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Retain · SMS

SMS for WooCommerce stores, used with judgement

A text lands on a customer’s phone and is usually read straight away, so it demands more care than email. I help you decide when it’s worth using, set up consent properly and coordinate sends with your email flows.

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In short

SMS campaigns are short text messages sent, one-off or automatically, to customers who have given specific consent for that channel. I set SMS up for WooCommerce stores at moments where speed matters, such as back-in-stock alerts, dispatch updates or short-lived offers. I coordinate it with email so customers never get the same message twice.

Common SMS mistakes

  • Treating SMS as a second email

    Texting the same promotions as the newsletter, at the same frequency, leads to quick opt-outs and a sense of intrusion.

  • Consent borrowed from email

    Assuming that a newsletter subscriber has agreed to texts. Consent has to be collected for each channel and recorded.

  • Split or pricier messages

    Long texts, emojis or certain accented characters can split a message into several parts or change its encoding, which pushes up the cost per send.

How I use SMS

I keep SMS for messages that are useful and genuinely time-sensitive, and set rules so email and SMS complement each other. Each message is written to fit a single segment wherever possible, with a recognisable sender and a clear way to opt out.

  • SMS-specific consent, collected at checkout or through a dedicated form
  • An alphanumeric sender ID showing your store name
  • Considerate sending hours and frequency caps
  • Rules that avoid repeating what email has already said

What I set up

  • SMS consent capture

    A separate consent tick box at checkout and in forms, recording date, source and the mobile number in international format.

  • Transactional and service texts

    Dispatch and delivery updates, or ready-for-collection notices, with a tracking link.

  • SMS automations

    Back-in-stock alerts, a second abandoned basket nudge for people who didn’t open the email, and messages for VIP customers.

  • SMS campaigns

    Short one-off sends for launches, early access or the last hours of a promotion, only to segments that respond well to the channel.

  • Email and SMS coordination rules

    Logic that decides which channel each customer gets for each message, to avoid repetition and keep costs in check.

How I implement

  1. Assessment

    I look at your audience, products and existing flows to work out whether SMS adds value and at which moments.

  2. Consent and setup

    I configure consent capture, the sender ID and the connection to your SMS sending platform.

  3. Messages and rules

    I write the messages, set sending hours, frequency and coordination with email, and test across several handsets and networks.

  4. Monitoring

    I track clicks, opt-outs, cost per send and attributed revenue, then adjust or scale back the channel according to results.

Tools I use

  • Klaviyo
  • Omnisend
  • Brevo
  • WooCommerce
Does SMS make sense for every store?

No. It works best where there is real urgency or service information, such as limited stock, deliveries or in-store collection. For stores with infrequent purchases, email is usually enough and cheaper.

How many characters fit in a text message?

A message using the standard GSM alphabet allows up to 160 characters per segment. Emojis and some special characters force Unicode encoding, which lowers that limit considerably and can split the message into several separately billed parts.

Can I use phone numbers from orders for marketing?

A number collected for delivery serves that purpose and does not imply consent to marketing texts. To send promotional SMS you need specific, recorded consent. Final sign-off should come from your lawyer or data protection officer.

Related tools

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Want to know whether SMS pays off for your store?

On a discovery call I review your audience, products and current flows with you and show where SMS could help.

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