SMS marketing is one of the best strategies for eCommerce businesses seeking to improve customer engagement and increase sales. It can cut through digital noise and grab attention in a way other channels can't.
Texts can be used to communicate all sorts of messaging, from promotional campaigns to transactional updates. An easy way to get started is to use eCommerce SMS templates. We've carefully crafted 16, with persuasive copy and clear calls to action, to give you a good starting point. Simply customize them to reflect your specific eCommerce brand.
However, before we get to those, discover how text messages can help engage customers and why SMS is such a popular channel.
How eCommerce SMS marketing helps your customers
The main draw of SMS from the customer's perspective is that texts are direct, fast and accessible. It's easy for them to keep informed about their order and learn about the latest news from your brand. Let's break down the key benefits:
Enables easy assistance
SMS is ideal for transactional messages, like order confirmations and delivery updates. By adding an online link that points to an order tracking page, you can let customers check their order status and get real-time updates (reducing the number of calls to customer support). Customers can also be directed to a FAQ page, or if two-way texting is enabled, they can get swift one-to-one answers from customer service. Pay via text, a highly convenient payment method, is another way to assist customers and enhance their overall experience.
Communicates offers and deals
From special offers, flash sale announcements and discounts to loyalty program perks and new product launch details, SMS lends itself to virtually every type of promotional campaign. Furthermore, it's possible to personalize SMS messages and give unique discounts to customers (a much more powerful strategy than generic promotions). You can even send text-based invites, inviting customers to attend in-store or virtual product launches or seasonal celebration events.
Takes care of follow-ups
In addition to attracting new customers, texts are great for re-engaging customers who haven't purchased anything for a while. Abandoned cart notifications also provide a prominent nudge for unsure customers who've left items behind in their shopping carts. Text messaging can even be used to confirm appointments – something that a service-based business, like a beauty salon, might need.
Why texting is essential for your eCommerce business
SMS offers several benefits for your eCommerce store, ultimately improving your communication strategy, the overall customer experience (CX), and revenue. Specifically, leveraging text messaging enables you to:
1. Help customers promptly
One of the best things about SMS messages is that they're delivered virtually instantly, relying on a cellular connection rather than the internet. This means you can offer real-time personalized support for general enquiries, order tracking, product questions and complaints.
Messente's Taavi Rebane says, "Fast resolution times are the heartbeat of exceptional customer service, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty. When problems are swiftly and effectively resolved, customers feel valued and understood, and this helps foster trust and a positive brand image. Even if the issue is particularly complex, a good experience and timely solution can transform a customer into a lifelong advocate."
2. Build an audience database
To carry out SMS marketing, you must first collect subscribers – essentially a database of people who want to hear from your eCommerce brand. As part of the signup process, you can capture valuable customer information, including phone numbers, product preferences, and purchase history.
With a robust database and access to insights, you can add targeting and personalisation to your SMS campaigns. Tailored communications will pique the interest of your audience, leading to more interactions and better engagement rates.
3. Offer continuous and instant updates
A big part of marketing success is keeping at the front of customers' minds. Regular SMS campaigns will help remind customers about what you have to offer in terms of promotions, new products, and what your brand stands for. Even transactional notifications like shipping alerts can help enhance brand awareness, demonstrating trust and reliability. Texting allows you to provide updates and gentle nudges throughout the customer lifecycle.
4. Cut down costs
A text message marketing strategy can be more cost-effective and provide a better ROI compared to traditional marketing channels like printed adverts and TV commercials – and even digital marketing like pay-per-click advertising.
There are indirect cost savings too. For example, if your texting platform supports two-way SMS, you can use chatbot automation to resolve straightforward queries, cutting down on operational costs and freeing up service agents so they can work on more complex issues.
Lastly, because you'll benefit from better targeting, you can optimise your marketing spend and maximise the effectiveness of your strategy.
5. Reduce abandoned cart rates
Abandoned carts are a major concern for all eCommerce stores. It's imperative to retarget would-be shoppers who leave items in their baskets (within an hour of abandonment, if possible) because lost buyers mean lost revenue.
With SMS, setting up and scheduling reminder texts to send automatically each time cart abandonment occurs is simple. A strong incentive, such as free shipping or a time-sensitive discount, can work brilliantly to encourage potential buyers to complete the checkout.
The checkout process itself can be a leading cause of cart abandonment. Research by the Baymard Insititute revealed that 17% of U.S. shoppers who abandoned their cart said they did so because of a complex checkout process. If your checkout needs improvement, consider an SMS ordering system for a frictionless buying experience.
6. Increase sales
With incredible open rates of 98%, text messages are almost guaranteed to get noticed. A well-targeted promotional text message (which involves promoting the right product to the right person at the right time) can attract immediate engagement, leading to more conversions.
Factor in the reduction in abandoned carts and higher satisfaction rates due to prompt customer service and helpful transactional messages – it's a recipe for boosting sales and revenue.
Another approach that will get sales clocking up is replying to customer leads quickly – which texting allows you to do. According to Podium, responding within the first five minutes of a lead's enquiry can increase conversion rates by over eight times.
16 awesome eCommerce SMS templates to customize
Below, you'll find eCommerce text message templates for promotional messages and transactional notifications. Note how we've personalized each one with the recipient's name and added a strong call to action. All you need to do is switch out a few details so they relate to your customers and store offerings.
Special offers, discounts, and coupons SMS templates
24 HR FLASH SALE! Katie, stock up on summer essentials and take advantage of up to 35% off selected products! The clock is ticking; view our sale here: [URL]
Hi Ali, we're missing you! Revisit our store and get 10% off your next purchase! Enter code: LOVE at the checkout. Shop now: [URL]
Product launch SMS template
Hi Toni, we're thrilled to add 'LUXE', our new faux leather bag, to our shelves. Read all about the product and how you can customize it in this blog: [URL]
New items in stock SMS templates
It's here, Anita! You can now order our floral stationery set in pink and yellow as well as our existing range. Browse all new additions here: [URL]
You asked, and we delivered, Susie! Our bestselling leopard-print maxi dresses are now available in petite and tall. See them here: [URL]
Holiday promotions SMS template
Hey Andre, our incredible Black Friday Cyber Monday sale has started! Don't miss out on BIG savings – some great Christmas gifts on offer! Shop the sale: [URL]
Account activation SMS template
Thanks for creating your store account, Brooke! Click this link to activate your account so you can start shopping: [URL]
Order confirmation SMS template
Hi Mairie, thanks for your order ref: 173893! To make any changes, please log in to your online account before 6pm. We'll notify you once it's been dispatched.
Payment confirmation SMS template
Hi Billie, we've safely received payment of $87.99 for your order ref: AH33OP. Click this link to view a copy of your receipt: [URL]
Shipment out for delivery SMS template
The wait will soon be over, Jane! Your shipment is on its way to you. You can see how many stops before delivery here: [URL]
SMS templates asking for feedback/reviews
We hope you enjoyed your order ref: 17390 Kyle! We'd really appreciate your feedback to help other customers. Leave a review: [URL]
Hi James, how did you find our service today? Reply to our quick poll with either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. 1 being excellent and 5 being poor.
Abandoned cart SMS template
You've got great taste, Simon! Revisit your cart and checkout today – and enjoy free shipping on us! Enter code SHIP during checkout. Go to your cart: [URL]
Rewards program SMS templates
TUESDAY TREAT! Hey Kelly, get a free lipstick worth $13.99 when you buy any two products from our PURE skincare range! Offer expires 09/08/24. Shop now: [URL]
Happy birthday Grace from SLEEK Haircare! Here's our birthday gift to you – 15% off your next purchase. Enter 15OFF at checkout. Shop here: [URL]
Referral program SMS template
Hi Michel, get a $10 store credit when you refer a new customer – they'll get 10% discount off their first order too! Learn about our referral program: [URL]
Start SMS marketing with these templates for ecommerce
As an eCommerce business owner, SMS is a powerful channel to include in your marketing toolkit. Its high open rates and ability to grab attention will help you raise engagement, increase sales and enhance the customer experience.
Send personalized SMS messages to keep customers informed, promote exclusive discounts and offers, administer important transactional messages and much more.
Get started with Messente's bulk SMS platform and our eCommerce SMS campaign templates.
