1. Plivo CX Engage

Plivo CX Engage has a powerful SMS marketing platform that can help your brand leverage audience segmentation, messaging capabilities, and campaign management. Your business doesn’t need multiple tools to manage, acquire, engage and service your customers. Plivo CX Engage is a single platform that Shopify brands need to manage their customer experiences and operations while keeping costs low. 

2. Klaviyo

Klaviyo is an SMS marketing app and tool that is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses use cross-channel SMS marketing to increase customer retention and e-commerce revenue. It contains over 300 integrations and supports plans for efficiency campaign delivery. 

3. Attentive

Attentive specializes in conversational SMS solutions that allow businesses to send product updates, promotional offers, and more. It is equipped with more than 100 integrations and is popular for its customer service solutions. 

4. Postscript

Postscript is a Shopify-integrated SMS campaign tool designed to help e-commerce platforms execute their SMS marketing strategies. It offers four distinct plans with varying features and platform fees. 

5. Omnisend

Omnisend is an SMS marketing solution popular for its effective customer service and intuitive user interface. One of its most unique features is its seamless migration from competitors such as Klaviyo and Mailchimp.

6. Recart

Recart is an SMS platform that focuses on helping Shopify businesses access efficient SMS marketing services. It is popular for being relatively more cost effective than other SMS marketing solutions.

1. Define Your Objectives

Before you choose from the available SMS marketing solutions available in the market, you need to decide if the platform you select aligns with your brand’s short-term and long-term goals. 

Is your primary goal to increase Shopify leads or to retain your existing customers? How often do you plan to use the platform? Digital transformation goals and the right SMS marketing software can help your business achieve are improving employee experiences, improving scheduling, optimizing reporting and more. 

Researching common objectives pursued by businesses using such marketing platforms can aid you in two ways:

1. Connecting to an objective if you already have one in mind.
2. Borrowing an objective if you haven't defined one yet.

Research has shown that 29.46% of companies have cited efficiency as their main goal for purchasing operational software. From increasing website visits to your e-commerce platform to shortening your sales team response time, setting specific and measurable goals will help you decide which SMS campaign tool is the right fit.  

2. Evaluate Features and Functionality

What will your business be using the SMS platform for? Will you use it to send abandoned cart reminders or to update your customers about order and delivery statuses? Only 13% of businesses allow customers to respond to SMS messages? Is this one of your business’s priorities?

Common features and use cases for your ideal SMS marketing platform include: 

• Segmentation and Targeting
• Opt-out management 
• Analytics and reporting 
• Abandoned cart emails

Once you know what the various use cases for your ideal SMS platform are, you will be able to select a tool that provides the capabilities to achieve your long-term objectives. 

Prepare a list of features and functionalities that your business needs to achieve your overall SMS marketing goals. What features will make or break your Shopify brand’s success in the long term? You should also consider the level of support that each platform provides and to what degree each tool is able to operate without requiring manual intervention. 

This step will help you compare the features and pricing that each solution provides and choose one that aligns best with your exact needs and preferences. 

3. Assess Your Budget

The pricing of different SMS marketing software can vary significantly based on different subscription plans and available features. Consider the scale and exact requirements of your Shopify brand, as well as the features you need to drive successful SMS marketing campaigns. 

Retail e-commerce brands can experience a return of up to 300% on their investment in SMS marketing. Specify your business’s available budget and narrow down available SMS platforms based on different price ranges. 

Consider these factors to create a budget that drives results:

1. Brand Size: SMS marketing budgets typically vary depending on your business stage. Smaller brands might allocate a smaller percentage of their marketing budget to SMS, while larger brands with established audiences may dedicate a higher percentage.
2. Campaign Goals: Are you focused on driving sales, increasing customer engagement, or promoting brand awareness? Understanding your goals will help you prioritize features within your chosen SMS platform.
3. Target Audience Size: The number of subscribers you have directly impacts your budget. Platforms often offer tiered pricing based on subscriber volume.

Here's a breakdown of how budget allocation might differ based on brand size:

1. Emerging Brands: Focus on core features like sending basic text messages and managing subscriber lists. Look for cost-effective platforms with pay-as-you-go options or low monthly fees.
2. Growing Brands: As your audience expands, consider features like segmentation, automation, and analytics. Look for platforms with features that support growth and budget for a mid-tier subscription plan.
3. Established Brands: Prioritize advanced features like two-way messaging, rich media messaging (MMS), and integrations with other marketing tools. Invest in a premium platform with robust features to maximize campaign effectiveness.

By understanding these factors, you can narrow down your SMS platform options based on features and price range, ensuring you get the most value for your budget.