Are you looking to boost sales and customer engagement for your Shopify store? One of the most effective tools you can use is SMS marketing. With open rates as high as 98%, SMS messages outperform email when it comes to engaging customers. Whether you’re recovering abandoned carts, promoting flash sales, or building customer loyalty, SMS marketing can significantly improve your store’s conversion rates.
In this article, we’ll explore the 8 best SMS marketing apps for Shopify that can help you automate and optimize your marketing campaigns. From small ecommerce shops to large enterprises, there’s a solution for every business type. Stick around to find the perfect app for your needs or jump directly to the comparison to see which app fits your goals.
Shopify stores generate an average of $5,583 in revenue per month, amounting to about $66,996 annually. (source)
Why Shopify Store Owners Should Use SMS Marketing
For ecommerce store owners, SMS marketing offers a fast, direct line of communication with customers. Here are a few reasons why SMS marketing is becoming an essential part of successful Shopify businesses:
Higher Engagement Rates:
- SMS marketing has significantly higher open rates compared to email. Most text messages are read within three minutes of being received, making it one of the most effective ways to grab your customers’ attention.
Better Conversion Rates:
- Whether you’re reminding a customer about an abandoned cart or promoting a time-sensitive discount, SMS messages are more likely to convert into sales. Since they are often delivered instantly and are short, they drive quicker customer action.
Personalized Customer Experience:
- With SMS marketing, you can send highly personalized messages to your customers based on their past purchases or interactions. From product recommendations to special offers, this level of personalization helps build customer loyalty.
Cart Recovery:
- One of the biggest challenges for Shopify store owners is cart abandonment. SMS marketing allows you to recover those lost sales by sending timely, automated messages that remind customers to complete their purchase.
Direct Feedback and Engagement:
- Unlike email, SMS messages can foster two-way communication. Customers can respond directly to a message, which opens up opportunities for real-time engagement. Whether it’s answering a product question or sending a discount code, SMS marketing helps strengthen your customer relationships.
By integrating SMS marketing into your Shopify store, you not only increase your reach but also improve overall customer engagement, which ultimately boosts your revenue.
Read More:8 Best Shopify Discount Apps
08 Best Shopify SMS Marketing Apps
1. SMSBump by Yotpo
Overview:
SMSBump is one of the most popular Shopify SMS marketing apps that integrates seamlessly with Yotpo. It offers robust automation features designed to help you engage customers with personalized SMS campaigns and recover abandoned carts.
- Key Features:
- Automation for cart recovery, order updates, and promotions.
- TCPA and GDPR compliance for SMS campaigns.
- Detailed analytics and performance tracking.
- Message personalization based on customer behavior.
- Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface.
- High deliverability and open rates.
- Excellent customer support.
- Integration with Yotpo reviews for a more complete marketing strategy.
- Cons:
- Pricing can get high for stores with large customer bases.
- Limited design customization for message templates.
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $16/month.
- Rating: 4.9/5
- User Review: “SMSBump makes it super easy to recover abandoned carts and engage customers. The automation features are a game-changer for our sales strategy.”
2. Postscript
Overview:
Postscript is a top-rated app offering advanced segmentation, personalized SMS campaigns, and direct customer engagement. It’s known for being beginner-friendly while offering features that scale with your business.
- Key Features:
- Audience segmentation based on purchase history and other behaviors.
- Automation flows for abandoned carts, shipping updates, and new product launches.
- Real-time two-way conversations with customers.
- Pros:
- Affordable pricing for small businesses.
- Excellent segmentation and automation tools.
- Easy Shopify integration.
- Cons:
- Some users report delays in message delivery.
- Limited customization options for SMS campaigns.
- Pricing: Free plan available; growth plans start at $25/month
- Rating: 4.9/5
- User Review: “Postscript’s automation flows and segmentation tools have helped us increase our conversion rates. The app is incredibly user-friendly.”
Read More:Top 08 Shopify Apps for Free Gifts with Purchase
3. Omnisend
Overview:
Omnisend is primarily known for its email marketing capabilities but has expanded into SMS marketing. It allows you to create omnichannel campaigns with a mix of email and SMS, making it ideal for those looking to centralize their marketing efforts.
- Key Features:
- Pre-built SMS automation workflows (cart abandonment, order confirmations).
- Omnichannel campaigns combining email and SMS.
- Dynamic discount codes for personalized marketing.
- Pros:
- Integration with email marketing for seamless campaigns.
- Good customer segmentation options.
- Easy-to-use dashboard.
- Cons:
- SMS features are not as robust as dedicated SMS apps.
- Advanced features come at a higher cost.
- Pricing: Free plan available; custom pricing based on contacts.
- Rating: 4.6/5
- User Review: “Omnisend has simplified our marketing by letting us combine email and SMS. It’s a powerful tool for both large and small campaigns.”
4. Firepush
Overview:
Firepush is a comprehensive SMS and email marketing app that provides multi-channel automation. It’s ideal for recovering abandoned carts, growing SMS lists, and running automated campaigns.
- Key Features:
- Multi-channel retargeting through SMS, email, and web push.
- Pre-built workflows for cart recovery, welcome messages, and win-back campaigns.
- Seamless integration with Shopify’s tech stack.
- Pros:
- Multi-channel marketing in one platform.
- Excellent cart recovery features.
- Easy-to-use pre-built workflows.
- Cons:
- Free plan has limited features.
- SMS customization options are somewhat limited.
- Pricing: Free plan available; advanced features in paid plans
- Rating: 4.7/5
- User Review: “Firepush has helped us automate both our SMS and email marketing. The cart recovery feature alone has paid for the app.”
Read More:Top 7 Discount Apps – Best Promotions on Shopify App Store
5. Recart
Overview:
Recart was initially a Facebook Messenger app but has transitioned to SMS marketing with a focus on recovering abandoned carts. It’s known for high opt-in rates and simple setup.
- Key Features:
- Abandoned cart recovery through SMS.
- Integration with third-party tools like Klaviyo and ReCharge.
- High opt-in rates with just two clicks.
- Pros:
- Simple and effective for cart recovery.
- Easy setup with third-party integrations.
- Excellent customer service.
- Cons:
- Focuses mainly on cart recovery.
- Limited marketing features beyond cart recovery.
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $29/month
- Rating: 4.8/5
- User Review: “Recart is perfect for recovering abandoned carts. It’s easy to set up and works seamlessly with our other apps.”
6. Privy
Overview:
Privy combines email, SMS, and pop-up marketing into one app. It’s especially useful for small businesses looking for a comprehensive solution to grow their email and SMS lists.
- Key Features:
- SMS and email marketing integration.
- Cart abandonment pop-ups and recovery emails.
- Easy-to-build sign-up forms and pop-ups.
- Pros:
- Simple setup and great for beginners.
- Effective at building SMS and email lists.
- Excellent support and resources.
- Cons:
- Features can be limited for advanced marketers.
- Free plan has fewer customization options.
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month
- Rating: 4.6/5
- User Review: “Privy helped us grow our SMS list with easy-to-set-up pop-ups. It’s an all-in-one solution for small businesses.”
Read More:Top 08 Shopify Bundle Apps
7. Attentive
Overview:
Attentive is a powerful SMS marketing platform designed for ecommerce businesses that want detailed insights and personalized messaging. Known for its performance analytics and segmentation capabilities, it helps you create highly targeted SMS campaigns.
- Key Features:
- Audience segmentation for personalized SMS campaigns.
- Advanced analytics for tracking ROI, engagement, and campaign performance.
- Built-in compliance features (TCPA and GDPR).
- AI-powered message optimization for higher engagement.
- Pros:
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting.
- Easy to maintain compliance with SMS marketing laws.
- Advanced automation for scaling campaigns.
- Cons:
- Free usage credits expire after 30 days.
- Additional charges may apply after the free trial.
- Pricing: Free credits for the first 30 days, then charges apply for usage
- Rating: 4.7/5
- User Review: “Attentive’s analytics have helped us refine our SMS campaigns to get better ROI. Their segmentation tools are a standout feature.”
8. Flowio
Overview:
Flowio combines SMS, email, and live chat into a single platform, allowing Shopify store owners to handle customer communication more efficiently. It’s known for being easy to use with pre-built automations for welcome messages, cart recovery, and more.
- Key Features:
- SMS and email automation workflows.
- Pop-ups for capturing SMS and email signups.
- Live chat feature for real-time customer engagement.
- Integrates with other popular Shopify tools for seamless marketing.
- Pros:
- Combines email, SMS, and live chat into one platform.
- Easy-to-use interface with pre-built workflows.
- Free plan available for small businesses.
- Cons:
- Some advanced features are locked behind higher pricing tiers.
- Limited customization options for SMS templates.
- Pricing: Free to install with paid plans for more advanced features
- Rating: 5/5
- User Review: “Flowio has been a great tool for automating our welcome and cart recovery campaigns. The pop-up builder is super easy to use!”
Read More:07 Best Shopify Apps to Add Recently Viewed Products for Your Store
How to Choose the Right SMS Marketing App for Your Shopify Store
Choosing the right SMS marketing app depends on several factors, including the size of your store, the complexity of your marketing needs, and your budget. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:
Store Size and Marketing Goals
- If you run a small Shopify store, apps like Postscript or Privy are great for their simple setup and affordable pricing. Larger stores with more complex marketing strategies might benefit from apps like Attentive or Cartloop for their advanced features and deeper customer engagement.
Key Features to Consider
- Look for apps that offer automation, segmentation, and easy integration with your existing tools. For example, SMSBump offers strong automation features for abandoned carts, while Flowio combines email, SMS, and live chat into one solution.
Budget Considerations
- Most of these apps offer free plans or trials, which makes it easy to test out their features. As your business grows, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan that offers more advanced tools like segmentation, real-time conversations, or deeper analytics.
By evaluating these factors, you can choose the best SMS marketing app that aligns with your store’s goals and budget.
FAQs
What’s the ROI of SMS marketing?
SMS marketing typically delivers a high ROI due to its high open and response rates. Many ecommerce stores see conversion rates increase by 20-30% when using targeted SMS campaigns.
Are there compliance issues with SMS marketing?
Yes, SMS marketing must comply with laws like TCPA and GDPR. Most apps, like Attentive and SMSBump, come with built-in compliance features to help you manage opt-ins and unsubscribes.
How does SMS marketing compare to email marketing?
While both channels are effective, SMS tends to have much higher open and engagement rates. However, email is still better for long-form content, such as newsletters and product announcements.
Can I automate SMS campaigns?
Yes, most apps like Postscript, Omnisend, and Recart offer automation for workflows like cart recovery, welcome messages, and shipping updates.
What’s the best app for abandoned cart recovery?
Recart and SMSBump are both highly rated for abandoned cart recovery due to their effective automation flows and high opt-in rates.
Conclusion
SMS marketing has proven to be one of the most effective tools for Shopify store owners looking to boost sales, recover abandoned carts, and engage customers directly. With its impressive open rates and conversion potential, it’s clear why ecommerce businesses are increasingly adopting SMS as part of their marketing strategy.
This article highlighted the 9 best SMS marketing apps for Shopify, each offering a unique set of features that cater to different store sizes and marketing needs. From Postscript and Privy for smaller stores with simple needs, to more advanced options like Attentive and Cartloop that focus on personalized, real-time conversations, there’s an app for every type of business. Key considerations include automation, segmentation, compliance, and, of course, your budget.
If you’re ready to take your Shopify store’s marketing to the next level, any of these SMS apps will provide you with the tools you need to drive engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty. Start with a free plan to test which app fits your business needs, and scale up as your store grows.
