Mass Text Messaging Strategies for Ecommerce: Best Practices to Reach More Customers

With a staggering 98% open rate, SMS messaging outshines email, which typically hovers around 20%. Even better, 95% of text messages are read within just three minutes of delivery. These numbers make it clear why businesses are flocking to text messaging to reach their audience directly and instantly. 

But when it comes to reaching large groups, mass text messaging takes things to the next level. In this article, we’ll explore why mass texting is such an effective communication channel, and proven strategies to maximize customer engagement.

Let’s get started! 

Bulk SMS Campaigns 101

A bulk SMS campaign is simply a way to send a single message to a large group of people at once. It’s as simple as drafting a message, selecting your audience, and hitting ‘send’. This approach is incredibly useful for sharing urgent updates, promotional offers, or event reminders with a big audience quickly. 

Now, let’s break it down a bit. 

Imagine a new product launch or flash sale happening; you can instantly reach thousands of customers with bulk SMS. These campaigns are not only fast but also incredibly effective. That means your message is almost guaranteed to be seen.

And with the right SMS platform, you can personalize these messages, track their performance, and even schedule them for the perfect timing. 

Benefits of Sending Bulk SMS Campaigns for Ecommerce

Bulk SMS campaigns allow you to reach your customers right where they are—on their phones. It is a fantastic way to capture attention and drive action quickly. 

Here are five key benefits of sending bulk SMS campaigns: 

1. Immediate Reach and High Engagement

Bulk SMS messaging boasts high open rates which means your message won’t get lost in the shuffle and is more likely to capture immediate attention. This rapid engagement can translate to faster sales and a more responsive customer base.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Compared to other text marketing channels, bulk SMS campaigns are relatively affordable, offering a strong return on investment.

3. Personalization and Customization

SMS can be tailored based on purchase history, preferences, and behaviors, creating a more personalized shopping experience. With 75% of consumers stating they’d like to receive offers via text, this form of bulk messaging can help build loyalty and improve customer satisfaction​. 

4. Wide Reach

SMS isn’t limited by internet access; as long as someone has a phone, they can receive your message, broadening your potential reach significantly.

5. Higher Conversion Rates

Due to the immediate nature of SMS, conversion rates tend to be as high as 36%, giving you a direct path to boost sales and engagement​. This means more customers can check out new products or deals, resulting in a tangible boost in conversions. 

6 Best Ways to Use Mass Text Messaging to Reach Large Audiences

Mass text messaging is versatile and can be adapted to suit various marketing goals. Here are six practical ways to leverage this powerful tool to reach large audiences effectively:

1. Send Promotional Offers and Discounts

Using mass text messaging for promotional offers and discounts is a powerful way to boost sales quickly. Imagine you’re running a weekend sale—by sending a text blast to your customers with a discount code, you can create instant awareness and drive foot traffic or online purchases. 

To make the most of this bulk sms marketing strategy, ensure your messages are short, compelling, and time-sensitive. For instance, instead of just saying “50% off this weekend,” you could add urgency with “Hurry! 50% off today only!”

This approach taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO), which can motivate customers to take quick action. 

For example, take Lenskart, a popular eyewear retailer. They frequently use SMS to notify customers about special sales, like the one you see in the image.

By emphasizing that the offer ends today, they encourage immediate action. The short URL included in the message makes it easy for customers to click through and start shopping right away.

2. Deliver Real-Time Alerts and Notifications

You can deliver real-time alerts and notifications through bulk texting to keep your audience informed about critical updates.

Imagine you’re running a sale, and an item goes out of stock unexpectedly. Sending an SMS alert right away to customers who have the item in their cart helps them adjust their purchase or choose a similar product.

By keeping your customers in the loop, you prevent frustration and maintain trust in your ecommerce brand. 

You can also use real-time SMS alerts for order status updates, like shipping confirmations or delivery notifications. For instance, Flipkart sends real-time notifications when orders are shipped or delayed, so customers know exactly when to expect their packages. 

This not only enhances the shopping experience but also reduces the need for customers to contact support with delivery questions

3. Gather Customer Feedback

Customer feedback through mass text messaging is effective in understanding your customers’ needs and preferences. 

After purchase, you can send a brief SMS survey asking about their shopping experience or the quality of the product. With 45% of customers responding to SMS surveys, you’re more likely to get valuable feedback that can help you improve your offerings and boost customer satisfaction. 

To make this process easy for customers, keep your surveys short and focused. This simple message from GIVA, for example, thanks the customer for their order and provides a quick link to share feedback, making the process effortless and accessible.

You can also use this feedback loop to strengthen customer loyalty. If a customer shares a concern or a suggestion, you can follow up personally or offer a discount on their next purchase. This shows that you value their opinion and also encourages repeat business by turning a feedback interaction into a positive experience. 

4. Announce New Product Launches

By sending a quick SMS blast, you can inform your customers the moment a new product goes live, ensuring they don’t miss out. For example, fashion brands often use SMS to announce new collections, inviting customers to view them first through exclusive links. 

By tapping into SMS for product launches, you can quickly reach a large audience and direct them straight to your website. Tracking click-through rates, conversion rates and other ecommerce metrics will also give you insights into your audience’s response, helping you optimize future launches.

5. Drive Traffic to Your Website or Social Media

SMS is an excellent tool for driving traffic to your website or social media profiles. With a single SMS, you can share a link that directs customers to your latest blog post, a product page, or a special event on social media. 

To use SMS for traffic generation, create messages that offer value and spark curiosity. You could share a sneak peek of a new blog post, an exclusive deal available on your website, or a new video on your YouTube channel.

For example, a clothing brand might send, “Our fall collection just dropped! Discover the latest trends here.” 

Timing is also crucial when driving traffic with SMS. If you’re launching a flash sale on your website, send a text marketing campaign just as the sale begins to generate instant traffic. This simple message can drive a significant number of users to your site within minutes.

6. Engage with Two-Way Messaging

Unlike one-way promotional messages, two-way SMS allows customers to reply, ask questions, or even make requests, creating a more interactive experience. In fact, around 60% of consumers say they prefer ecommerce stores that offer two-way texting because it’s convenient and provides a faster response compared to other communication channels. 

To implement two-way messaging effectively, start by inviting responses in your messages. For example, take the example in the image. The message invites customers to answer a few questions in exchange for a reward—a Rs. 250 Pantaloons voucher.

By creating an open dialogue, you can show your customers that you value their opinions. This approach can help you fine-tune your offerings and even inspire new product ideas based on direct customer input​. 

Ready to Revolutionize Your SMS Strategy?

Mass text messaging offers eCommerce businesses an unmatched opportunity to connect with customers instantly, driving sales and boosting engagement.

With The Convertway's text marketing platform, you get access to powerful features like automation flows, targeted campaigns, and smart segmentation—all designed to help you convert more customers and build lasting relationships through SMS​. 

Ready to take your SMS marketing to the next level? Try The Convertway today and experience how easy it is to start sending impactful messages that deliver results. Start your free trial with The Convertway and see the difference for yourself! 

Author Bio

Sapna Singhal is a Freelance Content Writer who specializes in writing data-driven blog posts around B2B Marketing and SaaS. She has over 5 years of experience in content writing and marketing. When she's not writing, you can find her chit-chatting with her sisters or reading books!