Ever wonder why 70.19% of shopping carts are abandoned? Or why some brands recover those sales while others watch potential revenue vanish? The difference often comes down to one thing: a strong SMS marketing list.

With SMS messages boasting a 98% open rate (typically within 3 minutes) and 15-20% conversion rates for recovery campaigns—compared to email's 45% open rate and 5-10% conversion—the revenue opportunity is massive but often overlooked.

• Learn proven tactics to grow your SMS subscriber list that actually convert
• Discover how to set up compliant, high-performing SMS campaigns that recover abandoned revenue
• Implement a segmentation framework that increases conversion rates by 30-40%

P.S. We've seen these strategies in action with Alia, where brands like Essence Vault increased SMS sign-up rates from 4.2% to 26% and collected over 400,000 phone numbers in just three months. If you want to skip the guesswork, try out Alia.

TL;DR

• Implement two-step opt-in flows - Ask for email first, then offer an additional incentive (15-20% vs 10%) for SMS signup to boost conversion rates
• Optimize popup timing - Set triggers at 15-30 seconds, 50% scroll depth, or exit intent based on your site's average engagement time
• Use SMS segmentation - Divide SMS subscribers into four quadrants (High Intent/High Engagement, High Intent/Low Engagement, etc.) and customize messaging accordingly
• Send abandoned cart messages quickly - First SMS within 15-30 minutes of abandonment with a direct link back to cart and mild incentive (10% off)
• Add SMS collection at checkout - Place opt-in directly below phone number field with separate SMS consent options for transactional vs. marketing messages
• Create SMS-exclusive offers - Announce "SMS subscribers get 24-hour early access" to sales and promote this exclusivity on other channels
• Test QR codes on packaging - Add "Scan for 15% off your next order" QR codes sized at least 1.5" x 1.5" on all order inserts

Why SMS Marketing Is a Revenue Recovery Powerhouse

SMS marketing has emerged as the undisputed champion for recovering abandoned revenue. When comparing SMS to traditional email marketing, the differences are striking.

SMS messages achieve a 98% open rate compared to email's modest 20-30%. Even more impressive, 90% of these text messages are read within 3 minutes of receipt, creating an immediacy that email simply cannot match.

This immediacy translates directly to revenue. 

Setting Up for SMS Success: Compliance and Best Practices

Before diving into list-building tactics, you need to establish a solid foundation of compliance and best practices. SMS marketing is heavily regulated, and failing to follow the rules can result in significant penalties.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the US and GDPR in Europe set strict guidelines for SMS marketing. Ignoring these regulations can lead to fines of $500-$1,500 per violation.

Obtain Explicit Consent

Unlike email marketing where implied consent might sometimes suffice, SMS requires explicit opt-in. This means subscribers must clearly indicate they want to receive text messages from you.

Implement this by using clear checkbox language: "Yes, I want to receive SMS marketing messages from [Your Brand]" and never pre-checking consent boxes.

Include Required Disclosures

Every SMS sign up form must include specific disclosures:

By signing up, you agree to receive text messages from 
[Brand Name]. Message & data rates may apply. 
Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel.

Provide Clear Opt-Out Instructions

Every subscriber must know how to opt out. Include instructions in your welcome message:

Welcome to [Brand]! Get exclusive deals & updates. Msg&data rates may apply. 
Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for help. 4 msgs/month.

Set Expectations About Message Frequency

Tell SMS subscribers exactly how many messages they can expect to receive—typically 2 to 4 SMS messages per month to balance engagement without overwhelming them. Avoid sending more than 1 promotional SMS per week under normal circumstances to minimize opt-outs.

Maintain thorough records of consent including the date, time, opt-in source, and the exact language used in your opt-in form. This documentation is essential for compliance with regulations such as TCPA and GDPR and helps build trust with your subscribers.

11 Proven Ways to Grow Your SMS List

Now that you understand the power of SMS marketing and have set up compliant foundations, let's dive into specific tactics that will help you build a high-quality SMS subscriber list that drives real revenue.

1. Optimize Your Popup Strategy

The popup is your front-line soldier in the battle for SMS subscribers. But not all popups are created equal. The difference between a high-converting popup and an annoying interruption comes down to strategic implementation.

First, timing is everything. Display your popup after meaningful engagement:

• 15-30 seconds: For content-focused sites where visitors need time to understand value
• 50% scroll depth: For blogs and informational pages to ensure interest before interrupting
• Exit intent: When cursor moves toward closing the tab—your last chance to capture information

Second, craft a compelling value proposition that answers "What's in it for me?":

"Get 15% off your first order when you sign up for text alerts"
"Be the first to know about flash sales (they sell out fast!)"
"Join our text list for exclusive deals not shared anywhere else"

Third, design for conversion with these specific elements:

• Contrast: Use a button color that stands out (e.g., #FF4500 orange against white background)
• Size: Make mobile buttons at least 44x44 pixels—the minimum size for easy tapping
• White space: Leave 20-30 pixels of padding around input fields and buttons
• Form fields: Limit to phone number only

Implement A/B testing by creating variants that test:

• Different offers (10% vs. free shipping vs. exclusive access)
• Timing triggers (immediate vs. delayed vs. exit intent)
• Design elements (images vs. no images, button colors, copy length)

Timing is everything when promoting your SMS popups. Alia's AI-powered smart triggering automates popup display timing based on visitor behavior patterns. Instead of showing your popup immediately, the system can wait until a visitor has demonstrated engagement—like browsing multiple products or spending a certain amount of time on your site. 

MiHIGH, a wellness brand selling infrared sauna blankets, was struggling with generic popups that delivered stagnant opt-in rates of just 6%. By implementing Alia's AI-powered smart triggering—they achieved a 3x increase in opt-in rates (from 6% to 18%) and generated $600,000 in attributed sales in just 30 days.

MiHIGH saw 5X more signups per day and $600K in revenue after rethinking popups with Alia

18%

EMAIL OPT-IN RATE (UP FROM 6%)

5X

MORE SIGNUPS PER DAY

$600K

IN SALES IN 30 DAYS

Caleb Madsen

VP of Growth, WIN Brands Group

“

Alia completely changed how we approach popups — turning a standard opt-in into an engaging, educational experience. The results were immediate: higher sign-ups, more conversions, and $600K in sales in just 30 days.

1

Install Alia

2

Launch first popup in 5 minutes

3

10x your list

BECOME YOUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY →

14 days free

2. Implement Two-Step Lead Capture

Collecting phone numbers is a no-brainer but the common mistake brand owners make is asking for email and phone number in one go. 

To the customer, this is too much “work” and friction, as Max Sturtevant puts it, Founder of Well Copy, an email marketing agency for eCommerce brands.

“Changing this alone will boost your list growth 50%+,” he says. 

Here's how to implement an effective two-step approach:

Step 1: Email Capture

• Use a simple headline: "Get 10% Off Your First Order"
• Single field: Email address only
• Button text: "Get My Discount" (not "Submit" or "Next")
• Success message: "Check your email for your discount code!"

Step 2: SMS Upgrade

• Trigger: Immediately after email submission or on the thank you page
• Headline: "Upgrade to SMS for 15% Off Instead"
• Value proposition: "Get a bigger discount + faster alerts about flash sales"
• Single field: Phone number only
• Button text: "Upgrade My Discount"

This approach works because it follows the psychological principle of progressive disclosure—asking for increasingly valuable information in stages rather than all at once.

To maximize effectiveness:

• Make the second step optional but highly desirable
• Increase the incentive for the SMS step (15% vs. 10% for email only)
• Keep both steps visually consistent to maintain trust
• Test different incentive gaps (5% difference vs. 10% difference)

3. Add SMS Opt-in at Checkout

The checkout page represents a golden opportunity for SMS list growth because:

1. Customers are already engaged and committed to your brand
2. They're already entering their contact information
3. They have a clear incentive to receive order updates

Here's how to optimize checkout SMS capture:

Placement: Position the SMS opt-in directly below the phone number field with this specific sequence:

1. Phone number field (required for order)
2. SMS marketing checkbox (optional)
3. Clear value proposition next to the checkbox

Separate Consent Types: Create two distinct consent options:

□ Send me text messages with order updates and tracking information

□ Send me text messages about promotions, sales, and new products (up to 5 msgs/month)

Value-Add Messaging: Use specific language that emphasizes immediate benefits:

□ Text me my order updates and get early access to our Black Friday sale (5 msgs/month, 
reply STOP to opt out)

Implementation Tips:

• Use pre-checked boxes only where legally permitted (not in EU/GDPR regions)
• Include message frequency directly in the consent language
• Test placing the SMS opt-in on the order confirmation page as an alternative
• Offer an immediate incentive for opting in ("Get 10% off your next order when you sign up for texts")

For Shopify stores, you can implement this with a custom checkout extension or apps like SMSBump or Postscript that integrate directly with your checkout flow.

Test this approach against a standard popup and measure both opt-in rate and subscriber quality (conversion rate of subscribers). Many brands find that checkout opt-ins, while fewer in number, often convert at 2-3x the rate of popup subscribers.

4. Convert Email Subscribers to SMS

Your email list represents a goldmine of potential subscribers who already know, like, and trust your brand. Converting them to SMS subscribers is typically easier than converting cold traffic.

Create a dedicated email campaign with these specific elements:

Subject Line Options:

• "Upgrade to SMS: Get alerts before they sell out"
• "Want 15% off? Switch from email to text"
• "[FAST RESPONSE NEEDED] Join our text list"

Email Body Structure:

1. Clear headline stating the benefit of SMS
2. 2-3 bullet points highlighting SMS advantages:
   • "Get sale alerts 24 hours before everyone else"
   • "Access exclusive SMS-only discounts"
   • "Never miss a restock notification (they sell out fast!)"
3. Large, tappable button with keyword and shortcode:
   • "Text JOIN to 12345 to sign up now"
   • Include a QR code alternative for easy scanning

Implementation Sequence:

1. Send initial invitation email
2. Send reminder email to non-responders after 3 days
3. Final reminder with increased incentive after 7 days

To maximize effectiveness, segment your email list and personalize the SMS invitation:

• For active customers: "Get early access to new products"
• For discount shoppers: "Be first to know about flash sales"
• For cart abandoners: "Get a reminder before items sell out"

5. Use Text-to-Join Keywords

Text-to-join is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to grow your SMS subscriber list, especially for brands with physical presence or offline marketing.

Here's how to implement a successful text-to-join campaign:

Choose Memorable Keywords:

• Keep it short (4-7 characters)
• Make it relevant to your brand or offer
• Avoid special characters or numbers
• Examples: JOIN, SAVE, DEALS, [BRANDNAME]

Create Clear Instructions:

Text SAVE to 12345 to get 15% off your first order

Display Prominently Across Channels:

• In-store signage: Near checkout, fitting rooms, and entrances
• Product packaging: On inserts or the packaging itself
• Print materials: Business cards, flyers, and catalogs
• Social media: In profile bios and story highlights
• Email signatures: Add to all team communications
• Website: Header, footer, and about page

Offer Immediate Incentives:

• Set up auto-responders that deliver value instantly
• Include a one-time discount code in the welcome message
• Send a link to exclusive content or early access

Example Auto-Response Sequence:

Welcome to [Brand]! Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order: [shortened URL]
Reply with:
PRODUCTS - to see bestsellers
SALE - for current promotions
STOP - to unsubscribe

To measure effectiveness, use unique keywords for different marketing channels:

• In-store displays: "Text STORE to 12345"
• Social media: "Text SOCIAL to 12345"
• Print ads: "Text PRINT to 12345"

This allows you to track which channels drive the most SMS sign-ups and optimize your marketing spend accordingly.

Urban Smokehouse implemented a similar approach with Alia, replacing their traditional popup with an educational, story-led flow via a floating button. This strategy increased their popup sign-up rate by 184% (from 3% to 9.5%) and generated over $100,000 in additional monthly sales.

Urban Smokehouse added $100K+ in monthly sales and tripled popup sign-ups with a story-led flow

9.5%

POPUP SIGN-UP RATE (UP FROM ~3%)

$100K+

IN ADDITIONAL MONTHLY SALES

1/3

OF MONTHLY REVENUE NOW ATTRIBUTED TO ALIA

Andrew Buehler

CEO & Founder, Urban Smokehouse

“

I was shocked to see how much traction Alia’s pop up had out the gate. We’re in month two and performance keeps improving.

1

Install Alia

2

Launch first popup in 5 minutes

3

10x your list

BECOME YOUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY →

14 days free

6. Leverage Social Media for SMS Growth

Your social media followers are already engaged with your brand, making them prime candidates for SMS subscription. The key is creating compelling reasons for them to make the leap from social follower to SMS subscriber.

Here's how to leverage different social platforms effectively:

Instagram Strategy:

• Stories with "Swipe Up" to text (for accounts with 10k+ followers)
• Create a highlight dedicated to "SMS Exclusives"
• Use the link in bio to direct to an SMS sign-up landing page
• Post screenshots of exclusive SMS offers with caption: "Only our text subscribers got this deal"

Implementation steps:

1. Create a story with compelling offer (e.g., "48-hour flash sale starts tomorrow")
2. Add swipe-up link to your SMS sign-up page
3. Include text overlay: "Swipe up to get notified when the sale goes live"
4. Add to highlights for permanent visibility

Facebook/Instagram Ads Targeting SMS Opt-ins:

• Objective: Conversions
• Conversion event: SMS sign-up completion
• Audience: Warm traffic (website visitors, customers, engagement custom audiences)
• Creative: Show phone with text message preview of an exclusive offer
• Call to action: "Sign up for texts"

Ad Copy Template:

Headline: Get 20% Off When You Join Our Text List
Primary Text: Want to be the first to know about flash sales and restocks? 
Join our text list and get 20% off your next order.
Description: Text alerts for VIP deals | Reply STOP to opt out anytime

Social Media Contests Requiring SMS Opt-in:

• Prize: Product bundle or high-value gift card
• Entry mechanism: "Text CONTEST to 12345 to enter"
• Promotion: Create dedicated posts across all platforms
• Duration: 5-7 days maximum to create urgency

For example, Essence Vault used Alia to deploy visually rich, optimized popups tailored to traffic sources and behavior, including social media visitors. This approach helped them increase their SMS sign-up rate from 4.2% to an impressive 26%, collecting 403,000 phone numbers over just three months.

7. Run SMS-Exclusive Promotions

Creating FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is one of the most powerful psychological triggers for list growth. When prospects believe they'll miss valuable opportunities by not subscribing, opt-in rates skyrocket.

Here's how to create compelling SMS-exclusive promotions:

Early Access to Sales:

• Announce: "Our annual sale starts Friday, but SMS subscribers get access Thursday"
• Implement: Create a special landing page only accessible via SMS link
• Promote: Share screenshots of the text announcement on social media after it's sent

Product Drops via SMS First:

• Limited inventory: "Only 100 units available, SMS subscribers get first access"
• Countdown: "Drop happens in 24 hours, make sure you're on the text list"
• Exclusivity: "This colorway will only be announced via text"

Implementation steps:

1. Create a product page with password protection
2. Send password only via SMS
3. Remove password after 24 hours for general access

Flash Sales Announced Only via Text:

• Duration: Keep sales short (2-4 hours maximum)
• Discount: Make it significant (30%+ off)
• Frequency: Run monthly to establish pattern without fatigue
• Promotion: "Flash sales happen randomly and are only announced via text"

Example SMS Announcement:

FLASH SALE: For the next 3 hours, 
get 40% off all accessories with code FLASH40. 
Shop now:[shortened URL]

To maximize effectiveness, create a dedicated landing page explaining your SMS program's exclusive benefits:

5 Reasons to Join Our Text List:
1. Early access to sales (24 hours before everyone else)
2. SMS-exclusive discounts (not available via email)
3. Instant restock alerts for sold-out items
4. Flash sales announced only via text
5. VIP birthday rewards for subscribers

Firebelly Tea implemented this approach with Alia, offering progressively larger discounts (from 5% to 15%) for continued engagement. This strategy led to a 42% month-over-month increase in store-wide conversion rate and a 79% increase in total sales.

Firebelly Tea replaced their quiz and popup with Alia—and doubled purchase rates

2.2x

INCREASE IN EMAIL SIGN-UPS

36%

PURCHASE RATE AFTER SIGNUP (UP FROM 14%)

$13K+

IN INCREMENTAL REVENUE VS KLAVIYO

Kara Westerlund

eCommerce Marketing Manager, Firebelly Tea

“

Alia allows us to customize and control a new customer’s introduction to our brand. We’ve seen more email signups overall and a marked increase in conversion rate.

1

Install Alia

2

Launch first popup in 5 minutes

3

10x your list

BECOME YOUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY →

14 days free

8. Add QR Codes to Physical Materials

QR codes bridge the gap between offline interactions and digital engagement, making them perfect for SMS list growth. With nearly all smartphones now having built-in QR readers, the friction to sign up has never been lower.

Here's how to implement an effective QR code strategy:

Packaging Inserts:

• Size: At least 1.5" x 1.5" for easy scanning
• Placement: On top of other materials so it's seen first
• Call to action: "Scan for 15% off your next order"
• Design: Include your brand colors and logo in the QR code

Implementation steps:

Create a QR code that sends a pre-populated text message:

To: 12345Body: JOIN

1. Print on high-quality card stock with instructions
2. Include with every order shipped

In-Store Signage:

• Placement: Near checkout, entrance, and product displays
• Size: At least 3" x 3" with clear instructions
• Frame: "Scan to join our VIP text list"
• Incentive: "Get today's secret in-store discount"

QR Code Best Practices:

• Test scan functionality in different lighting conditions
• Include a short URL alternative beneath the QR code
• Use dynamic QR codes that can be updated without reprinting
• Track scans with UTM parameters to measure effectiveness

Example QR Placement Strategy for Retail:

1. Entrance: "Scan for today's in-store specials"
2. Product displays: "Scan for product details and reviews"
3. Fitting rooms: "Scan for size guidance and styling tips"
4. Checkout: "Scan for 15% off your next visit"

For ecommerce brands, include QR codes on:

• Package inserts
• Product tags
• Thank you cards
• Warranty information
• Return labels

9. Implement Post-Purchase SMS Acquisition

The post-purchase window is one of the most overlooked yet effective opportunities for SMS list growth. Customers who have just purchased are experiencing peak positive sentiment toward your brand, making them highly receptive to joining your SMS list.

Here's how to capitalize on this golden moment:

Thank You Page SMS Opt-in:

• Placement: Prominent section below order confirmation
• Headline: "Get exclusive access to VIP deals"
• Offer: "Join our text list and get 20% off your next order"
• Form: Single phone field with clear consent language

Implementation steps:

1. Add a custom section to your thank you page

Include a compelling reason to join specific to post-purchase context:

Want to know when your order ships? 
Get tracking updates via text!Plus, 
receive a 20% off code for your next purchase.

2. A/B test different incentives (free shipping vs. percentage discount)

Package Inserts with Text-to-Join Instructions:

• Format: High-quality card with clear instructions
• Size: Standard business card or larger
• Message: "Text THANKS to 12345 for 20% off your next order"
• Design: Include your brand colors and typography

Example Insert Copy:

THANKS FOR YOUR ORDER!
We'd love to keep you updated on new products and exclusive deals.
Text THANKS to 12345 for 20% off your next order.
(Up to 4 msgs/month. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel)

Post-Purchase Email Flows Promoting SMS Benefits:

• Timing: 2-3 days after purchase
• Subject: "Unlock VIP status: Switch to text updates"
• Content: Explain benefits of SMS over email
• CTA: Clear button to opt in to SMS communications

Email Template Structure:

1. Thank customer for their purchase
2. Introduce SMS program as a "VIP upgrade"
3. List 3-4 specific benefits of joining
4. Include large, tappable button with shortcode info
5. Add testimonial from existing SMS subscriber

10. Gamify Your SMS Opt-in Experience

Gamification taps into our natural desire for achievement, competition, and rewards. By turning the opt-in process into an engaging game, you can significantly increase participation rates while collecting valuable zero-party data.

Here's how to implement effective gamification for SMS list growth:

SMS Quiz Experiences:

• Format: 2-3 multiple choice questions before phone number request
• Value exchange: "Answer 2 quick questions to unlock your discount"
• Data collection: Questions should gather useful segmentation data
• Reward: Reveal personalized offer after completion

Implementation steps:

Create quiz with questions relevant to your products:

What's your biggest skincare concern?□ Acne□ Aging□ Dryness□ Sensitivity

1. Request phone number on final screen
2. Send personalized recommendation and offer via text

"Spin-to-Win" with Phone Number Entry:

• Trigger: Exit intent or time-based popup
• Entry mechanism: Phone number required to spin
• Prizes: Various discount levels (10-30% off)
• Perception: Everyone wins something

Technical implementation:

1. Use a wheel of fortune plugin or custom JavaScript
2. Set prize probability (e.g., 70% for 10% off, 25% for 15% off, 5% for 20% off)
3. Collect phone number before revealing prize
4. Send prize code via text message immediately

Mystery Discount Reveals via Text:

• Concept: "We've selected a mystery discount just for you"
• Entry: Collect phone number to "unlock" the discount
• Delivery: Send discount code via text only
• Urgency: Add expiration time (valid for 24 hours)

Example Mystery Discount Flow:

1. Popup headline: "We've selected a mystery discount just for you!"
2. Subheadline: "Enter your phone number to reveal your exclusive discount"
3. After submission: "Great! Check your phone in 30 seconds to see your discount"
4. Text message: "Your mystery discount is 15% OFF! Use code MYSTERY15 within 24 hours: [link]"

Gardencup successfully implemented this approach with Alia, replacing generic offers with engaging "mystery discount" experiences. They collected zero-party data through quiz-style logic at sign-up and segmented subscribers by interest (e.g., clean eating, convenience, nutrition). This strategy led to a 124% increase in net new email subscribers, a 177% increase in net new SMS subscribers, and a 76% uplift in Welcome Flow revenue.

11. Optimize for Mobile Landing Pages

Mobile landing pages remove distractions and focus entirely on the value proposition of joining your SMS list.

Here's how to create high-converting mobile landing pages for SMS growth:

Mobile-First Design Principles:

• Width: Design for 320px width as baseline
• Font size: Minimum 16px for body text, 24px for headlines
• Button size: At least 44x44 pixels (Apple's recommended minimum tap target)
• White space: 20-30px padding between elements
• Form fields: Use appropriate input types (tel for phone numbers)
• Keyboard: Set to show number pad for phone input with inputmode="numeric"

Fast Loading Times:

• Image optimization: Compress all images to under 100KB
• Lazy loading: Implement for images below the fold
• Critical CSS: Inline critical styles in <head>
• Performance goal: Sub-2-second load time on 3G connections
• Testing tool: Use Google PageSpeed Insights to verify

Simplified Forms:

• Fields: Phone number only 
• Labels: Position above input fields, not as placeholders
• Validation: Real-time with clear error messages
• Button text: Action-oriented ("Get My Discount" not "Submit")
• Progress: Show steps if collecting multiple pieces of information

Create dedicated landing pages for different traffic sources:

• Social media traffic: Emphasize exclusivity and early access
• Email traffic: Focus on upgrade benefits from email to SMS
• Paid traffic: Highlight immediate discount or offer

Case Studies: How 7-Figure DTC Brands Achieved Massive SMS List Growth

Let's examine how real brands have successfully grown their SMS lists and recovered significant revenue through strategic implementation of the tactics we've discussed.

#1) Essence Vault: Half a Million Subscribers in Three Months

Brand Overview:

• Industry: Fragrance & Beauty
• USP: High-quality perfumes inspired by luxury scents at affordable prices
• Challenge: Low email (11%) and SMS (4.2%) sign-up rates

Solution: Essence Vault partnered with Alia to deploy visually rich, optimized popups tailored to traffic source and behavior. They seamlessly collected zero-party data (e.g., gender preferences) for segmentation and kept popups active during BFCM, driving high-volume conversions.

Results:

• Email sign-up rate increased to 33% (from 11%)
• SMS sign-up rate increased to 26% (from 4.2%)
• 360,000 emails and 285,000 phone numbers collected in one month
• 514,000 emails and 403,000 phone numbers collected over three months
• 200,000 emails and 160,000 SMS collected during BFCM (9 days)

Key Takeaway: By optimizing popup design and timing while collecting valuable zero-party data, Essence Vault created a personalized experience that dramatically increased opt-in rates during high-traffic periods.

Essence Vault added 800K leads and shattered BFCM records with high-converting popups

33%

EMAIL OPT-IN RATE (UP FROM 11%)

26%

SMS OPT-IN RATE (UP FROM 4.2%)

800K+

LEADS COLLECTED IN 3 MONTHS

Jacob Swallow

“

We never expected the numbers to go this high. In just a few months using Alia, we added over half a million emails to our database.

1

Install Alia

2

Launch first popup in 5 minutes

3

10x your list

BECOME YOUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY →

14 days free

#2) Soapbox: 135% Increase in Email Opt-ins and 122% in SMS

Brand Overview:

• Industry: Personal Care & Social Impact
• USP: Buy-one-donate-one soap mission
• Challenge: Low email opt-ins (6.5%) and SMS signups (4.5%)

Solution: Soapbox implemented interactive, educational popups with Alia to tell their social impact story. They created two-step popups that combined discounts and data collection, addressed FAQs directly within popups to reduce customer friction, and enabled segmentation based on expressed interest.

Results:

• Email sign-up rate increased to 15.4% (up 135%)
• SMS sign-up rate increased to 10.1% (up 122%)
• 12.5% purchase rate within 30 days of signup
• Significantly improved conversion from the same traffic volume

Key Takeaway: By focusing on education and incorporating their mission directly into the signup experience, Soapbox created more informed subscribers who were more likely to convert immediately after signup.

Soapbox doubled signups and boosted conversions by telling their mission in the popup

15.4%

EMAIL OPT-IN RATE (UP FROM 6.5%)

10.1%

SMS OPT-IN RATE (UP FROM 4.5%)

12.5%

PURCHASE RATE WITHIN 30 DAYS

Jeff Sheely

Head of Digital Growth

“

With Alia, our sign-ups have effectively doubled with the same amount of traffic — and more of the people who sign up are converting immediately.

1

Install Alia

2

Launch first popup in 5 minutes

3

10x your list

BECOME YOUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY →

14 days free

#3) Hostage Tape: 245% Increase in Welcome Flow Revenue

Brand Overview:

• Industry: Sleep & Breathing Optimization
• USP: Mouth-taping products designed to improve sleep quality
• Challenge: Limited design flexibility and low opt-in rates despite high traffic

Solution: Hostage Tape replaced static popups with Alia’s full-screen, high-converting experiences that integrated educational content, including the founder's story. They leveraged exit-intent triggers and custom popup flows to maximize opt-ins.

Results:

• 25% email opt-in rate achieved within two months
• 20% SMS opt-in rate
• 245% increase in email welcome flow revenue
• 40% increase in SMS welcome flow revenue
• $86,000 in additional revenue from welcome flows in just two months
• 143x return on investment (ROI) in that same two-month period

Key Takeaway: By integrating storytelling and building trust directly in the popup experience, Hostage Tape created a connection with visitors that translated into high-intent subscribers and significant revenue growth.

Ready to Boost Your SMS List Growth with Alia?

Growing your SMS list isn't just about collecting phone numbers—it's about building a direct line to your most engaged customers that can recover thousands in otherwise lost revenue.

The strategies we've covered give you a comprehensive framework for SMS list growth:

• Optimize your popups and implement two-step lead capture to dramatically increase opt-in rates
• Add SMS collection at key touchpoints like checkout and post-purchase
• Leverage social media and physical materials with text-to-join and QR codes
• Create SMS-exclusive promotions and gamified experiences to drive sign-ups
• Segment your list using the SMS Segmentation Matrix for targeted messaging

Remember that compliance and value proposition are the foundation of any successful SMS program. Always obtain explicit consent, set clear expectations, and deliver compelling value to subscribers.

If you're looking to implement these strategies quickly and effectively, Alia's popup platform has helped brands like Essence Vault increase SMS sign-up rates from 4.2% to 26% and Hostage Tape achieve a 245% increase in welcome flow revenue. The right tools can make all the difference in turning these strategies into real results.