man using phone - Ecommerce Sms Marketing

13 Best Examples of Ecommerce Sms Marketing + 12 Winning Strategies

August 30th, 2025

Ground Team

eCommerce SMS Marketing has become a core part of any ecommerce customer retention strategy, because a quick text can turn a dormant shopper into a repeat buyer. Ever stared at a rising cart abandonment rate while email opens stay flat? This article presents practical text message marketing examples and ready-to-use SMS campaigns, along with tactics for personalization, segmentation, abandoned cart reminders, post-purchase messages, and loyalty offers. Read on to discover proven SMS marketing examples and strategies you can quickly apply to increase sales, engagement, and customer loyalty for your eCommerce store.

Grounds eCommerce personalization platform makes these tactics easy to execute by allowing you to automate targeted SMS campaigns, enhance open and click-through rates, and send tailored offers that drive conversion and repeat business without added complexity.

Table of Content

Why Should I Try eCommerce SMS Marketing in 2025?

person using phone - Ecommerce Sms Marketing

Mobile-first commerce has shifted consumer behavior toward instant, personal channels. Shoppers check their smartphones roughly 96 times per day. Email open rates average around 20 percent, while SMS achieves single-message open rates of 98 to 99 percent, and 90 percent of texts are read within three minutes. 

Response rates for text message marketing are nearly 45 percent, compared to roughly 6 percent for email. Those gaps change how you allocate marketing budget and attention: SMS is not optional for brands that need direct, owned access to customers.

SMS Marketing: A First-Party Data Lifeline in a Cookieless World

The shift from iOS and a move toward a cookieless web increases the value of owned channels. When cookies and third-party tracking fade, phone numbers become direct lines of communication you control. 

That turns SMS into a high-value asset for: 

  • Retention

  • Reactivation

  • Lifecycle marketing

SMS as the Fast Track to Action

Text messages trigger behavior faster than other channels. Typical SMS click-through rates range from 5% to 10%, while email click-through rates average 2% to 3%. 

Use cases that demand immediacy perform best, such as cart: 

  • Recovery

  • Flash sales

  • Appointment reminders

  • Time-limited promotions

A message that lands in a user’s messages gets read almost immediately, which translates to faster conversions and clearer attribution for conversion rate optimization.

What SMS Does for an Omnichannel Growth Engine

SMS complements existing channels. Mirror promotions and transactional flows from email into SMS to increase reach and lift email performance. Use SMS to surface urgent messages that email may miss. Pair SMS with push notifications, in-app messaging, social ads, and email to build a consistent omnichannel experience. 

When SMS runs on a strategic platform, such as a specialized SMS provider integrated with your stack, it becomes a powerful tool for: 

  • Automation

  • Segmentation

  • Conversational commerce

High Impact Flows

  • Welcome series and consent-based promotional preferences.

  • Abandoned cart and browse abandonment messages.

  • Replenishment and subscription reminders.

  • Transactional order and shipping updates.

  • VIP time-sensitive offers and live stream reminders.

  • Two-way support and a chat with a stylist or chef.

Real Brands Using SMS to Grow (Short, Practical Case Notes)

310

After scaling email, 310 added SMS for incremental reach. Targeted campaigns produced immediate revenue and subscriber growth beyond 75,000, making SMS a core acquisition and retention channel for their lean team.

JUDY

Uses an SMS sign-up on site and SMS post-purchase to deliver preparedness tips and personalized recommendations. SMS acts like a product feature that keeps customers connected to content and alerts.

Equal Parts

Runs a text-based chef program where customers ask cooking questions and receive near real-time guidance. That two-way experience increases brand stickiness and product utility.

Hydrant

Adds an order confirmation pop-up to collect phone numbers and sends replenishment reminders timed to consumption. Reorder via text reduces friction and increases repeat purchases.

GOOD COUNSEL

Let's customers text a stylist and receive personalized recommendations. The conversational flow drives conversions that standard email cannot match.

Super Coffee

Utilizes packaging and web pop-ups to collect SMS sign-ups from retail buyers, bridging the brick-and-click gap and providing retail customers with a path to owned marketing.

NaturAll Club

Utilizes product-fit quizzes that conclude with an SMS opt-in, allowing recommendations to be delivered through the channel customers use most.

Sassy Jones

Promotes its text program through social video, then moves live shoppers into SMS for product recommendations and purchase prompts.

NanaMacs

Utilizes SMS to announce and tease near-daily live stream drops, increasing live viewership and immediate conversions during flash events.

Use Cases That Move Revenue and Retention

  • Cart recovery: Send short, timely reminders with a clear CTA to recover otherwise lost revenue.

  • Replenishment: Predictive refill messages and one-reply reorder links reduce friction for repeat buyers.

  • Onboarding and education: Product tips and how-to messages increase product success and reduce returns.

  • Two-way conversational commerce: Styling, chef help, and customer service via SMS increase conversion and average order value.

  • Brick-and-click capture: Packaging CTAs and in-store text sign-ups reclaim retail buyers for direct marketing.

  • Flash sales and live commerce: SMS boosts attendance and urgency for timed events and livestreams.

Design Principles for High-Performing SMS Programs

Obtain explicit, documented consent and clearly state the message frequency and content upfront. Utilize preference centers to enable subscribers to control the types and cadence of promotional content. 

Segment subscribers by: 

  • Behavior

  • Lifetime value

  • Engagement signals

Personalize messages using: 

  • Product data

  • Purchase history

  • Predicted replenishment windows

Keep your copy: 

  • Concise

  • Relatable

  • Action-oriented

Use two-way replies with keyword triggers and automated routing for standard requests, and route complex issues into your helpdesk.

Integrations and Technology Requirements

Link SMS to: 

  • Commerce platform

  • CRM

  • Email platform

  • Customer service tools

Ensure webhook support for real-time triggers and flows. Integrate with Intercom, Zendesk, Gorgias, or your helpdesk to handle two-way messages at scale. 

For better deliverability, use a platform that supports: 

  • A/B testing

  • Compliance tools

  • Opt-out management

  • Number pooling 

If you plan to reorder automation, pair SMS with subscription or replenishment technology, such as Repeat, to close the loop on fulfillment and ensure a seamless ordering experience.

KPIs, Costs, and ROI Expectations

Track subscribers

  • Opt-in rate

  • Opt-out rate

  • Open rate

  • Click-through rate

  • Conversion rate

  • Revenue per message

  • Lifetime value lift

SMS costs are modest per message, often under a penny wholesale before carrier fees, and programs report strong ROI: many brands see returns in the hundreds of percent, with top campaigns reaching an ROI of nearly 600 percent. Expect SMS CTRs of 5 to 10 percent, opens near 99 percent, and response rates that can top 40 percent for conversational flows.

Compliance, Privacy, and Deliverability

Follow TCPA and applicable regional laws

Obtain explicit opt-ins and honor: 

  • STOP, HELP

  • Unsubscribe keywords

  • Timestamping

  • Storing consent records

Avoid high frequency unless the subscriber explicitly opts in. Use dedicated long codes or short codes depending on volume and campaign type, and maintain list hygiene to protect deliverability.

Staffing, Automation, and Support Expectations

Set SLA and response policies for two-way SMS. If you promise conversational access, staff it or automate to maintain rapid replies. Utilize automated flows for common questions, and implement escalation rules for complex cases. 

Train customer support to utilize SMS thread context and commerce data, ensuring replies are both useful and fast.

Quick Tactical Tests to Run This Quarter

  •  Launch a welcome SMS flow with preference collection on the first message and a one-time welcome offer.

  • Run a timed cart recovery sequence that sends an immediate reminder and a second message 24 hours later.

  • Add a reorder reminder tied to expected consumption, with a one-reply reorder option.

  • Use packaging and receipts to invite retail buyers to text in for a discount code.

  • Pilot a two-way concierge program for high-value customers with clear SLA and routing.

Questions For Your Team To Answer Before You Scale Sms

  • Which flows will drive the fastest revenue lift? 

  • Which support tools do we need for two-way communication? 

  • What unsubscribe limits and cadence will protect deliverability? 

  • How will we measure revenue per subscriber and incremental lifetime value?

Related Reading

Customer Retention Automation
Churn Rate in eCommerce
How to Re-engage Lost Customers
Customer Retention KPIs

How Does SMS Generate Revenue?

woman using phone - Ecommerce Sms Marketing

SMS converts attention into revenue because it reaches people where they look first. Text messages are scanned and outpace email in terms of speed and visibility. Utilize personalization tokens, dynamic links, and segmentation to tailor the message to the recipient's intent. 

SMS as a Direct Driver of E-commerce Revenue and ROI

When you send a one-line product reminder to a segmented shopper who has recently viewed that item, the click-to-purchase path can be as short as two taps. 

Add automation to trigger those texts at key moments, and you create predictable revenue flows: 

  • Browse to cart

  • Cart to conversion

  • New customer to second purchase

Want a concrete math example? If 2,000 customers receive an abandoned cart SMS with a 20 percent click-through rate and a 10 percent conversion on clicks, that’s 40 orders. At an average order value of $60, that equals $2,400 per campaign. Scale that to regular flows, and predictable incremental revenue becomes apparent.

Flash Sales Delivered To Their Pocket: Short-Term Promotions That Work

Short-term promotions thrive or fail based on timing. Text messaging forces immediacy. Send a launch link, a last call, or a limited stock alert, and most recipients will see it within minutes. Pair SMS with email for reach, and use SMS for the narrow windows where speed matters. 

A simple cadence works: 

  • Tease at hour minus two

  • Soft launch to VIPs at minus thirty minutes

  • Last call at ten minutes

Keep the copy concise and include a single trackable link, along with a clear CTA. 

Sample copy: "Final 2 hours: 25 percent off your cart. Use SAVE25 now. 

Shop: shorturl" That clarity reduces friction and pushes impulse decisions into immediate revenue.

Live Timing: Order And Event Updates That Stop Revenue Leaks

Transactional SMS does not always result in sales, but it helps protect revenue. Shipping confirmations, delivery windows, and event reminders stop cancellations, missed pickups, and returns. Trigger an SMS if a delivery attempt fails and offer an instant reschedule link or pickup option.

When customers can edit their order before fulfillment via a reply or a lightweight form, refunds and chargebacks drop. Brands report fewer support escalations when shipment and event updates are sent via SMS, as customers tend to respond more quickly to text messages than to email notifications.

Cart Recovery That Actually Converts: Pair And Sequence For Lift

Abandoned cart emails are effective. SMS raises the bar. Start with email at 1 hour, then send an SMS at 3 hours for high-intent carts, and another SMS at 24 hours only if the cart remains. Personalize the SMS with the product name or an image link, offer a small incentive if necessary, and include a one-tap checkout link. 

Typical results: SMS open rates often exceed email open rates by a significant margin, and click-through rates on cart recovery SMS are several times higher than those of email alone. 

Test incremental revenue by running an A test with and without SMS in the flow. 

Message example: "You left the Runner Sneaker in your cart. Tap to finish checkout and get free shipping: shorturl." 

Utilize precise timing and targeted offers to drive conversions.

Launch Drops That Drive Clicks: Use Curiosity And Scarcity

You don't need a lengthy form to sell a new product. SMS excels at driving qualified traffic during product launches. A brief teaser that sparks curiosity prompts people to visit the product page, where images and details are displayed. 

That one click moves prospects into the buying environment, where adding to cart and cross-selling occur. Use VIP early access messages to reward repeat buyers and drive initial velocity. When scarcity matters, send quantity or timer updates by SMS to increase urgency. 

Sample: "New drop live. Limited quantity. Shop now: shorturl."

SMS As Fast Customer Support: Two-Way, Automated, And Scalable

Text offers a compact customer support channel that handles many routine tasks. Use keyword-driven flows for tracking, returns, or subscription changes, and escalate complex cases to agents. Two-way SMS and quick replies cut handling time and raise satisfaction. 

Automate confirmations when customers text their order number and provide instant links for returns or exchanges. This reduces ticket volume and keeps human representatives focused on higher-complexity requests.

Compliance And Deliverability: Keep The List Clean And Legal

Always send marketing SMS only to opted-in numbers and honor opt-outs immediately. Follow regional rules for consent and message frequency. Use long codes or short codes, depending on the campaign scale, and ensure carrier testing to avoid filtering. 

Clean lists, transparent cadence, and relevant content protect deliverability and brand trust.

Practical Campaign Playbook: Templates, Cadence, And Measurement

Use these proven building blocks:

  • Triggered cart flow: 1-hour email, 3-hour SMS, 24-hour SMS with incentive. Measure conversion rate on clicks and incremental revenue from SMS.

  • Short sale blast: VIP SMS at T minus 30 minutes, general SMS at launch, last call at T plus 2 hours. Track time-stamped conversions to attribute revenue.

  • Product Launch: Teaser SMS, Launch SMS, Restock SMS. Measure site sessions and conversion lift compared to the control.

  • Transactional updates: shipping, delivery window, and returns. Track support tickets and fulfillment exceptions.

  • Measure opens, clicks, conversion rate, average order value, and recovered revenue per message. Run A/B tests on copy, timing, and incentives to find the highest ROI.

How To Personalize Without Being Creepy

Use simple data points, such as: 

  • Recent views

  • Last purchase category

  • Loyalty tier

  • City

Swap generic promotions for tailored text, such as "Your refill is due" or "Back in stock: your size." Keep personalization obvious and valuable, and give customers control over frequency. That builds trust and minimizes opt-outs.

Ground AI: The Shortcut to Proven E-commerce Growth

You're testing ads, influencers, email, and barely growing your DTC; what if, in five minutes and one line of code, you could add 20 percent growth instead? Ground AI is the leading AI revenue driver helping brands grow faster with our eCommerce personalization platform; book a call for a free action plan and get an ROI guarantee or your money back.

Related Reading

Customer Retention Automation
Attentive Competitors

13 Best Ecommerce SMS Marketing Examples

sms marketing - Ecommerce Sms Marketing

1. Opt-In SMS: Clear Consent That Converts

Capture explicit consent and set clear expectations upfront to maintain a high opt-in rate and ensure clean compliance. Ask people to opt in only after they take a specific action on-site or at checkout. 

Inform them of what they will receive, mention cart reminders if you plan to send them, and provide instructions on how to unsubscribe.

Language To Use

Direct, legal-friendly, and short. 

Include the: 

  • Opt-in instruction

  • Message frequency

  • Any carrier message rates

  • Unsubscribe keyword

  • A link to your privacy policy

Add a quick incentive reminder if you offered one.

Customer Response Aimed For

Confirmed subscribers who know what to expect, fewer complaints, and higher deliverability for future SMS offers. 

Try this template: 

Reply YES to confirm. Msgs about orders, promos, and cart reminders. Msg frequency 4x month. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. Help? Reply HELP or visit [privacy link].

Practical Tweaks

Link the code or offer so new subscribers can shop immediately. Test short codes vs. long codes for deliverability, and record the opt-in source for channel attribution.

2. Welcome SMS: Open With A Human Hello And Immediate Value

Deliver required compliance details and then create momentum. Use the welcome SMS to: 

  • Set cadence

  • Deliver a signup incentive

  • Reinforce brand voice

If your opt-in was minimal, use the welcome to expand expectations and show value.

Language To Use

Friendly, clear, and actionable. Use the brand voice, either casual or formal, but keep compliance copy in mind. Include a one-click link that applies a discount or takes the customer to curated product picks.

Customer Response Aimed For

Early engagement, first-order conversion, and contact retention ensure that future messages effectively showcase your brand name. 

Try this template: 

Oh, hello! Welcome to [Brand]. Use CODEWELCOME for 15% off. Msgs about promo orders and tips. Reply STOP to opt out. Save this number as [Brand] so that messages appear easily.

Practical Tweaks

Ask customers to save your number. Include a link that auto-applies the discount. Segment welcome flows by acquisition source to personalize first offers.

3. Promotional SMS: Short Pushes That Drive Immediate Clicks

Use SMS for time-limited promo pushes and product-level discounts. Keep the frequency controlled and segment by behavior to prevent subscriber fatigue. Combine dynamic coupons with product images in MMS when ROI justifies the cost.

Language to use

Benefit-led and concise. Lead with the offer and a reason to act now. Use social proof shorthand when space allows.

Customer Response Aimed For 

High open and click rates and rapid conversions from mobile traffic. 

Example text: 

Final hours, 30% off best sellers. Shop now: [short link] Use code FLASH30. Limited stock.

Practical Tweaks

Test subject lines in email, then mirror winning copy in SMS. Use UTM tags to track revenue per message and conduct A/B testing of send times.

4. Flash Sales SMS: Urgency Without The Noise

Flash sales demand immediate attention, so use a single, clear CTA and a short window of opportunity. SMS outperforms email for one-day-only events because messages appear on the screen, prompting rapid action.

Language To Use

Time-bound, high-contrast, and energetic, yet not spammy. Use emojis sparingly to increase scannability.

Customer Response Aimed For

Fast traffic surges and stronger mobile conversions. 

Example: 

24HR FLASH: 50% off all mascaras. Use MASCARA50 at checkout. Shop now: [link] Ends 11:59 pm.

Practical Tweaks

Limit flash frequency to protect your list. Use past purchase data to target high propensity buyers first.

5. Abandoned Cart SMS: Gentle Nudges That Finish The Sale

Send a cart reminder quickly while the item is fresh in the shopper’s mind. Follow platform constraints and legal rules about timing and the number of cart texts. Add a small incentive or urgency when the initial reminder does not convert.

Language To Use

Personalized, concise, and helpful. Remind the customer what they left behind and give a clear path back to checkout.

Customer Response Aimed For

Cart recovery and lifted conversion rate with minimal friction. 

Example 1: 

Hey [Name], you left this in your bag: [item]. Complete your order with FREE SHIP: [link] Code: FREESHIP. 

Example 2 (after 48h): 

Still thinking it over? Take 5% off if you complete within 72 hours: [link] Code: CART5.

Practical Tweaks

Include images in MMS for high-ticket items, respecting frequency caps and testing one vs. two follow-ups per cart.

6. Birthday SMS: Make Birthdays Feel Personal And Profitable

Collect birth dates during signup or via a targeted repermission campaign. Use the birthday message to create an emotional connection and a timely incentive that encourages purchase around the date.

Language To Use

  • Warm

  • Celebratory

  • Personal

Address the gift by name and keep it clear and time-limited.

Customer Response Aimed For

  • Increased loyalty

  • Emotional buy-in

  • Conversion from a personal touch

Example signup ask: 

Want a birthday surprise? Reply MM/DD to receive a special gift each year. Example birthday message: Happy birthday [Name] 🎉 A little sparkle from us, 20% off all jewelry. Valid 7 days: [link] Code: BDAY20.

Practical Tweaks

Ask for the month only if you want higher participation. Use short windows to drive urgency.

7. Product Launch SMS: Punchy Launches That Build Hype

Use SMS to announce focused launches where a single message can drive early adopters. Keep the message focused on the single new product and leverage scarcity messaging if inventory is limited.

Language To Use 

Excited but specific. Use clear labels like 'NEW' or 'JUST DROPPED' and provide a concise one-line value proposition.

Customer Response Aimed For

Fast traffic from engaged customers and early reviews from buyers. 

Example: 

NEW PRODUCT ALERT. Meet the Sauteuse that replaces your pan. Save $120 today only: [link] Use code NEW120.

Practical Tweaks

Reserve VIP windows for loyalty members. Follow launch with segmented nurture messages for reviewers.

8. Rewards Program SMS: Keep Members Active With Short, Timely Updates

Promote signup and then use SMS for status updates, points balances, and exclusive member offers. Use behavior triggers to nudge members when they are close to a reward.

Language To Use

Rewarding and exclusive. Use value signals and clear CTAs.

Customer Response Aimed For

Higher repeat purchase rate and deeper program engagement. 

Example messages: 

You are 200 points away from $25 off. Shop now to unlock: [link]. Members only: 30% off sitewide today! [link]. Use code VIP30.

Practical Tweaks

Send points expiration reminders and tier upgrades via SMS. Link to account pages for ease of redemption.

9. Order Confirmation And Shipping Updates: Transactional Messages That Earn Trust And Open Doors

Treat order confirmations and shipping updates as baseline customer care and as a chance to increase lifetime value. Keep transactional SMS crisp and actionable. 

Include: 

  • Order number

  • ETA

  • Direct link to order status

Language To Use

Clear, neutral, and helpful. Avoid promotional language in the first transactional update, but add a subtle CTA in shipping notices to promote accessories or track delays.

Customer Response Aimed For

  • Reduced anxiety

  • Fewer support tickets

  • Potential cross-sell

Example: 

Your [Brand] order # 12345 has been confirmed. Track here: [link] Estimated delivery in three business days. Need help? Reply HELP.

Practical Tweaks

Use two-way SMS for simple support. Add cross-sell links to the order status page, rather than including them in the confirmation text, to ensure compliance.

10. Thank You Offers: Gratitude That Nudges A Second Purchase

Follow up a purchase with a brief thank-you message that includes a low-friction incentive for a repeat purchase. Keep the ask small and time-bound to lift conversion without eroding margin.

Language To Use 

Warm and concise. Include a clickable link or dynamic discount that applies at checkout.

Customer Response Aimed For

Quick second purchases and increased CLTV. 

Example: 

Thank you for your order, [Name]. Here is 10% off your next buy: [link] Use code TY10. Good 14 days.

Practical Tweaks

Use a one-click claim link when possible. Compare absolute dollar versus percentage incentives to determine which one increases the repeat rate.

11. New Content Updates: SMS That Educates And Keeps Your Brand Top Of Mind

Use text to distribute short content teasers with direct links to the whole piece. Match content to purchase behavior so the content feels practical rather than promotional.

Language To Use

Curious and benefit-driven. Tease the takeaway, then send people to your blog video or guide.

Customer Response Aimed For

Increased site engagement and brand affinity. 

Example: 

New article: How to pick the perfect mattress for back pain. Read quick tips and our mattress guide: [link]. Want more guides like this?

Practical Tweaks

Use mobile-first content pages to reduce friction. Track content CTR to inform future SMS editorial choices.

12. Podcast Promotion: Build Authority By Pushing Episodes To Pocket Listeners

Promote podcast episodes via SMS with a concise hook and a one-click link to Apple or Spotify. Use episode themes that align with customer interests and nudge subscription.

Language To Use

Teaser first, then the link. Mention the guest's name or a compelling takeaway.

Customer Response Aimed For

Subscriptions and repeat engagement that keep your brand in the user’s routine. 

Example: 

New episode: How our founder cut returns in half. Listen now: [Apple link] Subscribe for alerts about new episodes?

Practical Tweaks

Send episode highlights and timestamped links for key segments. Use SMS to recruit guests or for listener feedback.

13. Repurposed Email Newsletter: Bite-Sized Newsletter Pushes For Mobile Attention

Reformat newsletter highlights into 1 to 3 SMS bites with direct links to each story. Use SMS to drive traffic to long-form content and to surface best-performing pieces from email.

Language To Use

Snapshots with clear CTAs. Let readers choose which story to open.

Customer Response Aimed For

Higher cross-channel engagement and improved content consumption. 

Example: 

Newsletter highlights. 

  • New travel kit review. 

  • How we test fabrics. 

  • Members get early access. 

Read the one you want: [link] Which should we expand next?

Practical Tweaks

Utilize UTM parameters to track the transfer from newsletter to SMS. Offer subscribers the option to opt into only content messages to reduce promo fatigue.

12 Key Strategies for Successful SMS Marketing Campaigns

person using phone - Abandoned Cart SMS

1. Permission First: Secure Subscriber Consent

Obtain an explicit opt-in before sending marketing texts. Ask for SMS consent when collecting the phone number, then send an automated confirmation that prompts subscribers to reply with a keyword to confirm. 

If they do not reply or respond with any other word, stop and do not add them to the campaign list. Automate the double opt-in process to maintain a clean and compliant subscriber list, ensuring adherence to carrier and FCC regulations.

2. One-Reply Unsubscribe: Make Exiting Simple

Place an unsubscribe instruction in the last message of each conversation, for example, ‘Reply STOP’ to opt out. Make the opt-out immediate and confirm the unsubscribe with a final text. 

Making it easy to unsubscribe: 

  • Lowers complaints

  • Improves deliverability

  • Builds trust with your mobile audience

3. Talk Like a Human: Keep It Conversational

Write like a person sending a short, friendly note. Use relaxed grammar, plain language, and a tone that aligns with your brand's voice. Short abbreviations and occasional emojis are acceptable if they fit the context. 

Use two-way messaging when appropriate, ask questions, accept replies, and route answers to your support team so SMS becomes a proper engagement channel.

4. 160 Characters Matter: Write Tight

Limit marketing SMS messages to 160 characters to prevent message splitting and avoid incurring extra costs. Longer copy is divided into multiple billable segments and may trigger carrier spam controls, which can hinder throughput and deliverability. 

Use concise CTAs and branded short links to keep each message compact and precise.

5. Time Smart: Respect Local Quiet Hours

Send promo messages during the recipient's local business hours, for example, roughly 8 AM to 5 PM in the recipient’s time zone. Automate send times with timezone data or area code mapping to avoid violating state quiet hours. 

Treat transactional messages differently but still aim not to interrupt customers at night.

6. Pick the Right Message Type: SMS vs MMS vs Emojis

Choose SMS for short text offers and confirmations, as it is usually the most cost-effective option. Use MMS only when images, GIFs, or videos add clear commercial value, and budget for higher per-message costs. 

Treat SMS that includes emojis as potential MMS; test how your carrier handles emoji rendering and billable classification before rolling out high-volume campaigns.

7. Tell Them What to Do: Use a Tight Call to Action

Every message should include a clear CTA that fits in three to six words, such as Shop Sale, Claim 20% Off, or View Order. Use action verbs and a clear next step, such as 'click,' 'reply,' or 'show code in store, ' and track the CTA performance with UTM parameters or link tracking. 

Keep the CTA front and center so subscribers can convert quickly from mobile.

8. Short Links Win: Use Branded Shorteners

Use branded link shorteners to save characters and increase trust; long, raw URLs consume your 160 characters and appear spammy. Append minimal tracking parameters and use your SMS platform’s analytics to measure click-through rates and conversions. 

Test load speed and mobile landing pages to increase clicks and reduce bounce rates.

9. Say Who You Are: Brand First

Start messages with your brand name so people instantly know who is texting them. Place the name at the top or in the first three words to reduce confusion and lower the chance of being blocked or reported as spam. 

Repeat the brand context for automated sequences to ensure a follow-up does not appear as a stranger if the brand is not clear.

10. Right Message, Right People: Segment and Personalize

Segment by behavior, purchase history, cart abandonment, lifecycle stage, geography, and engagement level to personalize effectively. Then insert dynamic tokens to make messages more relevant and increase the conversion rate, such as: 

  • First name

  • Recent product

  • Reward balance

Use automated rules to move customers between segments and A/B test creative, timing, and offers to optimize revenue per subscriber.

11. Send Less, Send Smarter: Timing and Cadence

Match cadence to message type

  • Transactional texts should go immediately

  • Abandoned cart nudges within an hour

  • Promotional campaigns spaced to avoid fatigue

Ask subscribers at signup how often they want to receive messages and set clear expectations about frequency to reduce opt-outs. 

Monitor opt-out rates and engagement metrics to adjust send volume by segment.

12. Ask and Act: Use SMS for Feedback and Support

Utilize SMS to

  • Gather ratings

  • Conduct quick surveys

  • Facilitate real-time issue resolution

Try messages like Thanks for your order, NAME. Rate your experience on a scale of 1–10 by replying with a number, and consider offering a small reward for completing a longer survey. 

Route replies into your CRM so customer service can respond fast, and feed feedback into segmentation and product decisions to keep your mobile program responsive and revenue-focused.

Book a Call for a Free Action Plan | Get an ROI Guarantee or Your Money Back

You are testing ads influencers and email, and watching DTC growth stall. The cost per acquisition rises while the average order value and repeat rates fluctuate. That highlights missed opportunities for on-site personalization and mobile channels. 

High open rates on SMS and clear cart recovery via text are underused, and your subscriber list growth and segmentation are probably shallow. Ask yourself which part of the funnel leaks the most revenue and whether your current tech actually closes those gaps.

Five Minutes One Line of Code Adds 20 Percent Growth

Drop one line of code into your store and activate real-time personalization and SMS capture in five minutes. That single install powers product recommendations, dynamic content, and SMS workflows that trigger on browse cart abandonment and purchase intent. 

You get instant A/B testing for messages and automation for lifecycle messaging, so experiments run while you sleep. Quick installs reduce operational friction and speed time to value without large engineering sprints.

Ground AI: The AI Revenue Driver for eCommerce Personalization

Ground AI runs a personalization engine that combines site behavior, purchase history, and SMS and email signals to deliver tailored offers and cross-sell prompts. It executes promotional messages, transactional messages, and replenishment messaging across SMS, email, and on-site, so every channel reinforces the same story. 

The platform supports two-way SMS messaging, MMS dynamic short code, and long code campaigns with keyword capture and consent management for TCPA compliance. It focuses on deliverability segmentation and lifecycle orchestration to raise conversion and lifetime value.

What 20 Percent More Growth Actually Means in Dollars

Brands using Ground grow on average 20% more per year. If you generate one million in revenue today, that is roughly $200,000 in extra top-line revenue next year. That extra revenue compounds when you reduce churn, increase repeat purchase frequency, and lift conversion from abandoned carts. 

Calculate ROI by comparing incremental revenue from recovered orders, subscription upgrades, and higher cart value against your subscription cost.

Automatically Acquire More First-Time Customers

Ground AI automates list growth with on-site pop-ups, keyword campaigns, text-to-join, and campaign-triggered SMS collection. Use mobile checkout capture to convert high-intent visitors into subscribers. Then run segmented welcome flows, promotional SMS, and targeted lookalike audiences seeded from high-value customers. 

SMS acquisition pairs well with paid ads by improving retargeting match rates and boosting conversion on mobile. Test short code versus long code and measure deliverability, open rates, and click-through rate to optimize performance.

Convert Bounced Sales and Recover Abandoned Carts via SMS

Build a cart abandonment SMS sequence that triggers within minutes with personalized product data and a clear CTA. Implement two-way messaging for prompt customer inquiries and utilize transactional messages to confirm orders and minimize chargebacks. 

For omnichannel coverage, recovery sequences incorporate dynamic discounts, urgency, and social proof, seamlessly integrating with email and push notifications. Track recovered revenue per campaign and run A/B tests on: 

  • Timing

  • Message length

  • Incentive to improve conversion

Increase Repeat Purchase Revenue With Cross-Sell Replenishment and Subscriptions

Set replenishment reminders for consumables based on typical reorder cycles and send subscription reminders and upgrade prompts via SMS. Use purchase-based segmentation to surface relevant cross-sell offers and bundle suggestions in lifecycle messages. 

Loyalty-driven SMS campaigns can enhance retention by rewarding repeat buyers, while reengagement flows encourage dormant customers to return with tailored incentives. Monitor repeat rate frequency and lifetime value uplift to fine-tune messaging cadence and optimize customer engagement.

Book a Call, Get a Free Action Plan, and an ROI Guarantee

Book a call, and we will audit your funnel, deliver a free action plan, and show you the exact one-line code and five-minute installation path for your store. We back the plan with an ROI guarantee, or your money back, so you can test it risk-free. 

Schedule a session and bring your current KPIs, subscriber counts, and recent campaign results so that the plan aligns with real performance.

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