Abandoned cart messages that bring people back
What to send when someone leaves items in their cart, when to send it, and how email and notifications work together.
Why people leave
Most people who leave a cart weren’t saying no. They were comparing, checking delivery costs, waiting for payday or simply interrupted. A good reminder helps them pick up where they left off — it doesn’t need to shout.
What to put in the message
- The items they left, with pictures and prices — the reminder is the product.
- One button that takes them straight back to their cart, with everything still in it.
- Answers to the questions that stop people: delivery time, returns, payment options.
- Your brand and a human tone. “Your cart is saved” reads better than “YOU FORGOT SOMETHING!!!”.
When to send
A first reminder within a few hours, while they still remember what they were buying. A second the next day, if they still haven’t ordered. After that, let it go.
Hold the discount back. If every abandoned cart gets a code, people learn to leave carts on purpose. Try reminders without a code first.
Email and notifications together
Visitors who allowed notifications on your website, and people with your app, can get a notification within minutes — short and direct. Email reaches signed-in customers and people who typed their email at checkout, with room for the products and your brand. Using both reaches more people without sending the same message twice.
Set it up in Vikalp Omni: Choose a ready-made version of each automatic message · Write app and web notifications that get opened
More from the blog
- A festive email calendar for Indian D2C brands
- Subject lines and preheaders: the two lines that decide the open
- Review request emails: when to ask, and how to get more replies
Questions or ideas for an article? Write to support@vikalpomni.com.