Do you know that an average person checks their phone around 144 times a day? When it comes to stats with 98% open rates of SMS, it becomes more reliable than emails. That is why SMS marketing can be a game changer, bringing various opportunities for businesses. Using a fine strategy with SMS funnels, businesses can attract loyal customers.

This guide will provide you with how to use SMS marketing funnels with efficiency so that businesses can create more sales, engagement, and customer loyalty.

What is an SMS Marketing Funnel?

SMS marketing funnel is a scheduled sequence of text messages that lead a potential buyer through various stages of their buying process. From knowing about your brand till the purchase and even after, each message is created to build connection and prompt action. In contrast to random promotional texts, SMS funnels are systemised and customised to offer worth at every stage.

Why SMS Funnels Work

SMS is effective because it is quick and straightforward. Within three minutes of being received, the majority of messages are read. Actually, according to a Twilio study, 70% of customers think SMS is a fast way to get in touch with companies. SMS is perfect for timely, interesting marketing because of its immediacy as well as its high open and response rates.

The 5 Stages of an SMS Funnel

The process of SMS Funnel goes through these 5 Stages:

1. Lead Capture

The first step is getting people to opt in. You can offer an incentive like a discount code for signing up via text. Place opt-in forms on your website or use QR codes at checkout points in physical stores. Tools like Klaviyo and SMSBump can help with easy integration.

2. Welcome Series

Once someone joins your SMS list, greet them with a welcome message that delivers their promised offer and sets expectations. This is also a great time to introduce your top products or services to spark interest and build initial trust.

3. Nurturing Campaigns

After the welcome, focus on nurturing the relationship. Share tips, tutorials, or user-generated content. For example, you might send a styling tip for a fashion product or a how-to video for a skincare item. These messages should add value and encourage engagement.

4. Conversion Push

Now that the customer is engaged, it’s time to drive them to buy. Use time-sensitive offers like flash sales or send reminders if they’ve abandoned their shopping cart. Well-timed texts can turn interest into sales.

5. Retention and Loyalty

Post-purchase, continue engaging your customer. Send a follow-up message asking for feedback or offer a discount on their next purchase. You can also give VIP access to upcoming collections or events to make them feel valued.

Some SMS funnels perform especially well. Cart abandonment funnels can recover up to 65% of lost sales. A welcome series funnel can increase customer lifetime value by over 30%, and re-engagement funnels help bring back inactive subscribers with special offers or reminders.

Best Practices for Success

To get the most from your SMS funnel, always follow compliance rules such as GDPR and TCPA—never text without permission. Personalize your messages using customer data like name or past purchases. Send texts during business hours, ideally between 10 AM and 6 PM, and avoid weekends for business-focused audiences. Most importantly, track metrics like click-through rates and opt-outs to refine your strategy over time.

Real Success Story: EcoGear

EcoGear, a sustainable clothing brand, implemented a simple two-step SMS funnel for abandoned carts. One hour after abandonment, they sent a reminder message. A second message with a free shipping offer followed 24 hours later. This funnel achieved a 22% conversion rate and helped recover over $12,000 in revenue.

Tools to Get Started

There are several platforms that make building SMS funnels easy. Klaviyo is great for e-commerce, especially if you already use it for email marketing. Postscript integrates seamlessly with Shopify, and SimpleTexting is user-friendly for small to mid-sized businesses.

Conclusion

SMS marketing funnels allow you to send personalized, timely messages that guide your customers from discovery to loyalty. Start small with a welcome or cart abandonment funnel and expand your strategy from there. With the right approach, SMS can become a major revenue driver for your business.