Keeping customers updated about their orders is essential for a great shopping experience. At SkyVerge, we built the Twilio SMS Notifications plugin for WooCommerce to help you send automated SMS updates when an order status changes. Plus, you’ll receive a text whenever a customer places a new order.
What is Twilio?
Twilio is a cloud-based communication platform that allows businesses to send SMS, make calls, and integrate messaging services into their applications. It’s widely used by brands worldwide to deliver fast, reliable, and scalable communication.
With Twilio, outbound SMS messages start at just 1 cent per text in the U.S., making it an affordable way to keep customers informed. The service supports over 40 countries, so you can send updates to customers worldwide. To use the plugin, you’ll need a free Twilio account, which can be set up in minutes.
Why Use SMS for Order Updates?
SMS is one of the most effective ways to reach customers. Studies show that 95% of text messages are read within five seconds, making SMS far more effective than email. Customers appreciate real-time updates, and you can even personalize messages. For example, you can include a discount code in the “Completed” order status message to encourage repeat purchases.
Key Features of the Twilio SMS Notifications Plugin
Keep Customers in the Loop
Customers can opt-in to SMS updates during checkout, ensuring they receive timely notifications about their order status. Our plugin also works with custom order statuses, so you can send personalized updates like “Shipped” or “Ready for Pickup.”
Fully Customizable Messaging
Tailor your SMS notifications by including order details such as:
- Store name
- Order ID
- Order total
- Order status
- Custom text
You can also shorten URLs within messages automatically using Google’s URL shortener. Plus, test your messages right from the Twilio settings page to see exactly what customers will receive.
Order Insights at Your Fingertips
View the status of every SMS sent directly from the Order Notes section in WooCommerce. You’ll see:
- The message content
- Whether the SMS was successfully delivered
- Any errors for troubleshooting
Additionally, you can manually send SMS updates from the Edit Order screen, even if the customer didn’t opt-in during checkout. A handy character counter ensures your message stays within the 160-character SMS limit.
Get Started in Minutes
Setting up the Twilio SMS Notifications plugin is easy:
- Install the plugin on your WooCommerce store.
- Sign up for a free Twilio account (if you don’t already have one).
- Grab your Twilio Account SID & Auth Token and enter them in the plugin settings.
- Configure your SMS messages and start sending updates!
If you have questions about our Twilio plugin, or want to learn more about SkyVerege, don’t hesitate to contact us!
