The average ecommerce store loses over 60% of potential sales to cart abandonment. But with the right email flows, you can recover a significant chunk of those lost conversions.

Here’s how to build abandoned cart flows that actually work.

‍

1. Send the First Email Fast

The first reminder should go out within 1 to 2 hours. This is when the user is still in "shopping mode."

Keep it short and friendly: "Looks like you left something behind. Ready to check out?"

Include a photo of the item and a direct link back to their cart.

‍

2. Use the Second Email to Add Value

If they didn’t buy after the first email, follow up a day later with:

• Product benefits
• Customer testimonials
• FAQs or guarantees

This email should address friction. If price is the main hurdle, offer a timed discount in email #3, not here.

‍

3. Add Social Proof or Scarcity in Email #3

By the third email (sent 48–72 hours later), use gentle urgency:

• "Items in your cart are running low."
• "Still thinking it over? Here's why our customers love it."

Make it feel helpful, not pushy.

‍

4. Personalize With Name, Product, and Behavior

Dynamic fields let you insert first name, cart contents, or location. Mentioning the product by name and showing the image again reinforces recall.

Advanced platforms like Klaviyo or Postscript can also trigger flows based on:

• Products viewed
• Time on site
• Cart value

‍

5. Test and Optimize

Your subject line matters more than anything. A/B test:

• Personalization ("Emma, your cart is waiting")
• Curiosity ("Still thinking it over?")
• Urgency ("Last chance before it sells out")

Track recovery rate and tweak frequency and timing accordingly.

‍

--

‍

The beauty of email flows is that they can help you improve conversions on autopilot.

So, take a few minutes to set-up yours and ensure you are maximizing every customer touchpoint.

‍