Every eCommerce marketer is terrified of the cart that is abandoned. Customers browse your website adds the items to their carts but then vanishes. But don’t worry. There’s a way you can return them. The good news is that it does not require magical powers. It’s just a timely and well-written abandon cart message.
In this article we’ll show you how to recover the lost revenue by using abandoned cart email examples that actually perform. We’ll go over the most effective templates, strategies based on psychology using AI-driven tools, as well as real-world strategies that are directly to your client.
What Is an Abandoned Cart Email?
A abandon cart message is a message that’s automated that is sent to customers who have added things to the cart, but haven’t completed the purchase. It acts as an empathetic reminder, and sometimes even a convincing nudge to finish your checkout.
Based on Moosend (2024) an analysis of abandon cart email messages have an open-rate of 45 percent and an average percentage of conversion that is 10 percent and make them among the most successful types of marketing via email.
Why Do Shoppers Abandon Their Carts?
Before we discuss templates, let’s look at the reasons behind them. The most frequent reasons why people don’t use things in their carts:
| Reason | % of Shoppers (Baymard Institute, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Shipping costs that are not expected | 48% |
| Just surfing | 41% |
| A complex checkout process | 27% |
| Concerns regarding security of payment | 17% |
| There is no guest checkout option | 24% |
Understanding these factors allows us to craft emails that beat the objections–and turn them into customers.
The Perfect Abandoned Cart Email Formula
Imagine your email marketing as an engaging short story that convinces. Here’s a tried and true 5-step process:
- Subject Line Attention (with the sense of urgency or curiosity)
- Reminder Note that you have to acknowledge that the cart is not full
- Graphics of the Product show what they have left behind
- CTA One easy click (“Return To Your Cart”)
- Incentive (optional): Offer discounts or free shipping, or social evidence
3 High-Converting Abandoned Cart Email Examples
1. The Friendly Reminder
Subject Line: “Oops, did something go wrong?”
Body:
We’ve noticed you missed a few items. But don’t worry, they’re in waiting to be found!
[Product Image]
Simply click here and complete the checkout. You’re just a step of making it yours.
CTA: Return to Cart
The reason it works It’s friendly, there’s no pressure. It’s a gentle nudge, not an actual push.
2. The Urgency Play
Subject Line: “Items in your cart are selling fast!”
Body:
Certain of your choices are in the process of being sold out.
If you’re interested in them, now’s the best time!
[Product Image]
Make sure you act quickly before anyone else goes to check out.
CTA: Get It Before It’s Gone
What is the reason it does what it does Scarcity causes FOMO (Fear of Not Being able to Get It).
3. The Incentive Offer
Subject Line: “Still thinking it over? Here’s 10% off”
Body:
We’d love to welcome you again. Here’s something to make the experience more enjoyable.
- 10% off on your purchase
- Free shipping for orders of $50 or more.
Enter code: COMEBACK10
CTA: Apply Discount and Checkout
What makes it work A little push (or discount) can seal the bargain.
Timing Is Everything: When to Send Abandoned Cart Emails
A single email? Too little. Ten emails? Annoying.
The ideal scenario is a sequence of 3 emails:
| Timing | Goal | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 hour following the time of abandonment | Gentle reminder |
| 2 | 24 hours later | Create urgency or a motivator |
| 3 | 72 hours after that | Final nudge FOMO |
How AI Is Transforming Abandoned Cart Emails
AI-powered tools for marketing via email like Klaviyo, Mailmodo as well as Omnisend change the way that brands deal with abandoned carts in 2025. Here’s how:
- The ability to predict personalize content: AI analyzes behavior to personalize content (e.g. customized products or subject lines).
- Optimized send time Emails are delivered exactly at the time that a user is likely to be opening them.
- A/B testing at scale: AI can test and improve email templates quicker than any other marketer.
- Dynamic blocks of content that update in real-time depending on the stock or price.
This means less emails are unnoticed–and more carts are converted into conversions.
Quick Checklist for Your Abandoned Cart Email Campaign
- Use attention-grabbing subject lines
- Personalize your own with first names and product information
- Show pictures of abandoned products
- Include one powerful CTA
- Offer incentives (only when it is necessary)
- Contact within one hour Then follow up
- Optimize and test with analytics
- Make sure that your design is mobile-first (50 plus users access email on their phones)
Platform-Specific Tips
Shopify
Utilize Shopify’s built-in abandoned cart automation or integrate Klaviyo to create more advanced workflows based on AI-powered insights.
WooCommerce
Plugins such as AutomateWoo and CartBounty are able to track and notify users of abandoning carts – even if they did not log in.
Magento
Pair Magento and Dotdigital or Adobe Campaign for deep segmentation and targeting.
FAQ: Voice Search & Snippet-Optimized
What is an abandoned cart email?
It’s a message that is sent automatically to those who add items to their shopping cart, but do not finish their purchase by reminding them to complete the purchase.
How efficient are abandoned cart emails?
Very! Open rates are about 45 percent, and conversion rates of up to 10 percent (Moosend 2024).
How many emails from abandoned carts must I forward?
Ideally, it should be a three-part sequence: one within an hour, another at the end of 24 hours, then a final nudge at the end of 72 hours.
What information should I put in the email of an abandoned cart?
Add in the product(s) left behind, a clearly stated CTA or discount, and a personalized tone.
Could AI aid in improving the quality of abandoned cart emails?
Indeed, AI tools personalize content and optimize the time to send it and boost performance with continuous testing and analysis.
