Service messages

7 Transactional SMS Templates for the Moments After Checkout

A customer who has just paid reads every update you send. This page covers the ones most stores improvise: a checkout code, a parcel split in two, a delivery slot to book. All seven stay under 160 characters, with an iPhone and an Android preview.

Pick a moment

Jump to the texts Test a message

Order shipped in two parcels transactional SMS on an iPhone

Order shipped in two parcels transactional SMS on an Android phone

Split shipment, as the customer sees itRead it →

Copy and adapt

Transactional SMS examples, one for each moment

Each moment has a long version with every detail and a short one for when space is tight. Tap the phone icons to compare platforms, then copy whichever version is on screen.

Checkout verification code transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 01 · Verification code

Checkout verification code

TransactionalBeautyThe moment the customer asks for it

The code comes first so it can be read straight from the notification. Saying how long it lasts, and that you will never ask for it, protects the customer from anyone who does.

Full SMS

LUMA: {{code}} is your checkout code. It expires in {{mins}} minutes. We will never call or text to ask for this code, so do not share it with anyone.

142 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Order cancelled on request transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 02 · Order cancelled

Order cancelled on request

TransactionalFashionAs soon as the cancellation goes through

Confirm the cancellation and the money in the same text, with the amount and the timing. It answers the two questions that would otherwise arrive at your support inbox.

Full SMS

MAREN: Order {{order}} is cancelled as you asked. {{amount}} goes back to your card within {{days}} business days. Details: maren.co/orders Reply STOP to opt out

151 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

No. 03 · Split shipment

Order shipped in two parcels

TransactionalSupplementsWhen the first parcel leaves the warehouse

A customer who receives half an order assumes the rest is lost. Say up front that it comes in two parts and when the second one leaves.

Full SMS

NORTHWELL: Order {{order}} ships in 2 parcels. The first is on its way today, the second leaves on {{day}}. Track both: nwl.co/track Reply STOP to opt out

152 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Choose a delivery slot transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 04 · Delivery slot

Choose a delivery slot

TransactionalHomeWhen a large item is ready to leave the warehouse

Furniture needs someone at home to receive it. Letting the customer pick the slot by text heads off a missed delivery and a second trip.

Full SMS

ALDER & CO: Your {{item}} is ready for delivery. Pick a 2-hour slot that suits you, so someone is home to sign: alder.co/slot Reply STOP to opt out

152 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Address needs checking transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 05 · Address check

Address needs checking

TransactionalFashionBefore dispatch, when the address fails validation

A wrong address caught before dispatch costs nothing; after dispatch it costs a return. Ask once, with a link, and say what happens next.

Full SMS

MAREN: We could not match the address on order {{order}} to a delivery point. Check it here so we can ship today: maren.co/address Reply STOP to opt out

150 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Exchange on its way transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 06 · Exchange shipped

Exchange on its way

TransactionalFashionWhen the replacement item ships

Name the new size so the customer knows the right item is coming, and say they have nothing more to send back.

Full SMS

MAREN: Your exchange is on its way: {{item}}, arriving by {{eta}}. Nothing else to send back. Track it: maren.co/track Reply STOP to opt out

157 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Account email changed transactional SMS on an iPhone

No. 07 · Account alert

Account email changed

TransactionalHomeSeconds after a sign-in detail changes

Security alerts work when they are specific and have no link to click. Say what changed and give a number to call if it was not the customer.

Full SMS

ALDER & CO: The email on your account was changed today at {{time}}. If this was not you, call us on {{phone}} and we will lock the account.

142 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Open in the segment counter →

Segment counter

Draft a service text and count what it costs

Load a moment, then change the order number, the date or the tone. Carriers bill by segment, and the bars under the box show how many you would pay for on every send.

Load a moment Message

0 / 160 characters1 segment

Store name comes first
Has an order number, code or time
No offer or discount
One segment only

9:41

Text Message
Today 10:02

Text message

Tuesday 7 October9:41

Messages · now62418now

The checkout code as a notification on an iPhone lock screen

The same code as a notification on an Android lock screen

Read without unlocking

A code should work from the notification

Nobody opens a text just to copy six digits. The preview on the lock screen is where the fact has to sit.

Fact before courtesy

Open with the code, the order number or the date. Greetings can wait until after the part the customer needs.

Two previews, two lengths

An iPhone banner fits several lines. Collapsed on Android, the same message is cut after one, so test the shorter view.

Send the code on its own

The customer needs the digits and nothing else. A link would only make them wonder whether the text is real.

Ground rules

What every service text needs

Keep offers outAdd a discount to an order update and it becomes a marketing message, with marketing consent rules attached.
Name the store firstA short code is just digits on the screen, so the opening word has to say who is writing.
Fact in line oneCodes, order numbers and dates go first, because that line is what the lock screen shows.
Trigger from the eventAn update is only useful while it is news, so send it when the event fires, never in a daily batch.
Fit 160 plain charactersOne curly quote or emoji drops the limit to 70 characters and can double the cost of every send.

Order updates, sent the moment they happen

Zefir connects to your store, writes the service messages with you and sends each one over SMS or WhatsApp as the event happens. You can be live within 72 hours.

Request access See how it works

1,000+brands sending with Zefir

12 to 15%average lift in revenue, measured per order

Questions

Transactional SMS, answered

What counts as a transactional SMS?

Any text triggered by the customer's own order or account, such as a code, a cancellation or a change to their delivery, with no offer in it. Zefir sends these from your store's events on SMS and WhatsApp, the moment each event happens.

How is a transactional text different from a promotional one?

A transactional text reports on something the customer already did, while a promotional text asks them to buy something new. Zefir writes both kinds for you and keeps offers out of the service messages.

Do transactional texts need a STOP message?

Codes and security alerts are usually sent without one, while ongoing order updates often carry an opt-out line. Zefir builds consent records, opt-outs and quiet hours into every text it sends.

Which store events should trigger a text?

The ones where the customer is waiting for news: a code they asked for, a change to their order, a parcel on the move or a problem with the address. Zefir connects to those events in your store, so nobody has to send the texts by hand.

Can a service text include a link?

Yes, a link to the order or tracking page is normal, but leave it out of codes and security alerts, where the customer needs nothing to tap. Zefir previews every link on iPhone and Android before a message goes live.