SMS Marketing for eCommerce Guide [$50M+ Revenue Proven]

Tired of your marketing messages disappearing into the black hole of overflowing email inboxes? You’re not alone. Many ecommerce brands struggle to cut through the noise and connect with customers on a personal level. What if there was a way to reach them directly, right on their phones?

SMS marketing is the ultimate tool top ecommerce brands use to drive sales and build customer loyalty. This guide will show you how to use it effectively. We’ll cover:

• What SMS marketing is and why it’s so powerful for ecommerce.
• Different types of SMS campaigns you can run.
• Real-world examples of successful SMS marketing.

Ready to supercharge your ecommerce sales? SMS marketing is the way to do it, especially if you already have traffic. Txtcart’s conversational AI helps you send eerily human-like texts that recover abandoned carts and handle customer questions, driving sales even while you sleep. Keep reading to see how.

What Is SMS Marketing?

SMS marketing uses text messages to connect with customers directly on their phones. It’s a powerful tool for ecommerce brands to share promotions, updates, and build relationships. It’s more than just blasting out messages; it’s about personalized communication.

Why You Cannot Sleep on SMS as an eCommerce Brand

E-commerce brands use SMS marketing for one simple reason: it works. It cuts through the noise of overflowing email inboxes and never-ending social media feeds. Think about it. People check their texts immediately. In fact, a whopping 98% of text messages are read by consumers by the end of the day.

Let’s look at some specific benefits:

• High Open Rates & Engagement: SMS open rates are incredibly high. People see texts and are more likely to read them. SMS engagement is six to eight times better than email.
• Increased Customer Preference: Customers prefer SMS for certain communications. 67% prefer texting for appointments, and 48% of US customers prefer it for loyalty program updates.
• Boosted Sales: SMS drives significant sales. Think flash sale alerts or personalized product recommendations. These SMS marketing messages create urgency and encourage immediate purchases.
• Improved Customer Experience: SMS provides valuable information like order updates, shipping notifications, and appointment reminders. 67% of customers say delivery updates are more effective via SMS.
• Cost-Effective: SMS marketing can be a cost-effective way to reach your audience. Compared to other marketing channels, it can offer a high return on investment.

These benefits paired with the right SMS marketing tool can yield phenomenal results:

Online stores are adding $10,000s to their bottom line with SMS

• Organi Grow Hair: This vegan haircare brand used Txtcart’s 2-way SMS to boost engagement and revenue, recovering $25K monthly, achieving a 42% reply rate, and driving 9,500+ personalized orders.

• Haute Home LA: This luxury home decor brand generated $15,000 in sales within 5 days of using Txtcart, with a 37.5% reply rate and a $1,937 average order value. Over 30 days, they earned $40,695 in revenue, a 35.46x ROI, and recovered 32% of checkouts.

• Joyride: This dog harness brand used Txtcart to recover abandoned carts, generating $1,841,617 in SMS-attributed revenue, facilitating 23,616 sales, and engaging in over 2.8 million customer conversations. Their ROI was 12.4x.

How to Get Started with SMS Marketing – A Quick Starter Guide

Let’s walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to get started with SMS marketing for Shopify stores. We’ll keep it concise and actionable.

1. Decide What You are Going to do with Your SMS List

What do you want to achieve with SMS marketing? This is crucial. A clear goal is the foundation of any successful marketing initiative. Common use cases include:

• Cart recovery
• Upselling/cross-selling
• Customer support
• Back-in-stock alerts
• Delivery notifications
• Seasonal promotions

Start with a specific goal. For example, you might focus on reducing cart abandonment or improving customer support. Once you have a goal, you can craft SMS transactional messages designed to achieve it. For instance, you can send abandoned cart reminders or provide post-purchase follow-ups for better support. This clarity is key.

2. Find the Right SMS Vendor as a Partner

With your SMS marketing goals defined, it’s time to find the right partner. Your vendor should make it easy to create and launch campaigns. They should also provide the potential for scaling as your SMS marketing grows.

Consider these factors when evaluating a vendor:

• Complementary integrations
• Growth tools
• Automation capabilities
• Two-way communication

TxtCart is a top choice for Shopify stores. It’s built exclusively for Shopify and Shopify Plus, offering all the features you need for automated SMS marketing campaigns. And the cost scales with you, making it a smart choice for businesses of all sizes.

Want to learn more about choosing the right SMS marketing app? Check out our blog posts on how to choose the best SMS marketing app for Shopify and the best SMS marketing apps for Shopify stores.

3. Focus on Subscriber Base Growth

You’ve got the right partner. Now, it’s time to grow your subscriber list. A bigger list means a bigger reach. But remember, growth must be compliant. SMS is a permission-based platform. Build your list ethically.

Here are some actionable ways to grow your SMS list:

Method	Description
Website Forms	Add opt-in forms to your website. Make it easy for visitors to become SMS subscribers. Offer an incentive, like a discount code, to encourage sign-ups.
Checkout Page Checkboxes	Include a checkbox on your checkout page. This allows customers to easily opt-in to receive SMS updates during the purchase process.
Email List Integration	Promote your SMS list to your existing email subscribers. Highlight the exclusive benefits of receiving SMS messages, such as special offers or early access to sales.
Pop-ups	Use pop-ups on your website to capture visitor information and encourage sign-ups for your SMS list. Consider offering a small discount or free shipping for those who subscribe.
Social Media Promotion	Promote your SMS list on your social media channels. Run contests or offer exclusive deals to followers who subscribe via text. Include a keyword or short link to make it easy for them to join.

Read Next: 15 Ways to Grow Your SMS List (No One Talks About #3)

4. Launch Your Campaign

Ready to launch your first campaign? Take your time. Don’t rush into it. Experiment and adapt. See what resonates with your audience. What kind of messages get the best response? What time of day works best? Start slowly. A one-off campaign is a fantastic place to begin. This allows you to test the waters without overwhelming yourself or your subscribers.

Gradually integrate SMS into your marketing automation. As you become more comfortable, you can create more complex automated flows. Eventually, you can create a broader, multi-channel experience for your customers, seamlessly integrating SMS with email marketing, social media, and other marketing channels. Don’t rush it. Test, learn, and grow. Ecommerce SMS marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.

5. Constantly Review, Test and Improve

Your work isn’t done after launching a campaign. Continuous monitoring and review are essential. Keep an eye on your SMS marketing metrics. This will tell you what’s working and what’s not. Use this data to improve your campaigns.

Always be testing new messages. Experiment with different send times. Over time, you’ll identify what works best for your SMS marketing efforts. It’s a process of constant refinement. Never stop learning and improving.

TxtCart’s analytics dashboard makes this easy, giving you clear insights into campaign performance. See which messages have the highest click-through rates and conversions. Experiment with A/B testing different versions of your messages to see what resonates best with your audience. Txtcart, an SMS marketing platform, also lets you segment your audience, so you can test different messages with different groups.

Read Next: SMS A/B Testing: 10 Types of SMS Tests & Examples

Best Practices in SMS Marketing for Shopify Stores

Here are some best practices to follow when running SMS marketing campaigns, especially when using a platform like TxtCart:

• Keep It Clear and Concise: Send crisp, clear, and to-the-point messages. Mobile screens are small. Avoid multiple threads and stick to a single call to action. Remember, users might be paying for each SMS they receive, so multiple messages to say one thing are counterproductive for everyone. Get to the point quickly and efficiently.
  • Use short, impactful language.
  • Focus on one key message per text.
  • Include a clear call to action.
• Add Value to Your Customers: Make sure you’re offering value when you reach out. Don’t just send random promotions. Offer unique discounts, time-sensitive deals (like BOGO until midnight or a limited-period discount), provide valuable information on products, sales, services, or events, and introduce new offerings via SMS. Make your messages worth reading.
  • Offer exclusive deals and promotions.
  • Provide helpful product information.
  • Share timely updates and announcements.
• Personalize SMS Campaigns: Use your brand voice, but personalize your SMS messages for better impact. Data automation and creating segmented lists based on buyer interests can greatly improve the SMS program experience. With TxtCart you can filter audiences by purchase behavior, engagement levels, cart status, and contact history. This lets you target specific groups like repeat buyers or abandoned carts with personalized messages.
  • Use customer names and other relevant data.
  • Segment your audience for targeted messaging.
  • Tailor messages to specific customer interests.

☝️ TxtCart’s AI can recognize their interest and provide relevant information, offer a discount, or even answer their questions about shipping or returns. This personalized, two-way communication builds trust and fosters stronger customer relationships, leading to increased sales and loyalty.

Types of SMS Marketing Campaigns for Shopify Stores

We’ve discussed the power of integrating SMS marketing, how to get started, and best practices. Now, let’s explore different types of SMS campaigns you can run:

Type of SMS Campaign	Definition & Content Ideas
Promotional SMS	Standard marketing texts promoting products or services. Content: “Flash sale! 20% off all shoes until midnight. Shop now: [link]” or “New arrivals are here! Check out our latest collection: [link]”
Birthday SMS	Personalized messages sent on a customer’s birthday. Content: “Happy Birthday, [Name]! Enjoy 15% off your next purchase. Use code BDAY15: [link]” or “Celebrate your special day with us! Free shipping on your order: [link]”
Welcome SMS	Initial messages sent after a first purchase or contact. Content: “Welcome to [Brand]! Thanks for joining our community. Get 10% off your first order with code WELCOME10: [link]” or “Hi [Name], we’re thrilled to have you! Stay tuned for exclusive deals and updates.”
Back-in-Stock Alert	Notifications sent when a desired product is restocked. Content: “Good news, [Product] is back in stock! Get it now before it’s gone again: [link]” or “Your wait is over! [Product] is available. Shop now: [link]”
Abandoned Cart Reminder	Messages sent to customers who left items in their cart. Content: “Did you forget something? Your [Product] is still waiting in your cart. Complete your purchase: [link]” or “Your cart is calling! Don’t miss out on these items: [link]”
Order Confirmation	Sent immediately after an order is placed. Content: “Your order #[Order Number] has been confirmed! We’ll notify you when it ships.” or “Thanks for your order! You’ll receive a shipping update soon.”
Shipping Updates	Notifications about the status of a shipment. Content: “Your order has shipped! Track it here: [link]” or “Your package is arriving soon! Get ready for your new goodies.”
Delivery Confirmation	Messages confirming successful delivery. Content: “Your order has been delivered!” or “Your package has arrived. Enjoy!”
Appointment Reminders	Sent before scheduled appointments. Content: “Friendly reminder: Your appointment is scheduled for [Date] at [Time].” or “See you soon! Your appointment is coming up on [Date].”
Feedback Requests	Messages asking for customer reviews. Content: “How was your experience with [Product]? Leave a review and get a chance to win a gift card: [link]” or “We’d love to hear from you! Share your feedback on your recent purchase: [link]”
Loyalty Program Updates	Messages about loyalty program status and rewards. Content: “You’ve earned a $10 reward! Redeem it now: [link]” or “Congrats! You’ve reached Gold status in our loyalty program. Enjoy exclusive perks.”

Examples from 7-figure eCommerce brands doing SMS Marketing

Several brands use SMS marketing effectively. Let’s look at some examples:

1. Divi – Using out-of-stocks to rebuild suspense

Divi uses a smart tactic here. While the product is sold out, they maintain engagement and brand loyalty. Instead of a negative experience (product unavailable), they create anticipation for the restock. The message reinforces their focus on scalp health, building trust with their audience.

The link likely leads to a page where customers can sign up for restock notifications, capturing valuable contact information for future marketing efforts. This SMS effectively turns a potential negative into a positive, keeping customers interested and informed. It’s a great example of how SMS can be used for more than just direct sales, building community, and brand affinity.

2. Urban Outfitters – Engaging customers & keeping them involved

Urban Outfitters uses SMS here for customer service and support, which is a smart move. Instead of just blasting promotions, they’re providing a valuable service that enhances the customer experience. This builds trust and strengthens customer relationships. Here’s why it’s effective:

• Proactive Customer Support: Offering support via SMS shows they care about their customers’ needs. It’s convenient and easily accessible.
• Efficient Issue Resolution: The numbered prompts allow users to quickly navigate to the help they need, streamlining the support process. This saves time for both the customer and UO.
• Personalized Assistance: Asking about the purchase location (in-store or online) allows UO to tailor their responses and provide more relevant assistance.
• Integration with Existing Systems: This SMS system is likely integrated with their order management and customer service platforms, allowing for seamless access to customer data and efficient handling of inquiries.

3. Haute Home – Smart product recommendations

Haute Home crafts luxury, handcrafted furniture that blends timeless design with modern durability. From statement dining tables to accent chairs, they offer personalized recommendations to elevate any space.

Why This Product Recommendation Flow Works

• Tailored Suggestions – Instead of sending a generic SMS message, the brand uses behavioral data from the customer’s browsing history to offer a personalized experience.
• Engages Customers in Conversation – The two-way SMS approach allows Taylor to ask questions, creating a real-time conversation rather than a one-sided sales pitch.
• Upsells & Cross-Sells Naturally – By recommending matching chairs, Haute Home drives engagement and increases average order value through conversational commerce.
• Strengthens Customer Loyalty – The friendly, personalized conversation makes the customer feel valued, improving customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat purchases.

4. OrganiGrowHair

This example showcases a conversational approach managed through Txtcart. It shows a mix of automated promotional SMS messages and personalized replies. OrganiGrowHair is using SMS for a variety of purposes:

• Driving Immediate Sales: The promotional blast targets customers with a timely offer.
• Recovering Abandoned Carts: The personalized message to Mia aims to recapture lost sales.
• Providing Customer Support: Answering Mia’s questions builds trust and improves the customer experience.
• Leveraging Social Proof: Connecting with customers who have seen their products on TikTok amplifies their social media marketing efforts.
• Building Customer Loyalty: Offering personalized discounts makes customers feel valued and encourages repeat purchases.

5. Dr. Squatch

Dr. Squatch uses SMS effectively to engage subscribers and drive additional sales. This message is personalized, timely, and offers a clear incentive. Here’s why it works:

• Personalized & Relevant: The message is directly related to the customer’s subscription, making it highly relevant. Using the customer’s name adds a personal touch.
• Creates Anticipation: Mentioning the upcoming shipment builds excitement and reinforces the positive experience of using their products.
• Upselling Opportunity: Offering a discount on add-ons is a smart way to increase average order value. It encourages customers to consider other products they might need.
• Sense of Urgency: The “reply by tomorrow” deadline creates a sense of urgency, motivating customers to act quickly.
• Clear Call to Action: The message clearly instructs the customer on how to take advantage of the offer.
• Brand Voice: The message uses Dr. Squatch’s characteristic playful and masculine brand voice (“fresh, clean feeling,” “Squatch Soap”). This reinforces brand identity.

Must read: 9 Conversational SMS Examples That Generated $6M+

Revenue-Driven eCommerce Brands Choose Txtcart for SMS Success

SMS marketing for ecommerce has exceptional potential to boost your marketing impact. With higher open and click-through rates, better engagement, and diverse applications, it’s a powerful channel if you plan your SMS strategies effectively. Follow best practices, create engaging campaigns, and you’ll see results.

Ready to take e-commerce businesses to the next level with SMS? Txtcart is the platform revenue-driven brands choose for SMS success. It simplifies everything from segmentation and personalization to automation and analytics. Start your free trial today and see the difference text message marketing can make.