Your customer is soooo close. They selected their cart items, clicked on checkout, and then… *poof!* They ghosted. What happened? It’s time to bring them back—with a message so good, they might add pudding to the order too.
TLDR: A great abandoned cart message brings your customer back with a smile. Make it personal, fun, and a little too tempting to ignore. Sweeten the deal—literally. With humor, urgency, and a delicious add-on, you’ll turn almost-buys into over-the-top checkouts.
Why Most Cart Messages Miss the Mark
Let’s be honest: Most abandoned cart messages read like they were written by robots. Boring. Bland. Easy to ignore.
Here’s what we usually see:
- “Looks like you left something in your cart.”
- “Don’t forget about your goodies!”
- “Complete your order before it’s gone!”
They’re not wrong. But they’re not exciting either. And if your message doesn’t *delight* your customer, forget dessert—they might not even buy the main course.
What Makes a Message Truly Delicious?
You don’t need poetry. You don’t need gimmicks. But you do need:
- Personality
- Temptation
- Urgency
- Value
Let’s break it down.
1. Add Some Sass and Flavor
People aren’t clicking away because they hate you. They’re distracted. They forgot. Or they weren’t quite convinced.
Your job? Win them back like a charming cupcake salesman.
Try something fun like this:
Hey [First Name],
We saw you peeking at the [Product Name] and suddenly disappear. Did something shiny distract you? We get it. But here’s your chance to claim it before it vanishes forever (just like your last diet).🍰
See how that sounds *human*? Maybe even *funny*? It builds a connection—and that’s what sells.
2. Tempt With a Little Treat
Here’s a little-known trick: sweeten the message—literally. If your product or brand has anything tasty, tease it.
Example:
Still hungry? How about this—complete your order in the next 2 hours, and we’ll throw in a free chocolate chip cookie. Just because we like you.
If your business doesn’t sell food, no worries. “Dessert” can be anything extra.
Could be:
- Bonus content
- Free add-on
- Free shipping
- Exclusive sample
Use whatever gives the message a little sparkle!
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3. Build Urgency Without Being Pushy
People act when they feel they might miss out. Use this. But don’t overdo it. No fake countdowns or all-caps panic attacks.
Try phrases like:
- “Only a few left…”
- “Your cart will expire in 12 hours.”
- “The Sweet Treat Bonus ends at midnight!”
Mix excitement with FOMO. That’s how you move people to *take action—right now*.
4. Remind Them of the Good Stuff
Why did they add the items in the first place?
Your message should remind them what they loved. Reignite that “ooh I love this” feeling.
Here’s an example:
Your cart is still holding onto that cozy hoodie you liked—the one softer than a marshmallow. You were this close to making winter wear less awful. Wanna finish what we started?
It’s relatable. It’s specific. It rekindles emotion. That’s the secret sauce.
Putting It All Together: The Ultimate Abandoned Cart Message
Here’s a plug-and-play version you could test right away:
Subject: Jeff, your cart is sulking without you 😢
Body:
Hey there! You were sooo close to checkout, and then… silence. Your cart still has your stuff. And honestly, it’s starting to feel rejected.Here’s what you left behind:
– 1x Strawberry Dream Smoothie
– 1x Reusable Travel Tumbler🧁Complete your order in the next 2 hours and we’ll throw in a surprise dessert sample—our treat. Because we believe every order deserves a little sugar on top.
But don’t wait—this sweetness melts at midnight!
[Complete My Order]
Cute. Real. Irresistibly clickworthy.
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Bonus Tips to Increase Conversions
Want to win even more customers back from the abyss? Use these quick bonus moves:
- Time your email: Send the first reminder within 1 hour of cart abandonment. Send 1–2 follow-ups spaced out sensibly.
- Segment by product or customer type: Craft different messages for returning vs. new customers, or for product categories.
- Use their name: Always personalize. “Hey Sam” sounds better than just “Hello.”
- Make the CTA stand out: Use a large, clickable button that clearly says what to do—like “Get My Stuff” or “Claim My Dessert.”
And if they still don’t buy? At least they’ll smile at your message. And that might just earn you a future fan.
In Summary: Make It Sticky, Sweet, and Memorable
The best abandoned cart message isn’t just a reminder. It’s a last little nudge. A friendly wink. A dessert menu passed under the table.
To recap, here’s what your message needs:
- A splash of charm
- A tempting bonus (dessert, metaphorical or real)
- A hint of urgency
- A reminder of why they loved the product
Put these together and voila—you’ve got a message they can’t resist clicking.
And who knows? Maybe your next abandonment email won’t just recover a sale… it’ll sell a slice of pie, too.