Overview
Flow messaging is the foundation of successful SMS automation in TxtCart. When you create a Flow, you can craft a perfect message that will be sent to your subscribers based on their actions.
This guide will help you create compelling, compliant, and high-converting flow messages that drive engagement and sales.
Core Messaging Principles
1. Keep It Concise and Clear
SMS messages have a 160-character limit per SMS segment. To keep your messaging cost-efficient, you should always aim to use as few characters as possible in your messages.
Best Practice:
Being the message with the most important information
Use simple, direct language
Include only one primary call-to-action per message
Example:
✅ Good: "Hey Sarah! Your cart misses you! Complete your order for 15% off. Valid for 4 hours: [link to cart]"
❌ Avoid: "Hello Sarah, just a friendly reminder that you have some items waiting in your cart. We'd love to help you complete your order with a special discount..."
2. Personalization is Key
Address your customers by name to make the message more personal. Suggest products or offers based on customers' previous purchases or browsing history.
Personalization Elements to Include:
First name (when available)
Product names from their cart or browsing history
Previous purchase categories
Location-based offers (if applicable)
3. Create Urgency Without Being Pushy
Use time-sensitive language to encourage action while maintaining a friendly tone.
Effective Urgency Tactics:
Limited-time Discounts: "24-hour flash sale"
Stock Scarcity: "Only 3 left in your size"
Event-Based: "Sale ends tonight"
Cart Expiration: "Your reserved items expire in 2 hours"
Message Structure and Components
Opening Hook
Start with an attention-grabbing opener that's relevant to the trigger.
Examples by Flow Type:
Abandoned Cart: "Forgot something?" or "Your cart is waiting!"
Welcome Series: "Welcome to the family!" or "Thanks for joining us!"
Post-Purchase: "Your order is confirmed!" or "Thanks for your purchase!"
Browse Abandonment: "Still thinking about it?" or "Come back for more!"
Value Proposition
Clearly communicate what's in it for the customer.
Types of Value:
Discounts: "Get 15% off your first order"
Free shipping: "Free shipping on orders over $50"
Exclusive access: "VIP early access to our new collection"
Time savings: "Reorder your favorites in one click"
Call-to-Action (CTA)
Make it crystal clear what you want the customer to do next.
Effective CTA Examples:
"Shop now"
"Complete order"
"Claim discount"
"View collection"
"Get yours before it's gone"
Contact Information and Compliance
Always include your brand name and opt-out instructions.
Standard Footer Format: "Reply STOP to opt out | [Brand Name]"
Message Frequency Guidelines
As a general rule of thumb, you should not text message your subscribers more than 2-4 times per month. For flows, this translates to:
Welcome Series: 2-4 messages over 14 days
Post-Purchase: 2-3 messages (confirmation, shipping, delivery)
Browse Abandonment: 1-2 messages over 3 days
Important Note:
Before activating any flow, verify that your send times fall within acceptable hours (9 AM - 9 PM recipient local time).
TxtCart will automatically queue messages sent outside quiet hours for delivery during the next available window. Learn more about quiet hours here.
Message Types and Templates
Welcome Series Messages
Message 1 (Send immediately after opt-in):
"Hi [FirstName]! You left something in your cart. Complete your order now: [link]
Reply STOP to opt out | Brand Name"
Message 2 (Send after 3 days):
"Hey [FirstName]! Check out our bestsellers - these are flying off the shelves: [link]
Reply STOP to opt out | Brand Name"
Post-Purchase Messages
Order Confirmation:
"Thanks [FirstName]! Order #[OrderNumber] confirmed. Track your package: [link]
Questions? Just reply | Brand Name"
Shipping Notification:
"Good news [FirstName]! Your order #[OrderNumber] is on its way. Expected delivery: [Date]
Track: [link] | Reply STOP to opt out | Brand Name"
Browse Abandonment Messages
First message (2 hours after browsing)
"Still thinking about that [ProductName], [FirstName]? It's waiting for you: [link]
Reply STOP to opt out"
Second message (24 hours later)
"Don't let it slip away, [FirstName]! That [ProductName] you viewed is almost sold out. Grab yours now: [link]
Reply STOP to opt out"
Compliance and Legal Considerations
Required Elements
Every flow message must include:
Brand identification: Your business name
Opt-out instructions: "Reply STOP to opt out"
Clear sender identity: Don't use misleading sender names
Content Restrictions
Avoid messages that:
Make false or misleading claims
Use excessive capitalization or punctuation
Include prohibited content
Violate platform-specific guidelines
Consent Requirements
Ensure all flow recipients have:
Explicitly opted in to receive SMS messages
Been clearly informed about message frequency
Received initial consent confirmation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Content Mistakes
Being too salesy: Focus on value, not just selling
Overusing emojis: 1-2 per message maximum
Generic messaging: Always personalize when possible
Unclear CTAs: Make the next step obvious
Technical Mistakes
Broken links: Always test links before sending
Missing opt-out language: Required for compliance
Wrong timing: Respect quiet hours and time zones
Excessive frequency: Follow the 2-4 messages per month rule
Strategy Mistakes
No testing: Always A/B test your top-performing flows
Ignoring data: Use analytics to optimize message performance
One-size-fits-all: Segment your audience for better results
Not updating: Refresh seasonal messages and offers regularly
Remember: Great flow messaging combines compelling content with perfect timing and strict compliance. Start with these best practices, test continuously, and optimize based on your unique audience's preferences and behaviors.
💡Tip:
Still have questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our wonderful Support team at support@txtcartapp.com or via Live Chat.