Imagine this: prospective customers visit your online store, find some products they like, and add them to their cart. Then, for some reason, they abandon their shopping session before completing the purchase. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. The average online shopping cart abandonment rate is 70.19%, with mobile users even higher at an astonishing 85.65%. As a result, e-commerce brands are losing an estimated $18 billion in sales revenue each year.
The solution is simpler than you think: SMS marketing.
The Power of SMS Marketing
However, there’s a silver lining: a powerful tool at your disposal to turn things around – SMS marketing. Why SMS? Simply put, SMS outperforms other marketing channels regarding open rate, with 89% of phone owners reading a text message within 30 minutes of receiving it. In contrast, emails, typically considered the go-to recovery tool, have an average open rate of just 17.92%.
SMS Strategies to Turn Abandoned Carts into Completed Sales
SMS marketing is your best bet in this journey to turn lost opportunities into successful conversions. Here’s how you can arm your SMS strategy with effective tactics to reclaim those abandoned carts.
Personalization
A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it. We all like to feel special. So when you’re crafting your SMS, be sure to address your customer by their name. Better yet, mention the exact items they left behind. Remember, the small details show your customers they’re more than just a number.
Timing
Your customer has just left your site after filling their cart with products. This is the perfect time to remind them of what they’re missing. A gentle nudge within the first hour can work wonders. It keeps your products fresh in their minds and boosts the chances of a completed purchase.
Follow-Up
Silence is rarely golden in the world of eCommerce. So, don’t be disheartened if your first SMS doesn’t yield a response. A second or third message might be just what they need. But remember, there’s a fine line between being persistent and pestering them.
Special Offers – Sweetening the Deal
As for incentives, who doesn’t love a good deal? Consider offering a special discount or even free shipping. When customers feel like they’re getting an exclusive bargain, their likelihood of returning to their cart skyrockets.
Clear Call-to-Action – Show Them the Way
Here’s another crucial element – your call-to-action, or CTA. You’ve sent a compelling SMS; your customer is interested. But what’s the next step? That’s where a clear CTA comes in. Ensure you’re guiding your customers, whether “Checkout now” or “Use this discount code”.
SMS Templates for Cart Recovery
Let’s illustrate these strategies with practical templates that can be adjusted according to your brand voice and individual customer needs.
The Gentle Reminder
“Hi {{first_name}}, we noticed you left some items in your cart. Complete your purchase now and enjoy free shipping on us. [Link]”
The Discount Incentive
“Hello {{first_name}}, still thinking about those items in your cart? Here’s a 10% off coupon to sweeten the deal. Use code CART10 at checkout. [Link]”
The Limited Time Offer
“Hey {{first_name}}, the items in your cart are selling out fast! Complete your purchase within the next 2 hours to ensure you don’t miss out. [Link]”
The Back-In-Stock Notification
“Great news, {{first_name}}! The item you wanted is back in stock. Don’t miss out this time, complete your purchase now. [Link]”
The Free Gift or Bonus Offer
“Hi {{first_name}}, there’s a surprise waiting for you in your cart. Complete your purchase now to find out. [Link]”
The Key Takeaways
Cart abandonment is an inevitable aspect of e-commerce. However, by harnessing the high open rates of SMS, you can re-engage customers and recover a significant portion of these potentially lost sales.
So, take the reins and transform abandoned carts into conversions with strategic SMS marketing. Let’s reclaim that $18 billion lost sales, one text message at a time.
Don’t let potential sales slip through the cracks anymore. Start converting your abandoned carts into successful transactions today with OtterText’s 14-day free trial.
