You have so many options when sending text message marketing campaigns as to whether to use pictures, clickable links, gifs, mobile coupons, and more. You might wonder: which one of those options should you choose?
The answer is: mobile coupons, as they effectively communicate with subscribers and increase sales. Results show that SMS has an average open rate of 99% and an average click-through rate of 36%. That means that out of the 99% of subscribers who open your text message, 36% click on the mobile coupon. That’s WELL ABOVE the average of any available marketing initiative to date.
But even though mobile coupons are the superior choice among a mountain of options in SMS marketing, you still want to be strategic when using them.
SMS Mobile Coupon Best Practices
The following techniques are shown to increase the effectiveness of SMS campaigns with mobile coupons:
1. A compelling message.
This makes customers feel inclined to open and click the text message.
2. An easy clickable link.
Tatango automatically shortens your links so they take up less space and look cleaner.
3. A noticeable, clear mobile coupon.
This makes it easy for consumers to take action with a visually appealing coupon.
For more techniques and inspiration, take a look at 28 companies that have created successful SMS campaigns using mobile coupons.
1. Belk Mobile Coupon
Belk is an American department store chain founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, North Carolina, with nearly 300 locations in 16 states. Belk sells apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, and wedding registry items.
In the text message marketing example above, Belk offers subscribers an “extra $10 off $50 reg/sale purchase” with a coupon code. That equates to 20% off, which is a great deal for anyone who receives the message. And the better the deal, the more likely subscribers are to take action.
In the example on the right, Belk also gives subscribers the option to “Shop Now” or “Add Coupon to Bag” which makes it easy for consumers to save the coupon for a future purchase or shop immediately on the website. Belk also adds a time-limit to the text message by saying it “ends Saturday”, which further inspires recipients to act on the coupon before the deal expires.
2. Fred Meyer Mobile Coupon
Fred Meyer is a chain of superstores founded in 1931 in Portland, Oregon by Fred G. Meyer. The stores are found in the Western United States within the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
In the example on the left, Fred Meyer’s text coupon tells subscribers that they could “win 1 of 5 $25 gift cards every day” with a clean-looking short URL.
In the example on the right, Fred Meyer’s presents a clip-and-save styled coupon, offering multiple ways for consumers to save, whether they want to “save $30 when spending $150 or more” or “save $20 when spending $100 or more”. All subscribers have to do is screenshot the offer and present in-store to save a substantial amount.
3. Payless Shoes Mobile Coupon
Established in 1956 by cousins Louis and Shaol Pozez, Payless is an international discount footwear chain. The stores can be found internationally.
In this mobile coupon example, Payless offers “$10 off any $25 in-store purchases + up to 60% off”. The subscriber has the option to use the coupon code given or click the link provided. Once the link is clicked, it brings the subscriber to a text message coupon that is clean and easily scannable upon purchase. Additionally, Payless also includes an actionable “Find a Store” button for subscribers to use to find a store near them.
4. Wet Seal Mobile Coupon
Wet Seal is an American fast-fashion retailer headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The fast-fashion pioneer sells trendy, affordable apparel, accessories, and footwear for young women of all sizes predominantly in their teens, twenties, and thirties. The company was founded in Newport Beach, California, by Lorne Huycke in 1962.
In the mobile coupon example above, Wet Seal sent its subscribers a compelling offer, “Everything $15 or less”, giving just enough details enabling subscribers to click on the mobile coupon link. Wet Seal also includes, “Limited Time Only!” to encourage action from its subscribers. Once the link is clicked, the mobile coupon is clear, concise, and consistent with the text message copy.
5. Abercrombie & Fitch Mobile Coupon
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American lifestyle retailer that focuses on casual wear. Its headquarters are in New Albany, Ohio. The company operates two other offshoot brands: Abercrombie Kids and Hollister Co. The company operates 1,049 stores across all three brands.
In the example above, Abercrombie sent its SMS subscribers a mobile coupon offering 70% off all clearance for a limited time. The message included information about the offer that provided an exclusive discount for all clearance items. Abercrombie also added separate links for men and women that, once clicked, sent consumers directly to the offer.
6. Babies “R” Us Mobile Coupon
Babies “R” Us offers a wide range of baby and toddler products, from baby food, accessories, strollers, car seats, and more.
In this example, Babies “R” Us provided its subscribers with a personalized offer, “Special savings for you, Free 9-oz Disney Holiday Mickey cup, with any purchase of $15 or more”. This offer is an excellent example of using “personalized” language to create a compelling proposition while also giving specific details of the product that’s available to redeem. The offer can be redeemed easily by following the link and scanning the mobile coupon at the point of purchase.
7. Bloomingdale’s Mobile Coupon
Bloomingdale’s is an American luxury department store chain founded in 1861 that specializes in designer clothing, handbags, accessories, and more.
In this mobile coupon example, Bloomingdale’s sent its subscribers an interactive “mystery” coupon, “Scratch to reveal your mystery savings”. Once subscribers clicked the link provided, it would bring them to the mystery coupon where the subscriber could scratch to reveal their savings. Compared to traditional mobile coupons, “scratch-off” coupons enhance the customer experience and allows users to engage with the SMS campaign to receive an exclusive offer.
8. JoAnn Fabrics Mobile Coupon
Jo-Ann Stores is an American specialty retailer of crafts and fabrics based in Hudson, Ohio. It operates the retail chains JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts and Jo-Ann. The headquarters of the company is located in Hudson, Ohio.
In the example above, JoAnn Fabrics sent its subscribers a mobile coupon offering 25% off total purchase. JoAnn included a simple description of the promotional offer and included a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to an easily scannable coupon. As a way to increase their coupon redemption rates, JoAnn provides this coupon exclusively to subscribers.
9. National Wholesale Liquidators Mobile Coupon
National Wholesale Liquidators is a Brooklyn, New York-based company that operates warehouse-style closeout discount stores. It offers a mix of brand-name items, everyday household items, and furniture. The company also offers appliances, automotive products, bath towels, bedding, carpets and floor covers, detergents and cleaning products, electrical hardware, electronics, food products, furniture outdoor, giftware, health and beauty aids, holiday decorative, and household storage products.
In this mobile coupon example above, National Wholesaler Liquidators provided an offer, “Free Danish Style Butter Cookies, with any $25 or more purchase”. By including a free item with purchase, it incentivizes customers to click through the offer and purchase items to receive the free product. When subscribers click the link, they arrive at a clear and concise mobile coupon detailing the offer and coupon expiration date to help emphasize the limited-time offer.
10. 7-Eleven Mobile Coupon
7-Eleven is a Japanese-American international chain of convenience stores, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The chain was founded in 1927 as an ice house storefront in Dallas. Originally, “7-Eleven” was meant to reflect the company’s extended hours, 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, seven days per week.
In the example above, 7-Eleven sent its SMS subscribers a mobile coupon offering a “FREE Small Fanta Sour Green Apple Slurpee”. 7-Eleven targeted a high shopping period and included messaging that corresponded, “Take a break from the mall madness”. Once subscribers clicked the link, they were taken to a mobile coupon that helped them find a nearby location to redeem the offer. By giving away a free Slurpee, 7-Eleven generated foot traffic and potential additional sales when subscribers redeemed the offer at their stores.
11. Bed Bath & Beyond Mobile Coupon
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is an American chain of domestic merchandise retail stores. Bed Bath & Beyond operates many stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the example above, Bed, Bath & Beyond ‘s sent its subscribers a deal offering 20% off of one item in-store. This offer is an excellent example of using “personalized” language, “Ur mobile offer”, to create a compelling proposition. The offer can be redeemed easily by following the link and scanning the mobile coupon at the point of purchase. This offer was provided exclusively to text message marketing subscribers, enabling Bed, Bath & Beyond to increase their sales from their SMS marketing channel.
12. Stage Mobile Coupon
Stage Stores is a department store company specializing in retailing off-price brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear, and housewares throughout the United States.
Stage sent its subscribers two mobile coupon offers. In the first offer, Stage offered a coupon for an “Extra 30% off ” and the second offer ” $10 off $50 cosmetics and fragrance”. Stage included a simple description of the promotional offers and included a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to easily scannable coupons, allowing consumers to choose both or all offers depending on their specific purchases.
13. Gilly Hicks Mobile Coupon
Gilly Hicks is a lingerie brand owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, specializing in women’s intimates and loungewear. It competes primarily with Victoria’s Secret, Victoria’s Secret PINK, and Aerie.
In the example above, Gilly’s sent it subscribers an offer promoting its special sale event with several items all under one price point: “All bras are $15 and under”. The message included information about the offer that provided an exclusive discount for all bras. Gilly Hicks also added a link that, once clicked, sent customers directly to the offer. This offer compelled customers to purchase their items with urgency. Gilly Hicks’ message provides an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.
14. American Eagle Outfitters Mobile Coupon
American Eagle Outfitters, known as American Eagle, is an American lifestyle, clothing, and accessories retailer headquartered at SouthSide Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The brand appeals to male and female university and high school students, although older adults also wear the brand.
In this example, American Eagle sent its subscribers a mobile coupon offering 40% off its AEO collection using the coupon code provided. The message communicates the exclusive offer by giving subscribers the first opportunity to shop the sale. When the subscriber clicks the direct link, they are brought to the coupon and website to redeem the offer. The SMS marketing message provides an easy-to-understand offer and a clear action for subscribers to take.
15. JCPenney Mobile Coupon
JCPenney is a department store chain that sells a wide selection of clothing, footwear, furniture, and more.
In the example above, JCPenney sent it subscribers an offer promoting its Christmas sale event with an additional 15%-off discount code. The message included information about the offer and provided an exclusive discount code. JCPenney also added a link that, once clicked, sent customers directly to the offer. To create a sense of urgency, JCPenney also included the sale event and coupon code expiration date. Instead of remembering the coupon code, subscribers can easily access and present the coupon via their mobile coupon, increasing redemption rates.
16. Target Mobile Coupon
Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. It is the 8th-largest retailer in the United States.
In the example above, Target offers mobile coupons for a variety of household objects like furniture, kitchen mixers, and more. Target even enables SMS subscribers to save their coupons to their smartphone passbook, a smart way to make sure subscribers have easy access to the coupons for shopping.
17. Avenue Mobile Coupon
Avenue is a specialty retailer in the United States with five-hundred stores in 37 states, offering plus-size women clothing for women 25 to 55 years of age. The retailer has been using MMS marketing since 2012, and with their phenomenal results, and their continued usage of MMS marketing, this looks to be a winning marketing strategy for this retailer.
In this example, Avenue used its text alerts to communicate with their subscribers about their “storewide event”. Avenue also included an SMS message about the offer and a direct link to where subscribers can share the offer with their friends on social media. Once clicked, the subscriber is taken to a “sale” page with a personalized mobile coupon, “To: Me, From: Me”, where subscribers could shop the discounted items. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offer and personalized mobile coupon to increase redemption rates.
18. Famous Footwear Mobile Coupon
Famous Footwear is a nationwide chain of retail stores in the United States dealing in branded footwear, generally at prices discounted from manufacturer’s suggested prices. The chain is currently a division of the St. Louis-based Caleres and maintains over 1,125 storefronts in 2010.
In the example above, Famous Footwear used a text message campaign to offer its subscribers an exclusive 15% off thru 12/25. The message included simple information about the offer and a link that, once clicked, sent customers directly to the offer. By adding the coupon expiration date, it compelled customers to purchase their items with urgency and online. Famous Footwear’s message provides an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.
19. Hollister Mobile Coupon
Hollister Co. is a global teen and young adult retail brand owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The brand specializes in jeans, shirts, jackets, body care, pajamas, perfume, dresses, rompers, swimwear, shoes, and much more. Goods are available in-store and through the company’s online store.
In this example, Hollister used its text alerts to promote its “Hollister Steal of The Day: $59 Puffer Jackets” to their SMS subscribers. The text message included information about the offer that provided an exclusive discount for the jackets. Hollister also added separate links for men and women that, once clicked, sent consumers directly to the offer. This allows subscribers to act on the urgency of an expiring offer.
20. New York & Company Mobile Coupon
New York & Company is an American wear-to-work retailer for women. New York & Company apparel and accessories are sold through a nationwide network of retail stores, New York & Company Outlet Stores, and through its e-commerce site. NY&Co. headquarters are in New York City, as is the flagship store, which located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
In the example above, New York & Co. used a text message campaign to communicate its 50% off-store-wide and online sales event. The message included simple information about the offer and a link that, once clicked, sent customers to a web page communicating additional offers and discounts. By adding the sale expiration date, the mobile coupon compelled customers to purchase their items with urgency online. New York & Co.’s text marketing message provides an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.
21. Lord & Taylor Mobile Coupon
Lord & Taylor is an American luxury department store chain and the oldest department store in the United States. As of August 2019, it consists of 38 stores and one outlet store. The flagship store at the Lord & Taylor Building on Fifth Avenue in New York City operated from 1914 until 2019.
In the example above, Lord & Taylor sent its subscribers a message containing a mobile coupon of “Save 25% on reg & sale”. Lord & Taylor included a simple personalized description of the promotional offer, “Friends & Family!”, and added a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to coupons to redeem in-store and online. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offers, and an expiration date to increase the sense of urgency for customers to purchase.
22. Kohl’s Mobile Coupon
Kohl’s is an American department store retail chain selling clothing, shoes, home, kitchen, bedding, toys, and more.
Kohl’s sent its subscribers two mobile coupon offers. In the first offer, Kohl’s offered a coupon for “20% off a $100+” and the second offer “15% off”. Kohl’s provided a concise description of the promotional offers and included a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to an easily scannable coupon and allowed the customer to choose both or all offers, depending on their specific purchases.
23. Dunham’s Sports Mobile Coupon
Dunham’s Sports is a regional sporting goods superstore chain owned by Dunham’s Athleisure Corporation, with stores located in the Midwestern to the Southeastern United States. The chain specializes in athletic equipment, clothing, guns, and other sports-related items.
In the example above, Dunham’s Sports provided a coupon, “25% off select Under Armour”, plus a “Bonus Coupon” to its subscribers. The message included information about the offer that provided an exclusive discount for Under Armour. Dunham’s Sports also added links that, once clicked, sent consumers directly to the offers. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offers, and an expiration date to increase the sense of urgency for customers to purchase.
24. Aeropostale Mobile Coupon
Aéropostale, Inc. is an American shopping mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting young adults.
In this example, Aéropostale sent its subscribers a mobile coupon offering various insider rewards. Aéropostale included a simple description of the promotional offers and included a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to three coupons, allowing the customer to choose both or all offers depending on their specific purchases. Through their personalized messaging, “Insider Rewards”, it creates a sense of exclusiveness to the subscribers, creating a more compelling offer.
25. Macy’s Mobile Coupon
Macy’s is an American department store chain founded in 1858 that sells designer clothing, handbags, accessories, and more.
In the example above, Macy’s presents a clip-and-save styled coupon, “WOW! PASS”, offering subscribers a 20% off coupon. Macy included details about the offer, encouraging its subscribers to act quickly to redeem. Within the message, Macy’s added a clickable link that, once clicked, would bring subscribers to the mobile coupon plus an option to save the coupon to their Apple Passbook. In this example, Macy’s demonstrates SMS mobile coupon best practices by communicating the value clearly, and providing an easy way for customers to access and save the mobile coupon.
26. AMC Theatres Mobile Coupon
AMC Theatres is an American movie theater chain headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, and the largest movie theater chain in the world. Founded in 1920, AMC has the largest share of the U.S. theater market ahead of Cineworld and Cinemark Theatres.
In the example above, AMC Movie Theatres detailed an urgent offer, “get up to two FREE tickets to see HECTOR”. Following the detailed offer, AMC Theatres provided a coupon link for its subscribers to access, as well as locations where the coupon is valid and a coupon expiration date. In this example, AMC Theatres demonstrates SMS mobile coupon best practices by communicating a compelling value proposition in the message and providing an easy way for customers to access the coupon.
27. BuyBuy Baby Mobile Coupon
BuyBuy Baby is an American chain of stores that sell clothing, strollers, and other items for use with infants and young children. It operates 135 stores across the United States and Canada. The chain was founded in 1996 by brothers Richard and Jeffrey Feinstein.
In the example above, BuyBuy Baby sent its subscribers an offer detailing a special discount for one item, “20% off 1 item in-store OR online”. BuyBuy Baby included a description of the promotional offer and included a direct link to the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link brings subscribers to the 20% off coupon for users to redeem on an in-store or online purchase. In this example, BuyBuy Baby communicates the value provided cleary and providing an easy way for customers to access and save the coupon.
28. Ace Hardware Mobile Coupon
Ace Hardware Corporation is an American hardware retailers’ cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. It is the world’s largest hardware retail cooperative, and the largest non-grocery American retail cooperative.
In this example, Ace Hardware sent several offers to their subscribers using their text alerts, “$15 off $75, 30% off Holiday Items”. The message included information about the offer and also added links that, once clicked, sent consumers directly to the offers. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offers, and a “Save for later” option for subscribers to use later.
Learn More About Mobile Coupon Best Practices
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to use SMS marketing to send mobile coupons. To get more techniques that you can use for your next SMS campaign, check out our resource guide or contact our SMS marketing experts today.