Shopify Abandoned Cart Email: A Complete 2025 Guide

Introduction

Recovering abandoned carts is one of the easiest ways to boost your Shopify sales without spending more on ads. Studies show that nearly 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned, but with effective Shopify abandoned cart email strategies, merchants recover up to 15–30% of lost sales. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up Shopify’s abandoned cart emails, best practices for timing and frequency, and tips to optimize your recovery rates.

What Are Shopify Abandoned Cart Emails?

Shopify abandoned cart emails are automated messages sent to customers who add products to their cart but leave your store without completing the purchase. Shopify’s built-in system automatically sends a single email reminding shoppers to return and complete their order — but there are ways to customize and improve this system for higher recovery.

How to Set Up Shopify Abandoned Cart Emails (Step-by-Step)

To enable Shopify abandoned cart emails:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Go to Settings → Notifications
3. Scroll to Abandoned checkout and ensure notifications are enabled
4. Customize the email template to include your brand’s voice and a clear call-to-action
5. Save changes and test by abandoning a cart yourself

Remember, Shopify only sends this email once per abandoned checkout, so timing and follow-up strategies are crucial.

Why Shopify Abandoned Cart Emails Matter

More than 70% of carts are abandoned. If you’re not using abandoned cart email workflows, you’re leaving money on the table. These emails:

• Remind shoppers of unpurchased items
• Offer incentives like discounts
• Rebuild customer intent to buy

Combined with the right strategy and abandoned cart email template, you can recover up to 30% of abandoned carts

Best Practices for Timing and Frequency

Sending just one abandoned cart email limits your chances of recovery. Experts recommend a sequence of 2 to 3 emails spaced out over 48 hours:

• Email 1: Send within 1 hour of abandonment — a gentle reminder
• Email 2: Send 24 hours later — highlight benefits or offer help
• Email 3: Send 48 hours later — consider a limited-time discount

Testing different intervals and messaging helps you find what resonates best with your audience.

Using Third-Party Apps to Enhance Shopify Abandoned Cart Email Recovery

While Shopify’s native abandoned cart email is a good start, many merchants turn to third-party apps like Omnisend, Klaviyo, and Retainful for advanced features:

• Multiple email sequences and personalization
• SMS and push notification follow-ups
• Segmentation based on customer behavior
• A/B testing and detailed analytics

These apps can significantly increase your recovery rates and help build long-term customer relationships.

Examples of High-Converting Shopify Abandoned Cart Emails

Here are sample email ideas to inspire your sequences:

Email 1 Subject: “Forgot something? Your cart is waiting!”
Body: Friendly reminder with product images and a clear “Complete Your Purchase” button.

Email 2 Subject: “Still thinking it over? We’re here to help.”
Body: Offer support and answer FAQs.

Email 3 Subject: “Last chance! Here’s 10% off your order.”
Body: Include a limited-time discount code and urgency messaging.

SMS & Multi-Channel Follow-Up for Abandoned Carts

Integrating SMS messages and push notifications with your abandoned cart emails can boost recovery even more. Apps like Klaviyo and Omnisend support multi-channel automation, allowing you to reach customers on their preferred platforms and increase conversion chances.

Shopify Native Abandoned Cart Email vs Third-Party Apps

Feature	Shopify Native	Omnisend	Klaviyo	Retainful
Multi-email sequences	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SMS follow-ups	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Segmentation & targeting	Limited	Advanced	Advanced	Moderate
Customization	Basic	Advanced	Advanced	Moderate
Pricing	Free	Paid	Paid	Free/Paid

How to Edit Abandoned Cart Email Shopify

Want to tweak your message? Here’s how to edit abandoned cart email Shopify:

1. From Settings > Notifications, click Abandoned Checkout Email.
2. Click Edit Code.
3. Customize HTML, subject lines, CTA buttons, and product images.

Editing Best Practices:

• Use clear branding (logos, colors)
• Include customer’s name and product(s) left behind
• Test on mobile before publishing

Pro tip: Use personalized subject lines and discount codes in your abandoned cart email template to boost conversions.

Shopify Abandoned Cart Report: What to Track

Use the Shopify abandoned cart report to monitor email performance. Go to:

Analytics > Reports > Behavior > Abandoned Checkouts

Here, you can track:

• Number of abandoned checkouts
• Recovery rate
• Revenue recovered from emails
• Devices and locations of abandonment
• Checkout funnel drop-off points

Analyzing your Shopify abandoned cart report helps you iterate and improve email performance.

Best Practices for Abandoned Cart Email Templates

Whether you’re using Shopify’s native system or a 3rd-party app, a strong abandoned cart email template includes:

• Clear product imagery
• Personalization (customer name, product details)
• Strong CTA (Return to Cart)
• Incentive (10% discount or free shipping)
• Mobile-optimized design

Extra Tips for Better Recovery Rates:

• Use FOMO (e.g., “Items in your cart are going fast!”)
• Limit discount windows (“Only valid for 24 hours!”)
• Include testimonials or reviews
• Add a fallback link to customer support

Use automation tools to A/B test your subject lines and layouts.

Shopify Apps for Abandoned Cart Email Automation

Apps like Klaviyo, Omnisend, Klaviyo, and Retainful offer more advanced customization than Shopify’s native features:

• Segmentation by customer behavior
• Advanced abandoned cart email template libraries
• Detailed Shopify abandoned cart report dashboards
• SMS + email workflows

Why Use a 3rd-Party App?

• Shopify’s built-in tool is simple but limited.
• Apps provide multi-email sequences and better reporting.
• Drag-and-drop editors make it easier to build engaging designs.

Avoid These Common Abandoned Cart Email Mistakes

• Sending too late: Wait too long and they’ll forget.
• Overwhelming content: Keep it simple and clear.
• No CTA: Always include a strong call to action.
• Missing mobile optimization: Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile.
• No personalization: Generic emails get ignored.

Sample Abandoned Cart Email Template

Subject: “Your cart misses you — here’s 10% to come back!”

Body:

Hi [Customer Name],

You left some great items behind:

[Product Image + Name + Price]

Get 10% off if you complete your order in the next 24 hours!

[Return to Cart Button]

Need help? Reach us anytime.

Happy shopping,
[Your Store Name]

FAQs

Q1: How often should I send abandoned cart emails?

A: Start with one email after 1 hour, a follow-up at 12 hours, and a final reminder after 24 hours.

Q2: Can I customize the abandoned cart email template?

A: Yes, via the Shopify admin or using 3rd-party tools like Klaviyo.

Q3: Where can I find the Shopify abandoned cart report?

A: Go to Analytics > Reports > Behavior > Abandoned Checkouts.

Q4: How to send abandoned cart emails Shopify using apps?

A: Install an app like Klaviyo, connect your store, and set up email flows.

Q5: What’s the best subject line for abandoned cart email?

A: Use urgency + personalization, e.g., “Oops, you forgot something, Sarah!”

Conclusion:

Using Shopify abandoned cart email tools is a must in 2025. Set up your emails, analyze the Shopify abandoned cart report, and tweak your abandoned cart email template regularly. Learn how to edit abandoned cart email Shopify for better results and automate workflows to send the right message at the right time.

Setting up effective Shopify abandoned cart email campaigns is crucial to recovering lost sales and boosting revenue. Combine native Shopify tools with third-party apps, personalize your messaging, and test timing to maximize results.

Ready to supercharge your cart recovery? Explore KlinKode’s marketing apps and services designed to help Shopify merchants grow. Contact us today.