How to Send a Small Business Thank You Message to Customers (+ Templates)

If you want to send a small business thank you message to customers but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is here to help.

In this guide, we’ll cover the following:

• The benefits of sending a small business thank you message to customers.
• What to include in your thank you message (with examples).
• How to send a small business thank you message to customers with three different methods.

Sending an appreciation message to customers who’ve purchased something from your ecommerce store is a worthwhile technique for many reasons.

First, let’s take a look at these benefits in a little detail.

What are the benefits of sending a thank you message to customers?

A thank you message might seem like a small gesture, but it can make a big difference. From improving customer experience (the overall perception customers have of interacting with your business) to encouraging loyalty and referrals, here’s why it’s worth the effort.

How do thank you messages improve customer experience?

Thank you messages make customers feel valued and appreciated, improving their overall experience with your brand.

They act as the “cherry on top” of your transaction, turning:

• A standard order into a personal interaction.
• A one-time purchase into a potential long-term relationship.

How do thank you messages increase customer loyalty?

Personalized appreciation can create a stronger emotional connections between customers and your business, increasing loyalty.

A well-written thank you message will:

• Increase the chances of repeat purchases.
• Remind customers your business is run by real people.
• Strengthen brand loyalty.

Can thank you messages help with word-of-mouth marketing?

Yes. Happy customers share their experiences, and a thoughtful thank you can be the spark that gets them talking about your business.

Word-of-mouth marketing (when customers promote your business by sharing their positive experiences with others) is both powerful and cost-effective. Adding a thank you message to your ecommerce experience in some shape or form, will lend a hand in making this possible.

Do thank you messages boost customer engagement?

Absolutely. A reminder of their impact and a small token like a discount can inspire customers to shop with you again.

Engagement opportunities include:

• Encouraging customers to join a loyalty program.
• Inviting feedback.
• Suggesting new product recommendations.

Do thank you messages encourage repeat business?

Yes, just by being there, thank you messages remind customers that their purchase matters.

Including special offers or discounts in your thank you messages can also incentivize customers to make another purchase, directly influencing your business’s bottom line.

A study in 2022 found that even a photocopy of a handwritten note meant that customers spent double on future purchases (and this is without a discount).

So now we know the benefits of sending thank you messages to your customers. Next, let’s take a look at some of the things you should include in them.

What should I include in a small business thank you message to customers?

From personalization to a clear expression of gratitude, these elements help your thank you message feel sincere and impactful.

No matter what kind of thank you message you send to customers (digital or printed), there are some common things you might want to include.

In this section we’ll outline some of the things you might want to include or do within your thank you message.

1. Be personal: Address the customer by name to make the message feel personal and genuine.
2. Express gratitude: Clearly state your thanks and let the customer know how much you appreciate their support.
3. Highlight specifics: If possible, mention specific details about their purchase or interaction with your business
4. Include a personal touch: Share a bit about your business journey or how their support helps, to create a personal connection.
5. (Optional) Offer something extra: Consider including a special offer or discount as a token of your appreciation. You don’t always have to do this though, experiment and see what works.
6. Keep it brief: Your message should be concise yet heartfelt, respecting the customer’s time.
7. Choose the right medium: Whether it’s an email, handwritten note, social media shoutout, or text message, choose a medium that fits your business style and customer preferences. We’ll talk a little more about this later.

With all this in mind, here are a few templates you can use as a basis for your small business thank you message to customers.

Thank you message examples/templates

The following examples should be customized depending on your business means and needs. Not all of these will work for you. But, they will give you some inspiration to put together your own thank you message for customers.

Situation	Example template
Small business specific	“Hey [Name], just a quick note to say a huge thank you for supporting my small business. Your decision to shop with [Your Business Name] really means the world to me. Every purchase, big or small, supports my dream and helps my little business grow. I’m here because of amazing customers like you. Thanks again for being part of my journey and for believing in small businesses.”
Recent purchase	“Hi [Name], we just noticed your recent purchase of [Product/Service] – thank you! It means a lot to us. As a small token of our appreciation, here’s a [discount/coupon code] for your next visit. We can’t wait to serve you again!”
First purchase	“Hey [Name]! Welcome aboard – we’re so happy you found something you love in our store. It means a lot that you chose us. To say thanks, here’s a little treat for your next visit. Can’t wait to see what you pick next!”
Repeat customer	“Hi [Name], it’s you again! We’re thrilled to see you back. Your support is the reason we jump out of bed in the morning. As a small token of our thanks, here’s a discount for your next adventure with us. Cheers to more discoveries together!”
High-value purchase	“Wow, [Name], that’s amazing! Thanks for trusting us with your big purchase. We’re making sure everything is top-notch for you. And because you’re awesome, we’ve got some special perks coming your way. Stay tuned!”
Feedback request	“Hi [Name]! We hope your new [Product] is making your day brighter. We’d love to hear how it’s fitting into your life. And hey, because you’re special to us, here’s something for your next shopping trip. Enjoy!”

So by now you should have a good idea of what you want to include in your small business thank you message to customers. Next, we’ll walk you through some ways to actually send it.

How can I send a small business thank you message to customers?

Depending on the type of products you sell, or the kind of resources you have, there are different ways to send your thank you message.

Method	Pros	Cons	Tools to Use
Order confirmation page	Instant delivery, guaranteed visibility	Less personal	Flux Checkout for WooCommerce
Transactional email	Can be automated, easy to personalize	Risk of being ignored in inbox	WooCommerce email templates, Mailchimp
In-package card	Highly personal, tactile impact	Requires printing & postage	Custom stationery, handwritten notes

In this section, we’ll explore three of them.

How to add a thank you message to your order confirmation page

When running an online store, one of the most immediate ways you can show customer appreciation, is on the order confirmation or order thank you page (the page customers see after completing their purchase, confirming details like payment and shipping).

If your store sells handmade jewellery via WooCommerce, you could display a thank you alongside care tips for silver rings, or if you run a subscription coffee business, you could add brewing guides.

This page on your ecommerce site is usually reserved for confirming delivery, payment, and customer details. But if used well, it can also be a valuable location to thank customers.

If your website uses WordPress and WooCommerce, you can do this with the plugin Flux Checkout for WooCommerce.

How to add a thank you message with Flux Checkout for WooCommerce

Visual learner? Watch the video tutorial here:

Flux Checkout transforms the default WooCommerce checkout page and turns it into a modern, fast, and multi-step checkout that’s completely customizable.

Within this customization, you can go the extra mile and add a custom thank you messages for your customers.

This can be done either by setting one that shows no matter what the customer buys. Or, you can create different thank you messages depending on what products the customer bought, how much they spent, and more.

Even if you decide to send a thank you message within your product packaging, adding one to your thank you page, is worthwhile.

In this location, you can show gratitude to the customer, as well as offer support, ask for feedback, encourage social media following, and so much more.

How do I add a thank you message to order update emails?

Transactional emails (automated messages sent to confirm purchases, updates, or other order-related details) are a prime space for showing appreciation while reinforcing your brand and keeping customers engaged.

Your online store’s transactional emails are a great place to get personal and give a heartfelt thanks to your customers.

Within these emails, you can add text that thanks customers for their purchase, encourages them to purchase new products, and sets them up for future emails from you.

Because email is such a valuable source of marketing for small business owners, using it in this way has a huge impact.

How to add thank you messages to transactional emails

Depending on what tools you use for your online store (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix etc), you should be able to edit your transactional email templates.

Use these to add a simple and straightforward message to cutomers like the examples above. Because these emails are transactional however, customers may decide to ignore them.

In this case, it’s a good idea to set up email automations using services like MailChimp, or MailerLite to send customers post-purchase emails, thanking customers for their purchase.

Here are some tips for doing this well:

• Personalize your message: Use the customer’s name and reference their specific purchase to make the interaction feel unique.
• Be timely and relevant: Send the thank you message promptly and align follow-up messages with the customer journey.
• Keep it simple and sincere: Your message should be straightforward, avoiding overly promotional content.
• Offer value: Provide a discount, free shipping, a small gift, or useful content related to their purchase.
• Encourage further engagement: Invite customers to join your social media or newsletter for exclusive deals.
• Keep the conversation going: Inform them about what to expect next and how to provide feedback, or get customer support.
• Reflect your brand voice (the unique personality and tone a business uses in all communication): Ensure the thank you message matches your brand’s personality.
• Test and optimize: Experiment with different messages and monitor metrics to see what works best.

How do I send a thank you message in product packaging?

A handwritten note or printed card inside the packaging creates a personal, memorable moment customers won’t forget.

This method allows customers to truly connect with you as a small business or individual business owner. You can use this to show appreciation for your customers and due to this connection, you’ll build lasting customer relationships.

For a local bakery offering nationwide delivery, include a thank you card with storage tips for sourdough bread, plus a QR code linking to your Instagram for recipe inspiration.

So here are some tips specifically for packaging thank you messages or thank you cards.

Personalize it

Whenever possible, personalize the message with the customer’s name. Even if you’re printing messages in bulk.

Phrases like “Thank you for supporting our small business, [Your Name Here]!” can make the message feel more personal.

Highlight your appreciation

Clearly express your gratitude. Let customers know how much their purchase means to you.

Phrases like “Your purchase made our day!” or “We’re so grateful for customers like you!” can convey genuine appreciation.

Use quality materials

If budget allows, print your thank-you messages on quality paper or cardstock. This adds a touch of luxury to the unboxing experience and shows that you value quality in every aspect of your business.

Ensure your thank you note includes your logo and uses your brand’s color scheme. This reinforces brand recognition and adds a professional touch. Additional items like stickers, and small freebies are always appreciated as an additional suprise.

If you can, hand-write the note. This takes things one step further and shows you spent time thanking them which will leave a lasting impression.

(Optional) Include a call to action (CTA)

Encourage further engagement by including a gentle CTA (a prompt encouraging the reader to take a specific action, like making another purchase or signing up for your newsletter). This could be an invitation to join your email list, follow your social media profiles, or share their purchase online with a specific hashtag.

You could also use this occassion to include a discount code for their next purchase. This not only expresses gratitude but also encourages repeat business.

Small business thank you message to customers FAQ

Why should I start sending thank you messages to customers?

Small gestures can lead to big results. A thank you message strengthens customer relationships, drives repeat business, and keeps your brand top of mind.

So there we have it, an in-depth guide on sending thank you messages to your small business customers.

As far as a technique goes, it’s a worthwhile one. Thanking customers for their continued support or new purchase can encourage loyalty, referrals, and improve customer experience overall.

To add a thank you message to your checkout process, Flux Checkout for WooCommerce is the way to go. Making thanking customers easy, customizable, and quick.