A staggering number of online shoppers—nearly 70%—abandon their carts before completing a purchase. That’s a huge chunk of potential revenue vanishing before your eyes! But don’t worry, there’s a secret weapon to win back those almost-customers: abandoned cart emails. And the key to unlocking their effectiveness? A killer subject line that grabs attention and entices shoppers to return to their carts.
In this article, we’ll explore the power of abandoned cart email subject lines, share proven strategies, and provide a wealth of examples to inspire your own campaigns.
Abandoned Cart Subject Lines Examples & Strategies that Convert
Here are some proven strategies and examples to help you write subject lines that get those carts rolling back to checkout:
1. Simple Reminders
Sometimes, a gentle nudge is all it takes to bring customers back. These subject lines simply remind shoppers about their forgotten items:
- “Did you forget something?” – This classic approach directly addresses the possibility of an oversight.
- “Don’t keep your cart waiting! 😉” – This adds a touch of personality and a playful nudge to the reminder.
- “Oops… You left something in your cart! 🛒” – The emoji adds a visual element and reinforces the message.
- “Complete your order and get X% off” – This combines a reminder with an incentive, sweetening the deal.
2. Incentivize and Motivate Action
Combining incentives with a sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator. These subject lines use time-limited offers, low stock warnings, or exclusive discounts to drive conversions:
- “Last chance! Hurry up and lock in your savings!” – This creates a fear of missing out (FOMO) and encourages immediate action.
- “Your cart is expiring soon—don’t miss out!” – This implies that the items might no longer be available, adding urgency.
- “Don’t miss out! Get it before it’s gone” – This plays on scarcity and the desire to secure a desired item.
- “Only Days Left to Register for” – This countdown timer creates a clear deadline and encourages prompt registration.
- “Want to save even more money? Finish checking out now to receive a XX% discount on your purchase!” – This entices shoppers with an immediate reward for completing their purchase.
3. Personalize the Experience
Adding a personal touch can make your emails feel more relevant and engaging. These subject lines use the shopper’s name or product details to capture their attention:
- “, don’t miss out; your items await” – This uses the shopper’s name to create a sense of personal connection.
- “, we saved your cart for you!” – This reassures the customer that their items are still available and waiting for them.
- “Did you forget your Fit Tea?” – This reminds the customer about the specific product they left behind.
- “, can we make a deal?” – This playful approach suggests a special offer awaits the customer.
4. Inject Humor
A funny or quirky subject line can help your email stand out from the crowd and create a positive impression. These examples use humor to grab attention:
- “Your cart is sobering up” – This unexpected and humorous analogy creates intrigue.
- “Did you ghost us? 👻” – This uses a popular slang term to create a lighthearted and relatable tone.
- “Your cart misses you like crazy 😭” – This personifies the cart and adds a touch of humor to the reminder.
- “Where did you go?!” – This playful question expresses surprise and encourages the customer to return.
5. Ask a Question
A question in your subject line can pique curiosity and encourage shoppers to open your email to find the answer:
- “Is everything ok?” – This shows concern and invites the customer to share any issues they might have encountered.
- “Still Thinking it Over?” – This acknowledges the customer’s decision-making process and offers assistance.
- “Need some help getting started?” – This suggests support and guidance for completing the purchase.
- “Did you experience any issues during checkout?” – This directly addresses potential technical problems or concerns.
Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines Examples Used by Top Brands
| Brand | Subject Line | Category | Analysis |
| Blu Dot | Wait up. Your order is not complete. | Simple Reminder | Direct and clear, conveying a sense of missing out. |
| Headspace | Quick heads up. | Simple Reminder | Short, casual, and attention-grabbing. |
| Perigold | The Kitchen Canister is in your cart. | Product Shout-Out | Reminds the customer of the specific item and its potential value. |
| Whisky Loot | Your cart is sobering up. | Humor | Uses a playful analogy to create intrigue and a positive association. |
| Dyson | Items in your basket at dyson.com. | Simple Reminder | Includes the brand name for recognition and reinforces the message. |
| Cole Haan | Open to see the styles curated for you. | Personalization | Suggests a tailored selection and appeals to the customer’s individuality. |
| Lego | You’ve looked at some great LEGO® sets! | Compliment | Uses flattery to create a positive feeling and encourage further exploration. |
| Food52 | Oooh, good choice! We set it aside for you. | Compliment/Urgency | Combines a compliment with a sense of exclusivity and urgency. |
| Saatchi Art | The Artworks You Looked at Are Being Discovered. | FOMO | Implies scarcity and the risk of missing out on unique items. |
| Columbia | Price drop on your favorites. | Incentive | Highlights a potential bargain and encourages immediate action. |
| Rudy’s | Don’t let free shipping go to waste. | Incentive/Urgency | Offers a valuable incentive and creates a sense of urgency. |
| Target | The price dropped for something in your cart. | Incentive | Creates excitement and encourages the customer to check their cart for the discounted item. |
Conclusion
Abandoned cart emails are a vital tool for recovering lost sales and boosting revenue. By crafting compelling subject lines that grab attention, create urgency, offer incentives, and personalize the experience, you can effectively entice shoppers to return to their carts and complete their purchase.
Continuously track your email open rates and click-through rates to see what resonates best with your audience. Test and refine your subject lines to optimize your abandoned cart email campaigns and maximize your recovered sales.
