Textable coupons are SMS marketing messages that offer great deals and discounts to customers. Textable coupons or SMS coupons are fantastic tools to encourage subscribers to visit your physical or online store and purchase. These coupons are typically sent through bulk SMS sending using SMS marketing platforms. It works best to bring more loyal customers, increase customer retention and invite new customers to a business.
The vast majority of consumers in the USA have used coupons at some point – this is a market you must pay attention to. If your business doesn’t have coupons, it’s time to change that. Many consumers believe coupons help create loyalty toward a business, so companies are increasingly switching to textable coupons. Over 38% of consumers prefer getting digital coupons on their mobile devices. Allow us to tell you more about textable coupons using SMS, their types, benefits, and how to send one.
What are Textable Coupons?
SMS coupons are digital coupons sent through SMS (short message service), also called text messaging or texting. It is a great way to introduce your products or services to loyal and potential clients on their smartphones and attract them to make purchases using these great discounts. SMS marketing allows businesses to contact their customer base directly, and one of the best ways to convert potential buyers into fully-fledged customers is by offering textable coupons. Sending coupons is also ideal for keeping a loyal customer base coming back for more.
A textable coupon is an advertisement for a product or service sent as a text message to targeted consumers. These coupons are limited to 160 characters, and businesses must follow SMS marketing laws and regulations. With mobile coupons, companies can send discount codes directly to their customer’s phones, which is more convenient and often results in increased sales.
Businesses utilizing textable coupons issue them via text messages, so they need to find a compatible text marketing platform. Many choices are available; the right one will let you quickly send coupons and engage customers with your special offers. Many platforms can support issuing them via text message if you want to launch a campaign with digital coupons. These coupons can come in QR codes, spin wheel coupons, or gamified holiday coupons.
How do Textable Coupons Work?
Textable coupons help businesses increase sales and encourage customers to visit your store. You can increase foot traffic and online sales by sending a text message with a discount code or special offer.
Customers can use a textable coupon by showing the code to the cashier at purchase. The cashier enters the code into the register, which then applies the discount to the total purchase price. Other businesses enable customers to use textable coupons online as well. In these cases, customers type the coupon code onto the website or app while they are in the process of checking out. Subsequently, the discount is applied to their order total.
Brands and businesses typically send textable coupons to their customer base through SMS marketing platforms using bulk SMS service. Customers often text a keyword to a shortcode to sign up for coupons. Once they subscribe, they begin receiving text messages with exclusive offers and deals.
What are the Types of Textable Coupons?
There are three common types of textable coupons: QR codes, discount codes, and show these text coupons. After you’ve selected an SMS coupon software or text marketing platform, it’s time to think about what kind of coupons you want to send out.
1. QR Codes
A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that a smartphone camera can scan. When customers scan a QR code, they visit a website to learn more about the product or service and redeem the coupon. If you have a physical store and use a POS system with a scanner, QR codes will come in handy. You can send your text message subscribers a barcode that they can scan right from their phone using MMS. If you want to offer this coupon, we suggest promoting it in your store by adding a sign near the register. The sign should tell customers they can save on their order if they text in your keyword.
If you’re wondering why it’s necessary to offer discounts to customers who are already in your store, the reason is that many shoppers use their phones while they shop. 53% look for deals on products they intend to purchase.
Giving a discount could be the deciding factor that turns someone from a window shopper to a satisfied customer. You’ll also gather helpful information that you can use to bring them back at another time: their phone number.
2. Discount Codes
Discount codes are a common type of textable coupon. They can be used for online or in-store purchases and are often sent out as part of a sale or promotion. Discount codes can be as simple as a percentage off the total purchase price or a fixed amount, like $10 off an order of $50 or more.
When creating your discount code, include all relevant information, like the expiration date and minimum purchase requirements. It would help if you also considered whether you want the discount stackable, which means it can be used in addition to other coupons or promotions.
3. Show This Text
A show this text coupon is precisely what it sounds like: a text message with a code or special offer that customers can show to redeem in-store. It is the simplest type of text message coupon to give. There’s no need to generate a unique discount code. Just compose your message, lay out the specifics of your sale, and request that customers present it to the cashier to get your discount.
Are there other forms of Textable Coupons?
Yes. Changing up your text message coupons each time you send them out is essential. It will help keep your customers engaged and more likely to redeem the offers. Here are other textable coupons you can use for your promotions and marketing.
Buy 1 get 1 offer – Buy one product or service and get the second free. BOGO offers are a great way to increase your products and service sales while also giving customers a deal they can’t refuse. You can structure BOGO offers in different ways, like buy one get one 50% off or buy one get one free.
Flash Sales – A flash sale is a short-term promotion, typically lasting 24 to 48 hours, where customers can get discounts on items. You can advertise your flash sale in advance and send daily reminders to encourage customers to take advantage of the deals before they expire.
Free Shipping – Offering free shipping on orders is another way to increase sales and encourage customers to shop with you. You can offer free shipping on all orders or for orders over a certain amount.
Exclusive Offers – An exclusive offer is a great way to make your customers feel special. You can send them exclusive text message coupons that they can use to get discounts on products or services.
What are the Benefits of Offering Coupons?
Sending coupons via SMS is rapidly becoming a preferred method for consumers and businesses. For consumers, coupons are easy to access and redeem. For companies, coupons offer a way to reach new customers, increase sales, and promote new products or services.
1. Attracting New Customers
Offering coupons is a great way to attract new customers. You can advertise your coupons in-store or online and include a call-to-action telling customers to text in a keyword to receive the coupon.
Text marketing is a necessary part of business today. Two primary goals you want to achieve with your text messaging campaign are bringing in new customers and growing your subscriber list. Luckily, coupons allow you to do both. By advertising your QR code or Keyword, you give subscribers a chance to get exclusive discounts. Plus, since they opted in, you can send them future updates.
2. Helps Dispose of Old Products
If you have outdated or need to be cleared out, you can offer coupons as an incentive for customers to buy them. It is a great way to move older inventory and make room for new products.
Discounting your items opens up room in your store. If you don’t plan on selling an item, it will take up space in your store for months. By reducing the price, customers are more inclined to purchase items sooner, making way for new products. To entice every customer, start a textable coupon campaign. You can offer anywhere from 10-50% off the original price.
3. Reduces Advertising Expenses
Coupons are a great way to reduce your advertising expenses. You can advertise your coupons in-store or online and include a call-to-action telling customers to text in a keyword to receive the coupon.
Sending coupons via text is a cost-effective way to reach your target audience. You can advertise your coupons in various ways, including online, in-store, or on social media. Plus, you can send unlimited coupons for one flat monthly fee.
4. Helps Introduce New Products
Coupons are a great way to introduce new products to your customers. You can offer a discount on the latest product or a free sample with purchase. It helps increase new product sales and gets customers interested in trying it out.
5. Increases Sales
Higher traffic rates create the potential for more sales, not just cheaper items. The deals you offer aren’t only luring in new customers; they’re also acting as a catalyst for people to explore other areas of your store and potentially buy something else while they’re there. For example, if you’re a clothing store and you discount your jeans selection, people will come in for the discounted prices but also may buy other items like jackets, shirts, and belts. By offering discounts on popular items, stores can increase traffic while still making a profit off of full-price sales.
6. Standing Out
While many businesses advertise their coupons in newspapers and magazines, those who send them through text gain a competitive edge. By texting coupons to your audience, you save them the effort of collecting cutouts and ensure they can easily access deals. Customers can quickly redeem the coupon by pulling up the text message they receive.
How to Create and Send a Textable Coupon?
If you intend to start an SMS coupon campaign, here’s a walkthrough of creating and sending a textable coupon.
- First, collect phone numbers and subscribers. Your business has two ways of collecting phone numbers to which you will send the SMS coupons. The first is to invite them to join your list through a keyword, and the second is through a web form.
- Second, write your message. When promoting your sale, be sure to include all relevant details like minimum order quantity, expiration date, and if it can only be used in-store or online.
- Third, after you have reviewed the message to be correct, send it to your list of subscribers.
Once the coupons have been redeemed, you can track the results of your campaign. Check how many customers redeemed coupons, what they purchased, and if they are new or returning customers. This information will help you understand what types of products or services are most popular with your audience and what offers to generate the most interest.
Does using a Template effective for a Textable Coupon?
Yes. Using SMS templates for textable coupons effectively reaches your target audience and promotes your products or services. Senders will only create a promotion from scratch once a new campaign is in order. With SMS templates, your textable coupons will also carry a uniform, accurate and error-free message.
If you don’t have an SMS platform, sending SMS coupons can take a lot of time. With the right platform, you can schedule your text messages to go out when you want them to. This way, you can plan your marketing strategy and save yourself some time.
With templates, you don’t have to waste time drafting a new message from scratch every time. When it’s opportune to send the message, choose your desired template and only make changes in the areas that need revision, like an expiration date.
By combing these two elements, you can give your business the time it needs to correct typos and verify that all information in each text is accurate.
Are there rules when creating Textable Coupons?
Yes. There are a few general rules to follow when creating textable coupons. First, include all relevant details like minimum order quantity, expiration date, and if it can be used in-store or online. Second, make sure the message is clear and concise. Third, send the coupons to your subscribers’ list rather than individual contacts. Finally, track the results of your campaign to understand what type of offers generate the most interest.
Businesses must also ensure that the textable coupon campaign complies with the regulations set by the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association). The CTIA is a trade association that represents the wireless communications industry in the United States. Before launching a campaign, ensure that you have read and understand the SMS Marketing Etiquette Rules.
Is Textable Coupon considered an SMS Marketing Strategy?
Yes. Sending textable coupons to promote your products or services is part of the best 20 SMS marketing techniques and strategies to implement in a business. This type of marketing allows businesses to reach their target audience through text messages. By sending coupons through text, companies can save customers the effort of collecting cutouts and ensure they can easily access deals. Customers can quickly redeem the coupon by pulling up their SMS coupons.
Is Bulk SMS the best way to send Textable Coupons?
Yes. Bulk SMS is the best way to send textable coupons because it allows businesses to reach many people with a single message. With bulk SMS, businesses can also schedule messages in advance and automate their coupon campaigns. This type of marketing is also cost-effective and offers a high ROI. It is best to read more about the Bulk SMS Guide: Types of Bulk SMS to understand how you can take advantage of this service for your SMS coupon campaign.