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SMS marketing in 2026: personal, permission-based and useful

A text lands right in someone’s pocket. Used with clear consent and relevant content, SMS can support sales; used carelessly, it loses customers fast.

StoreBuild editorial team · 6 min read

Published

Recommendations here are our editorial judgement from the documented facts — not rankings, test results or scores. We haven’t tested these platforms hands-on.

The idea

Consent first, personalization second

Marketing texts generally require the recipient’s permission, and rules differ by country. Under the GDPR, where you rely on consent you must be able to show it was given and people must be able to withdraw it as easily as they gave it. In the US, the wireless industry body CTIA publishes messaging principles that include clear opt-in and opt-out.

AI helps by drafting message variants and grouping customers by behaviour. It can’t make an unwanted text welcome.

We don’t quote generic SMS open or conversion rates. This article is editorial guidance based on published documentation. We haven’t tested these features hands-on and don’t quote industry statistics we can’t trace to a reliable source.

An SMS playbook that respects customers

  1. Collect clear opt-in

    Use a separate, unticked checkbox for SMS marketing, and say what you’ll send and how often.

  2. Make opting out easy

    Include a simple way to stop messages in every text, and honour it straight away.

  3. Segment by behaviour

    Recent buyers, repeat customers and browsers need different messages.

  4. Use AI for drafts, not decisions

    Let AI suggest wording; you check facts, prices and tone.

  5. Send fewer, better texts

    Back-in-stock alerts, order updates and genuine offers tend to be welcome; daily promotions usually aren’t.

  6. Respect time zones

    Send at reasonable local times.

Based on official documentation

SMS options by platform

Features, costs and country availability vary — check each provider.

  • Built in
  • Needs an eligible paid plan
  • Via an app (may have its own fees)
  • Via a WordPress plugin or extension
  • Depends on your host
  • Your responsibility
Sending marketing texts
ShopifyVia SMS marketing apps (Via an app (may have its own fees))
WixVia apps or integrations — check current options (Via an app (may have its own fees))
WooCommerceVia plugins or SMS services (Via a WordPress plugin or extension)
Consent records and opt-out handling
ShopifyYour responsibility, supported by your SMS app (Your responsibility)
WixYour responsibility, supported by your SMS app (Your responsibility)
WooCommerceYour responsibility, supported by your SMS plugin (Your responsibility)

Making the call

Which setup fits your SMS plans

Still unsure? Two minutes with our tools can narrow it down.

30-second quiz →Six quick taps, a needs-based match.✦ AI Advisor →Describe your store, get a reasoned recommendation.Cost calculator →Model monthly, first-year and three-year costs with your own figures.

StoreBuild is reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission. It never changes our recommendations.

Common questions

Keep exploring

Official sources

Platform facts on this page reference the documentation below. Features, plans and availability change — check the provider before you decide.