The Dos and Don'ts of Abandoned Cart Emails

Written by: Roneesha Ocloo

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Time to read 5 min

Abandoned cart emails can be a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses to recover lost sales. However, not all abandoned cart emails are created equal. To create effective messages that encourage customers to complete their purchase, it's important to follow some dos and don'ts.

Do: Personalize Your Abandoned Cart Emails

Personalized Emails
Image from Lucidchart​​

Personalization is key when it comes to abandoned cart emails. Use the customer's name and reference the specific items they left in their cart. You can also include personalized product recommendations based on their browsing and purchase history. This shows the customer that you value their business and are paying attention to their needs and preferences.


To make your abandoned cart emails effective, personalization is key. Customers want to feel like they are valued and not just another number in a database. Use their name in the subject line and throughout the abandoned cart emails to show that you're addressing them directly. Additionally, consider using information about their previous purchases or browsing history to suggest related products that they may be interested in. By personalizing your abandoned cart emails, you can increase the likelihood that the customer will complete their purchase and even potentially make additional purchases in the future. 

Now, let's talk about another important aspect of crafting abandoned cart emails: the subject line.,


Don't: Send Generic or Cliché Subject Lines

email subject lines
Image from Envato Elements ​​

When it comes to crafting abandoned cart emails, the subject line can make all the difference. Sending generic or cliché subject lines can cause customers to quickly delete the email without even opening it. To avoid this, make sure to personalize the subject line with the customer's name and use language that captures their attention. Consider adding a question or a sense of urgency to entice them to open the abandoned cart emails.

Now that you know what not to do, let's dive into what you should do: create a sense of urgency.,


Don't: Be too pushy or aggressive.

buy or else dont aggressive marketing
Image from ​​www.adpipe.com

While it's important to remind customers about their abandoned cart, being too pushy or aggressive can turn them off and lead to them unsubscribing from your emails. Avoid using language that makes them feel guilty or pressured to make a purchase. Instead, focus on the benefits of completing their purchase and offer helpful solutions to any potential issues they may have had during the checkout process.

Do: Offer an incentive or discount.

abandoned cart emails special discount

One effective way to encourage customers to complete their purchase is to offer an incentive or discount in your abandoned cart emails. This could be a percentage off their total purchase, free shipping, or a free gift with purchase. Make sure the incentive is relevant to the customer and their purchase, and clearly communicate the details and expiration date. This can not only increase the likelihood of them completing their purchase, but also encourage repeat business in the future.

Don't: Overwhelm the customer with too much information.

abandoned cart emails too much infomation

When crafting your abandoned cart emails, it’s important to strike a balance between providing enough information to encourage the customer to complete their purchase, without overwhelming them with too much information. Keep your message concise and to the point, highlighting the benefits of completing their purchase and any incentives you are offering. Avoid including too many links or calls to action, as this can be confusing and distract from the main message.

Do: Include a clear call-to-action.

abandoned cart emails call to action

One of the most important elements of  abandoned cart emails is a clear call-to-action. Make it easy for the customer to complete their purchase by including a prominent button or link that takes them directly to their cart. Use action-oriented language, such as “Complete your purchase now” or “Claim your items before they’re gone.” Avoid using generic phrases like “Click here” or “Learn more,” as they don’t provide a clear direction for the customer.

Don't: Include Too Many Call-to-Actions

However, it's important to remember that too many calls-to-action in your abandoned cart emails can actually have the opposite effect of what you intended. Bombarding your customers with numerous buttons and links may cause confusion and decision paralysis, ultimately leading them to abandon their shopping altogether. Instead, focus on one clear and prominent call-to-action that stands out and makes it easy for the customer to complete their purchase. 

To further optimize your abandoned cart emails, make sure to regularly test and experiment with different elements such as subject lines, email copy, and CTA placement. This will help you understand what resonates with your audience and improve your email open and conversion rates.,


Don't: Give Up After One Attempt

Even the most persuasive abandoned cart emails can get lost in a cluttered inbox or overlooked by a busy shopper. That's why one of the biggest "don'ts" in crafting these emails is to give up after just one attempt. In fact, multiple well-timed follow-up emails can often be the key to converting a hesitant shopper into a satisfied customer.

Sending a series of abandoned cart emails not only increases your chances of capturing a shopper's attention, but it also allows you to test different messaging and offers. For example, your first abandoned cart email may simply remind the shopper of the items left in their cart, while the second email could offer a limited-time discount or free shipping to incentivize them to complete their purchase.

Of course, there's a fine line between persistence and annoyance. You don't want to flood a shopper's inbox with constant reminders, so it's important to space out your follow-up emails strategically and avoid repetitive messaging.

By testing different approaches and following up with shoppers who have abandoned their carts, you can increase your chances of recovering lost sales and building a loyal customer base. So don't give up on those abandoned carts after just one try – a little persistence (done tastefully, of course) can go a long way.,

Crafting effective abandoned cart emails is no easy feat, but by following the dos and avoiding the don'ts outlined in this article, you can increase the likelihood of converting lost sales. Personalization, urgency, and testing are key elements to keep in mind, while generic subject lines and too many calls-to-action should be avoided. Remember, don't give up after one attempt and constantly strive to optimize your emails for the best results. As you put these tips into practice, keep in mind the potential revenue gains waiting for you and your business. As the saying goes, "the money is in the follow-up."


Conclusion

By implementing these dos and avoiding these don'ts, you can create abandoned cart emails that are both effective and compelling. Remember to constantly test and optimize your abandoned cart emails to ensure you're getting the best results possible. With a little effort, you can turn abandoned carts into completed purchases and increase your revenue.

What Are Abandoned Cart Emails and How Do They Work?

Answer: Abandoned cart emails are automated messages that are sent to customers who have added items to their online shopping cart but have not completed the purchase. These emails are designed to remind customers of the items they left behind and encourage them to complete the purchase. They often include a discount or other incentive to entice the customer to return to the website and complete the transaction.