SMS Marketing Examples

28 Mobile Coupon Examples from Top Brands

Mobile Coupon Example from Papa Gino's
You have so many options when sending text message marketing campaigns—pictures, clickable links, GIFs, mobile coupons, and more. Perhaps you’re wondering which one of those options you should choose.

Our answer is mobile coupons. They effectively communicate with subscribers and increase sales. Results show that SMS has an average open rate of 99% and an average click-through rate of 36%. That means that out of the 99% of subscribers who open your text message, 36% will click on the mobile coupon. That’s well above the average for any other available marketing initiative to date.

But even though mobile coupons are the superior choice among so many options in SMS marketing, you should still be strategic when using them.

 

SMS Mobile Coupon Best Practices

The following techniques are shown to increase the effectiveness of SMS campaigns with mobile coupons:

  1. A compelling message.
    A compelling message makes customers feel inclined to open and view the text message.
  2. An easily clickable link.
    Tatango automatically shortens your links so they take up less space and look cleaner.
  3. A noticeable, clear mobile coupon.
    A visually appealing coupon makes it easy for consumers to take action.

For more techniques and inspiration, take a look at 28 companies that have created successful SMS campaigns using mobile coupons. Interested in seeing more examples? You’ll find many more in the SMS Archives.

 

1. Jack In The Box Mobile Coupon

Jack In The Box Mobile Coupon Example

Jack In The Box is an American fast-food restaurant chain founded in 1951, in San Diego, California. The chain serves food items including a variety of chicken tenders and French fries along with hamburgers and cheeseburgers and various internationally themed foods such as tacos and egg rolls.

In the text message marketing example above, Jack In The Box offers subscribers “Get a FREE Jumbo Jack w/ the purchase of a large drink” with an attached MMS mobile coupon. The attached mobile coupon provides information about the deal and a coupon code to redeem the offer. Additionally, Jack In The Box included a link subscribers could click on to find a local Jack In The Box location.

 

2. Chili’s Mobile Coupon

Chili's Mobile Coupon Example

Chili’s is an American casual dining restaurant chain that serves American food influenced by Tex-Mex cuisine, such as spicy shrimp tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, bacon burgers, and steak.

In the example above, Chili’s sent subscribers a text alert, “Reminder: Stay home and enjoy a FREE Appetizer on us” and included a link subscribers could click on to claim their reward. Chili’s message communicated the specific offer, a clickable link to the offer, and an expiration date to increase the sense of urgency for customers. Subscribers can easily redeem the offer by following the link and scanning the mobile coupon at the point of purchase.

 

3. Redbox Mobile Coupon 

Redbox Mobile Coupon Example

Redbox is an American and Canadian video rental company specializing in DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD rentals from automated retail kiosks. Redbox kiosks in the company’s signature red color are located at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, mass retailers, and pharmacies.

In this mobile coupon example, Redbox offers “3 FREE movie nights + all the drama…” The text message contains information about the deal, time-limited language to incentivize the offer, and a link subscribers could click on to access a clean and easily redeemable text message coupon. Additional offers on the landing page make the deal more enticing.

 

4. Polo Factory Stores Mobile Coupon 

Polo Factory Stores Mobile Coupon Example

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion company that produces products ranging from the mid-range to the luxury segments. The company is known for the clothing, marketing, and distribution of products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances. Its brands include the mid-range Chaps brand, the sub-premium Lauren Ralph Lauren brand, and the premium Polo Ralph Lauren.

Polo Factory Stores sent subscribers a store update including a special offer in the mobile coupon example above. The link leads to a 25% off mobile coupon that can be easily scanned at the point of purchase. The mobile coupon is clear, concise, and consistent with the text message copy.

 

 5. Kylie Cosmetics Mobile Coupon 

Kylie Cosmetics Mobile Coupon Example

Kylie Cosmetics is an American cosmetics company founded by media personality, Kylie Jenner. The company is known for products such as the Kylie Lip Kit, a liquid lipstick and lip liner set.

In the example above, Kylie Cosmetics sent its SMS subscribers a mobile coupon offering 25% off selected products. The message included information about the offer that provided an exclusive discount for all extended palettes. Kylie Cosmetics also included a link consumer could click on to go directly to the offer to redeem it.

 

 6. Anthropologie Mobile Coupon

Anthropologie Mobile Coupon Example

Anthropologie is an American retailer operating more than 200 stores worldwide. The brand offers an assortment of clothing, jewelry, home furniture, decoration, beauty, and gifts. Anthropologie is part of URBN brands, which includes Urban Outfitters, Free People, BHLDN, and Terrain.

In the example above, Anthropologie provided subscribers with a personalized offer, “Your summer wardrobe has arrived. Psst… It’s up to 40% OFF, two days only.” This offer perfectly demonstrates the use of “personalized” language to create a compelling proposition while also giving specific details about the product available to redeem. Customers can easily redeem the offer by following the link and shopping the deals on the Anthropologie website.

 

7. Bloomingdale’s Mobile Coupon

Bloomingdales Mobile Coupon Example

Bloomingdale’s is an American luxury department store chain that specializes in designer clothing, handbags, accessories, and more.

In this mobile coupon example, Bloomingdale’s sent subscribers an exclusive “Friends & Family” mobile coupon offer. The message includes a link subscribers can click to access and redeem the 30% off coupon. Compared to traditional mobile coupons, coupons within a link enable users to engage with the SMS campaign to receive an exclusive offer.

 

8. JOANN Fabrics Mobile Coupon

Joann Fabrics Mobile Coupon Example

JOANN Fabrics, commonly known as JOANN, is an American specialty retailer of crafts and fabrics based in Hudson, Ohio, operating the retail chains JOANN Fabrics and Crafts and Jo-Ann Etc. The retailer offers the largest assortment of fabrics and supplies for sewing, quilting, paper crafting, knitting, jewelry making, and crafts under one roof.

In the example above, JOANN sent subscribers a mobile coupon offering 50% off one regular-priced item. JOANN included a simple description of the promotional offer and included a direct link subscribers can click to access an easily redeemable coupon. As a way to increase coupon redemption rates, JOANN provides this coupon exclusively to subscribers.

 

9. Cumberland Farms Mobile Coupon

Cumberland Farms Mobile Coupon Example

Cumberland Farms, is a regional chain of convenience stores based in Westborough, Massachusetts, with locations primarily in New York, New England, and Florida. Cumberland Farms operates 566 retail stores, gas stations, and a support system including petroleum and grocery distribution operations in eight states: Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

In this mobile coupon example above, Cumberland Farms provided the offer, “Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Cumberland Farms! Click for coupon below.” Including a call to action with a link incentivizes customers to click through to redeem the offer. Subscribers can click the link to access a clear and concise mobile coupon detailing the offer and a live coupon expiration date emphasizing the limited-time offer.

 

10. Michaels Mobile Coupon

Michael's Mobile Coupon Example

Michaels is North America’s largest provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, and wall décor supplies as well as merchandise for makers and do-it-yourself home decorators. Customers can shop and save on arts and crafts supplies online and at store locations in the US and Canada. Most Michaels stores also offer classes and custom framing.

In the example above, Michaels sent its SMS subscribers a mobile coupon with the offer “Get 20% off all regular price items online and in-store.” Subscribers can click the included link to access a mobile coupon page where they can easily apply the discount to their cart or choose to use the coupon in stores where the barcode can be scanned. Michaels described the deal in the SMS message and included a link preview and a compelling offer to increase the likelihood that a subscriber redeems the offer.

 

11. Bed Bath & Beyond Mobile Coupon

Bed Bath Beyond Mobile Coupon Example

Bed Bath & Beyond is a US-based retail chain that primarily sells products for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms.

In the example above, Bed, Bath & Beyond sent subscribers a store update with a special offer of 20% off any single item. This offer is an excellent example of using SMS marketing to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. The customer can easily redeem the offer by following the link and claiming the mobile coupon. This offer was provided exclusively to text message marketing subscribers, enabling Bed, Bath & Beyond to increase their sales from their SMS marketing channel.

 

12. Checkers Mobile Coupon

Checkers Mobile Coupon Example

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants runs Checkers and Rally’s restaurants in more than 28 states. The brand specializes in hot dogs, hamburgers, milkshakes, and French fries.

Checkers sent their subscribers the mobile coupon offer “Buy one get one FREE Spicy Chicken!” The message included a simple description of the promotional offer and a direct link subscribers can click to access an easily scannable coupon they can redeem or save it future use.

 

13. Seattle Sun Tan Mobile Coupon

Seattle Sun Tan Mobile Coupon Example

Seattle Sun Tan is a tanning salon company in the Puget Sound that offers top-of-the-line sunbed and sunless tanning along with anti-aging and wellness services.

In the example above, Seattle Sun Tan sent subscribers a text alert with an update about location information and included a BOGO mobile coupon offer to celebrate their re-opening. The message included information about the offer and provided an exclusive discount for a session. Seattle Sun Tan also added a link subscribers can click to go directly to the offer, which includes an expiration date to compel customers to purchase their items with urgency. Seattle Sun Tan’s message provides an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.

 

14. Festival Foods Mobile Coupon

Festival Foods Mobile Coupon Example

Festival Foods is a family- and employee-owned grocery chain operating stores throughout Wisconsin. It was founded as Skogen’s IGA by Paul and Jane Skogen in 1946 in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and is still owned by the Skogen family today. Festival’s private-label brands are supplied by SuperValu, primarily under the Essential Everyday label.

In this example, Festival Foods sent subscribers a mobile coupon with two coupon deals, “It’s Cookie Fest! Celebrate with $2.98 Mini Cookie Tubs and Edible Cookie Dough for $3.99.” The message communicates the exclusive offer by giving subscribers the first opportunity to shop the sale. The subscriber can click the direct link to access the coupon and website and redeem the offer. The SMS marketing message provides an easy-to-understand offer and a clear action for subscribers to take.

 

15. Dress Up Mobile Coupon

Dress Up Mobile Coupon Example

Dress Up is an online boutique specializing in affordable and trendy women’s clothing. The brand aims to provide women with an empowering shopping experience that leaves them feeling more confident than before.

In the example above, Dress Up sent subscribers an offer promoting new style arrivals. The message included information about the offer and an exclusive mobile coupon. Dress Up also added a link customers can click to go directly to the offer. In addition, Dress Up included an option within the mobile coupon page for customers to copy the code or text a copy of the code to themselves. Instead of remembering the coupon code, subscribers can easily access and present the coupon from their mobile device, increasing redemption rates.

 

16. Boot Barn Mobile Coupon

Boot Barn Mobile Coupon Example

Boot Barn is an American western and work gear retailer that offers more than 8,000 styles of boots, jeans, shirts, hats, belts, jewelry, and more.

In the example above, Boot Barn sent a mobile coupon to a new subscriber that included a 15% off coupon code. The text alert contained information about the deal and a clickable link. Boot Barn enables SMS subscribers to copy the coupon code, which is a smart way to ensure subscribers have easy access to the coupons for shopping.

 

17. Papa Gino’s Mobile Coupon

Papa Gino's Mobile Coupon Example

Papa Gino’s is a restaurant chain based in Dedham, Massachusetts, specializing in American-style pizza along with pasta, subs, salads, and a variety of appetizers. There are 97 Papa Gino’s locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

In this example, Papa Gino’s used a text alert to communicate with their subscribers about their “40% OFF online Pizza” deal. Papa Gino’s also included an SMS message about the offer and a direct link subscribers can click to go to a landing page for the mobile coupon where they’ll have the option to “REDEEM” or “EARN FREE PIZZA.” The message communicated the specific offer, a clickable link to the offer, and a personalized mobile coupon to increase redemption rates.

 

18. Round Table Mobile Coupon

Round Table Pizza Mobile Coupon Example

Round Table Pizza, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a chain of pizza parlors in the Western United States.

In the example above, Round Table Pizza used a text message campaign to offer subscribers “12 Wings for $7.99.” The message included simple information about the offer and a link customers could click on to go directly to the offer. By adding the coupon expiration date and redeem button, it compelled customers to claim their offer. Round Table’s message is an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.

 

19. butter London Mobile Coupon

butter London Mobile Coupon Example

butter LONDON was founded in 2005 with the objective of offering the first toxin-free nail lacquer without compromising on color, quality, or performance.

In this example, butter London used text alerts to promote a 20% off opportunity for its SMS subscribers. The text message included information about the offer and an in-text coupon code with an exclusive discount for the subscribers. butter LONDON also added a link consumers could click on to go directly to the offer. Including a link allows subscribers to act on the urgency of an expiring offer.

 

20. Blimpie Mobile Coupon

Blimpies Mobile Coupon Example

Blimpie is an American sandwich chain based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The brand specializes in serving fresh sub sandwiches in non-traditional sites, such as inside convenience stores, gasoline station food marts, schools, office complexes, hospitals, and sports arenas.

In the example above, Blimpie used a text message campaign to communicate its offer of “$3 off orders of $15+.” The message included simple information about the offer and a link to a web page communicating the offer. By adding the sale expiration date and a redeem button, the mobile coupon compelled customers to purchase their items with urgency online. Blimpie’s text marketing message provides an example of a brand using SMS mobile coupon best practices.

 

21. Brookshire’s Mobile Coupon

Brookshire's Mobile Coupon Example

Brookshire’s is a supermarket chain based in Tyler, Texas, with more than 178 stores operating in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas under their four banners: Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Fresh by Brookshire’s, and Spring Market.

In the example above, Brookshire’s sent subscribers a message containing a mobile eCoupon book. The message included a simple personalized description of the promotional offer—”Click. Shop. SAVE!”—and a direct link to the mobile coupon which subscribers could redeem in-store and online. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offers, and an expiration date to increase the sense of urgency for customers.

 

22. The Children’s Place Mobile Coupon

The Children's Place Mobile Coupon Example

The Children’s Place is an American specialty retailer of children’s apparel and accessories. The company also markets apparel under the Children’s Place, Place, Baby Place, and Gymboree brand names.

The Children’s Place sent subscribers a mobile coupon offer, “Fun-in-the sun with 60-80% off everything this summer.” The message provided a concise description of the promotional offer and included a direct link to reveal the mobile coupon for subscribers to use. Once clicked, the link takes subscribers to The Children’s Place website to shop for the special sale.

 

23. Dunham’s Sports Mobile Coupon

Dunhams Mobile Coupon Example

Dunham’s Sports is a regional sporting goods superstore chain owned by Dunham’s Athleisure Corporation, with stores in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. The chain specializes in athletic equipment, clothing, guns, and other sports-related items.

In the example above, Dunham’s Sports sent subscribers a limited time coupon offer, “Time is ticking! Save up to 50% off this weekend!” The message provided a link consumers could click on to go directly to the offer page, which included a 15% off scannable mobile coupon. In addition to the link, the message communicated the specific sale and included an expiration date to increase the sense of urgency for customers.

 

24. Lulus Mobile Coupon

Lulus Mobile Coupon Example

Lulus is an American online retail company selling women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, intimates, and swimwear. The company was founded in 1996 under the name Lulu’s Fashion Lounge as a brick-and-mortar retail store specializing in vintage apparel.

In this example, Lulus sent subscribers a mobile coupon offering a 15% off sitewide coupon. The message included a simple description of the promotional offer and a direct link subscribers could click on to access the mobile coupon code. They could copy the coupon or send it to themselves via text, or they could start shopping right away. Through their personalized messaging—”Love!”—the Lulus message creates a sense of exclusivity for the subscribers, which creates a more compelling offer.

 

25. Macy’s Mobile Coupon

Macy’s, founded in 1858, is an American department store chain that sells designer clothing, handbags, accessories, and more.

In the example above, Macy’s included a “Friends & Family” special deal offering subscribers multiple mobile coupon discounts. Macy included details about the offer, encouraging subscribers to act quickly to redeem. The message also included a link subscribers can click on to access the mobile coupon and details about the multiple offers. In this example, Macy’s demonstrates SMS mobile coupon best practices by communicating the value clearly and providing an easy way for customers to access and save the mobile coupon.

 

26. Kirkland’s Mobile Coupon

Kirkland's Mobile Coupon Example

Kirkland’s is an American retail chain that sells home decor, furniture, textiles, accessories, and gifts. It operates 434 stores in 37 states, as well as an e-commerce website.

In the example above, Kirkland’s detailed an urgent offer, “Our stores are OPEN! 25% OFF Summer’s Hottest Trends.” Following the detailed offer, Kirkland’s provided a link subscribers could click on to access a coupon code and see store hours. In this example, Kirkland’s demonstrates SMS mobile coupon best practices by communicating a compelling value proposition in the message and providing an easy way for customers to access the coupon.

 

27. BuyBuyBaby Mobile Coupon

buybuyBaby is an American retail chain that sells clothing, strollers, and other items for use with infants and young children. The company operates 135 stores across the United States and Canada.

In the example above, BuyBuyBaby sent subscribers an offer detailing a special discount for one item, “20% off 1 item in-store OR online.” BuyBuyBaby included a description of the promotional offer and included a direct link subscribers could click on to access the 20% off coupon, which they can redeem in-store or online. In this example, BuyBuyBaby clearly communicates the value provided and includes an easy way for customers to access and save the coupon.

 

28. Cynthia Rowley Mobile Coupon

Cynthia Rowley Mobile Coupon Example

Cynthia Rowley is a global lifestyle brand that features surf, swim, and fitness apparel, accessories, home decor, and exclusive collaborations with like-minded brands.

In this example, Cynthia Rowley sent an MMS message with a mobile coupon offering up to 70% off select styles to subscribers. The message included information about the offer and added a link consumers could click on to go directly to the offer. The message communicated the specific sale, a clickable link to the offer, an option for the subscriber to send the code to their phone, and an opportunity to apply the coupon directly.

 

Learn More About Mobile Coupon Best Practices

As you can see, there are a variety of ways to use SMS marketing to send mobile coupons. To learn more techniques you can use for your next SMS campaign, check out our resource guide or contact our SMS marketing experts today.


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