5 Proven Strategies to Recover Abandoned Carts and Close Sales

‍What is Cart Abandonment?

Shopping cart abandonment happens when a customer adds items to their cart but leaves your website without completing their purchase, resulting in lost sales. It’s one of the biggest challenges for e-commerce businesses. 

Why Do Customers Abandon Their Online Shopping Carts?

Before we dive into cart abandonment solutions, let’s talk about why this happens in the first place. 

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Many shoppers get distracted and simply forget about their cart. They might have intended to check out but got sidetracked by another task, a phone call, or a notification on their device. When they leave your site, their cart is left behind, sometimes never to be revisited.
• Unexpected shipping costs can also be a major turnoff. If customers only see these costs at checkout, they might hesitate and rethink their purchase. The surprise of additional fees can lead them to search for alternatives or abandon the purchase altogether.
• Some people browse online stores with no intention of buying immediately. They add items to their cart as a way of saving them for later, treating their cart like a wish list rather than a step toward checkout. Without a clear motivation to return, those carts often get abandoned.
• A complicated checkout process can be another major barrier. If customers find the process too long, require too much information, or demand account creation before purchasing, they are likely to leave without completing their order. 
• Lastly, some shoppers hesitate because they lack confidence in their purchase decision. Whether they are unsure about product quality, sizing, or return policies, this hesitation can prevent them from finalizing their order. 

Luckily, these are all problems you can fix!

5 Strategies to Convert Abandoned Carts

Send Your Customers a Friendly Reminder

Life gets busy, and sometimes people just need a little nudge. A simple email reminder can work wonders in bringing them back to complete their purchase. Personalization helps here—using their name and referencing the items they left behind makes it feel more like a helpful suggestion rather than a generic sales pitch. A friendly, conversational tone can make all the difference. If possible, send reminders in multiple formats, such as push notifications or SMS, for better reach.

Use Personalized Product Recommendations

When reminding customers about their abandoned cart, take the opportunity to suggest complementary products they might love. If someone left behind a pair of sneakers, show them a stylish hoodie or matching socks that other customers have bought. These personalized recommendations not only enhance their shopping experience but also increase the likelihood of them returning to complete their purchase with additional items in their cart. It’s about creating a helpful journey rather than just pushing them to checkout.

Offer a Sweet Deal

Sometimes, all it takes is a little incentive to convince a hesitant shopper to finalize their order. A small discount, free shipping, or a time-sensitive offer can provide that extra push. A message like “Complete your purchase within the next hour and enjoy 10% off!” adds urgency while making them feel like they’re getting a great deal. If free shipping is an option, prominently highlighting it at checkout can prevent last-minute sticker shock from additional costs.

Make the Checkout Process Quick and Easy

A complicated checkout process is one of the biggest reasons customers abandon their carts. If your checkout has too many steps, requires unnecessary information, or forces customers to create an account before buying, you’re likely losing sales. Simplifying the checkout by reducing form fields, allowing guest checkout, and integrating payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay can significantly improve conversion rates. Making sure the entire process is mobile-friendly is also crucial, as many customers shop on their phones.

Follow Up With Engaging Emails

Not all abandoned carts should be treated the same way. Some customers just need a quick reminder, while others may need more convincing. Sending follow-up emails that not only remind them of their cart but also offer additional product suggestions based on their browsing history can be a game-changer. These emails should feel helpful rather than pushy—consider including reviews, testimonials, or product benefits to reassure them. If one reminder doesn’t work, a second follow-up email with a limited-time offer might just do the trick.

Takeaways

• Cart abandonment is common, but it’s fixable with cart recovery strategies.
• Shoppers leave for many reasons, from distractions to unexpected costs.
• Cart abandonment solutions like cart reminders, personalized recommendations, and incentives can help bring them back.
• A smooth, hassle-free checkout experience increases conversions.

Ready to Convert Abandoned Carts?

We make it easy to re-engage shoppers and recover lost sales with personalized recommendations and smart reminders. 

Want to see it in action? Book a demo now and start turning abandoned carts into completed orders!