Mobile Coupons 101: How to Send Discounts with a Text

I’ve got a coupon for that

Everyone loves a good deal.

When it comes to discounts, deals, and bargains; coupons have long been heralded as the standard to promoting and issuing good deals, but why?

Retailers and consumer’s both benefit from a good promotional strategy, which is what makes it so effective.

Coupons have been around since Coca-Cola first distributed them in 1888 when the cola giant mailed out the coupons to potential customers. The coupon was for a free glass of Coca-Cola, redeemable at any dispenser that served the now monumental fizzy beverage.

Over 130 years later, we are still a coupon-happy society looking for any opportunity to not pay full price. In todays digital age, digital coupons are now the most effective way to offer and redeem discounts and savings.

This article will cover the topic of mobile coupons; their use, how to send and redeem as well as some best practices to follow when sending out a mobile coupon campaign.

What are Mobile Coupons?

Mobile coupons, also called “mobile promotions,” are digital coupons people can use on their phones to get a discount on products or services. Businesses can send these coupons to customers via SMS, email, or even a mobile app. Recipients can then use them to get discounts, free products, or other special offers at a company’s physical or online store. Businesses are using mobile coupons more and more as a way to reach and interact with customers in a personal and easy way.

Types of Mobile Coupons

Discount Codes

One popular choice for mobile coupons is promotional or temporary discount codes. Discount codes are commonly used by e-commerce stores, brick-and-mortar restaurants, and commercial retailers. Discount codes offer businesses several benefits such as:

• Simplicity: Discount codes are simple to create, distribute, verify, and duplicate. This simplicity allows businesses to begin distributing coupons immediately.

• Customization: Discount codes allow you to hand-tailor your message. Send discount codes with expiration dates, redemption limits, and more with ease.

• Segmentation: Send discount codes to VIPs or promote your services with exclusive promotions, such as “Valid for CloudContactAI Gold Tier Subscribers.”

Checkout Redemptions

There are many different ways in which checkout redemptions can be implemented. The most common use is with SMS messages sent to consumers. Examples of this are commonly ‘Show this coupon to your cashier to redeem.’ Checkout redemptions are a great alternative to discount codes if you don’t require the tracking and limitations available with discount codes. These discount redemptions are even more effective when coupled with a transactional SMS.

QR Codes & Barcodes

Another way to offer coupons or discounts to your audience is to distribute your digital coupons with QR codes or barcodes. The last of our digital coupon options does require some additional steps to implement for your business but can be very effective. QR codes are easy to distribute with MMS or image messaging to your audience.

Why use mobile coupons?

Why should businesses be using mobile coupons to promote their business? There are several reasons. First, as mentioned above, mobile coupons are a convenient and effective way to attract new customers and drive traffic to a company’s store. In addition, mobile coupons can help businesses build brand loyalty by rewarding customers for their loyalty and encouraging them to continue doing business with the company. Finally, mobile coupons can be a cost-effective marketing tool, as they often have a higher redemption rate than traditional coupons and can be easily tracked and measured.

Using textable coupons through SMS can be an effective strategy for businesses to boost sales. By leveraging text message coupons, companies can tap into the power of consumer behavior and preferences. Research indicates that a significant percentage of consumers are influenced by coupons when making purchasing decisions, highlighting the potential impact of text coupons on driving sales. To maximize the effectiveness of textable coupons, businesses should tailor their marketing campaigns to target customers based on their specific buying habits. This personalized approach can enhance the relevance of the coupons to individual customers, increasing the likelihood of conversion. 

How to send a Mobile Coupon with SMS

Now that you are armed with the knowledge of mobile coupons and the many ways in which you can distribute them, let’s go over how you can start sending them!

Choose your audience

Your first step in sending our your digital coupons is to choose who you want to send your message out to. If you have an existing sms campaign phone list, select which customers you would like to send your message to.

If you don’t have an opted-in phone list, check out our guide on SMS opt-in strategies here.

Crafting your Message

Once you have your audience chosen, you need to craft a message to send out. Choose which of the above types of digital coupon you are going to use, craft your coupon with all the necessary details for redemption and tracking.

Make sure to double check that your coupon has all the details needed for the promotion before sending, and then click send! It’s that simple!

Businesses can save valuable time in SMS marketing by utilizing text templates and scheduled messages through an SMS platform. By leveraging text templates, businesses can avoid the hassle of starting from scratch for every new message, allowing them to quickly select a pre-designed template and customize details as needed. This capability allows businesses to efficiently manage their marketing strategies, carefully review messages for accuracy, and ensure timely delivery to maximize engagement with their target audience.

If you are looking for an existing template for your message or are interested in creating templates for your own digital coupon campaign, check out our article on templates here.

What benefits does CloudContactAI offer for reaching customers with coupon offers?

CloudContactAI provides a multitude of benefits for effectively reaching customers with coupon offers. As the #1 rated text message marketing service, we offer a comprehensive range of features that will enhance your SMS campaign. With our platform, you can enjoy a seamless 14-day trial that allows you to experience the power firsthand. Our professional service ensures that you have all the necessary tools and support to create impactful campaigns. Additionally, CloudContactAI encompasses various qualities that you are sure to appreciate, ensuring that your coupon offers reach the right customers with ease.

What is the “Show This Text” offer?

The “Show This Text” offer is a type of coupon that customers can present to the cashier at checkout. This offer is usually only valid for in-store purchases, although there may be some exceptions. By showing this text to the cashier, customers can take advantage of special discounts or promotions.

What is text coupon software?

Text coupon software is a specialized tool that businesses can use to effortlessly send coupons to their opt-in SMS list. With all-in-one software like CloudContactAI, businesses can easily manage their SMS marketing needs, including the distribution of text message coupons. This comprehensive software allows businesses to add links or photos to their messages, schedule messages in advance, and perform various other activities to ensure a successful coupon promotion. By streamlining the process, text coupon software minimizes the time and effort required to effectively run marketing campaigns centered around coupons.