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Cultivate trust and engagement with Klaviyo’s branded SMS short links

Profile photo of author Rob Hand
Rob Hand
4 min read
Klaviyo news
August 23, 2023
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Build trust with branded SMS links

Generated by Klaviyo AI

The post explains how branded SMS short links help address rising concerns about phishing and spam by making SMS URLs clearly associated with a brand. It outlines the two types of branded links available in Klaviyo and the basic steps to set them up.

  • Trust through branding: Custom SMS short link domains make messages look more legitimate, reducing subscriber hesitation caused by phishing and spam concerns.
  • Two link options: Klaviyo offers branded Klaviyo links using a subdomain and branded custom links using a fully custom domain with no Klaviyo reference.
  • Seamless brand journey: Branded links connect SMS promotions to a website with familiar URLs, supporting a consistent brand experience and deeper engagement.
  • Setup requirements: Creating branded SMS short links requires a paid SMS plan and configuration via the SMS Settings page in a Klaviyo account.
  • Custom link configuration: Requesting a branded custom link involves submitting a form with the website URL, desired domain, and CNAME records from the DNS provider.

Stand out from the crowd and encourage subscribers to engage with your brand.

In this product release

We’re excited to bring our Klaviyo SMS customers the ability to customize the domain for your SMS short links, helping you to establish a recognizable brand identity and build trust with subscribers.

With branded SMS short links, your SMS messages will stand out from the crowd and encourage subscribers to engage with your brand.

The challenge

Building trust amidst growing concerns

In the dynamic world of modern digital marketing, SMS has emerged as a powerful channel to connect with valued customers. However, as the popularity of SMS marketing grows, so does the threat of phishing and spam attempts.

These malicious actions have raised consumer concerns about the legitimacy of the texts they receive, and may lead to hesitancy in engaging with them.

The solution

Branded SMS Short Links

In response to this challenge, Klaviyo is excited to introduce Branded SMS Short Links. This feature empowers you to personalize the domain for your SMS short links, seamlessly embedding your brand identity into every interaction.

By doing so, you can alleviate subscriber concerns, foster genuine engagement, and establish a bond of trust with your subscribers.

Branded links bridge the gap between your SMS promotions and your website, offering a seamless brand journey. By presenting familiar URLs, you encourage subscribers to explore further, directing traffic to your website and nurturing deeper connections.

Getting started

To create your personalized branded SMS short link, you’ll need to be on a paid SMS plan with Klaviyo. Once you’ve done that, Klaviyo offers two options to personalize your SMS links, ensuring alignment with your brand identity:

  1. Branded Klaviyo link (e.g., yourdomain.klv1.io)
  2. Branded custom link (e.g. sms.yourdomain.io)

Branded Klaviyo link

Branded Klaviyo links, or subdomains, strike a balance between brand personalization and Klaviyo’s URL reference. While the Klaviyo URL is present, the subdomain showcases your brand (e.g., yourdomain.klv1.io). Setting this up is straightforward:

  1. Navigate to the SMS Settings page in your Klaviyo account.
  2. Go to Settings > SMS > Short Links.
  3. Next to Branded Klaviyo link, click Add.

Klaviyo’s platform will provide guidance on subdomain length and availability, ensuring a smooth setup experience.

Branded custom link

Branded custom links enable you to create URLs that are tailor-made for your brand (e.g., sms.yourdomain.io). Unlike branded Klaviyo links, there’s no reference to Klaviyo’s auto-generated URL. This feature is readily available upon request from your account’s SMS Settings page.

By selecting “Request”, you’ll be directed to a short form where you can add your website URL, domain you’d like to use, and CNAME records from your DNS provider.

Next steps

Set up your custom branded link today and start building trust and engagement with your SMS subscribers. For more detail, review our help center articles to learn more about how to create your own branded SMS short links:

Rob Hand
Rob Hand
Rob has been at Klaviyo for over 4 years where he’s grown into several roles including Principal Customer Success Manager, helping customers strategically grow their business. He discovered his passion for SMS marketing and has since joined the Marketing team as the Product Marketing Manager for SMS. In his free time, Rob is a cyclist and runner.

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