5 Billion people around the globe have access to SMS messaging. This is a large number of people. This number is very appealing to eCommerce customers.
Text messages actually have a 209% greater response rate than phone calls, Facebook and email. There is a better way to reach customers efficiently and quickly than text messages.
SMS marketing is a controversial topic. SMS marketing was once associated with spam more than any real value. However, times are changing.
SMS marketing can be very effective if done correctly. This is one of the eCommerce retail skills all businesses should learn. You’ll soon discover the many advantages of SMS marketing for eCommerce sales by avoiding unwelcome, indiscriminate SMS blasts, and properly using text marketing.
It can be hard to know where to begin, but we are here to help. This article will discuss SMS marketing for eCommerce and best practices that can help you increase sales using a simple text message.
What is SMS marketing?
SMS marketing is a form of digital marketing that allows eCommerce businesses to send information, reminders, and/or promotional material via text messages to inactive customers.
SMS marketing is different from spam text messaging in that it requires users to opt-in.
Customers will not be able to receive marketing SMS messages unless consent is given. Forget the cold calling script from days past!
Why is SMS Marketing Important for eCommerce?
SMS marketing is an excellent tool in the arsenal of eCommerce marketers. Here’s why.
High engagement rates are achieved by relevant SMS marketing that is done in line with SMS best practices. This marketing channel is less saturated than other channels such as small-business email marketing campaigns or social media. This combination is ideal for building strong customer relationships.
SMS is able to replace email with the exact same thing. Immediacy. SMS is quick, direct and offers fantastic open rates when compared to digital marketing counterparts.
Let’s look closer at some of these benefits.
SMS is quick
You can send and receive text messages in a blink of an eye. Most people have their mobile phones with them 24/7. This means that your marketing messages, reminders and messages will be more easily viewed. 90% of text messages get opened within three minutes.
Amazing open rates
The SMS open rates are astonishing at 90%. Yes, that’s right. Research has shown that SMS open rate can reach 98%. This is a shockingly high number, and it is also significantly higher than the 20% email open rates.
Why is this so? Text messages can be absorbed quickly and easily, so it’s worth considering. Our phone will notify us when we receive a message via text. Text messages are concise, clear, and can be read in seconds.
Soaring engagement rates
Another thing: SMS is leading the charge in engagement. Because text messages are short, many people read them in their entirety. Caller ID can often get in the way of customers and promotional calls. However, SMS marketing engagement rates can be impressive. SMS messages create a sense of urgency. They are also quick to consume, which encourages customers to take action.
Improves your ROI
What does all this mean for your finances, though? That’s a good thing! Your ROI is going to skyrocket with SMS marketing. SMS marketing is very cost-effective and can generate a lot of responses for very little money (remember that 98% of the messages are being opened).
Targets your audience on mobile devices
Last but not the least, consider it this way. What number of people do you know that don’t use their phones throughout the day? Zero, right?
These days, there are 5.22 Billion unique mobile users worldwide. We spend more time on our phones than any other place, and that’s a good thing. Statista claims that mobile internet usage has quadrupled in the past ten years (see below table).
This means that all the links, surveys and promotions you link to in your SMS marketing messages are immediately available for action.
Use cases for eCommerce SMS
Now for the practical part. While SMS has some impressive stats, how can eCommerce businesses mobilize SMS messages for real success?
You can use text messages to market eCommerce via SMS. Different styles of SMS appeal to different points along the customer journey.
Let’s take another look.
Welcoming messages
A perfect welcome. The perfect welcome message. Once a client has signed up for your mailing list, or provided their contact information with a purchase order, it is time to strengthen your brand relationship by sending a quick text.
While email welcome messages are a standard part of digital marketing, why not make your welcome SMS? This is only possible if the subscriber has explicitly opted in to receive SMS messages from your company.
What message should you include in your welcome message? You can use your welcome message to say hello, introduce yourself and tell the world about your green marketing credentials, or to promote your business.
Special occasions
This is one way to make your customers feel extra special. Keep in mind their special occasions and dates. You might send a special discount to your client on their birthday or seasonal holiday.
A birthday marketing email is passé. Why not take it up a notch and send a complimentary SMS? Your customers will love it!
Promos for a limited time
Running out of time is the best motivator to get people moving. Are you late for the bus? You bet I start running. Are you about to miss out on a limited-time, one-time deal? You bet I grab my phone and start applying to those sweet, sweet deals. It is basic human psychology.
Time-sensitive promotions are therefore so efficient. These quick-fire sales strategies can be deployed via SMS. Sales are driven by offers, especially short-term ones. Add some key phrases to create excitement, and you’re ready to go.
Cart abandonment SMS
Emails containing cart abandonment are quite common. Customers leave their orders unfinished at checkout. They might get an email later in the day reminding them of their incomplete transaction. They might change their minds and complete the order.
This is the general idea. This theory can be extended to SMS. You can increase your customers’ willingness to buy by adding text messaging to cart abandonment strategies. It’s a win/win situation.
Support after purchase
Let’s now talk about after-purchase support. It’s a crucial aspect that eCommerce businesses often overlook, but it is vital. Your customers will see that you care about them and appreciate the service you provide after they purchase.
Post-purchase support doesn’t have to be difficult. It can all be done by SMS. You can send SMS messages to get information such as purchase breakdowns, shipping times, order updates and product photos. Your customers will be reassured and everything will run smoothly. It’s all easy sailing.
Collect feedback
Any eCommerce business can benefit from customer feedback. This helps you to understand your customers’ expectations, as well as how your products and services meet them.
SMS is a great way to solicit customer feedback. SMS has a high response rate and is the best way to get customer feedback. It is ideal to get feedback quickly, such as a score of your experience or a ‘would you refer?’ checkbox.
Conversational marketing
Conversational marketing is a way to communicate with clients and businesses in a customer-centric manner. This strategy is gaining popularity because it’s an effective way to improve customer experiences and increase revenue.
It is easy to apply conversational marketing techniques in your SMS marketing campaigns. Conversational messaging works best when there is engagement, understanding, and relationship building.
Best practices for SMS to increase eCommerce sales
What can we do to increase our eCommerce sales using SMS? It is important to use text messaging in the right way.
We have some tips and tricks that may be of help to you.
1 – Request permission
Tip number 1. Ask permission. Always. Only send SMS messages to customers who have signed up for SMS communications. This shows respect and prevents your marketing campaigns from being thrown away.
2 – Make sure you use the right platform
A robust SMS platform is recommended. This will increase efficiency. You will be able to send messages to your subscribers without having to manually manage the platform. For integrated marketing tools, it’s worth considering all-in-one CRM solutions.
3 – Quality over Quantity
Try to send five SMS marketing messages per month. Keep in mind the old saying. Quality over quantity is the key to success. You’ll become spam if you send too many messages. This is not conducive for customer engagement. Keep things relevant and run regular regression tests to ensure that your SMS software continues to perform at its best.
4 – Add (and provide) value
Every message should have value for your customer. We are not sending mass SMS campaigns. You should focus on relevant, valuable content and promotions. There are many ways to add value. You could send a simple welcome email, or offer a special sale.
5 – Segment your subscribers
If you’re not already segmenting your subscribers, it’s time to do so. You have many tools to assist you in this.
Data analytics allows you to quickly segment your email and text lists into groups with similar interests, shopping habits, or just those who live in the same area. This allows you to ensure that you are sending the right promotional material to the right people at exactly the right time.
Smart SMS marketing can increase sales
This is it. Now it’s time for some smart SMS marketing to increase sales. This is simple, yet highly effective. You’ll capture customers’ imaginations with your high-quality open rates and incredible engagement.
SMS marketing is for everyone – cloud computing companies as well as fashion retailers. Keep things relevant and personal, and prioritize quality over quantity. This is the key to SMS success.
