• Blog
  • 60+ Abandoned Cart Subject Lines to Recover Sales Effectively

60+ Abandoned Cart Subject Lines to Recover Sales Effectively

  • Marketing
  • 6 min read

Table of Contents

Every online seller has been there: a shopper fills up their cart with promising picks, only to leave them behind at the checkout.

Recovering these abandoned carts is key to driving more sales, and it starts with the right abandoned cart subject line.

In this article, we’ll share 60+ clever and creative subject lines—categorized to suit your brand’s tone and nudge those cart abandoners to complete their purchase.

Let’s get started!

9 real-life abandoned cart email subject line examples

First, let’s dive into a few examples of effective cart email subject lines that have popped up in our inboxes from top brands like MOSCHINO, Casper, and Jack Wills. 

These brands know how to craft email subject lines that catch attention and nudge customers back to their carts.

Here are nine tried-and-true abandoned cart subject lines that showcase a mix of charm, urgency, and gentle reminders to get customers to complete their purchase.

  1. Oooh, good choice! We set it aside for you.
  2. Don’t let free shipping go to waste
  3. Leave something behind?
  4. Your basket is having abandonment issues… 🙁
  5. Your cart is sobering up
  6. Your shopping bag misses you!
  7. You left something behind
  8. The Artworks You Looked at Are Being Discovered
  9. Did you forget something?

60 creative cart abandonment subject line ideas

Now that we’ve seen how some top brands approach cart abandonment subject lines, it’s time to explore a variety of creative options you can use for your own campaigns.

Here are 60 versatile and attention-grabbing subject lines, grouped by strategy, to help you bring shoppers back and boost your conversions.

Friendly reminders

A gentle reminder is a great way to re-engage potential customers who may have been distracted. This type of subject line has a warm and welcoming feel, reminding them of their waiting items without pressure.

  1. Oops! Your cart’s feeling a little lonely 😢
  2. We saved your picks—come back when you’re ready!
  3. Just a heads-up, your cart’s waiting for you 😊
  4. Let’s finish what you started!
  5. Still on the fence? Your items are just a click away.
  6. Last call! Your cart is on standby.
  7. Hold up! Don’t leave these behind.
  8. These items won’t wait forever—take another look!
  9. Your dream items are still here. Ready to claim them?
  10. Your cart has great taste… just sayin’ 😉

Urgency & FOMO (fear of missing out)

When shoppers feel like they might miss out on something, they’re often more likely to act. Cart abandonment email subject lines that create urgency or promote limited-time offers can prompt quick action.

  1. Going, going… almost gone! Grab your cart before it’s too late.
  2. Low stock alert! Get your items before they’re gone.
  3. Limited availability! Don’t let your picks slip away.
  4. Only a few left in stock—complete your purchase today!
  5. Tick-tock! Your items are flying off the shelves.
  6. Your cart is hot—don’t miss out on these picks!
  7. Final chance! Your cart is almost empty.
  8. Before you know it, these items will be gone.
  9. Hurry back! Your cart is running out of time.
  10. It’s now or never! Don’t lose these items.

Discount codes and special offers

Few things motivate a shopper more than a good discount. Whether it’s a percentage off or free shipping offer, these cart abandonment email subject lines promise savings and make returning to their cart feel like an easy win.

  1. Extra discount inside! Complete your purchase now 🎉
  2. Lucky you! Take 10% off your saved items.
  3. Get back to your cart and enjoy a sweet discount!
  4. Treat yourself! Save on your cart before it’s too late.
  5. Finish your order now and unlock a surprise discount!
  6. Save on the items you loved—don’t miss this offer!
  7. Add a little savings to your cart 🎉
  8. Enjoy FREE shipping on your abandoned cart!
  9. Special offer on your cart items!
  10. Good news! The price dropped on your cart items—grab your discount now!

Playful & humorous subject lines

A bit of humor can grab attention and even make a brand more relatable. These lighthearted cart abandonment subject lines bring some fun to the inbox, and can spark a smile (or a click).

  1. Your cart’s sobering up… 🥂 Ready to check out?
  2. Your basket’s got abandonment issues 🥲
  3. Pssst… Your cart told us you were coming back.
  4. Oops! Your cart is feeling ghosted. 👻
  5. Those goodies are still in your cart. Want them or not?
  6. Did your browser crash? Because your cart is waiting.
  7. Uh-oh! Your items are missing you!
  8. Was it something we said? Your cart’s still here!
  9. No ghosting, please. Come back to your cart!
  10. If your cart had feelings, it would be weeping.

Product-related subject lines

Personalized subject lines show customers you’re paying attention. By referencing specific items they left behind, these subject lines feel more tailored and can reignite interest in that perfect pick.

  1. Hey, still interested in [Product Name]? It’s waiting for you!
  2. That [Product Name] is going fast. Grab it now!
  3. The [Product Name] you loved is still here!
  4. Looks like you’ve got your eye on [Product Name]. Don’t miss out!
  5. You looked at [Product Name]… but forgot to check out!
  6. Your [Product Name] is in stock. Ready to make it yours?
  7. The [Product Name] you loved is in high demand. Don’t miss it!
  8. Did you forget the [Product Name]? It’s still waiting for you.
  9. Your [Product Name] is waiting in your cart!
  10. You left [Product Name] behind—come back and complete your order!

Friendly teasers and curiosity-piquing

Sometimes, a little mystery can go a long way. These email subject lines are designed to make customers curious, encouraging them to click through and revisit what they left behind.

Consider using the following subject line to capture attention and enhance brand recall:

  1. Got questions? Your cart items are waiting for answers!
  2. Something special in your cart. Ready to claim it?
  3. Left something behind? We saved it for you!
  4. One last peek at your favorite items…
  5. Good choice! Your picks are waiting for you.
  6. It’s not too late—revisit your cart and grab your favorites!
  7. Forgot something? We saved it for you.
  8. Your bag’s still full! Care to complete your order?
  9. The items in your cart are too good to miss!
  10. There’s a surprise waiting in your cart!

FAQ

What is a good abandoned cart email subject line?

A good abandoned cart email subject line grabs attention, sparks curiosity, and encourages action without feeling too pushy. Whether it’s playful, urgent, or personalized, the key is to make the shopper want to open the email and return to their cart.

A few effective tactics include adding a sense of urgency (e.g., “Hurry back! Your cart is waiting!”), a little mystery (“Is your cart lonely? 👀”), or offering an incentive (“Save 10% on what you left behind!”). Testing different abandoned cart email subject lines to see what resonates with your audience can also help you find the perfect fit.

Is it legal to send abandoned cart emails?

Yes, sending abandoned cart emails is legal as long as you follow email marketing regulations. To comply with laws like CAN-SPAM in the U.S. or GDPR in the EU, make sure you have permission to email your customers, include an easy way for them to unsubscribe, and avoid using misleading email subject lines.

Additionally, many ecommerce platforms require customers to enter their email before they reach the checkout page, so these emails are usually sent to people who have already shown interest in your products.

What should I write in an abandoned cart email?

An effective abandoned cart email should start with a friendly reminder of the items the customer left behind and include a clear call-to-action to complete their purchase.

Adding product images and offering discounts can make your emails stand out more. Keep the tone light and approachable, whether you’re using urgency, humor, or a friendly nudge.

Finally, a strong closing line, such as “Hurry back—these items are waiting for you!” can motivate customers to act right away.

How do you target abandoned carts?

To target abandoned carts, set up automated cart abandonment email campaigns with your ecommerce or email marketing platform. These cart abandonment emails can be triggered whenever a shopper adds items to their cart but doesn’t complete the purchase within a specified time frame.

Many platforms allow you to segment your audience based on behaviors, so you can send personalized follow-ups that cater to each customer’s preferences or past purchases.

You can also use cart abandonment popups, retargeting ads, SMS messages, and even push notifications to reach customers who have abandoned their carts across different channels.

Wrapping up

Recovering abandoned shopping carts is all about reminding, enticing, and creating urgency, without coming across as pushy.

With these 60+ subject line ideas, you have a range of strategies to test, from gentle reminders to FOMO-filled alerts.

Experiment with different tones and see which resonates with your audience best—because sometimes, all it takes to recover lost sales is a perfectly worded nudge.

Migration has never been easier

We made switching a no-brainer with our free, white-glove onboarding service so you can get started in the blink of an eye.

Create a free account
Learn more

What should you do next?

Thanks for reading till the end. Here are 4 ways we can help you grow your business:

Boost conversions with proven use cases

Explore our Use Case Library, filled with actionable personalization examples and step-by-step guides to unlock your website's full potential. Check out Use Case Library

Create a free OptiMonk account

Create a free OptiMonk account and easily get started with popups and conversion rate optimization. Get OptiMonk free

Get advice from a CRO expert

Schedule a personalized discovery call with one of our experts to explore how OptiMonk can help you grow your business. Book a demo

Join our weekly newsletter

Real CRO insights & marketing tips. No fluff. Straight to your inbox. Subscribe now

Share this article
Written by
Picture of Nikolett Lorincz

Nikolett Lorincz

Nikolett is the Head of Content at OptiMonk. She is obsessed with content marketing and loves creating educational content for ecommerce store owners. She truly believes in the importance of quality over quantity.
You may also like