Top 6 eCommerce SMS Marketing Strategies in to Supercharge the Retention

Here’s a scenario for you. A consumer browsed on the internet for a laptop. Through that, they end up on your eStore. But for some reason they just explored the site and logged off. Now how do you get them back? Email marketing is one way to do it. But nowadays, consumers are inundated with promotional emails, so they may not open yours. Then what to do?

The answer is SMS marketing. This simple interaction can help you present personalized offers and more, and ensure the casual browser converts to a customer.

So how to implement SMS marketing in eCommerce? And why do the eCommerce experts consider it one of the premier customer retention strategies? Let’s find out through this blog.

What is SMS Marketing?

SMS Marketing is a form of mobile marketing that involves sending text messages to a list of opt-in subscribers. It’s a direct and personal way to reach customers and deliver targeted messages.

Unlike email marketing, SMS messages are read more frequently. In fact, over 90% of the people open an SMS within minutes. That makes them a highly effective tool for time-sensitive promotions, alerts, and customer service interactions.

Benefits of SMS Marketing in eCommerce

Let’s see why implementing SMS marketing will be beneficial for your eCommerce business.

• High Open Rates: SMS messages have a significantly higher open rate (over 98%) compared to emails and other forms of communication. So your message is seen by a larger percentage of your audience.
• Instant Delivery: Messages are delivered instantly, allowing for timely communication and quick responses.
• Personalization: SMS messages can be personalized to individual customers, creating a more tailored and engaging experience.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: SMS marketing can foster a stronger connection with customers by providing them with relevant and timely information.
• Increased Conversions: By delivering targeted offers and promotions, SMS marketing can drive more conversions and sales.
• Effective for Time-sensitive Campaigns: SMS messages are ideal for urgent announcements, last-minute deals, and limited-time offers.
• Improved Customer Service: SMS can be used to provide quick and efficient customer support, enhancing satisfaction.
• Measurable Results: SMS marketing campaigns can be easily tracked and measured to assess their effectiveness.

So if you want to successfully reach the customers and drive sales for your eStore rather than seeing abandoned carts, SMS marketing would be perfect.

If you need help with the setup, consult with our professional eCommerce development company, or, follow the process shown in the next section.

How to Implement SMS Marketing in eCommerce?

Although it may seem rudimentary, SMS marketing can be a complex process. Here’s how it goes.

Build an Opt-in List

Creating a strong opt-in list is the foundation of successful SMS marketing. Here are some strategies to effectively build and maintain your list:

• Website Forms: Integrate a simple form on your website for customers to enter their mobile number and provide consent to receive SMS messages.
• In-store Sign-ups: Offer incentives like discounts or exclusive offers to encourage customers to sign up for SMS updates at your physical store.
• Social Media: Promote your SMS list on your social media channels, providing a clear call to action and explaining the benefits of signing up.
• Email Campaigns: Include a link to your SMS opt-in page in your email newsletters to encourage existing subscribers to join your SMS list.
• Point-of-Sale: Capture mobile numbers at the point of sale during checkout, with customer permission.

Segment the customers based on demographics, purchase history, preferences, or other relevant criteria. That allows you to send more targeted and relevant messages to different groups of customers.

Choose an SMS Marketing Platform

Selecting the right SMS marketing platform is crucial for the success of your campaigns. Some of the best selection factors include:

• Personalization: Look for features that enable you to personalize messages with customer data.
• Integration: Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with your existing eCommerce platform and other marketing tools.
• User-friendly Interface: A simple and intuitive interface will make it easy for you and your team to use the platform effectively.
• Uptime: The platform should have a high uptime to ensure that your messages are delivered reliably.
• Pricing Structure: Consider the pricing structure of the platform, including base fees, per-message costs, and any additional features or services.

Some of the best SMS marketing platforms include BulkSMS, ClickSend, Zoho, and Twilio.

Create Engaging SMS Formats

To maximize the impact of your SMS marketing campaigns, it’s essential to craft engaging and effective message formats. Here are some tips:

• Keep it Concise: Remember the character limit of SMS messages (usually around 160 characters). Clearly state your message and the desired action in as few words as possible.
• Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid jargon or overly complex language that may confuse your customers. Use a conversational tone that feels personal and approachable.
• Include a Strong Call to Action: Tell customers exactly what you want them to do, such as “Click here to shop now” or “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”.
• Personalize Messages: Incorporate customer-specific information and deliver personalized messages like abandoned cart reminders or product recommendations.
• Use Emojis Sparingly: Although emojis can add a little personality and emotion to the messaging, try not to overdo them. They can take away the professional aspect of the business.

Make sure to test different message formats, including variations in length, CTAs, and the use of emojis. That will help determine what resonates best with your audience.

Develop a Strategy

A well-defined strategy is essential for the success of your SMS marketing campaigns. Here’s how you can develop a comprehensive plan:

• Define Your Goals: Clearly outline what you want to achieve with SMS marketing. Common goals include increasing sales, improving customer engagement, driving traffic to your website, etc.
• Segment Your List: Divide your subscriber list into segments based on demographics, purchase history, preferences, or other relevant criteria. That can help send more targeted and relevant messages.
• Create a Content Calendar: Outline the SMS campaign with things like message content, target audience, timing, and end goals.
• Consider Timing and Frequency: Determine the best times to send SMS messages based on your target audience’s behavior and preferences. Find the right balance between sending too many messages and not enough. Try not to overwhelm the customers.

Throughout the strategy, monitor the key eCommerce metrics like click-through rates, conversions, and ROI. Use the insights from the analytics to refine your strategy and improve future campaigns.

If you need help with implementing SMS marketing for your eCommerce business, our eCommerce development services will help.

Top 6 eCommerce SMS Marketing Strategies

As mentioned earlier, SMS marketing is excellent for driving sales and retaining the customers. To that end, there are some key strategies involved.

Welcome Texts

These texts are a crucial part of a successful SMS marketing strategy. They serve as the first point of contact between your brand and new subscribers, setting the tone for the relationship and encouraging future engagement.

Here’s what you need to include:

• Use Customer Data: Include the customer’s name to make the message feel more personal and welcoming.
• Reference Previous Interactions: If the customer has interacted with your brand before (e.g., visited your website or created an account), mention their previous engagement.
• Exclusive Discounts: Provide a special discount or coupon code to encourage the customer to make their first purchase.
• Free Shipping: Offer free shipping on their initial order to lower the barrier to entry.
• Welcome Gift: Offer a welcome gift or sample product to introduce the customer to your brand.

For example

Welcome to [Your Store Name], [Customer Name]! Thank you for joining our community. As a special thank you, enjoy 20% off your first purchase. Use code WELCOME20 at checkout.

Order Confirmations & Updates

Order confirmations and updates are essential for providing a seamless and satisfying customer experience in eCommerce. By keeping customers informed about their order status, you can build trust, reduce inquiries, and increase customer satisfaction.

Key information to include:

• Order Number: Clearly state the customer’s order number for easy reference.
• Shipping Address: Confirm the shipping address to ensure accuracy.
• Tracking Information: Include a tracking number or link so customers can track their order’s progress.
• Delivery Updates: Keep customers informed of any changes to the estimated delivery time, such as delays or expedited shipping.
• Delivery Confirmation: Send a confirmation message once the order has been delivered.

For Example

Hi [Customer Name], Your order #[Order Number] has been shipped! You can track your package here: [Link]. We estimate delivery on [Date]. Thank you for shopping with [Your Store Name]!

Abandoned Cart Reminders

This type of messaging is a powerful tool for recovering lost sales in eCommerce. Some customers explore the store and add the items in the cart, but never go through checkout. With abandoned cart reminders, you can encourage them to return and complete their transaction.

Here’s what you need to include:

• Timing: Send the reminder promptly after the customer abandons their cart. A delay of a few hours can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
• Personalization: Address the customer by name and reference the specific items they left in their cart.
• Clear Call to Action: Make it easy for the customer to return to their cart with a clear and prominent call to action.

For Example

Hi [Customer Name],

We noticed you left a few items in your cart. Don’t miss out on these great products! Enjoy 15% off your entire purchase.

[Link to Abandoned Cart]

Date-triggered Greetings

These messages are a personalized and engaging way to connect with your customers and build stronger relationships. It involves sending targeted messages on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. That shows you value their business and create a more memorable customer experience.

Key tips include:

• Personalization: Address the customer by name and reference their specific occasion.
• Relevance: Tailor your message to the occasion and offer relevant discounts or promotions.
• Timing: Send greetings in advance of the occasion to give customers time to take advantage of the offer.

For Example

Happy Birthday, [Customer Name]! As a special gift from us, enjoy 20% off your entire purchase today. Use code BIRTHDAY20 at checkout. Have a wonderful day!

“Back in stock” Alerts

Some potential customers may have previously expressed interest in a product that was out of stock. These “Back in stock” alerts notify the customers when the product becomes available again. That helps increase the likelihood of a sale and maximize revenue.

Key strategies include:

• Allow Customers to Sign Up: Provide an option for customers to sign up for notifications when a product is back in stock.
• Segment Your List: Segment your list of interested customers based on their preferences or purchase history to send more targeted notifications.
• Timing: Send notifications promptly after the product becomes available to maximize its impact.
• Create a Sense of Urgency: Use limited-time offers or a sense of scarcity to encourage customers to purchase the product quickly.

For Example

Hi [Customer Name],

We see you were interested in the [Product Name]. It’s back in stock! Don’t miss out! Shop now before it’s gone: [Link]

Flash Sales & Offer Promotions

These promotional messages can be excellent for driving traffic, increasing sales, and creating excitement around your eCommerce business. By offering limited-time deals and exclusive discounts, you can incentivize customers to make purchases and generate a sense of urgency.

Here are a few offers:

• Limited-time Discounts: Offer steep discounts on a select group of products for a short period of time.
• Early Bird Discounts: Provide discounts to customers who purchase items before a certain deadline.
• Bundle Deals: Offer discounts or bundle multiple products together at a reduced price.
• Free Shipping: Offer free shipping on all orders over a certain amount.
• Gift with Purchase: Include a complimentary gift with every purchase above a specific threshold.
• Tiered Discounts: Offer increasing discounts as customers spend more.

For Example

Flash Sale! Enjoy 50% off all dresses for the next 24 hours only. Use code FLASH50 at checkout. Hurry, quantities are limited!

If you need help with these strategies, our eCommerce development experts. We’ll help drive traffic to your website, increase sales, and create a sense of excitement around your eCommerce business.

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FAQs on SMS Marketing in eCommerce

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So, Is SMS Marketing Effective for eCommerce?

In a word, yes. This marketing strategy is highly effective for eCommerce businesses. It offers a direct and personal channel of communication. So you can reach customers instantly and deliver targeted messages that drive sales and engagement.

Some of the best strategies for SMS marketing are welcome texts, order confirmations and updates, cart reminders, special greetings, stock alerts, and offers and discounts. If you need help with implementing any of these, talk to our experts today!