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10 Strategies to Build a High-Converting SMS Marketing List for Your Ecommerce Store

Did you know that 72% of people have made a purchase after receiving a text from a brand? That's right—text marketing is a powerful tool for driving sales. And the numbers are even higher in regions like Europe and APAC.

Not only are people buying more often because of SMS marketing, but they're also buying faster. 86% of people who made an SMS purchase in the last year made at least two more purchases from the same ecommerce brand.

And almost 10% made six or more purchases! SMS can not only speed up the buying process by also impact your customer retention and loyalty.

But do you know the first step of getting those conversions? - It's building your SMS list filled with potential buyers and subscribers!

So, what are you waiting for? Let's dive into some strategies to build and grow your SMS subscriber list so that you can get the same conversion from your SMS marketing campaigns!

The SMS Subscriber List and Its Importance 

An SMS subscriber list is a collection of individuals who have voluntarily signed up to receive text message updates from a specific company or organization. These updates can cover various topics, such as promotions, news, or exclusive offers. 

Think of your SMS subscriber list as your personal texting crew. It's like having a group of people who've signed up to get texts from you. These people are down with wanting to hear what you're saying, whether it's updates, deals, or just a casual text to mark your presence. 

Why is SMS Marketing List Important?

  • Direct Connection: It's a super direct way to reach your audience. No need to wait for them to check their email or social media.
  • Instant Engagement: Text messages are noticed and are usually read quickly. They're a great way to get immediate feedback or responses.
  • Targeted Communication: You can tailor your messages to specific groups based on their interests or preferences.
  • Cost-Effective: SMS can be quite budget-friendly compared to other marketing channels.
  • Make More Moolah: SMS can help you boost sales by reminding people about abandoned carts, offering exclusive deals, and encouraging repeat purchases. It's like a little cash cow for your business.
  • Build a Community: Connect with your customers on a personal level and create a sense of community around your brand.

How is an SMS Subscriber List a Game Changer for E-commerce?

An SMS subscribers list for e-commerce is like a VIP club for your most loyal fans, where you can offer exclusive deals, sneak peeks, and a behind-the-scenes look at your brand. There's so much more businesses can do via SMS than just sending out shipping details. This is how different e-commerce businesses can leverage it –

  • Fashion and Apparel: Think about sending exclusive sales and flash deals to your fashion-savvy subscribers. You can also keep them in the loop about the latest trends and when popular items are back in stock. And why not offer personalized styling advice and outfit inspiration?
  • Electronics and Tech: For tech enthusiasts, announce new product releases and let them pre-order. Share helpful tips and tutorials on using their products, and offer exclusive deals on tech accessories or bundle deals.
  • Beauty and Personal Care: Promote new skincare, makeup, or haircare products to your beauty-conscious text message subscribers. Share beauty hacks and tutorials, and offer exclusive discounts and rewards to loyal customers.
  • Grocery and Food Delivery: Keep your customers informed about upcoming orders and delivery status updates. Offer discounts on groceries or meal kits, and share recipe ideas and cooking tips.
  • Home Goods and Furniture: Notify your SMS subscribers about furniture sales and clearance items. Share interior design tips and inspiration, and alert them when popular items are back in stock.

12 Strategies to Grow a High-Converting SMS List 

1. Make it Easy to Sign Up

Don't hide your sign-up forms. Put them in places where people are likely to see them, like pop-ups, sidebars, or the footer of your ecommerce website.

Instead of bombarding people with a bunch of questions at once, try using a multi-step form. This means asking for their email address first and then their phone number on the next screen. This can help reduce friction and make people more likely to complete the sign-up process.

2. Tap Into Your Email List

If you already have an email list, you can use it to grow your SMS list. Send your subscribers a targeted email campaign inviting them to join your SMS list. To make it more enticing for people to sign up for your SMS list, offer them exclusive perks or early access to new products or sales. 

3. Capture Numbers at Checkout

When people make a purchase on your website, they have to enter their contact information. This is a great opportunity to ask them if they want to sign up for SMS marketing. 

You can also offer them the option to receive text message updates about their order. If you offer order updates via SMS, this can be a great way to introduce people to the benefits of SMS communication.

4. Gamification is the Way To Go

In today’s time a simple pop-up or sign-up form is not enough. People need engaging gamification tools like spin-to-wins and countdown timers to take action. Gamification tools can easily capture this website traffic and keep website visitors engaged. This makes gamifications a go-to solution to grow your SMS subscriber base.

5. Promote Your SMS List

Promote your SMS list on your social media channels to encourage your followers to sign up. You can also run contests or giveaways that require people to text a keyword to enter. Consider running ads on various platforms like Google, Facebook, or Instagram to reach a wider audience.

6. Run Contests and Giveaways

Run contests, giveaways or plan a text to win campaigns that require people to text a keyword to a short code to enter to get exclusive clues and win exciting prizes and freebies. This is a great way to collect SMS numbers and generate excitement around your brand. Also, make sure to offer prizes or discounts that are enticing enough to encourage people to participate.

7. Create a Referral Program

Offer rewards to text subscribers who refer their friends and family to join your SMS list. This is a great way to leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing. You must ensure that people can easily refer their friends by providing them with a referral link or code.

8. Partner with Influencers

Influencer marketing is the a-game these days. Partner with influencers in your niche to promote your SMS list to their followers. This can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility. You can also create sponsored content featuring your SMS list to reach a wider audience.

9. Pre-orders & Back in Stock With a Twist

New product launches and back-in-stock can also be a good way to grow your potential buyer list. It serves as a good entry point by offering SMS subscribers first dibs on restocks of popular or sold-out items.

Pro-Tip: You can also go a step further by offering a small discount to those who opt into the notification—this will keep them subscribed for updates and future restocks. 

10. Click-to WhatsApp Ads

Imagine connecting instantly with your customers just with ads. With Click-to Whatsapp ads  social media users can start a conversation with a single tap, making it easy for them to sign up and subscribe. This makes it a powerful strategy to grow your subscriber list. 

Pro-Tip: Whatsapp Chatbots can handle the legwork, making it easy for people to opt in and stay in the loop on your latest updates. 

11. Offer Value, Not Just Discounts

Instead of just offering discounts, try offering valuable content like guides, checklists, or early access to new products. This will make your SMS list more valuable and encourage people to sign up.

Your ecommerce business can make people feel special by offering personalized recommendations or tailored offers. This will make them more likely to engage with your SMS messages.

12. Continuously Optimize and Personalize

Track your SMS list growth and engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement. Don't be afraid to experiment with different sign-up forms, offers, and messaging to find what works best for your audience. Additionally, make sure your SMS is personally targeted to the reader by mentioning their name.  

Conclusion: Watch Out for the SMS Revolution with The Convertway 

The Convertway's SMS marketing and gamification tools are game-changers for e-commerce businesses. With near-perfect SMS open rates, you can reach your audience globally, boost your marketing ROI and save on budget.

The fun part is that you can engage with your customers with exciting features like dynamic scratch cards, pop-ups, and spin-the-win features. These interactive elements can boost engagement, increase conversions, and make your ecommerce brand more memorable.