Ready to enter the world of SMS marketing? You’re in the right place.
SMS popups are more than just attention-grabbers; they’re the key to forging meaningful connections with your audience.
As we navigate through this article, we’ll unravel the reasons why businesses are increasingly turning to SMS popups. We’ll also delve into seven high-converting SMS popup examples and provide invaluable tips on how to craft your own.
Let’s get right into it!
What is an SMS popup?
An SMS popup is an overlay designed to appear on a website to collect mobile phone numbers for SMS marketing campaigns (a.k.a. text messages).
It’s one of the most effective ways to collect phone numbers from website visitors and build targeted SMS marketing lists, so it comes as no surprise that an increasing number of companies are incorporating SMS popups into their digital marketing arsenal.
While some SMS popups focus solely on gathering mobile phone numbers, others take a comprehensive approach by simultaneously collecting phone numbers and email signups. This provides a dual advantage, contributing to the growth of a targeted SMS marketing list and expanding your email marketing outreach at the same time.
Why should you use SMS popups?
SMS popups offer several benefits for businesses, allowing them to quickly grow their SMS lists and leverage the advantages of text message marketing campaigns.
Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Effective lead generation strategy
SMS popups are effective tools for capturing phone numbers and generating leads from your website traffic.
By enticing users to subscribe to SMS lists, you can curate a comprehensive database of potential customers who have explicitly expressed interest in receiving promotional messages.
The targeted nature of these leads sets the stage for a more effective and personalized marketing strategy.
2. Direct communication with users
The immediacy and personal touch offered by SMS messages elevate them as an ideal direct communication channel with users.
Compared to other forms of communication like emails that might get lost in overflowing inboxes, SMS messages have a significantly higher open rate.
This direct line to users’ SMS inboxes ensures that your messages are seen and increases the likelihood of prompt engagement. This immediacy fosters a sense of personal connection, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your marketing outreach.
3. Increased engagement rates
As mentioned, the inherent nature of text messages contributes to their high open rates, and SMS popups capitalize on this by actively encouraging users to subscribe.
Once users opt in, you can send targeted and relevant messages, leading to heightened interaction rates. This increased engagement not only bolsters brand awareness but also lays the groundwork for cultivating long-lasting customer relationships.
4. Competitive edge
Since not all businesses utilize SMS marketing, incorporating SMS popups can give you a competitive edge. That’s because, for many consumers, SMS messages represent the most convenient way of receiving offers, news, and more.
By incorporating SMS popups, you position yourself ahead of the curve, standing out from the noise and capturing the attention of your target audience in a way that sets you apart from the competition.
7 SMS popup examples
Now that we’ve seen the benefits of using SMS popups, let’s take a look at seven SMS popup examples that showcase the diverse strategies employed by brands to captivate, engage, and convert their audiences.
Alongside each example, we’ve included a valuable tip or insight into the tactics that make these campaigns successful.
1. SolaGarden
SolaGarden used a Trojan Horse campaign to simultaneously gather email addresses and phone numbers without compromising conversion rates.
The brilliance lies in the methodology: start by requesting an email address, enticing users with an initial discount code (10% off, in this case). Then, elevate the offer by sweetening the deal—”Upgrade your discount to 15%”— in exchange for providing a phone number.
Tip: Use the Trojan Horse method to get the most out of your subscriber lists.
2. BlendJet
BlendJet strategically deployed its SMS popup on exit-intent, right when visitors were on the verge of leaving the website. This well-timed approach can enhance the effectiveness of your popup and retain potentially lost leads.
Tip: Time your SMS popup right with an exit-intent trigger.
3. Craft Sportswear NA
Craft Sportswear NA used a strategic move by showcasing their SMS popup exclusively to their most devoted audience—current email subscribers and existing customers.
Recognizing that these customers were already actively engaged with Craft Sportswear’s marketing, the brand seized the opportunity to invite them to be part of a novel SMS program. To express gratitude and add allure to the proposition, they enticed these loyal fans with a $35 discount on their next order in exchange for a phone number.
The result of this campaign—a 40.44% conversion rate—is a testament to the effectiveness of their strategy.
Tip: Target your current email subscribers.
4. Obvi
Obvi didn’t want to overwhelm website visitors by asking for multiple contact details at the same time. Instead, they broke it up into multiple steps to make it more digestible. In just one week, this popup had a 4.69% conversion rate.
Tip: Break your popup into two steps.
5. NAADAM
NAADAM wanted to collect a lot of information about their users, but they also wanted to make sure that they didn’t overwhelm visitors and lower conversion rates. To accomplish this, they made some of the fields optional. This is how you can strike the right balance between gathering valuable data and respecting user preferences.
Tip: Simplify your long form with optional fields.
6. Vital Proteins
Vital Proteins’ popup offers 15% off. But what makes this popup a great example is that it takes user experience to the next level by offering guidance on the correct format for adding a phone number. This is a user-friendly approach to encourage seamless interactions and minimize frustration.
Tip: Help users by showing them the right format.
7. Earthlove
Earthlove opted for an unconventional twist, offering a free gift instead of discount coupons. This strategy taps into several psychological principles to enhance its effectiveness.
- Consumers might perceive a tangible item as more valuable than a percentage off their purchase. The term “free” triggers a positive response, creating a sense of added value and exclusivity.
- Gifts have a unique ability to evoke positive emotions. Unlike discounts, which primarily appeal to rational decision-making, gifts tap into the emotional side of consumers.
- The prospect of a free gift naturally piques the curiosity of potential customers.
- When customers receive something unexpected and valuable, they’re more likely to reciprocate by engaging with the brand, whether by providing their phone number or making a purchase.
Tip: Swap discounts for gifts in order to spark interest.
A step-by-step guide to creating an SMS popup
Now, let’s delve into a step-by-step guide on how to create your own SMS popup campaign with OptiMonk in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Choose an SMS popup template
Your foundation for success begins with the right template. OptiMonk provides a variety of pre-built templates tailored to different needs.
Here you can check out the templates that are built with the goal of collecting phone numbers for a text message marketing list. Navigate through the options and select an SMS popup template that resonates with your brand.
Step 2: Design your popup
Once you’ve chosen the perfect template, you can use the OptiMonk editor to customize the design of your SMS popup. You can add extra elements like text, images, and buttons, or you can simply tweak the existing elements to make them fit your website’s branding.
Ensure that you have a clear call-to-action button and an enticing, benefit-driven headline encouraging users to leave their phone numbers. You can use our Smart Headline Generator if you need some help.
Step 3: Set targeting and triggering options
Now it’s time to define when and where your popup should make its appearance.
Leverage OptiMonk’s capabilities to set triggers based on time spent on a page, exit-intent, scroll percentage, or specific user behaviors. This ensures your SMS popup reaches the right audience at the right time, maximizing its impact.
Step 4: Set up the integration with your SMS marketing tool
The next step is to add integration. OptiMonk allows you to integrate with various SMS service providers like Klaviyo or SMSBump. Choose the SMS tool you’re using and configure the settings.
Enter the necessary details (such as API keys or credentials) to connect OptiMonk with your SMS service.
Step 5: Publish your campaign
With the design perfected and precise targeting set up, it’s time to unveil your creation to the world! Hit the publish button and set your SMS popup campaign in motion.
Step 6: Start sending text messages to your new subscribers
Once you’ve collected phone numbers through your SMS popup, don’t forget to initiate your SMS marketing campaigns! It’s time to craft relevant messages that resonate with your audience.
Engage, inform, and cultivate relationships, leveraging the power of SMS campaigns to create meaningful connections with your new subscribers.
Wrapping up
As you’ve seen in this article, the versatility and impact of SMS popups make them a great tool for any online retailer. We explored the reasons businesses are increasingly turning to SMS popups and delved into seven high-converting examples, each offering unique insights and strategies.
Now equipped with what you’ve learned, it’s time to create your own SMS popup. So, let’s get started, and may your SMS popup campaigns be both impactful and enduring. Happy crafting!
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