21 min read

Abandoned Cart Recovery: 13 Strategies to Win Back Customers

If you are running an online store, you're likely familiar with the frustration of abandoned shopping carts. Customers browse your products and add items to their carts, but for some reason, they leave without completing the purchase.

It's a common occurrence in the e-commerce world, but fortunately, there are solutions for abandoned cart recovery. In this blog post, we'll delve into the abandoned cart recovery strategies for recovering these lost sales and uncover the reasons behind their abandonment.

Let's unlock the potential of abandoned cart recovery and learn how to boost your revenue, increase conversions, and build lasting customer relationships together!

Understanding Cart Abandonment

miniature shopping cart on a laptop keyboard

In order to effectively tackle abandoned cart recovery, it's crucial first to understand what abandoned carts are and why they happen.

Imagine this, a customer visits your online store, adds items to their shopping cart, but for some reason, leaves your website without completing the purchase. This phenomenon is known as cart abandonment.

Abandoned carts are a common occurrence in the world of e-commerce.

According to Baymard Institute's statistics, the average cart abandonment rate in 2023 is 69.99%.

This means that seven of every ten customers who add items to their carts leave without making a purchase. As an online retailer, this can be a struggle for you, but it also presents a valuable opportunity to recover potentially lost revenue.

Why do Shoppers Leave Their Carts?

There are various reasons why customers abandon their shopping carts.

Some common factors include:

  • Unexpected shipping costs
  • Concerns about refund and return policy
  • Complex checkout processes
  • Concerns about payment security
  • Getting distracted and forgetting to complete the purchase

By understanding these reasons, you can implement targeted strategies to address them and increase the chances of cart recovery.

To successfully recover abandoned carts, it's important to empathize with your customers and offer solutions to the issues they may face.

💡 Simplifying the checkout process, providing clear and transparent information about shipping costs, offering guest checkout options, and ensuring a seamless and secure payment experience can all contribute to reducing cart abandonment rates.

By gaining a deeper understanding of abandoned carts and the reasons behind them, you'll be better equipped to develop effective strategies for recovering those lost sales.

13 Strategies to Reduce Cart Abandonment Rate

We've compiled a list of the 13 finest abandoned cart recovery strategies, along with some examples. By discovering these tips for abandoned cart recovery, you can pick suitable ones and apply them to your own business to reduce cart abandonment rate.

1. Use Exit-intent Triggered Popups

You can use exit-intent triggered popups to reduce your cart abandonment rate. By displaying popups just as your visitors intend to leave, you can grab their attention and win them back.

Thanks to these popups, you can give your visitors one final chance to return and complete their purchase.

alt= "exit-intent-triggered-popup-example that says Oops! It looks like you are letting go of a limited-stock shoe with a shoe photo"

(You can clone this popup by clicking on the image to create exit-intent popup with Popupsmart.)

Use exit-intent triggering and take advantage of your last chance to win with a popup like in this example. Provide special offers or emphasize limited-time stocks to encourage your visitors not to leave empty-handed.

As a result, exit-intent popups can help you reclaim abandoned carts and increase your sales.

See "55 Exit Intent Popup Examples to Increase Conversions" for more exit-intent popup examples.

2. Create a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is a powerful strategy for recovering abandoned carts. You can drive clients to respond swiftly by highlighting time sensitivity.

Displaying popup campaigns that emphasize the limited-time offers or limited stock can be useful in encouraging your potential customers.

alt="sense of urgency popup example that says now or never with a countdown timer"

(You may clone this popup by clicking on the image & use the popup.)

You can add a popup like this one to reduce your cart abandonment rate. Including a countdown timer element in your popup can be useful in increasing the sense of urgency.

Also, you can create an email campaign that highlights limited-time deals or product scarcity.

To motivate immediate action, use engaging language and time-sensitive incentives. That way, you can boost conversions and revenue.

3. Provide Free Shipping

Offering free shipping is a highly effective strategy for abandoned cart recovery.

Shipping costs are among the most common reasons for abandoned carts. By removing the cost of shipping, you remove a typical barrier to purchase and encourage customers to complete their transactions.

Highlight this advantage through emails or popups on your website, highlighting the perks and value it provides.

By offering free delivery, you can boost the likelihood of recovering abandoned carts and increase consumer loyalty.

For example, you can use a popup on your website to announce your free shipping offer. By including clear CTA buttons and attractive product images, you can quickly grab your audience's attention and lead them to purchase your products.

MOO’s free shipping email example that says “free shipping on all the things”

Apart from these, you can also provide free shipping coupons or offers for a limited time by sending emails like this one to create buzz around your products.

The brand MOO sends this email that says "FREE SHIPPING on all the things" to its customers to announce their special offer for a limited time to reduce cart abandonment.

4. Offer a Discount & Incentive

Offering a discount and incentive is a solid strategy for recovering abandoned carts. By providing an appealing offer, you can motivate your customers to complete their purchases.

When customers abandon their carts, they often hesitate due to various reasons such as price concerns or comparison shopping. By offering a discount or incentive, you address these concerns and provide an extra push for them to finalize their transaction.

You can display an attractive popup campaign on your website to offer a discount to your visitors.

United Sodas of America’s discount code email example that displays the special discount offer

Also, sending an email like this one can be a powerful tool for offering discounts or incentives. United Sodas of America's discount code email is a simple yet effective example. The email ends with the CTA button that says "Cheers," which has a witty and encouraging tone.

Create a polite and engaging message that reminds clients of the products they left behind while emphasizing the special offer that awaits them.

You can provide special offers to first-time customers, like in the example above, or send everyone who abandons their cart without making a purchase.

Make the offer time-limited to create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to act quickly.

5. Provide Product Bundle

Offering a product bundle can be another effective way to recover abandoned carts. You simplify the decision-making process and add value to the customer's buying experience by offering a curated group of relevant items at a discounted price.

Create a genuine statement stressing the bundle's benefits and savings. Make your conversation more personal and establish a sense of urgency. This method improves cart recovery, promotes upselling, and raises average order value.

popup example to provide product bundle that says ready to glow

(You can clone this popup by clicking on the image, customize it & start using it to provide product bundle.)

You can display a popup campaign like this one to announce your budget-friendly product bundle offers. Use attention-grabbing headlines, and include a clear image of your product bundle to encourage your audience.

You can offer discounts on your product bundle to spice things up as well.

See "11 Product Bundling Examples That Will Get You More Sales" to get more inspiration on providing product bundles.

6. Display Trust Badges

You can show trust badges to recover abandoned carts and build trust. You can enhance credibility and comfort clients by displaying security certifications, payment logos, and customer ratings.

Create a nice message emphasizing the value and benefits of trust badges. To improve visibility, place them strategically on your website. This method improves the reputation of your company and develops consumer loyalty.

Displaying trust badges can be useful to encourage visitors to take action. If you have, using famous people's reviews or experts' reviews can be helpful in building trust.

Knockaround’s trust badge example

For example, the brand Knockaround displays these trust badges on its product pages. The brand states offers like free shipping, free returns, and 100% happiness guaranteed to build trust among its audience.

See "How to Use E-commerce Trust Badges? 6 Practical Tips" for further information on using trust badges.

7. Include Call-Back Forms

Including call-back forms is another great way to recover abandoned carts. Customers can request a call from your team to answer any problems or queries.

You can display call-back form popups prominently on your website and underline the advantages of dealing with an experienced representative.

By doing that, you can provide personalized support for your customers' questions and needs.

alt="call-back form popup example that says looking for a specific product"

(You can clone this popup by clicking on the image & use it for your call-back form popups!)

For example, adding a form popup like this one can be useful. It says "Looking for a specific product?" which can be an engaging headline to address your customers' needs and interests.

By stating that you can help them find what they are looking for, you can form better relationships with your potential customers.

Try to keep your call-back forms short and sweet, and include necessary fields for form inputs. That way, people can easily fill out your call-back forms and request support for their questions.

8. Send Personalized Follow-Up Emails

One of the most effective tactics for abandoned cart recovery is to send targeted and timely follow-up emails. When customers abandon their carts, it's essential to follow up with timely and engaging emails.

Adidas’ follow-up email example for-cart-abandonment that says “IS YOUR WI-FI OKAY?”

Adidas' follow-up email is a brilliant example of a witty and engaging email for abandoned cart recovery. The email starts with the headline "IS YOUR WI-FI OKAY?" which is great to imply that customers might not be kept on shopping because of their Wi-Fi!

That might not be the reason for the abandoned cart, but starting the follow-up email with this phrase is a great example of a sincere and encouraging copy.

Create attention-grabbing subject lines and provide a pleasant reminder about the things left in the cart. In order to encourage customers back to your website, emphasize the benefits and value of completing the purchase, and consider offering a time-limited discount or incentive.

Include a clear call-to-action prompting them to revisit their cart and complete the purchase.

💡 Pay attention to avoid overwhelming your customers with your follow-up emails. There are better ways to encourage them than bombarding them with emails to finish up their order.

Instead, send them sincere and friendly emails that remind them to complete their purchase with offers they can't resist.

9. Implement Guest Checkout Options

Not everyone might want to sign up for your website to purchase products. That's why adding a guest checkout option can be a clever and quick way to recover abandoned carts.

By doing this, you remove barriers and save customers' time by providing a hassle-free and simplified experience. Create a welcoming message stressing the ease and security of guest checkout.

To speed up the process, make the details of the guest checkout option visible and easy to understand.

Nordstorm’s guest checkout option example

For example, Nordstrom offers a guest checkout option on the checkout page. The brand also states the payment option they have to inform their guest customers.

This method can boost cart recovery and customer happiness. Begin introducing guest checkout alternatives immediately in order to recover abandoned carts and improve the checkout experience.

10. Offer Multiple Payment Options

Offering multiple payment options is an effective strategy for recovering abandoned carts. You remove obstacles to purchase by giving flexibility and responding to various preferences.

State the payment options you offer to your customers on your checkout page to inform them. You can include this information on your product pages as well.

H&M’s multiple payment options example

For instance, H&M displays different payment options they have on the checkout page to inform their customers.

Also, showing a popup with a security indicator of your payment options can be useful to state that you offer secure payment options.

Make the options visible and add as many options as you can not lose your customers. That way, people preferring different payment options can easily make a purchase on your website.

As a result, this method can boost cart recovery and customer satisfaction.

11. Create a Solid Refund and Return Policy

Creating a solid refund and return policy is a crucial strategy for recovering abandoned carts. When customers abandon their carts, uncertainty about returns or refunds can be a contributing factor.

By creating a policy that is clear, fair, transparent, and easy to understand, you remove hesitation and provide peace of mind.

Write a sincere and friendly message that highlights the simplicity of your refund and return policy. Emphasize aspects such as hassle-free returns, free return shipping, and a generous time frame for refunds.

Farfetch’s return and refund policy page example

Display your policy prominently on your website, particularly on the product pages, cart, and checkout pages. Ensure it is easy to find and clearly communicated, using concise language and bullet points for clarity.

By creating a solid refund and return policy, you not only increase the chances of recovering abandoned carts but also build trust and customer loyalty. Customers feel more confident making a purchase, knowing they have the option to return if the product doesn't meet their expectations.

12. Offer Money Back Guarantee

gold colored coins near calculator

When customers abandon their carts, doubts about product quality or satisfaction can hold them back. By offering a money-back guarantee, you remove the risk and give customers peace of mind knowing they can request a refund if they are not completely satisfied.

Providing this assurance relieves customer concerns and can influence their purchase decision.

💡 Write a sincere and friendly message that highlights the benefits of your money-back guarantee. Emphasize the no-risk nature of the purchase, assuring customers that their satisfaction is your top priority.

A customer-friendly tone and clearly stating the rules of the money-back guarantee can be helpful.

You can display the money-back guarantee prominently on your website, particularly on product, cart, and checkout pages. Use precise language and appealing visuals to communicate the guarantee effectively.

As a result, you can increase the chances of recovering abandoned carts and building trust and customer loyalty. Customers are more likely to complete their purchase knowing they have the option for a refund if the product doesn't meet their expectations.

13. Include Retargeting Ads

Retargeting ads on platforms like Google Ads or social media platforms can effectively reach customers who have abandoned their carts. Show customized ads featuring the products left behind, enticing customers to return and complete their purchases.

Utilize dynamic remarketing to display relevant ads based on the specific products viewed, increasing conversion chances.

a white paper bag and shopping cart on beige background

When customers abandon their carts, it's important to stay top-of-mind and remind them of the value they can gain from your products.

Retargeting ads allow you to reconnect with these customers and entice them to return to their abandoned carts.

Craft a sincere and friendly message that resonates with your target audience. Include a compelling call to action to encourage customers to revisit their abandoned carts.

📌 You can implement retargeting ads across various platforms and channels, such as social media, search engines, and display networks. Use personalized and dynamic content to grab customers' attention and remind them of the items they left behind.

This strategy keeps your brand visible, reinforces customer interest, and encourages them to take action.

To Cut a Long Story Short…

In conclusion, in the fast-paced world of e-commerce, abandoned carts can have a significant impact on your bottom line. However, you can turn those lost opportunities into revenue-generating success stories with the right strategies.

By implementing effective email campaigns, retargeting ads, and streamlining your checkout process, you'll be well on your way to recovering abandoned carts and maximizing your conversions.

Remember to personalize your approach, continuously optimize your methods, and leverage the power of analytics to stay ahead of the game.

Don't let those abandoned carts go to waste, and use the strategies we listed above to reduce cart abandonment. Start recovering your abandoned carts and watch your online store thrive like never before!

Frequently Asked Questions

any questions written on a paper on a typewriter machine

How Can I Recover Abandoned Carts Through Email Marketing?

Email marketing is an effective method of recovering abandoned carts. Send tailored and timely follow-up emails to clients who abandoned their shopping carts. Remind them of the things they expressed interest in, provide incentives such as discounts or free shipping, and instill a sense of urgency to motivate them to finish their purchase.

What Role Do Retargeting Ads Play in Abandoned Cart Recovery?

Retargeting ads are effective in reaching customers who have abandoned their carts. Display personalized adverts with identical products that were left behind, reminding customers of their interests.

Use dynamic remarketing to display targeted adverts on channels such as Google adverts or social media to increase conversion rates.

How Can I Simplify The Checkout Process to Reduce Cart Abandonment?

Customers may be discouraged from completing their purchase if the checkout process is complex and time-consuming. Simplify the steps, remove unnecessary fields, and think about adding guest checkout options.

Cart abandonment can be reduced by providing clear information about shipping charges upfront and guaranteeing a seamless and safe payment experience.

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