SMS Marketing for Ecommerce: How to Reach Your Customers Directly

These days, staying connected with your customers is more imperative than ever. However, how can you be confident that your messages are seen? Nowadays, social media feeds are full of noise, and inboxes are overflowing. Ummm.. here is where eCommerce SMS marketingrip SMS marketing comes into the picture.

With an almost 98% open rate and 45% response rate, SMS cuts through the noise and provides a direct line to your customer’s inboxes. Today, we live in a world where attention is the most valuable currency. Text message marketing offers immediacy and intimacy that can hugely benefit your online store.

This blog discusses why SMS marketing for eCommerce is essential and its benefits and examples to elevate your eCommerce game.

Let’s get started!

What is SMS Marketing for Ecommerce?

Ecommerce SMS marketing means using text messages to communicate directly with your potential customers/subscribers, aiming to promote your products, offers, and provide updates. Online retailers strategically use SMS marketing to connect and engage with their customers. Simply put, if you send your subscribers a text message like this: “Exclusive BOGO Offer Only Today! Shop today to get your savings.” It is eCommerce SMS marketing.

SMS marketing for eCommerce opens doors to drive engagement and sales conversions. Still not convienced? Check the below eCommerce SMS marketing statistics.

Types of SMS for eCommerce

There are various types of SMS that you can use for eCommerce. Here are some of
them.

Benefits of SMS Marketing for Ecommerce

 SMS marketing for eCommerce offers various benefits like increased engagement rate, improved customer retention, cost efficiency, and much more.

Let’s explore these benefits one by one.

1.High Open & Response Rate

As discussed earlier, SMS offers an approximately 98% open rate, and all messages are read within minutes. In short, SMS provides immediate engagement. This is why it is an excellent choice for eCommerce brands for time-sensitive promotions and updates.

2.No Internet Dependency

Usually, text messages are delivered straight to the audience’s mobile phones. Therefore, there are fewer chances of being overlooked compared to emails. Besides, you don’t need an internet connection for it. Therefore, there is a high chance that online shoppers will engage with your brands through SMS.

3.Cost-Effective Communication Channel

With a high engagement rate and low cost per SMS, SMS marketing for eCommerce is highly cost-effective. Of course, SMS pricing depends on the SMS marketing platform you choose. In Textdrip, you must pay $0.012 per SMS, which ensures an impressive ROI.

4.Improved Customer Engagement and Retention

When you send personalized product suggestions, exclusive offers, and timely updates, eCommerce SMS marketing helps keep your customers engaged and retain them for longer. Also, you can even send reminders about a new product launch, updates about order status, etc., which will contribute to increased retention rates and better customer experience.

5.Helps Building Brand Loyalty & Trust

Using automated SMS marketing platforms such as Textdrip, you can offer timely updates, prompt customer service, and personalized offers to build a reliable and trustworthy relationship with your existing and potential customers.

6.Easy-to-integrate With Other Channels

You can easily integrate text message marketing with other channels like social media, email, and website notifications. Such integration improves your marketing efforts.

7.Easily Trackable Results

You can track SMS campaigns through quantifiable metrics such as click-through rates, open rates, unsubscribe rates, etc. It gives you clear insights about which strategy works and which is not so you can refine your strategies to achieve better results.

8.Global Reach & Tailored Messaging

eCommerce SMS marketing allows you to customize your message through contact segmentation based on customer preferences, behavioural trends, purchase history, and more. This personalized approach provides you with increased customer engagement by building a stronger connection between your brand and target audience.

How to Get Started with SMS Marketing for E-Commerce & Measure the Success of It?

Use this blueprint to start with SMS marketing for eCommerce.

1.Set your Goals and Understand Requirements

Before implementing eCommerce SMS marketing, you must set clear goals. For example, I want to increase X% sales by the next quarter or boost the customer engagement rate and reduce cart abandonment by X% by the end of the next month. When you define clear SMS marketing objectives, it will help you measure the success of your SMS marketing campaigns.

Besides, you also need to understand SMS compliance to build customer trust and avoid penalties. So, check whether your SMS campaign is compliant with TCPA and 10DLC.

2.Select the Right SMS Marketing Platform

For the success of your eCommerce SMS marketing campaign, choosing the right SMS marketing platform is imperative. Therefore, select a power-packed platform with features like automation, personalization, bulk texting, contact segmentation, scheduling, and ease of integration with existing systems.

3.Build, Grow, and Segment Your SMS Subscriber List

Having a relevant subscriber base is important for a successful SMS campaign. To build and grow this subscriber base, you can implement strategies like:

• Collecting phone numbers during the checkout process
• Promoting your eCommerce business via email and social media
• Using sticky bars and website popups to encourage visitors to subscribe and more

Now that you have the relevant subscriber base, it’s time to segment them. You can segment them based on the purchase history, behaviour, demographics, etc. It will help you run the targeted eCommerce SMS campaign.

4.Craft and Run the Compelling SMS Campaign

Once you have a targeted audience in mind, craft a compelling campaign that is personalized, concise, and includes a clear CTA like “Shop Now” or “Claim Your Discount”. Your message should evoke urgency; for that, you can use phrases like “Only a few left in stock” or “a limited-time offer.” Once your SMS campaign is ready, execute it at the right time that meets your target audience’s timezone.

Let’s understand through these examples which one is a strong SMS copy and which one is weak.

5.Test, Optimize, and Evolve

Do the A/B testing with your eCommerce SMS campaign with a few subscribers before sending it to the entire list. You can experiment with various elements like message content, timing, CTAs, etc., for better performance. It will help you save your hard-earned money and valuable time and clarify which campaign is performing better.

In addition, you can determine the success of your SMS campaign through key metrics like open rates, unsubscribe rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, etc. These metrics will help you understand customer behaviour and preferences, adjust your SMS marketing strategy, and improve future SMS campaign outcomes.

SMS marketing is an ongoing process. Therefore, you must be ready to learn and adapt. Regularly review your metrics, goals, and customer feedback to optimize your campaign and evolve your strategy for long-term success.

Examples & Best Practices of SMS Marketing Messages for E-Commerce

SMS lets you connect with your customers in an impactful and concise way. However, crafting the perfect SMS copy needs careful thought. You have only a 160-character limit for each SMS, which means every word counts. So, adhere to the SMS character limit and carefully observe the following SMS examples for eCommerce, along with a few best practices.

1.Welcome Message

Sending a warm, informative, and welcoming text message to your new subscriber sets the right tone for your relationship.

For example,

Hey [customer name]! A warm welcome to the [brand name] family! We’re thrilled to have you. Enjoy an exclusive 15% off on your first order with us. Use code WELCOME15.

Hi [customer name]! Congratulations! You’re the part of [brand name] fam! Stay tuned for exclusive offers, discounts, news, and more. Text ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

2.Abandoned Cart Reminders

Tired of the abandoned cart? These eCommerce SMS examples can convert that abandoned cart into a completed purchase. Both text messages have the perfect balance of urgency and helpfulness.

For example,

Hey [customer name]! You missed these amazing goodies! [cart link]. Complete your purchase now and get FREE shipping for orders above $50. 

[Customer name], your favourite products are waiting! Complete your purchase today and enjoy an additional 15% discount. Use code CART15. Don’t miss it! [cart link].

3.Flash Sales

Want to bring some excitement, urgency, and exclusivity to your product? You can use these text message examples during the holiday season to create FOMO and reward loyal customers.

Black Friday Frenzy! The clock is ticking. – grab the jaw-dropping deals up to 80% OFF before the madness ends. Shop Now to SAVE BIG – [Link]. Offer valid till stock lasts!

Tis the season to shop! Santa dropped the early gift! Enjoy 60% OFF on all items for the next 72 hours only. Don’t miss this holiday cheer. Shop Now – [Link].

4.General Announcements

SMS marketing for eCommerce effectively informs your existing and potential customers regarding important updates like new offerings, relevant announcements, etc. Here are a few examples.

Exciting News, [customer name]! We’ve launched our brand new website! Click here [Link] to explore new features, improved navigation, and better deals. 

[customer name], due to heavy rain, there might be a slight delay in your order [order number]. Sorry for the inconvenience. We are working hard to deliver your goodies ASAP!

5.Order Status and Delivery Updates

You can even inform your customers about the order status and deliveries for a hassle-free and highly satisfying shopping experience. Here are a few SMS examples.

Goodies on your way, [name]! Your order is out for delivery and expected to arrive today. Click here to track your package – [Link].

Hey, [name]! Thank you for your order! Here is your [order number]. We’re trying hard to deliver your order ASAP. Expect another text when your order ships.

Examining these SMS examples thoroughly, you will understand that each message is written by following the best SMS practices. Let’s summarize them in brief.

• You should maintain the brand voice, tone, and do not send too many messages. Balance the frequency of messages. It will prevent annoying your valued customers and reduce the unsubscribe rate.
• Whether it is informative content, promotional offers, or general announcements, each message should provide value to customers. It improves the overall experience and increases the engagement rate.
• Take explicit consent before sending a message. If a customer wants to opt-out, respect their preferences.
• Adhere to regulatory compliance like TCPA and 10DLC to avoid penalties and build trust.
• Whenever possible, personalize your SMS campaign. This image shows the important elements of a successful tailored marketing SMS. From this you can have an idea how to personalize your text message.

• Segment the audience based on the timezone, purchase history, etc., and send them SMS when they are online. It increases the open and engagement rate.
• Keep your message short, concise, and simple.

How to Use SMS with Email to Maximize Impact for E-Commerce Success

When you combine SMS with email, it can significantly boost your eCommerce success.

How?

It helps you create a multi-channel communication strategy. You can use text messages for time-sensitive messages like cart abandonment alerts, flash sales, and order updates. On the other hand, you can send emails for detailed content, promotions, and newsletters.

Now, synchronize both channels to complement each other for the best result.

Let’s understand it through a simple example.

For example, you can send an email highlighting your product, benefits, and more. Along with it, you can follow up via an SMS reminder that includes a direct link to buy that product. You can personalize messages to maintain relevance and utilize the branding across platforms to improve customer experience and drive conversions effectively.

Boost Your Sales With Textdrip!

Getting started with eCommerce SMS marketing is not challenging. All you need to keep in mind is three things.

1. Respect your subscribers.
2. Send them messages that actually carry value.
3. Find the best tool for SMS marketing for eCommerce, like Textdrip

Integrating SMS marketing can help you build stronger customer relationships and drive your business forward. If you do the three things discussed above, your SMS strategy is all set for a great start.

Textdrip helps you craft compelling SMS campaigns, optimize them, and stay compliant to achieve your goals! Therefore, don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect and engage with your audience via personalized and on-time text messages. Book a free demo or take Textdrip’s free trial to transform your eCommerce strategy.