Abandoned cart emails are one of the best ways to increase sales without having to get new customers through the door. If you’re running an eCommerce store and noticing that potential buyers often leave items in their carts, you’re not alone—on average, over 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned! In this guide, we’ll show you how to write an abandoned cart email that actually works in 2024, turning those lost opportunities into conversions.
Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refresh your email strategy, we’ll break down what makes abandoned cart emails effective and actionable tips to boost your conversion rates on platforms like Shopify.
An abandoned cart email is a message sent to remind customers of the items they left behind in their shopping cart. It’s a friendly nudge to bring them back to complete their purchase. If a customer enters their email during checkout but doesn’t buy, an abandoned cart email will send them a gentle reminder of what they almost bought.
Abandoned cart emails are proven to be highly effective. We have seen that around 46.1% of abandoned cart emails are opened, 13.3% get clicks, and 35.3% of those clicks lead to sales.
Abandoned cart emails allow eCommerce businesses to re-engage customers and give them a reason to return. Maybe they got distracted, had second thoughts, or balked at shipping costs. With abandoned cart emails, you’re keeping your brand in their inbox and subtly encouraging them to complete their order.
Some benefits of sending abandoned cart emails:
• Boosts Sales: Recovery emails are a proven way to recapture lost revenue.
• Engages Customers: Reminds customers of your products and keeps them thinking about your brand.
• Builds Brand Trust: Personalized and helpful emails give a more positive customer experience.
Let’s dive into the steps of crafting an abandoned cart email that actually works in 2024.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step approach to writing abandoned cart emails that convert.
The subject line is the first thing your customer sees, so make it count! Try catchy, conversational lines that sound friendly, urgent, or even humorous.
Examples:
• “Did you forget something?”
• “Oops! Your cart misses you.”
• “Only a few hours left to save your items!”
Short, punchy subject lines increase open rates, and using urgency can encourage customers to click through and check their cart.
Here is an example from Dollar Shave Club:
Subject line: Where did you go?
Email from Really Good Emails
Here is an another example from Moment:
Subject line: Leave something behind?
Link: Really Good Emails
A single email is a start, but sending a series is even more effective. A typical abandoned cart email sequence includes three emails:
1. First Email – Send within an hour to quickly remind them of their items.
2. Second Email – Follow up within 24 hours, adding some urgency (like “limited-time offer”).
3. Third Email – Sent after 48 hours with a final push, sometimes including a small incentive like free shipping or a discount.
The goal is to remind, create urgency, and finally, provide a little nudge without overwhelming the customer.
A great way to catch their attention is by showing the exact items they left behind. Include images, product details, and even color or size information. If possible, make sure the email content feels personal to them.
Example Text:
“Hey [Customer Name], we noticed you left these items behind!”
Then display the images and names of the products left in their cart.
Here is an example from Rudy's:
Subject line: Don’t let free shipping go to waste
Link: Really Good Emails
Your call-to-action (CTA) is essential. It’s where you encourage customers to finish their purchase. CTAs should be clear, bold, and easy to click.
Examples:
• “Return to Cart”
• “Complete Your Purchase”
• “Shop Now to Save Your Items”
Use bright buttons, and make sure it’s obvious what action you want them to take.
Customers sometimes abandon carts because they have questions or technical issues. Consider adding a support email address, an FAQ section or a quick note offering help.
Example Text:
“Need any help? Just reply to this email or contact us at [support@yourcompany.com]!”
Letting customers know that items might not be available forever can push them toward buying. Try adding a sense of urgency, like “Only a few hours left to claim your cart!” or “Limited stock available.”
Adding reviews or ratings to your abandoned cart emails builds credibility and reassures customers that others love the product. You can add a section with testimonials, star ratings, or even an endorsement from an influencer.
Here is an example from Adidas:
Link: Really Good Emails
Keep your message simple and to the point. Too much text can overwhelm readers, while concise emails with well-placed CTAs lead to higher conversions.
Here is an example from Moment:
Subject line: We saved your bag!
Link: Really Good Emails
In 2024, writing an effective abandoned cart email is all about being thoughtful, helpful, and personal. By focusing on clear CTAs, timing, personalization, and social proof, you can turn abandoned carts into completed sales. If you’re running a Shopify store, consider using automated sequences to handle abandoned cart emails easily, and look into conversion optimization for long-term sales growth.
Don’t forget that a simple reminder can make all the difference in securing those extra sales! Get started on your abandoned cart strategy, and watch your eCommerce sales rise in 2024!
If you still having second thoughts or just want to ask another question, don't hesitate and reach out to us. We are really quick at responding. One of our team members will get back to you within 24 hours!
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Abandoned cart emails are highly effective because they remind customers of their intended purchase. Studies show that approximately 46.1% of abandoned cart emails are opened, 13.3% get clicked, and 35.3% of those clicks lead to a completed sale. These emails help recapture lost revenue, keep customers engaged, and enhance brand loyalty.
An abandoned cart email is a follow-up message sent to customers who leave items in their online shopping cart without completing the purchase. This email serves as a friendly reminder to encourage them to return and finish the checkout process. By including personalized content, these emails increase the chances of recovering the sale.
A typical sequence includes three emails: 1. First Email: Sent within an hour to remind them of their items. 2. Second Email: Sent within 24 hours to create urgency (e.g., mentioning limited-time offers). 3. Third Email: Sent after 48 hours as a final reminder, possibly with a small incentive like a discount or free shipping. Sending multiple emails gives customers several opportunities to return to their cart without overwhelming them.
Personalize by addressing the customer by name and displaying the specific items they left behind. Include images, details like color and size, and even recommend complementary products. Personalized emails feel more relevant and increase the likelihood of a sale.
