How To Set Up Abandoned Cart Email Mailchimp Woocommerce

Recover Lost Sales: Setting Up Abandoned Cart Emails in Mailchimp for WooCommerce

Introduction:

Abandoned carts are a persistent pain for any e-commerce business. Customers browse your store, add items to their cart, and then…vanish. Thankfully, you don’t have to simply accept this loss. One of the most effective ways to reclaim those potential sales is by implementing an abandoned cart email strategy. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up abandoned cart emails in Mailchimp for your WooCommerce store, helping you recapture revenue and build stronger customer relationships. We’ll cover the necessary plugins, connection process, and crafting compelling emails that convert.

What are Abandoned Cart Emails and Why are They Important?

Abandoned cart emails are automated messages sent to customers who added items to their online shopping cart but didn’t complete the checkout process. These emails serve as a gentle reminder, encouraging them to return and finalize their purchase.

Here’s why they are crucial:

• Recover lost revenue: Directly targets potential customers who were already interested in your products.
• Improve conversion rates: Nudges hesitant buyers closer to completing their purchase.
• Provide customer service: Addresses potential concerns or technical issues that might have prevented checkout.
• Increase brand engagement: Reinforces your brand’s presence and shows you care about their shopping experience.

Main Part:

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Abandoned Cart Emails

Here’s how to integrate Mailchimp with WooCommerce and configure those all-important abandoned cart emails:

#### 1. Install and Activate the Mailchimp for WooCommerce Plugin

• Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
• Search for “Mailchimp for WooCommerce“.
• Click “Install Now” and then “Activate“.

#### 2. Connect WooCommerce to Your Mailchimp Account

• After activating the plugin, you’ll be prompted to connect to Mailchimp.
• Click the “Connect an existing account” button. You may need to log into your Mailchimp account if you haven’t already.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize the connection between WooCommerce and Mailchimp.
• You’ll be asked to select a Mailchimp audience (list) to sync your WooCommerce customers to. Choose the appropriate list or create a new one.

#### 3. Enable Abandoned Cart Tracking in WooCommerce

• Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Integrations > Mailchimp. (The exact path may vary slightly depending on your WooCommerce version).
• Ensure the box labeled “Enable abandoned cart emails” is checked. This is the crucial step!
• Configure the settings as needed, like the delay time before sending the first email. A common starting point is 1 hour. You can also define a time limit for tracking abandoned carts.

#### 4. Create Your Abandoned Cart Email Series in Mailchimp

Mailchimp provides pre-built abandoned cart email templates to get you started. Here’s how to access and customize them:

• Log into your Mailchimp account.
• Go to Automations > Classic Automations. (If you’re using Customer Journeys in Mailchimp’s newer interface, the setup is similar but visually different. Adapt accordingly.)
• Click “Create Classic Automation“.
• Choose “Abandoned Cart Email“. (It might be listed under E-commerce or be searchable).
• Select the WooCommerce store you connected earlier.
• Name your automation something descriptive, like “WooCommerce Abandoned Cart Series”.

#### 5. Customize Your Email Content

This is where you make the magic happen! Mailchimp provides default email content, but you should personalize it to resonate with your audience. Consider these elements:

• Subject Line: Use compelling subject lines like “Did you forget something?” or “Your cart is waiting!” Test different variations to see what performs best.
• Personalization: Use merge tags like `*|FNAME|*` to address customers by name.
• Product Images: Automatically display the images of the products they left in their cart. Mailchimp dynamically inserts this information.
• Call to Action: Clearly direct them back to their cart with a button like “Return to Cart” or “Complete Your Order“. Make sure the link is correct!
• Incentives: Consider offering a small discount or free shipping to encourage them to complete the purchase. Use sparingly to avoid devaluing your products. For example: “Use code CART10 for 10% off!” However, ensure the discount code is correctly configured in both Mailchimp and WooCommerce.
• Urgency: Create a sense of urgency, such as a limited-time offer or a reminder that the items might sell out.

// Example of a simple discount code in WooCommerce
// (This would be placed in your theme's functions.php or a custom plugin)

add_action( ‘woocommerce_cart_calculate_fees’,’woocommerce_custom_discount’ );

function woocommerce_custom_discount() {

global $woocommerce;

if ( is_admin() && ! defined( ‘DOING_AJAX’ ) )

return;

$coupon_code = ‘CART10’; // Define your coupon code

if ( $woocommerce->cart->has_discount( $coupon_code ) ) return; // Apply only once

if (isset($_GET[‘apply_coupon’]) && $_GET[‘apply_coupon’] == $coupon_code ) {

$discount = $woocommerce->cart->cart_contents_total * 0.1; // 10% discount

$woocommerce->cart->add_fee( ‘Abandoned Cart Discount’, -$discount, true );

}

}

Important: The code above is just a very basic example. You should use WooCommerce’s built-in coupon system for more robust and secure discount management.

#### 6. Configure Email Timing

• First Email: Send within 1-2 hours of cart abandonment.
• Second Email: Send 24 hours later, perhaps with a slightly stronger incentive.
• Third Email (Optional): Send 3-5 days later, as a final reminder. Avoid being too pushy.

#### 7. Test Your Automation

• Before activating your abandoned cart email series, thoroughly test it!
• Add items to your cart in your WooCommerce store but don’t complete the purchase.
• Wait the configured delay time and check your email inbox to see if the abandoned cart email arrives correctly.
• Verify that the product images, links, and discount codes are working properly.

#### 8. Activate Your Automation

• Once you’re confident that everything is working correctly, activate your automation in Mailchimp.
• Monitor the performance of your abandoned cart emails and make adjustments as needed.

Conslusion:

By setting up abandoned cart emails in Mailchimp for your WooCommerce store, you’re taking a proactive step towards recovering lost sales and improving your bottom line. Remember to focus on creating compelling email content, offering relevant incentives, and testing your automation thoroughly. This guide provides a solid foundation, but continuous optimization is key to maximizing the effectiveness of your abandoned cart strategy. Good luck and happy selling!