1/16/2025

Marketing Automation: Email vs SMS for Shopify

Marketing automation has taken the world by storm, especially for eCommerce platforms like Shopify. With so many choices available, you may find yourself asking: should you focus on Email Marketing or SMS Marketing? Both have their PROS & CONS, and understanding these nuances can help you craft a STRATEGY that maximizes your reach & impact.

What is Marketing Automation?

Marketing automation refers to the use of software to streamline & automate marketing tasks. This can include anything from email campaigns to social media posting. In the realm of Shopify, marketing automation allows store owners to engage customers more effectively, nurture leads, & ultimately drive sales.

The Power of Email Marketing

Benefits of Email Marketing for Shopify

Wide Reach: Email marketing allows you to reach a vast audience. Did you know 59% of B2B marketers consider email their preferred channel for revenue generation? Source
Cost-Effectiveness: Email marketing is one of the most affordable marketing channels available. Historically, businesses make $42 for every $1 spent on email marketing, showcasing a fantastic ROI compared to other channels!
Segmentation & Personalization: An email marketing platform (like Klaviyo or Shopify Email) allows merchants to segment their audience effectively, enabling you to send personalized messages potentially boosting open rates.
Automation: With tools available, you can set up automated workflows, like welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, & thank-you notes, which save time while nurturing leads. Once tailored messaging hits the right inbox, a well-timed email can make someone’s day.

Drawbacks of Email Marketing

Spam Filters: With 306 billion emails sent daily, it’s no surprise many fall into spam folders, making it challenging for your emails to reach their target audience.
Engagement Rates: While open rates for emails hover around 20%, SMS boasts a striking 98% open rate. Source

Best Practices for Email Marketing in Shopify

Gain Permission: Make sure to obtain an OPT-IN for your email list, complying with legal norms & increasing trust. Customers are more likely to engage when they’re expecting your emails.
Regular Cadence: Establish a cadence with regular newsletters while keeping an eye on what your audience finds engaging, allowing for better performance.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different subject lines, content formats, & sending times to identify what resonates best with your audience.

The Appeal of SMS Marketing

Benefits of SMS Marketing for Shopify

Instant Engagement: People love their phones. 98% of SMS messages are read within minutes of delivery! This immediacy makes SMS marketing a powerful tool for reaching customers at optimal times. Source
Higher Conversion Rates: SMS results in a 10% CTR compared to a meager 3% for email. This makes it a strong tool for targeted promotions or time-sensitive offers.
Cost-Effective: Although SMS marketing might seem pricier at first glance, the high engagement rates mean that the cost often balances out in higher sales. Just think about how effective a well-placed flash sale text can be!
Personal Touch: SMS allows for a conversational tone that can create a personal connection between brands & customers. Plus, it allows two-way interaction, encouraging feedback & engagement.

Drawbacks of SMS Marketing

Limited Character Count: With only 160 characters available to work with, crafting your message can be a challenge.
Perceived Invasiveness: If misused, SMS can feel intrusive, especially if customers are bombarded with messages. It’s vital to strategize effectively here.

Best Practices for SMS Marketing in Shopify

Opt-In is Key: Similar to emails, always ensure your subscribers have clearly opted into receiving SMS messages. Not only is it ethical, but it’s also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
Keep it Concise: Focus on delivering clear, impactful messages that excite your audience. Emojis, GIFs, & dynamic content can enhance your message!
Be Timely: Sending messages too early OR too late may result in lower engagement. Aim for appropriate times when you know your audience will be responsive.

Comparing Effectiveness: Email vs SMS

When weighed side-by-side, here’s how Email Marketing & SMS Marketing stack up: | Metric | Email Marketing | SMS Marketing | |-----------------|------------------|---------------| | Open Rate | 20% | 98% | | CTR | 3% | 10% | | Conversion Rate | 15.22% | 29% | | Customer Preference | 76% prefer emails| 61% prefer SMS |

While both channels have distinct advantages, the choice between email & SMS often comes down to your overall marketing strategy.

Integrating Both Channels with Arsturn

Why choose just one? Use both Email & SMS marketing in tandem for a comprehensive approach! With tools like Arsturn, you can easily create a customized AI chatbot that can engage customers through both channels efficiently. Not only can you handle FAQs & automations, but also track engagement & refine your approach without stretching your resources too thin.

Effortless Chatbot Creation: With Arsturn, create powerful chatbots without needing coding skills. You can save time & focus on strategizing your campaigns!
Customization: Your brand can have its unique visuals & interactions, ensuring a cohesive user experience across all platforms.
Insightful Analytics: Gain insights into customer behavior & preferences, allowing you to tailor your marketing efforts & provide value where it matters most.
Maximize Engagement: Craft conversations that resonate! Arsturn’s power enables you to connect with audiences across both email & SMS seamlessly.

Here’s the kicker: no credit card is required to get started with Arsturn! Come join thousands of brands leveraging Conversational AI & marketing automation tools! 👏

Conclusion

In the end, the best choice for your Shopify store comes down to understanding your audience, experimenting with both channels, & finding strategies that work for your unique needs. Whether you lean towards Email Marketing, SMS Marketing, or use both, the goal remains the same: to connect genuinely with your customers, enhance their experience, & drive sales through effective marketing automation.

So, get started TODAY leveraging Arsturn to optimize your customer engagement strategies with a seamless blend of Email & SMS!