SMS Marketing for e-commerce is a powerful tool to engage customers instantly, increase conversions, and create personalized experiences that drive sales.
🔍 Glossary of Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
SMS (Short Message Service) | Text-only messages up to 160 characters sent to a user’s phone. |
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) | Text messages that include images, videos, GIFs, or audio. |
Opt-In | Explicit permission given by a user to receive marketing messages via text. |
Shortcode / Toll-Free Number | A 5–6 digit or toll-free number businesses use to send texts at scale. |
SMS Flow | Automated sequence of texts triggered by user behavior (e.g. cart abandonment, new signup). |
Compliance (TCPA/GDPR) | Legal guidelines that govern how businesses can collect and use customer phone numbers. |
A2P Messaging | Application-to-person SMS—used by businesses to text customers. |
CTR (Click-Through Rate) | The percentage of people who clicked on a link in the SMS message. |
Table of contents
Why SMS Marketing Belongs in Every eCommerce Toolkit

Let’s be real: inboxes are overflowing. Social media algorithms are unpredictable. Ad costs? Rising.
That’s why smart DTC brands are doubling down on SMS—it’s direct, immediate, and insanely effective.
Key stats:
- ✅ 91% of consumers are open to SMS from brands
- ✅ 98% open rate (most within 5 minutes)
- ✅ CTRs up to 19%, compared to 2–3% for email
SMS isn’t here to replace email. It’s here to supercharge it.
The Power of SMS Marketing for E-commerce
SMS lets you meet your customers where they’re most active—their phones.
Use Case | Example |
---|---|
🔥 Flash Sales | “24 HOURS ONLY – 20% off sitewide. Tap to shop!” |
🛒 Abandoned Cart | “Still thinking it over? Your cart’s waiting →” |
📦 Order Updates | “Shipped! Track your order here →” |
👀 Back in Stock | “Your favorites are back. Shop now before they’re gone!” |
💬 2-Way Chat | Let customers reply with questions directly |
SMS is quick, contextual, and personal. When timed right, it’s a conversion machine.
Don’t Skip Compliance
Before you hit send, know the rules.
- TCPA (U.S.): Requires express written consent before texting a user.
- GDPR (EU): Requires lawful basis and clear opt-in for messaging.
- Klaviyo Compliance: Requires timestamp + IP for every opt-in.
What NOT to do:
- ❌ Don’t buy phone number lists
- ❌ Don’t pre-check opt-in boxes
- ❌ Don’t skip the double opt-in for certain regions
Do this instead:
- ✅ Use 2-step popups for email + SMS
- ✅ Offer incentives (discounts, VIP access) for sign-up
- ✅ Always include “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” in messages
SMS + Email = The Perfect Pair
Think of SMS as the sniper and email as the shotgun.
Email is for depth. SMS is for immediacy.
Use SMS For | Use Email For |
---|---|
Urgent promos | Product storytelling |
Last-minute reminders | In-depth education |
Order updates | Post-purchase flows |
Restocks | Campaign newsletters |
VIP drops | Product reviews/testimonials |
Pro Strategy:
- Send email first → track open rate
- If unopened after 24 hours → send SMS follow-up
“Hey! We sent you something special. Don’t miss out → [link]”
When to Use MMS (Images in SMS)
Images work great for:
- New product drops
- Abandoned cart reminders (show what they left)
- Product education (before & after shots)
But here’s the catch:
- MMS costs more than SMS
- Not every carrier supports it
- Some users have image delivery blocked
Rule of thumb: If the message needs visual impact, use MMS. If not, keep it text-only.
Getting Started with SMS in Klaviyo
Klaviyo makes SMS setup seamless—especially for Shopify brands.
Step-by-step:
- Activate SMS
Free to start. You’ll get a toll-free number and a 7–10 day verification window. - Create Signup Forms
Use multi-step popups. Start with email opt-in, then follow with SMS. Sweeten the deal with:- Early access
- Mobile-only offers
- Secret sales
- Build Core SMS Flows Use Klaviyo’s prebuilt templates to launch fast:
- Welcome Series (Day 0, Day 1, Day 3)
- Cart Abandonment (15 mins, 2 hrs, next day)
- Shipping & Order Confirmations
- VIP Drop Notifications
- Set Smart Sending Rules
Avoid texting at 2am. Klaviyo auto-suppresses messages outside local hours (smart!).
The 6 SMS Flows Every Store Should Launch First
Flow Name | When It Triggers | Goal |
---|---|---|
Welcome Series | After signup | Drive first purchase |
Abandoned Cart | Cart started, no checkout | Recover lost sales |
Post-Purchase | Order complete | Ask for review or cross-sell |
Replenishment | Consumables after X days | Increase repeat purchases |
VIP Drops | LTV > $300 or >3 purchases | Build loyalty |
Winback | 60+ days of inactivity | Re-engage dormant buyers |
Bonus: Use split logic to personalize messages based on product category or order value.
Where to Collect SMS Signups (Beyond Your Homepage)
Channel | Tactic |
---|---|
Website | Exit-intent popup, footer signup |
Checkout | Add checkbox to collect SMS consent |
Post-Purchase | Ask to receive shipping updates via text |
Email List | Run reactivation campaign with SMS offer |
In-Store | Use tablets or QR codes for opt-in |
Social | Link to a landing page for SMS signup |
Growing the Right List: Quality > Quantity
Avoid padding your list with people who don’t care. Here’s how to get engaged subscribers:
- Use exclusivity (“Only for our text community”)
- Run SMS-only giveaways or drops
- Test gamified popups like spin-to-win
- Use urgency-based messaging: “Be the first to know when [product] drops.”
Testing & Optimization: What to Track
Metric | Benchmark | Optimization Ideas |
---|---|---|
Open Rate | 90–98% | Timing, send frequency |
CTR | 15–25% | CTA clarity, link placement |
Unsub Rate | <2% | Message frequency, targeting |
Conversion Rate | 5–10% | Offer relevance, urgency |
Reply Rate (if 2-way enabled) | 2–5% | Use conversational tone |
A/B Test Ideas:
- Emoji vs no emoji
- Link in first line vs last line
- Short vs long copy
- SMS vs MMS
- Morning vs afternoon send times
The Future of SMS: What’s Coming
MMS Global Support
Visual content will go international. Prepare now by designing MMS templates for future use.
More 2-Way Chat
Brands will use SMS not just to send—but to talk. Think concierge, not billboard.
SMS + Push + Email Bundles
Customer journeys will weave together texts, emails, and app notifications.
AI-Powered Copy & Triggers
Expect predictive behavior-based flows—“send this text when [customer type] hasn’t engaged in 3 days.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best time to send SMS messages?
Mid-morning (9–11am) or late afternoon (3–5pm). Avoid early mornings and late nights unless it’s urgent.
2. How many texts should I send per week?
1–2 is a safe start. More than 3? Segment carefully or risk higher unsubscribes.
3. Can I use SMS for international customers?
Yes—with platforms like Klaviyo expanding SMS coverage, you can now reach audiences in the UK, Australia, and more (with MMS coming soon).
4. What are the legal risks of SMS marketing?
Failing to get proper consent or sending at inappropriate hours can lead to fines. Always follow TCPA and GDPR.
5. Is SMS expensive?
It’s more costly per message than email, but it drives higher ROI when used strategically. Focus on high-intent campaigns.
6. Can I use SMS to support customer service?
Yes. Some platforms support 2-way messaging so customers can ask questions or track orders directly via text.
Final Takeaway: SMS Is the Most Underrated Channel in Your Stack
Most eCommerce brands are underusing SMS. They’re afraid of bothering people or unsure how to get started. But here’s the truth:
✅ Your customers want it
✅ It converts better than email
✅ It’s scalable and personal
✅ It’s protected from algorithm shifts
Done right, SMS marketing is a high-leverage, high-ROI channel that builds stronger customer relationships.
Need Help Setting Up SMS Flows That Actually Convert?
At Blossom Ecom, we specialize in building integrated email + SMS ecosystems that turn browsers into buyers—and buyers into loyalists.
Whether you’re launching SMS for the first time or ready to go global, we’ll help you do it right.
→ Book your free SMS strategy audit today
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