Browse Abandonment Emails: Epic Examples, Tips, & Subject Lines
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13 best browse abandonment email examples
60 attention-grabbing subject lines for inspiration
Why should you personalize emails based on shopping journey?
10 tips to drive more sales through browse abandonment emails
Many shoppers look around your store, search for products, but don’t add to the cart.
And this is where browse abandonment emails come in: they’re sent to bring those shoppers back, sometimes with an offer, a discount, or something else of value.
The good news is - browse abandonment emails do really well for stores with a 50.5% higher click-through rate compared to traditional emails.
But there’s a catch - your browse abandonment emails will have to stand out from the crowd.
Browse abandonment email examples for first-time shoppers
Browse abandonment email examples for repeat shoppers
Browse abandonment email examples for all shoppers
Begin with a warm greeting to welcome the shopper back to your store.
Acknowledge their recent browsing activity and express excitement that they're considering your products.
Showcase what sets your products or brand apart from the competition.
Whether it's quality, affordability, or unique features, emphasize why the shopper should choose your products.
Highlight the perceived value of the free offer.
Instead of just stating what the offer is, explain why it's valuable and how it can benefit the shopper.
For example, "Free Gift Inside - Just For You!" or "Claim Your Freebie Now!"
Clearly state what the free offer is and why it's valuable.
Whether it's a free sample or consultation, or other incentive, emphasize its benefits and relevance.
Also, explain how to redeem the free offer.
Include any necessary steps or codes they need to use to claim their freebie.
Craft your email messaging to specifically highlight your key USPs.
Whether it's superior quality, unbeatable prices, or exceptional customer service, make sure your USPs are front and center in your email content.
Start your email with a headline that succinctly communicates one or more of your key USPs.
For example,"Unbeatable Prices on [Product Category]."
Include social proof such as customer reviews, ratings, or endorsements that reinforce your USPs.
Real-life examples of satisfied customers experiencing the benefits of your products can be highly persuasive.
Segment your email list based on the recipient's browsing behavior, interests, or past purchases.
This way, you can tailor the sample offer to each shopper's preferences.
Highlight the benefits of trying the samples, such as experiencing the quality of your products firsthand, discovering new favorites, or solving specific concerns.
Use actionable language such as "Claim Your Samples Now" or "Get Your Free Samples Today" to prompt immediate action.
Clearly outline how recipients can redeem their free samples, whether it's by clicking a link to a landing page, entering a promo code at checkout, or visiting a physical store location.
Frame the recommendations as an opportunity for shoppers to discover new and exciting products they may not have considered before.
Set up behavioral triggers to send browse abandonment emails in real-time when a recipient shows interest in specific products.
This ensures timely delivery and increases the likelihood of engagement.
Incorporate seasonal or trending products that align with the shopper's interests or browsing history.
These items may be more likely to capture their attention and encourage them to revisit your site.
For returning shoppers, start by expressing genuine appreciation for their past purchases and loyalty to your brand.
A simple "Thank You" can go a long way in making customers feel valued.
Reference their recent browsing activity or past purchases to personalize the email and remind them of their positive experiences with your brand.
Provide a sneak peek or teaser of the new product without giving away too much information.
Show high-quality images or graphics of the new product to visually engage shoppers and give them a better sense of what to expect.
Visuals can help to build anticipation and excitement.
You can also create a sense of exclusivity can encourage shoppers to take action and engage with the new launch.
You should also check out: 15 Top Examples of eCommerce Teaser Emails (+ Templates)
Consider implementing a tiered rewards system where customers can unlock progressively better perks as they move up through different membership levels.
Highlight these tiers in your email to incentivize sign-ups.
Emphasize the sense of community and belonging that comes with being part of your loyalty program.
Mention any online forums, social media groups, or events where members can connect with each other.
Encourage existing members to refer their friends to the loyalty program by offering additional rewards or bonuses for successful referrals.
This can help grow your program organically.
Use phrases like "Complete Your Look with Our Exclusive Bundle" or "Save Big with Our Limited-Time Bundle Offer" to entice shoppers to open the email.
Provide exclusive bundles or options for customization based on the recipient's preferences.
Let shoppers select from pre-selected bundles or create their own bundle by selecting individual products.
This gives recipients a sense of control and personalization.
Use language that conveys a sense of urgency, such as "Don't Miss Out" or "Act Fast Before They're Gone."
You can also include a countdown timer in the email to visually highlight the remaining time until the product sells out or the offer expires.
If the product sells out, follow up with restock notifications to inform shoppers when the item is available again.
This shows that you value their interest and encourages them to revisit your website in the future.
Clearly state the discount or promotion being offered in the email subject line and body.
Use a prominent call-to-action button like "Claim your discount" that directs shoppers to the product page where they can take advantage of the discount offer.
Show the original price of the abandoned items and the discounted price to illustrate the value proposition.
Include images in your email that reflect diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, gender, and body type.
Showcasing a range of diverse individuals can help all shoppers feel represented and included.
Include products that are inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, sizes, and backgrounds with a diverse range of products in your email that cater to different preferences, needs, and lifestyles.
Feature stories or testimonials from diverse customers who have had positive experiences with your brand or products.
You should also read: 35 Thanksgiving Email Examples For 2024 (eCommerce)
Asking for feedback through browse abandonment emails is like reaching out for a chat with your shoppers after they've received a few emails.
Use language that is conversational and casual to make shoppers feel comfortable sharing their feedback.
Instead of asking generic questions, be specific about what you'd like to know.
Ask targeted questions about their preferences, and any challenges they encountered while navigating your website through the emails.
Then after a few days, I received this email to select my preferences:
Creating subject lines that convert like crazy isn’t as hard as you think.
One simple trick is to use the Curiosity Gap.
Reveal a part of the information in the subject line and withhold the rest.
Take help from your preview text.
This gear is worth another look — Make it yours before it sells out.
Here are 60 attention-grabbing subject lines for browse abandonment inspiration:
These subject lines aim to capture attention, create urgency, and remind the customer of their interest in specific products, encouraging them to return and complete their purchase.
Do check out: eCommerce Splash Page: 17 Attention-Grabbing Examples
Personalizing emails based on a customer's shopping journey offers numerous advantages:
Shoppers who actively use the search bar, browse product categories, check out reviews, and return policy are high-intent shoppers.
Send emails containing:
Browse abandonment emails sent to high-intent buyers can help you reclaim 10 to 15% of lost sales.
Also check out: 40 Abandoned Cart Email Examples That Actually Win Back Lost Customers
First-time customers may still not know what they want. You can send:
Repeat customers have a greater LTV and are your brand advocates. Woo them with emails having:
Access your customer data from CRM, Google Analytics, etc to drive personalization.
Browse abandonment happens at 4 different touch points of the funnel, namely:
Your shoppers leave after landing on your homepage. Bring them back by educating them with a quiz.
Feature your best sellers. Encourage customers to take another look with incentives such as free shipping and easy returns.
As the name says, category abandonment occurs when your shoppers browse your category pages but leave without moving to the product page.
To convert them—send product recommendations from the relevant category. Offer deals on categories like the one below.
In this occurrence, the shopper interacts with the product page but never adds to the cart.
These recovery emails must contain product information and options similar to the one below.
Search abandonment occurs when shoppers exit your site after using your site search to find a product, model, feature, SKU, etc.
To woo these shoppers, include product recommendations closely matching the search term. Offer first-time customer deals.
A welcome addition—product comparison info demonstrating how you are different from others.
Customers like happy experiences.
Tell them how missing out on buying your product could make them regret it.
You also have to be mindful of the tone and phrasing.
Use contractions and exclamations to make it conversational. It helps convey messages in the right tone.
Make active voice your ally.
The trick is to write as you’re talking to a friend—use second person pronouns like you, your, and yours well.
People read from their minds — not eyes. Make content easy to scan.
Use bullet points. Stick to 3 sentences in a paragraph.
Break your content into small chunks so readers find it easier to read.
Don’t use words exceeding four syllables— for instance, satisfyingly and knowability.
They confuse your readers. Add subheadings for a natural flow, for a better reading experience on mobile devices.
Here’s a quick template for you to borrow from:
Hey [name], we caught you snooping 👀
And we are SO GLAD we did!
Our customers are the backbone of our company, and nothing makes us happier than seeing them enjoy our products!
We know you liked our [product name] and we’re sure you’d want to see these too
<Product display>
—
Catch your fancy? Shop now
So, pop on over, tell us what you loved!
<Contact details & social media credentials>
Just so you don’t end up in a spam box, follow a sequence you can stick to. It helps in improving your email delivery rate.
Here’s an ideal sequence for you:
Remember, to offer different incentives for best results.
The pre-header text appears right after the subject line in the recipient’s inbox.
Use this space to provide additional context or a teaser for what’s inside the email.
For example, "Don't miss out on the items you loved."
If a user has added items to their wish list, send periodic reminders about these items.
Highlight any changes, such as price drops or low stock, to prompt action. "Remember these items you loved? Now on sale!"
Include higher priced products to increase perceived value.
You’d want to drive an emotional trigger using copy—This might go well with…. to get shoppers to act.
Include recommendations that are better than the previous.
This invokes the Salience Bias—the tendency to focus on emotionally striking while ignoring the rest.
Use Decoy pricing to increase your AOV.
List three products—place the lowest priced product, highest priced in the middle, and the second highest at the end.
Add your contact details just above the footer. You want your customers to spot it instantly.
Use negative space and link to your help section, support email, and store locator.
Provide clear links to your customer support channels in the email.
This can include a direct link to a live chat, customer service email, or phone number.
For example: "Have questions? Our support team is here to help!"
This reassures customers that help is readily available, which can reduce purchase hesitation.
Include a brief survey in your browse abandonment email asking why the customer didn’t complete their purchase.
Use questions like, "What stopped you from buying today?"
Provide multiple-choice options and an open-ended field.
A browse abandonment email is a type of marketing email sent to individuals who have visited a website or online store but did not complete a purchase.
These emails aim to re-engage the recipient and encourage them to return to the website to complete their purchase.
Browse abandonment emails work by tracking users' browsing behavior on a website.
When a shopper visits a website and views specific products or pages but leaves without making a purchase, an email is triggered to be sent to remind them of the products they were interested in.
Yes, browse abandonment emails can be highly effective in re-engaging shoppers and driving conversions.
Studies have shown that browse abandonment emails have higher open and click-through rates compared to traditional marketing emails, making them a valuable tool for recovering lost sales.
Your browse abandonment emails might look good on the surface, but what’s your data telling?
You might want to look at these metrics:
How to calculate: Total number of unsubscribers/ Number of emails delivered
How to calculate: Total number of complaints/Total number of emails delivered
How to calculate: Total number of conversions/ Number of emails delivered
How to calculate: Total number of bounces/ Number of emails sent
How to calculate: Total number of forwards/ Number of emails delivered
How to calculate: ($ Sales - $ Invested) / $ Invested
How to calculate: New Subscribers - New Unsubscribers + Email/Spam Complaints / Number of Subscribers x 100
Most eCommerce store owners don’t see email as a serious revenue stream.
Ask them about the importance of email marketing, and you'll hear: “we don’t really have a major strategy,” “we mostly use generic templates,” or “we just send emails to people on our list.”
BUT AT THE SAME TIME:
There are stores out there that drive 30%+ of their revenue from email marketing.
Engage can help you do the same - Book a free demo.
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