SMS and WhatsApp marketing people actually welcome
Gjethe sets up SMS and WhatsApp marketing with proper opt-in consent: collecting subscribers, automated texts for abandoned carts, orders, bookings and reminders, short timely campaigns, and compliance with the rules in each country you send to. We work in Klaviyo, Postscript, Twilio and the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- Free first consultation
- Written quote for your project
- Flexible payment milestones
At a glance
- Channels
- SMS, MMS, WhatsApp
- Consent
- Explicit opt-in, easy opt-out
- Uses
- Carts, orders, bookings, offers
- Platforms
- Klaviyo, Postscript, Twilio
Definition
What is SMS & whatsapp marketing?
SMS marketing is sending promotional or transactional text messages to people who have explicitly agreed to receive them, used for time-sensitive offers, reminders and updates that benefit from being read quickly.
Text messages are read fast, which is exactly why they need restraint. A well-timed reminder or a genuinely good offer gets a response; too many messages get you blocked and can break consent laws. We set SMS up as a complement to email: fewer, sharper messages, sent only to people who opted in, at moments when speed matters.
Who is it for?
Online stores
Cart reminders, shipping updates and short-notice offers for engaged customers.
Appointment businesses
Booking confirmations and reminders that cut no-shows for clinics, salons and gyms.
Restaurants and venues
Table reminders, events and quiet-night offers.
Events
Ticket releases, schedule changes and day-of information.
What's included, and what you keep
What's included
- Platform selection and set-up
- Sender number or ID registration where required
- Opt-in collection on site, at checkout and in store
- Consent wording and records
- Abandoned cart texts
- Order and shipping updates
- Booking confirmations and reminders
- Campaign planning and copy
- WhatsApp templates and approvals
- Quiet hours and frequency limits
- Opt-out handling
- Monthly reporting
What you receive
Handed over at the end. Yours to keep.
- Configured SMS or WhatsApp platform
- Consent-based sign-up flows
- Automated messages live
- Campaign calendar
- Monthly report on revenue, clicks and opt-outs
What are the consent rules for SMS marketing?
Marketing texts generally require prior, explicit consent. In the EU and UK, privacy and electronic communications rules require opt-in for most marketing messages, with narrow exceptions for existing customers in some countries. In the US, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires express written consent for marketing texts sent with automated systems, and carriers require business numbers to be registered.
Every message must make it easy to opt out, and opt-outs must be honoured immediately. Rules differ by country and change over time, so we check the requirements for each market you send to and recommend confirming specifics with your legal adviser. This page isn't legal advice.
SMS or WhatsApp?
| SMS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reach | Every mobile phone | People who use WhatsApp, which is widespread in many European markets |
| Content | Short text; MMS adds images in some countries | Rich media, buttons and replies |
| Approval | Sender registration in some countries | Message templates approved by Meta |
| Two-way | Possible, often limited | Built for conversations |
| Best for | Fast alerts and offers | Conversational service and richer messages |
Rules we follow for every text
- Sent only to people who opted in
- Business name identified in the message
- Clear opt-out instruction
- Sent within reasonable local hours
- Frequency kept low and purposeful
- Links shortened on your own domain where possible
Messages that earn their place
Texts should be timely, useful and short.
Cart reminder
A single reminder with a link back to the cart, sent while the purchase is still on the shopper's mind.
Delivery updates
Dispatch and delivery notifications that cut “where is my order?” enquiries.
Appointment reminders
A reminder ahead of the booking with an easy way to confirm or reschedule.
Limited offers
Genuinely time-sensitive offers for subscribers, sent sparingly.
How do you write a good marketing text?
Start with your business name so people know who's writing. State the reason for the message in the first line, include one link to the exact page that delivers on it, and finish with the opt-out instruction. Anything longer belongs in an email.
Personalisation helps when it's relevant (a first name, the product left in the cart, the time of the booking) but forced familiarity doesn't. We write in your brand's tone and keep each message to a single purpose.
How SMS & whatsapp marketing works, step by step
Every step has a clear output you can review. Timing is agreed in your quote.
- 1
Plan
Goals, markets, consent requirements and the messages worth sending.
- 2
Set up
Platform, sender registration, numbers and integrations.
- 3
Collect consent
Opt-in forms on site, at checkout and in person, with clear wording.
- 4
Automate
Cart, order, booking and reminder messages switched on.
- 5
Campaign
A small number of well-timed campaigns each month.
- 6
Measure
Revenue, clicks and opt-out rates tracked and reported.
Tools, and what shapes your quote
Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote. These are the things that move it.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Markets | Each country has its own consent rules, sender requirements and message costs. |
| Number of automations | More automated messages mean more set-up and writing. |
| WhatsApp templates | Template creation and approval add work. |
| Integrations | Connecting booking systems or custom platforms adds development. |
| Message volume | Per-message costs are paid to the platform and scale with sends. |
| Area | Tools |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Klaviyo SMS, Postscript, Twilio, Brevo SMS |
| Messaging | WhatsApp Business Platform |
| Integrations | Shopify, booking systems, CRMs |
| Reporting | platform analytics, GA4 with UTM tags |
Common mistakes to avoid
What we see go wrong most often, and how a good project avoids it.
Texting without consent
Importing customer phone numbers and texting them breaks consent rules in most markets.
Sending too often
Frequent texts drive opt-outs. Save SMS for messages that need speed.
Long messages
Text is a short-form channel. Get to the point and link to details.
Ignoring time zones
A late-night marketing text annoys customers and may break local rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can we text customers whose numbers we already have?
Usually not for marketing unless they opted in to marketing messages. Transactional texts like order updates have different rules. We review your situation and set up compliant opt-in collection.
Is SMS marketing legal in the EU?
Yes, with prior consent in most cases, clear identification and an easy opt-out. Requirements differ by country, so we check each market and recommend confirming with your legal adviser.
How much do messages cost?
Platforms charge per message, and prices vary by country and channel. Those costs are paid to the platform, separate from our fee.
Can we use WhatsApp instead?
Yes. The WhatsApp Business Platform supports approved marketing and service messages with rich media and replies. It's often a good fit in markets where WhatsApp is widely used.
Can SMS reduce appointment no-shows?
Reminders before appointments are a common way to reduce no-shows. We connect your booking system so reminders send automatically.
How often should we send marketing texts?
Less often than email. A few well-timed messages a month is a sensible ceiling for most businesses; automated messages triggered by actions are separate.
Can SMS and email work together?
Yes. Platforms like Klaviyo run both, so we can coordinate messages and avoid sending the same thing twice.
What do you report?
Revenue or bookings from SMS, click rates, opt-out rates and the cost of messages sent.
Can customers reply?
Yes, with two-way SMS or WhatsApp. We set up routing so replies reach the right person on your team.
Do you write the messages?
Yes, short and clear, in your brand voice and in the languages you need.
What's the difference between marketing and transactional texts?
Transactional texts relate to something the customer did, an order, a booking, a password reset. Marketing texts promote products or offers. They're treated differently under consent rules, so we keep them separate in the set-up.
Can people sign up in our shop or venue?
Yes, with a keyword they text to your number or a QR code linking to a short sign-up form, both recording consent properly.
What happens when someone replies STOP?
They're unsubscribed automatically and receive no further marketing texts. The platform records the opt-out so they aren't re-added by mistake during later imports.
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SMS & WhatsApp Marketing by industry
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- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project