How to Set Up an Abandoned Cart Strategy That Actually Works on Shopify Plus
Introduction
Cart abandonment happens.
It’s frustrating — but it’s also an opportunity.
The right abandoned cart strategy can recover 10–20% (or more) of lost revenue.
But most stores either:
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Send weak, generic emails
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Wait too long to act
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Or never follow up at all
In this post, we’ll break down how to set up a high-performing abandoned cart strategy using the power of Shopify Plus.
Why Customers Abandon Carts
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Unexpected shipping costs
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Long or confusing checkout processes
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Price hesitation
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Simply got distracted (life happens)
Your abandoned cart strategy should address all of these.
5 Essential Ingredients for a High-Converting Abandoned Cart Strategy
1. Timing Matters: Act Fast
Send your first cart recovery email within 1 hour after abandonment.
Follow up 1–2 more times over the next 24–48 hours.
First email = “Hey, you left something behind”
Second email = Add urgency (“Limited inventory” or “Your cart expires soon”)
Third email = Incentive (if necessary, e.g., 10% off)
2. Personalize the Emails
Use the customer's first name
Show the specific products they abandoned (with images)
Remind them why the product is valuable
Make it feel like you noticed — not like an automated blast.
3. Simplify the Path Back
Big, clear Return to Cart button
No extra steps — straight back to their cart
Offer guest checkout if possible (no mandatory account creation)
4. Consider Gentle Incentives
If customers need a nudge:
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Free shipping
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10% off code
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Small bonus gift with purchase
But don’t always lead with discounts — you might train customers to wait.
5. Use SMS + Email for Maximum Impact
On Shopify Plus, you can use apps like:
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Klaviyo
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Postscript
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Attentive
SMS reminders often have open rates of 90%+.
Great for urgent reminders (e.g., “Your cart is about to expire!”)
Final Thought
Cart abandonment isn’t rejection —
it’s unfinished intent.
The brands who win are the ones who follow up thoughtfully, fast, and consistently.
Set up your abandoned cart flows,
optimize them over time,
and watch your recovered revenue climb.
Call to Action
Want to optimize your entire customer journey for more conversions and retention?
Take the free Merchant Success Plus Assessment to get your personalized roadmap.