The Top 5 SMS Marketing Platforms for Your Handmade Business
How often do you check your phone each day? Studies show the average is 96 times, making SMS the king of direct outreach in our digital world. According to Sender.net, SMS marketing boasts an open rate of 98%, which is five times higher than that of email marketing and the highest across all marketing channels. As Q4 nears, bringing with it the major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, it’s a prime time to drive revenue. But it’s also when inboxes are bombarded with emails, making it hard to get noticed. This is where SMS comes to the rescue—it’s a fast, direct way to reach your customers without competing in the crowded email space.
At Wholesale Made Easy, we’ve tested the waters with numerous platforms, helping hundreds of handmade sellers find their perfect match. And now we’re sharing with you a list of the top 5 SMS marketing tools that have consistently deliver the best results .
In this guide, we’re diving deep into the features, usability, and unique benefits of each platform, providing you with a clear roadmap to selecting a solution that not only meets your needs but also enhances your marketing impact.
But before we dive into the best SMS marketing tools out there, let's take a moment to understand how to make the right choice for your business.
How to Choose the Right SMS Marketing Tool
Choosing the right SMS marketing platform is more than just picking the most popular or the cheapest option; it involves matching the platform’s capabilities to your specific marketing needs. Here’s how you can ensure you select the tool that aligns best with your business goals:
👉 Assess Your Needs: Before diving into the options, clearly define what you expect from an SMS marketing platform. Consider the volume of messages you plan to send, the types of campaigns you aim to execute, and any specific features you need, such as segmentation, sign-up forms, and other automations.
👉 Compare the Features: Look for platforms that offer robust integration capabilities, advanced AI functionalities for automating responses, and tools for segmenting and targeting your audience effectively. Also, make sure to choose a platform that easily integrates with your e-commerce store, as some SMS platforms such as Recart work only with Shopify stores.
👉 Evaluate Pricing and Scalability: When it comes to choosing a new tool to add to your ecommerce tech stack, it’s important to think long-term. So when you’re looking at pricing, make sure to factor in the cost of scaling your business as well. Ensure the platform can keep up with your business needs as it grows without breaking the bank. Consider both upfront costs and long-term expenses as your messaging needs increase.
Top 5 SMS Marketing Tools for Handmade Sellers
Recart (Our Top Choice for Shopify Sellers) Recart is our top pick for SMS marketing, offering an intuitive interface and robust features. One of the best features of Recart is its popups—they’ve run a ton of A/B tests to find out which ones work best, so you get the most out of them. Plus, they provide a dedicated customer success manager who’s there to help with any questions or issues you might have. With super-fast message delivery (less than two seconds!) and full compliance with US and EU laws, Recart is a reliable and powerful platform for businesses looking to boost their SMS strategies quickly. The only downside is that they’re only compatible with Shopify stores.
Klaviyo (Best for All-in-One Email and SMS Marketing) Klaviyo is the most trusted partner for integrated email and SMS marketing solutions, especially favored by businesses that wish to manage both channels through a single platform. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Klaviyo offers extensive features that go beyond SMS, including email marketing and mobile push notifications. The platform's robust integrations with Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce cater to a broad range of ecommerce operations. Klaviyo's comprehensive support system, which includes phone support alongside email and chat, as well as its rich array of online resources, positions it as a leader in customer service and user education.
Attentive (Best for Large-Scale Text Messaging) Attentive stands out for its focus on major markets like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, though it extends its services to all EU countries. It is particularly noted for being the largest sender of text messages in the SMS marketing space, which gives it access to the fastest sending times and a highly reliable system. Attentive’s platform offers a user-friendly interface and is known for its robust e-commerce integrations that work well with any site, requiring just a tag manager for implementation. The dedicated customer success manager provided to clients enhances its personalized service approach, making it a strong contender for businesses needing tailored support.
Yotpo (Best for Shopify Sellers Needing a Multi-Tool Suite) Yotpo offers a comprehensive suite that includes SMS marketing, loyalty and referral programs, email marketing, reviews, and user-generated content management. Its global reach and integration primarily with Shopify make it suitable for international brands seeking a wide range of marketing tools in one place. Yotpo excels in deliverability and compliance, ensuring messages not only reach their destinations reliably but also adhere to various international regulations. However, just like Recart, the platform only integrates with Shopify stores. While Yotpo has many powerful features, the absence of phone support might be a concern for businesses that value direct, immediate communication with their service providers.
Postscript (Best for SMS-First Approach) Postscript is designed specifically for Shopify users who want to take an SMS-first approach. It offers deep integration with Shopify, allowing users to create targeted campaigns that align seamlessly with their ecommerce strategies. With features like keyword-triggered automations and advanced segmentation tools, Postscript provides businesses with the flexibility to customize their messaging strategy. It also supports MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), which can include images, GIFs, or video content, helping to create more engaging campaigns. The platform’s pricing is scalable, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes.
Your SMS marketing strategy is only as strong as the tools you use. Choose wisely to maximize your customer reach and engagement!
Final Thoughts:
A good SMS platform is the foundation, but a great strategy is what builds the house. At Wholesale Alchemy, we construct campaigns that produce tangible results. Which SMS platform do you think aligns best with your handmade business? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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