Use SMS Marketing to Increase Retail Footfall
Stewart Townsend
Sun Microsystem / Oracle / Zendesk - Consultant for - Channel Strategy: Channel Management: Partner Training: Channel & Revenue Growth: Partner Enablement: Channel Sales: Partner Business Planning
Over the four-day holiday weekend in the UK, holiday sales are expected to hit ￡2.2B. This period includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With huge crowds expected in stores, it's important for shops to use SMS marketing to attract customers.
Today, customers get a lot of marketing emails, making it hard to stand out. But, people like getting texts from brands. SMS messages are nearly always opened, unlike most emails. They also get quick replies. By sending custom messages that match what customers want, we can bring more people to our stores.
Retailers have noticed that Black Friday has become a bit too much. So, many are offering deals all November to avoid the chaos. By using SMS to share these special deals, we can make our stores more inviting and move more goods during the holidays.
Key Takeaways
The Power of SMS Marketing
In today's world, we see ads everywhere. So, it's tough for companies to grab our attention. But, SMS marketing stands out. Shoppers are happy to text their favorite brands. Plus, almost everyone opens SMS texts, while only a fifth open emails.
Nearly 100% Open Rate
SMS marketing works well because almost everyone reads their texts. And, people reply to texts very quickly. This makes it a great way for stores to speak directly to customers. Which can bring more people into their shops.
Faster Response Times than Email
One big plus of SMS marketing is how fast people text back. Emails can take a while to get a reply. With SMS, it's instant. This helps create a closer bond between stores and their customers. And encourages people to visit them more.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing
Using the power of SMS marketing to engage clients and increase in-store visits needs the right approach. The top advice helps sellers create SMS messages that catch customer interest. These tips make sure your texts look professional and hit the mark.
Keep Messages Short and Sweet
It's crucial to keep your SMS messages short. People get a lot of texts, so you want yours to stand out. Aim for clarity and a simple, direct approach. Limit your messages to 160 characters to make sure they grab attention.
Personalize with Customer's Name
Making your texts personal is a big win in SMS marketing. Using the customer's name shows you care. It helps build a bond and keeps them engaged. A little personal touch can go a long way in customer engagement.
Introduce Yourself in the First Message
Start by telling customers who you are in your first text. This sets a friendly, trustworthy tone. It makes your future texts feel more genuine. Letting them know the reason for your message makes it more meaningful.
Avoid Repetitive Copy
Change the content to keep customers interested. Avoid sending the same message over and over. Refreshing your messages keeps them lively and effective. This tactic stops your texts from feeling boring and keeps people engaged.
Thank You Messages
At [Brand], we focus on building strong customer relationships through customer appreciation and post-purchase engagement. Expressing gratitude is key to our customer service. We aim to thank our valued customers with thoughtful messages.
Show Appreciation for Purchases
Right after customers buy, we send a personalized thank you via SMS. It shows them we appreciate their business. And it lets them know we value their support and trust in our brand.
Offer Assistance for Future Needs
Our thank you messages go beyond the first one. We keep in touch via SMS, offering help for future buys or questions. This maintains a strong bond and shows our dedication to top-notch customer service.
SMS lets us show customers they’re valued. It supports them and keeps the bond with [Brand] strong. Our strategy focuses on continued customer care, encouraging ongoing loyalty and business.
Product Restock Notifications
Keeping products available is key for a great shopping experience. Using product notifications via SMS helps us reach out. This way, customers learn quickly about restocked items and how to buy them easily.
Inform Customers About Restocked Items
Sending a quick SMS about a sold-out item can really spark a customer's interest. Our short, eye-catching messages will tell them their favorite items are back. This encourages them to drop by and make a purchase.
Provide Purchase Options
We don't stop at just telling customers an item they want is back. We also show them how to buy it easily. Whether in-store or online, our SMS communication will help them, making their shopping experience smooth.
Promotions and Events
SMS marketing is great for getting customers to visit stores. It's perfect for sharing info on exclusive sales and special events with your top customers. It keeps your loyal, VIP customers connected.
Exclusive Sales for VIP Customers
Through SMS, share special deals and exclusive events with your VIPs only. This builds a stronger bond and a sense of being special. Customers love feeling like they are being treated exclusively.
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Preview Relevant Products
Tell your loyal customers what's new with SMS. Let them know about the latest products before anyone else. This can excite them and draw them to your store for these new items. They'll also get any special deals you might offer.
Lapsed Customer Outreach
Our company values keeping customers connected. We suggest using SMS to talk to those who haven't visited in a while. With personalized recommendations and honest care for our client's lives, we aim to welcome customers back to our stores. This approach aims to boost store visits.
Personalized Recommendations
Sending tailored product suggestions via SMS is a main plan. We look at what they've bought before and their browsing to suggest things they might like. This shows we know what they look for and gives a good reason to drop by and see the new products.
Show Interest in Customer's Life
But it's not all about the products. We also send messages to ask how they're doing or end well-wishes. This personal touch aims to build a stronger connection and draw them back to the store. We want them to know they're special with us.
New Arrivals
Our store always has the newest new products. Looking to upgrade your style or find something unique? Our team picks out fresh new arrivals just for you. They're sure to excite and get your creative gears turning.
Coordinate with Previous Purchases
We work hard to improve your omnichannel experience. We look at your shopping past to offer items that match your wardrobe. This makes your shopping with us more personal and smooth.
Offer In-Store and Online Options
Shop the latest new products with ease, in-store or online. Feel the fabrics in our shop, or do it all from home. Our approach lets you shop how you like, ensuring a top-notch experience always.
increase retail footfall sms text engagement
Retail is always changing. Now, smart brands use location-based messaging, personalized offers, and customer loyalty programs. These things bring more people to their stores. They make SMS marketing fit what their customers like and where they are. This way, we give them a better reason to come to our stores in person.
Location-Based Messaging
SMS marketing lets us talk to customers where they are with location-based messaging. Technologies like geofencing help. They let us share store news, events, and new items with customers nearby. This boosts store visits right away. It also makes our brand more involved with our local community.
Personalized Offers
We can also offer personalized offers to make customers want to visit. We look at their info and shopping habits to make special deals. These deals might be discounts on what they love or first looks at new collections. They create excitement and make customers want to shop at our stores.
Customer Loyalty Programs
Adding customer loyalty programs to our SMS plan is key too. By giving top customers extra benefits, like early sales or special experiences, we build loyalty. This makes them come to our stores more. It’s a win for both busy stores and our brand’s future.
Retail Analytics and Omnichannel Strategies
Retailers boost in-store visits through retail analytics and omnichannel strategies. By tracking customer behavior and merging out online and in-store experiences, shopping becomes easier. This helps make visiting our shops a more appealing choice for customers.
Track Customer Behavior
It's key to look at customer behavior to know what they like and need. With top-notch retail analytics tools, we learn a lot about how customers use our brand. This info helps us adjust our ads and make experiences that our customers will love.
Integrate Online and In-Store Experiences
In the omnichannel world, blending online and in-person experiences is a must. Tying our online-to-offline experience makes shopping smoother. We give customers a united shopping trip, no matter how they shop with us. This can involve pick-up options, easy returns, and product tips based on what they look at online.
Mobile Engagement and Proximity Marketing
Savvy brands use mobile engagement and proximity marketing to bring people into their stores. These strategies make visiting stores more compelling. They also ensure a personalized and smooth shopping experience for customers giving them the option to shop online first and then pick up items in stores.
Click-and-Collect Services
Click-and-collect services let customers buy items online. Then they can pick them up at their nearest store. This is convenient and often leads to more shopping in-store. It keeps people coming back because they can seamlessly shop both online and in-store at once, offering a omnichannel experience.
This tactic merges online and in-store shopping easily. It encourages repeat visits by customers who enjoy a seamless shopping experience. It not only saves time for customers but also increases chances they’ll buy more while picking up their order.
In-Store Events and Experiences
Creating exciting in-store events and experiences also brings customers in. Product demos, workshops, and exclusive shopping events are great ideas. They offer something unique and fun that can't be found online. By doing this, stores meet the increasing demand for real-life shopping experiences. This deepens the relationship with customers.
These mobile engagement and proximity marketing plans help build a well-rounded retail experience. As the world of retail changes, keeping up with customer needs is vital. Stand out by offering a mix of convenient online and engaging in-store shopping experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SMS marketing is a key strategy for UK retailers. It helps them boost retail foot traffic and engage with customers. A key success tip is to keep messages short, use the customer's name, and avoid repeating yourself.
By using omnichannel strategies, retailers can make the customer's journey smoother. They can blend online and in-person shopping better. Techniques like offering personalized deals, sending messages based on location, and enabling item pick-up after an online purchase can draw customers to physical stores.
SMS marketing is very effective, with nearly everyone opening their texts. It's also quicker to get a response than email. By using SMS well, retailers can promote products and offer special experiences. This helps increase visits to their stores and builds stronger customer relationships. Ultimately, it makes their brand more powerful and leads to business growth.