10 SMS Templates That Actually Convert

Great SMS marketing comes down to great copy. You have 160 characters (sometimes a few more) to grab attention, deliver value, and drive action. No subject lines, no images, no elaborate designs—just words.

We analyzed over 2 million messages sent through Shymo to identify the highest-performing templates across industries. Here are 10 you can copy, customize, and start using today.

Template #1

Welcome Series — First Message

Sent immediately after opt-in. This sets the tone for your entire SMS relationship. The goal: deliver the promised incentive and establish expectations.

Hey {first_name}! 👋 Welcome to [Brand]. Here's your 15% off code: WELCOME15. Shop now → {link} We'll text you 2-4x/month with exclusive drops & deals. Reply STOP to opt out.

Tip: Always include the opt-out language in your first message. Shymo handles compliance automatically, but transparency builds trust. Average CTR for this template: 34%.

Template #2

Abandoned Cart — First Touch

Sent 1 hour after cart abandonment. Conversational, no discount. The reminder alone recovers most carts.

Hey {first_name}, you left something in your cart! Your {product_name} is still waiting 🛒 Complete your order before it sells out → {cart_link}

Tip: Don't lead with a discount on the first touch. Save that for the follow-up. Mentioning the specific product by name increases recovery rates by 28% versus generic "you left items in your cart" language.

Template #3

Flash Sale Announcement

Time-limited offers create urgency. The best flash sale texts feel exclusive and urgent without being spammy.

🔥 FLASH SALE: 30% off everything for the next 6 hours. No code needed—prices drop at checkout. This one's for our text fam only. Shop → {link}

Tip: "Text fam only" or "SMS exclusive" framing keeps subscribers feeling like insiders. Include the end time or countdown to drive urgency. Best sent Tuesday–Thursday, early afternoon.

Template #4

Back in Stock Alert

One of the highest-converting message types. The subscriber already wanted this product—you're just letting them know it's available.

{first_name}, it's back! The {product_name} you've been eyeing just restocked — but it won't last. Grab yours → {link}

Tip: Use Shymo's browse tracking to trigger this automatically when a previously viewed out-of-stock item returns. Conversion rates on back-in-stock SMS average 12.4%—nearly 6x higher than email equivalents.

Template #5

VIP Exclusive Offer

For your top-tier customers. Reward loyalty with early access or exclusive discounts they can't get anywhere else.

You're one of our top customers, {first_name} 💎 As a thank you, here's early access to our new {collection_name} — 24 hours before anyone else. Shop first → {link}

Tip: Segment your top 10-20% by lifetime value or purchase frequency. The "early access" framing outperforms straight discounts for VIP segments by 2.1x in our data. These customers don't need a discount—they want to feel special.

Template #6

Birthday Message

Personal, warm, and high-converting. Send on the subscriber's birthday (or the day before for maximum impact).

Happy Birthday, {first_name}! 🎂 Here's a little something from us: 20% off your next order with code BDAY20. Valid for 7 days. Treat yourself → {link}

Tip: Birthday messages have the highest positive sentiment of any automated flow. ROI averages 8.4x because the cost per message is minimal and conversion rates are strong. Collect birthdays during sign-up or via a quick survey.

Template #7

Re-engagement / Win-back

For subscribers who haven't purchased in 60+ days. The tone should acknowledge the gap without guilt-tripping.

Hey {first_name}, it's been a while! We've dropped some new stuff we think you'll love. Come take a look + enjoy 15% off with code MISSYOU → {link}

Tip: Send at 60 days, then a final attempt at 90 days. If they don't engage after the 90-day message, consider sunsetting them from your active list. This protects your sender reputation and keeps your metrics healthy.

Template #8

Event Reminder

Perfect for product launches, live streams, in-store events, or sale start times. Drive real-time attendance.

Reminder: Our {event_name} starts in 1 hour! 🚀 Be the first to shop the new collection. Set a reminder or join now → {link}

Tip: Send two reminders: one 24 hours before and one 1 hour before. The 1-hour reminder drives 3x more real-time engagement than the day-before message. Keep it short—this is a nudge, not a pitch.

Template #9

Shipping Update

Transactional but powerful for brand experience. Customers love proactive shipping notifications—and they drive repeat visits.

Good news, {first_name}! Your order has shipped 📦 Track your package here → {tracking_link} Estimated delivery: {delivery_date}

Tip: Shipping notifications have a 95%+ open rate and build massive goodwill. Use the engagement to include a subtle cross-sell in a follow-up message 2 days later. "While you wait for your order, check out what's new →"

Template #10

Review Request

Sent 7–14 days after delivery. Timing matters—too early and they haven't tried the product; too late and the excitement has faded.

Hey {first_name}! How are you liking your {product_name}? We'd love to hear your thoughts — it takes 30 seconds and helps other shoppers. Leave a review → {review_link} 💛

Tip: SMS review requests generate 4.2x more reviews than email requests in our data. Keep it casual and make it easy—link directly to the review form, not to a general page. The heart emoji at the end isn't random: messages with a single emoji see 13% higher engagement.

The best SMS templates don't feel like templates at all. They feel like a message from someone who knows you, at a moment when you actually want to hear from them.

A Few Universal Rules

Keep it under 160 characters when possible. Single-segment messages are cheaper and feel more personal. If you must go longer, stay under 320.
One CTA per message. Don't confuse people with multiple links or asks. Pick the one action that matters most.
Personalize beyond {first_name}. Reference specific products, purchase history, or browsing behavior. The more relevant, the higher the conversion.
Test everything. Use Shymo's built-in A/B testing to pit two versions against each other. Small copy changes can swing conversion rates by 20% or more.
Include opt-out language in your first message and periodically thereafter. It's legally required and builds subscriber trust.

Copy these templates into Shymo, customize them for your brand voice, and start testing. The data will tell you what works best for your audience.