the gap between data and action.
Key Features
- Integrations
The platform integrates with Shopify and many POS like Dutchie, Blaze, Trees, Flow Hub, Meadow, and others.
- SMS Marketing
Focusing on higher converting SMS and email campaigns with AI-powered segmentation. AI predicts audience segments, allowing businesses to target the right customers with the right products at the right time, minimizing opt-out rates. Provides personalized campaign suggestions based on customer buying patterns.
- Compliance
This company currently uses the strategy of filtered keywords to remain compliant in the cannabis space.
- Special Notes to Features
The $1500 implementation fee includes POS integration and a live training session.
Pricing
In contrast to other platforms that charge for each message sent, Happy Cabbage only charges for messages that are successfully delivered, which can save unnecessary costs. The pricing structure of Happy Cabbage includes a $900/month subscription. Furthermore, this subscription includes customer assistance in addition to the software, enabling businesses to optimize their SMS and email marketing efforts without any additional or hidden costs.
Springbig
SpringBig is a comprehensive cannabis SMS marketing platform tailored specifically for dispensary businesses, with a strong emphasis on SMS marketing and loyalty programs. Springbig is the top supplier of marketing software for the cannabis sector. The company’s clients are allowed to deliver exclusive branded content without any filtering because of the unique SMS marketing engine that complies with TCPA and 10DLC regulations. The main goal of this cloud-based CRM is to assist cannabis shops in gathering consumer information to enhance their marketing and sales tactics. To increase lead conversion rate, the platform helps organizations set up event-based triggers based on consumer behavior and automate workflows. Springbig Cannabis Co. CRM facilitates data collection and transaction processing operations optimization by integrating with the current point of sale (POS) system. Users can also help decision-making processes within the company by using reports and analytics to obtain insight into marketing efforts.
Key Features
- Integrations
The platform works seamlessly with many popular POS and e-commerce systems. SpringBig supports systems like Shopify, Lightspeed, Dutchie, Blaze, Trees, Flow Hub, and over 30 other POS systems. They are also open to integrating with other platforms like WooCommerce and Magento upon request.
- SMS Marketing
Unlike platforms that use third-party systems like Twilio, SpringBig has its own proprietary messaging system and APIs, ensuring compliance with regulations like TCPA and 10DLC. They have around 500 simple, customizable templates that allow you to message customers using personalized messages based on product interest. Their dedicated messaging team continuously approves and tests new templates uploaded to their client accounts daily. Clients also have the option to submit their own custom templates for approval. Once tested and approved, these templates are uploaded to their accounts, ensuring compliance with carrier guidelines and optimal deliverability – typically 90%+.
- Compliance
The platform is compliant with the TCPA, FCC, Canadian CRTC/CLSA, and all other Federal Laws by using their e-signature app that supports proper double opt-in procedures. They also include easy ‘reply stop’ options in messages. Carrier regulations and laws from the big 3 (ATT, T-Mobile, Sprint) such as SHAFT are also handled.
- Special Notes to Features
- SpringBig’s loyalty programs are specifically designed for cannabis businesses.
- Unlike other loyalty programs that aren’t integrated with cannabis-specific POS systems, SpringBig’s program automatically tracks transactions and rewards points.
- Plus, SpringBig’s SMS messaging keeps customers updated about their points and offers, which helps boost customer engagement.
Pricing
Based on the reviews we found on Capterra and SelectHub, the monthly cost of Springbig is $600, which grants access to its primary tools for managing reward programs and SMS. Furthermore, Springbig offers adjustable scaling options that let companies adjust their plan to meet unique marketing requirements as they develop. This makes it a good fit for cannabis companies of all sizes who want to increase consumer engagement and loyalty programs. This adaptability enables companies to control expenses while keeping access to necessary services.
Top Cannabis SMS Marketing Platforms Compared
Now that we know all the details about pricing and functionality, we can compare SMS marketing platforms for cannabis brands from our list with each other. We gathered information about the strong and weak sides that clients encounter the most while using these tools.
For every platform, we compiled a list of benefits that they can bring to businesses, as well as drawbacks that they can face. The lists were formed based on client reviews from review platforms like TrustRadius, SoftwareAdvice, and CannaPlanners.
Pros and Cons of Alpine IQ Dispensary SMS Marketing Platform
Benefits of Alpine IQ
- Ease of Use and Setup
Alpine IQ’s user-friendly interface is highly appreciated by its users, as it facilitates easy setup and navigation. For customers who are acquainted with cannabis retail operations, in particular, it simplifies a variety of marketing chores.
- Thorough interface
Alpine IQ provides a smooth interface with well-known dispensary point-of-sale (POS) systems, such as Flowhub and Greenbits, enabling retailers to gather information on sales and consumer behavior that improves focused marketing campaigns.
Drawbacks of Alpine IQ
- Limited Customer Help
Alpine IQ does not offer customer help around the clock, which could be a problem for those companies who require it.
- Absence of Transparent Pricing
Alpine IQ’s pricing information is not accessible to the public, which may make it difficult for prospective clients to weigh its expenses against those of competing products.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Happy Cabbage for Cannabis SMS Marketing
Happy Cabbage’s Benefits
- Data-Driven Insights
Happy Cabbage provides dispensaries with strong data analytics to monitor consumer behavior and enhance the efficacy of their campaigns. Businesses can increase profitability by using this feature to help them make better decisions about inventory management and marketing methods.
- Efficient Targeting Tools
Dispensaries can send individualized SMS and email campaigns by using the platform’s machine learning capabilities to segment their customer base and identify audiences most likely to convert. Higher customer involvement and more potential sales result from this.
Disadvantages of Happy Cabbage
- Restricted Marketing Channels
Happy Cabbage’s primary focus is on SMS and email marketing; therefore, companies looking for a more all-inclusive array of marketing tools, including social media or other digital marketing possibilities, may find it too restrictive.
- High Price Point for Small Businesses
A few customers have noted that Happy Cabbage’s price is a little on the expensive side, which might make it more difficult for startups or smaller companies searching for a more cost-effective alternative.
Pros and Cons of Springbig as a Cannabis Marketing Platform
Benefits
- Improved Tools for Client Engagement
Springbig makes it simple to target various client segments and structure SMS campaigns with images, which makes it easy to interact with and customize customers effectively.
- Customer Service
Some users express satisfaction with Springbig’s customer care staff, highlighting their promptness and helpfulness, especially when it comes to onboarding and continuing assistance.
Drawbacks
- Hidden Fees
A few customers have complained of unforeseen charges, especially concerning undeliverable messages and image-based SMS, which can rapidly consume credits without any obvious alerts.
- Limited Customization
Reviews on SoftwareAdvice note that although the platform is generally user-friendly, there are several areas where it isn’t flexible, such as creating unique promotional structures or double point days for loyalty programs.
Comparison of SMS Platforms for Cannabis Brands: Our Conclusion
After analyzing the features, price ranges, and customer reviews, we can conclude that each of these top cannabis marketing platforms has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on what your brand wants to focus on, the need for a certain feature set, and available resources, you can consider all three platforms and expect to achieve desirable results. Since Flowium is an expert in SMS marketing and has been working with different solutions over the years of practice, here are our verdicts about each product that can help you with the choice.
- Alpine IQ
It offers more cheap pricing, giving it a cost-effective solution for firms wishing to manage client interaction without breaking the bank.
- Happy Cabbage
This platform offers exclusively dispensary SMS and email marketing solutions, with an emphasis on optimizing client outreach through straightforward, uncomplicated modes of communication.
- Springbig
This solution is perfect for highly regulated businesses that depend on customer retention and regulatory adherence because it has built-in compliance capabilities and excels in loyalty program integration.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps your brand with the choice of the best cannabis SMS platform. Each of these leading cannabis marketing systems has benefits and drawbacks, as we can see from our analysis of the features, pricing, and user feedback. You can take into consideration all three platforms and anticipate favorable outcomes. For maximum efficiency and streamlined workflow, we recommend connecting your chosen platform with Klaviyo. Given Flowium’s extensive experience in SMS marketing and our knowledge of various solutions, you can contact our experts for further consulting on any of these platforms and their integration with Klaviyo. We’ll happily carry out your integration project.
