Did you know that an unbelievable 90% of SMS messages are opened and read (this is in comparison to 20% to 30% of email marketing messages)?
Meanwhile, it’d take less than a small paragraph and less than five minutes to set up an SMS marketing campaign.
While SMS marketing is an affordable way to connect with your customer base, it’s also remarkably effective and result-oriented.
Well-designed SMS marketing plans -- backed by thoughtful campaign flows and a fair degree of marketing relevance -- can help build brand awareness, drive sales, and turn customers into lifelong fans or evangelists.
In fact, more than 67% of customers signed up to receive mobile alerts. Attentive customers drive more than 20% of revenue for ecommerce brands.
On average, SMS marketing campaigns generated $71 for every dollar spent for ecommerce campaigns. More than 96% of marketers vouch for the effectiveness of SMS marketing campaigns.
How to Boost Your SMS Marketing: Examples and Best Practices
- What is SMS Marketing?
- Reasons to Use SMS in Ecommerce
- Smashing Examples of SMS Marketing
- Homesick
- Schoolyard Snacks
- Perfect Keto
- Snif
- Bloom Nutrition
- Types of SMS marketing campaigns for ecommerce
- SMS Marketing for Ecommerce: Best Practices
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to use SMS marketing for ecommerce?
- What is SMS marketing?
What is SMS Marketing?
SMS messages are characterized by plain text or rich text messages that are sent directly to customers’ mobile devices.
These customer number lists (for sending SMS messages to) are strictly permission-based, carefully curated, and grown over a period of time.
Preceded by strong (but short) copy or messaging, the SMS message usually prompts customers to take action -- such as to subscribe for specific opt-in forms on websites or ecommerce stores, visit campaign-relevant landing pages, and maybe quickly write a review or post a comment on social media accounts.
You can use SMS marketing for announcing new product offers, shipping updates, order updates, reveal holiday discounts, send offers, flash sales, and customer-exclusive offers.
Reasons to Use SMS in Ecommerce
1. SMS has a higher open rate
Unlike email, which can often get lost in crowded inboxes, SMS messages are typically read within minutes of being received. This high open rate makes SMS a perfect channel for time-sensitive promotions, flash sales, and urgent updates.
By reaching customers where they are most active—on their phones—you ensure that your messages are seen and acted upon quickly, boosting your chances of driving immediate sales.
2. SMS excels in personalization, which leads to a better customer experience and more sales
SMS marketing also allows for highly personalized and targeted communication. With the ability to segment your audience based on their preferences, purchase history, and behavior, you can send tailored messages that resonate more deeply with each recipient.
Personalized messages can range from birthday discounts to product recommendations based on past purchases, making customers feel valued and understood.This level of personalization not only enhances the customer experience but also increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and long-term loyalty.
3. SMS marketing has a huge ROI
Lastly, SMS marketing is a cost-effective strategy with a high return on investment. It requires minimal resources to set up and maintain, yet delivers substantial results.
Plus, with the integration of SMS marketing platforms, you can easily track and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.This data-driven approach allows you to continuously refine your strategies, ensuring you maximize your reach and impact.
Let’s take a look at some SMS Examples for eCommerce marketing:
Smashing Examples of SMS Marketing
Some SMS marketing campaigns can be ever-lasting and ongoing; others are temporary or seasonal. Either way, SMS marketing -- when done right -- is effective. See some of these smashing examples of SMS marketing to learn how:
Homesick
Homesick sells candles, custom wicks, Soy Wax Blends, scents, and more.
Here’s an example of a specific campaign using SMS marketing as a channel.
Notice how the SMS message is aimed to elicit the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) aspect of scarcity marketing, mentions a specific offer (for a stated time period), use of images and emojis, and a targeted call to action at the end of the message.
Of course, no one dislikes coupon codes (40% off) and a good deal.
Schoolyard Snacks
SMS messages that stay on brand, speak the language of the respective target audiences always work better than anything generic.
However, not all SMS messages have to “make people take action”. There are certain brownie points you get just for “staying in touch”.
Just by nurturing your target audiences, you tend to stay “top of mind”. In marketing speak, it’s called “mindshare” and that’s precious.
On average, SMS marketing campaigns generated $71 for every dollar spent for ecommerce campaigns. More than 96% of marketers vouch for the effectiveness of SMS marketing campaigns.
Schoolyard Snacks sells healthier alternatives to school snack favorites such as flavored cereals, cheese puffs and more.
See how Schoolyard Snacks sends out SMS updates with just a “heads up” on new products, nudging you towards conversations, and alerting you to watch out for more SMS updates and email marketing messages.
If nothing, you’ll remember the brand.
Perfect Keto
Perfect Keto sells meal plans, food, and supplements.
While Perfect Keto sells food and meal plans (closely related to the keto diet), here’s an example of an SMS campaign with the use of targeted angle, featuring one of the many benefits of their custom food plans and products.
Plus, notice a customzied banner, an “early access” prompt, a time-specific offer, use of product images as a part of the visuals, an offer, and even an option to “text back” -- making it natural for potential customers to open up a channel for communication through SMS.
Snif
Snif is an ecommerce brand that sells scents, fragrances, scented candles, and more.
Notice that their SMS campaigns use an actual person in the SMS message. When you run campaigns, use the contemporary capabilities of SMS messages on smartphones now-a-days, such as images, links, and more.
Notice the use of a “Menu style”, interactive and two-way communication with SMS messages on one of their SMS campaigns. This is a post-order nurturing message after an order has been placed where the message is sent out as an update to notify customers about their order update status.
Bloom Nutrition
The ecommerce brand Bloom Nutrition specializes in selling vitamins, supplements, gummies, and accessories.
In an example of how targeted and niche communities are nurtured, Bloom Nutrition makes use of an expansive set of campaigns and messages built to nurture communities, provide answers, for community self-help, and for promotions (of course).
Panoramata now gives you access to examples and live SMS marketing campaigns to provide you with never-ending SMS marketing campaign ideas and examples you can learn from.
This is on top of inspiration lists, benchmarking features, the ability to track your customers’ SEO profiles, and to track competitor landing pages.
Types of SMS marketing campaigns for ecommerce
Welcome SMS Message (after purchase or account creation)
A welcome SMS is the first message you receive when you signup to the texting list. Expect a thank you note, information about your order if you placed an order, an affiliate/referral link — and sometimes a special discount for your next purchase right away.
The goal? Be positive, cheerful and encourage engagement with your brand.
Promotional SMS Campaign
Promotional SMS campaigns are sent so potential customers can’t miss a special offer, a discount, or a limited-time deal. Your goal is to drive immediate action, whether it’s to boost sales during a slow period or promote a new product launch.
Include a clear CTA and a link.
Birthday SMS
Birthday SMS messages are a personalized way to celebrate your customers' birthday. It’s a fantastic way to connect and to share a discount/freebie. Your goal? Encourage repeat purchases.
Abandoned Cart Reminder SMS
An abandoned cart reminder SMS is sent to customers who have added something in their cart, started the checkout but left without completing payment.
Make sure to include a reminder about the products in the cart and a discount or incentive to recover the sale.
Back-in-Stock Notification SMS
Back-in-stock SMS notifications let customers know when a previously out-of-stock product is available again. These messages cater to interested customers who have signed up to be notified, making them highly relevant and appreciated.
SMS Marketing for Ecommerce: Best Practices
Offer valuable information
Offering valuable information in your SMS marketing is key to keeping your audience engaged and interested. Your messages should provide content that your customers find useful, whether it’s exclusive discounts, early access to sales, or updates on new arrivals.
Value can also come in the form of helpful tips related to your products, such as styling advice for clothing or care instructions for gadgets.
By consistently delivering information that benefits your customers, you establish trust and encourage them to stay subscribed to your SMS list.
Keep it short and direct
Keeping your messages short and direct is essential in SMS marketing. Given the character limits and the nature of text messaging, brevity is your best friend. Get straight to the point with clear, concise language that quickly conveys your message.
Avoid unnecessary jargon or lengthy explanations. For instance, instead of writing, “We are excited to announce that we have a special discount available for you,” you could simply say, “Enjoy 20% off today only! Shop now: [link].”
This approach respects your customers’ time and ensures that your key points are easily understood and acted upon.
Use personalization
Using personalization in your SMS marketing can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns. Personalization goes beyond just including the recipient's name; it involves tailoring your messages to reflect their preferences, purchase history, and behaviors.
For example, you could send a special discount on a product they’ve shown interest in or a reminder about items left in their cart.
Personal touches like these make your customers feel valued and understood, which can lead to increased engagement and loyalty.
By leveraging data to create personalized messages, you can foster a deeper connection with your audience and drive better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use SMS marketing for ecommerce?
To use SMS marketing for ecommerce, start by collecting your customers' phone numbers with their permission.
Then, send them personalized messages about promotions, new product launches, and exclusive deals. Ensure the messages are timely, relevant, and include a clear call to action to drive engagement and sales.
What is SMS marketing?
SMS marketing involves sending promotional or informational text messages to customers.
For example, a clothing store might send a text saying, "Get 20% off your next purchase with code SPRING20! Shop now at [link]". This direct and personal approach helps boost sales and customer loyalty.
