Yotpo SMSBump Shuts Down SMS & Email – What’s Next for Your Shopify Store?

Dondy
Aug 9
3 min read

Introduction: The Yotpo Shake-Up

In a surprising move, Yotpo has announced the shutdown of its SMS and Email marketing services. For thousands of eCommerce businesses, this means a sudden gap in their customer communication strategy.

If your store relied on Yotpo for abandoned cart recovery, promotional campaigns, or customer retention – you’re now faced with a choice: Where do you go next?

This article will walk you through the best Yotpo alternatives, including traditional email/SMS solutions and emerging WhatsApp marketing platforms that dominate in regions like the Middle East, Europe, and South America.

Why the Change Matters

Yotpo’s exit from the SMS & Email space is more than just an inconvenience - it’s a wake-up call to diversify your marketing channels.

Email open rates: 20–30% on average
SMS open rates: 50–70% (but declining in some markets)
WhatsApp open rates: ~98% worldwide

In regions where WhatsApp is the main communication tool, relying on SMS or email alone is no longer enough.

Popular Alternatives for Email & SMS

If you still want to stick to email and SMS marketing, these are the top platforms to consider:

1. Klaviyo

Industry leader in email marketing for eCommerce
Strong segmentation, automation, and Shopify integration
Ideal for US and EU markets where email still performs well

2. Omnisend

Combines email, SMS, and push notifications in one platform
User-friendly automation builder
Affordable plans for growing stores

3. Attentive

SMS-first marketing platform with advanced personalization
Strong in the US market

4. Recart / TextCart

Specializes in SMS cart recovery and promotional messages
Good choice for stores with an SMS-heavy strategy

Why WhatsApp Marketing is the Future

While email and SMS still work in some markets, WhatsApp is dominating customer communication in many parts of the world - especially MENA, LATAM, and parts of Europe.

WhatsApp Marketing Advantages:

98% open rate – nearly guaranteed visibility
Interactive conversations – not just one-way messages
Multi-purpose – marketing, sales, customer support, and operations in one channel
Faster response times – customers reply within minutes, not hours or days

Top WhatsApp Marketing Platforms for Shopify Stores

Here are the leading players you should consider if you’re switching from Yotpo to WhatsApp marketing.

1. Dondy – All-in-One AI WhatsApp Marketing for Shopify

Perfect for: Shopify brands targeting MENA, LATAM, EU markets
Features:
- Automated flows (Abandoned Cart, Order Confirmation, Upsell, Review Requests)
- Marketing campaigns with segmentation
- Multi-agent customer support & AI support agents
- Official WhatsApp API
Why choose Dondy: Combines marketing + support in one platform, optimized for conversion.

2. Wati

Focus: WhatsApp API for businesses
Good for mid-to-large businesses that want API flexibility
Requires more setup compared to Shopify-focused tools

3. AI Sensy

WhatsApp marketing automation platform
Popular in India, expanding into other regions

Choosing the Right Direction After Yotpo

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

	Best Option
US, Canada, UK	Klaviyo / Omnisend / Attentive
Middle East, South America, Europe, Asia	Dondy, Wati, AI Sensy

Final Thoughts

The end of Yotpo’s SMS & Email services may seem like a setback, but it’s also an opportunity. If your market responds well to email and SMS, platforms like Klaviyo and Omnisend are great choices. But if you’re in a WhatsApp-dominated region, now is the time to make the switch to WhatsApp marketing - and platforms like Dondy are built exactly for that.