Shopify SMS Marketing: Set Up Text Message Campaigns That Convert

SMS: The Highest-Engagement Channel in Ecommerce

SMS open rates are 98% — email averages 20–25%. Text messages are read within 3 minutes on average. For abandoned cart recovery, promotional flashes, and restock alerts, SMS outperforms every other channel on immediate engagement. The constraint is list size — SMS lists are typically 5–15% the size of email lists — but the conversion value per subscriber is significantly higher.

SMS Apps for Shopify

• Klaviyo SMS — if you’re already on Klaviyo for email, adding SMS is seamless. Same segmentation, same flow builder, unified subscriber profiles. Best for stores already using Klaviyo
• Postscript — SMS-first platform with deep Shopify integration, strong US/Canada focus. Industry-leading deliverability and compliance tooling
• Attentive — enterprise-grade, two-tap signup technology, advanced personalisation. Pricing by negotiation, better for larger stores
• SMSBump (Yotpo SMS) — strong free tier, good for smaller stores starting with SMS

Compliance: What You Must Get Right

• Explicit opt-in required — TCPA (US), GDPR (EU/UK). Checkbox at checkout is not sufficient — need clear “I agree to receive marketing texts” language
• Easy opt-out — STOP keyword must always work, unsubscribes must process immediately
• Identify your brand — every message must state who it’s from (“OneOnic: …”)
• Time restrictions — US TCPA prohibits texts before 8am or after 9pm in recipient’s time zone
• Keep records — log opt-in source, timestamp, and IP for every subscriber

Building Your SMS Subscriber List

• Checkout opt-in — checkbox during Shopify checkout. Lower conversion but high-intent subscribers
• Popup with SMS incentive — “Text us your number for 15% off your first order.” Higher opt-in rate
• Keyword campaigns — “Text OFFERS to 12345 for exclusive deals.” Works for in-person events and packaging inserts
• Double opt-in — subscriber texts keyword, receives confirmation text asking them to confirm. Required in some jurisdictions, recommended everywhere

High-Converting SMS Flows

• Abandoned cart — 60 minutes after abandonment, single text with direct link to cart. 10–15% recovery rate
• Back-in-stock alert — text subscriber when a specific item they requested is available. ~20% CTR because of high intent
• Flash sale — 2-hour window exclusive to SMS subscribers. Creates urgency and rewards the channel
• Post-purchase flow — shipping confirmation, delivery confirmation, review request (timed 7 days post-delivery)

Ready to launch SMS marketing for your Shopify store? Our team sets up compliant, high-converting SMS flows and campaigns. Get in touch.