Imagine a scenario where a consumer, eager to purchase their desired item, finds it out of stock. Traditionally, this might spell a lost sale for a business. But with back-in-stock alerts, this minor setback transforms into a sales recovery technique.
Viber Business Messages make it easy for brands to send personalized, timely back-in-stock alerts that increase click-through rates and sales - all while enhancing the customer experience. Read on to learn more about the benefits of sending back-in-stock alerts on Rakuten Viber, how they work as an efficient sales strategy, and how integrating them into your CRM and CDP platforms can help you deliver timely messages to customers.
What are back-in-stock alerts?
Back-in-stock alerts are notifications, often sent as a text, email, or push notification, that inform customers their desired item has been restocked and is ready to be purchased. More brands are turning to these alerts to boost sales and conversions, especially during slow periods after peak shopping seasons, to re-engage dormant customers. And they work:
- Push notifications outperform traditional email marketing, with a 50% higher open rate.
- Back-in-stock push notifications have the potential to recoup more than 50% of missed sales opportunities.
How back-in-stock alerts maximize engagement and revenue
Customers who receive back-in-stock alerts are reminded that what they've been eyeing is ready for purchase, resulting in a significant boost in engagement and revenue:
- Increased click-through rates (CTR): Back-in-stock alerts help boost customer engagement, prompting customers to take immediate action by clicking on the notification to revisit the product they were previously interested in. This leads to increased CTR, which is a strong indicator that the alerts are relevant and timely.
- Improved customer loyalty: The personalization aspect of back-in-stock alerts directly contributes to improved customer loyalty. These notifications show customers that a business is attentive to their needs and preferences, thereby nurturing a positive emotional connection to the brand. This personalized consumer experience can lead to repeat purchases and a higher lifetime value per customer, as shoppers often prefer to stick with brands that recognize and cater to their specific interests.
- Soaring sales: The effectiveness of back-in-stock alerts in driving sales is notable as they encourage prompt responses from customers, who are less likely to seek out alternative brands when they quickly find what they want back in stock. They also promote more efficient inventory management, as items are quickly moved from restocked to sold, streamlining the overall sales process. Back-in-stock alerts effectively tap into existing customer interests, influencing higher sales for businesses.
The benefits of sending back-in-stock alerts via Rakuten Viber
Rakuten Viber enables brands to reach a global audience across diverse regions and demographics to deliver notifications that feel tailored and genuine. Brands looking to capitalize on the ever-competitive eCommerce landscape can benefit from sending personalized back-in-stock alerts via Viber Business Messages. Here’s how:
Personalization
Personalization in notifications is a game-changer, known to increase open rates by up to 400%. Connecting Viber Business Messages to your customer data platform (CDP) will help you use data such as demographics, behaviors, and previous purchases to send timely, personalized notifications that engage customers through rich features - influencing their purchase decisions.
Targeting
Another statistic shows that advanced targeting strategies can triple (3x) the chance of notifications being acted upon. Integrating Viber Business Messages into your customer relationship management (CRM) system enables you to send alerts to specific audience segments, increasing click-through rates and conversions. You can segment audiences based on age, gender, purchase history, and more - and tailor your back-in-stock alerts based on the items that speak most to each segment.
AR-powered experiences
Rakuten Viber enables brands to transform their mobile offers into interactive experiences for customers. Viber Lenses are a good way to boost your back-in-stock alerts and influence sales by enabling customers to try on your products before buying them. This can turn hesitant shoppers into confident buyers waiting for your next offer.
Rich media
Several factors can amplify the effectiveness of personalized back-in-stock alerts even further. Emojis can make alerts more appealing, resulting in a 20% improvement in open rates. Timing is crucial, and sending notifications at industry-specific times can yield a 40% increase in opens. Rich formats, including images or videos, can enhance engagement, leading to a 25% boost in open rates. Viber Business Messages enable brands to share images, videos, emojis, different types of files, and more to better display products, engage customers, and simplify purchase decisions.
With Viber Business Messages, brands not only communicate—they engage and convert with precision. Combining the power of these tools and features on one of the world’s most popular super apps enables you to:
- leverage advanced automated trigger notifications
- send vivid alerts that engage shoppers at the perfect moment
- provide a user-friendly shopping experience that is straightforward and stress-free
Step-by-step guide to sending back-in-stock alerts on Rakuten Viber
To help you successfully implement Viber Business Messages as a part of your customer engagement strategy, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide that encourages higher click-through rates, conversions, and customer satisfaction:
- Identify popular items: Begin with a keen eye on your inventory trends. Analyze which items sell out quickly and generate a list of high-demand products. This is not just about stock levels—it's about knowing your customers' favorites and anticipating their needs.
- CRM & CDP integration: Connect your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Data Platform (CDP) systems with Rakuten Viber. This will allow you to seamlessly track consumer interactions and facilitate personalized communications. By knowing which items a customer marks as their favorite, adds to a wishlist, or requests a notification, you can accurately target the right audience when an item is back in stock.
- Set up triggered notifications: Leverage Viber Business Messages to create automated, triggered notifications. This system should be adept at recognizing when a customer's 'favorite' item is available, producing an immediate and personalized alert in response.
- Personalize alerts: Dig into the data to craft notifications that resonate personally. Understanding consumer preferences is key to tailoring messages and transforming alerts into more than notifications. This level of customization elevates your service, respects the customer's distinctive taste, and values their time.
- Enrich your messages: Add rich media to your alerts to showcase your products. These features will help you give customers an enticing experience rather than “just another notification” - increasing interest, engagement, and sales.
- Two-click ordering process: Streamline the purchase process by ensuring that customer data, such as addresses and payment details, are securely stored. This convenience is key, allowing for smooth and hassle-free order completion—a priority for time-pressed consumers.
- Analyze and adjust: Continuously measure the performance of your back-in-stock alerts by monitoring the click-through rate. Use these insights to refine your strategy, ensuring your notifications remain engaging and effective.
Transform your customer engagement strategy with Viber Business Messages
Back-in-stock alerts are a great way to re-engage customers and encourage purchases. By connecting Viber Business Messages to your CDP and CRM systems, you can send personalized notifications to specific audience segments - increasing click-through rates and their likelihood to buy.
You can also leverage rich media features, including images and videos, and call-to-action buttons to provide engaging, two-click purchasing options. Sending these alerts on a channel customers use daily with their family and friends builds trust and loyalty with your brand.
