In this guide, we’ll show you proven, actionable strategies for recovering abandoned carts on your Shopify store and turning window shoppers into paying customers.
Why Cart Abandonment Happens
Before jumping into recovery tactics, it helps to understand the most common reasons shoppers abandon their carts:
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Unexpected costs (like high shipping fees)
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Complicated checkout process
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Forced account creation
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Security concerns
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Slow website or poor mobile experience
Addressing these issues is the first step to reducing abandonment—but recovery tactics give you a second chance to win the sale.
1. Enable Shopify’s Built-In Abandoned Checkout Emails
Shopify provides a built-in tool to automatically send emails to customers who didn’t complete their purchase.
To set it up:
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Go to your Shopify admin > Settings > Checkout.
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Scroll down to “Abandoned checkouts.”
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Choose to send emails automatically after a specific delay (1, 6, 10, or 24 hours).
Pro tip: Customize your email copy to sound personal and helpful, not salesy. Remind them what they left behind and add a clear call to action.
2. Use Email Marketing Automation for Better Follow-ups
Platforms like Klaviyo, Omnisend, or Mailchimp allow for more advanced recovery workflows.
Here’s a typical 3-email flow:
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Email 1 (1 hour later): Gentle reminder with product image and CTA.
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Email 2 (12-24 hours later): Offer a small incentive like free shipping.
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Email 3 (2-3 days later): Create urgency with “Only a few items left” or a limited-time discount.
Tip: Use customer name, product details, and dynamic checkout links to personalize each message.
3. Add Exit-Intent Popups
Use tools like Privy, Justuno, or OptiMonk to trigger a popup when a visitor moves their mouse toward the browser’s close button.
Offer incentives such as:
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10% off their order
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Free shipping code
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Reminder to save cart contents
Why it works: It interrupts abandonment in real time before the user leaves your site.
4. Simplify the Checkout Process
A smoother checkout increases conversions and reduces cart abandonment in the first place.
Best practices:
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Enable guest checkout (no forced account creation)
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Limit checkout to 1-2 pages
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Offer multiple payment methods (credit card, PayPal, Shop Pay, etc.)
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Ensure your site is mobile-friendly
Bonus tip: Add trust badges (SSL, payment icons) to reassure users.
5. Use Retargeting Ads
Retargeting ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Display Network can remind users of what they left behind.
How to set it up:
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Install Facebook Pixel and Google Ads tag on your Shopify store.
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Create custom audiences based on abandoned cart behavior.
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Show dynamic product ads featuring the exact items they viewed.
Result: Stay top-of-mind and nudge customers back to complete their purchase.
6. Offer Time-Sensitive Discounts
A limited-time offer can prompt action—especially if the user is on the fence.
Ideas:
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“Complete your purchase in the next 2 hours to get 15% off”
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“Your cart will expire in 24 hours—act fast!”
You can use Shopify apps like CartBounty or Checkout Promotions to automate these time-limited offers.
7. Add Persistent Cart Across Devices
A customer might browse your site on mobile, then revisit later on desktop. With persistent carts, their items remain in the cart across sessions and devices.
Use apps like Shopify Plus (built-in) or Customer Accounts Concierge to enable this feature.
8. Build Trust with Your Brand
Sometimes, cart abandonment happens because people aren’t sure about your store.
Here’s how to build confidence:
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Show customer reviews and testimonials
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Include clear return and shipping policies
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Use high-quality product images and descriptions
The more trust you build, the fewer carts you’ll lose.
Final Thoughts
Recovering abandoned carts isn’t just about sending a follow-up email. It’s about creating a seamless, trustworthy, and engaging experience for your potential customers. From email automation and popups to retargeting ads and checkout optimization, there are plenty of ways to win back lost sales.
Start by implementing just a few of these strategies, and monitor your abandoned checkout recovery rate in Shopify. Small tweaks can make a big difference.
Need help setting up automated flows or retargeting ads? Reach out to our Shopify marketing team—we’re here to help you grow.