9 Ecommerce Email Marketing Examples That Will Solve Even Your Cart Abandonment Issues

Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach your customers and drive sales—if you do it right. Whether you’re trying to nudge a customer to finish their purchase, introduce them to something new, or simply say “thank you,” emails are your secret weapon for turning inboxes into revenue machines.

In this article, we’re going to break down 9 must-use ecommerce email marketing examples that convert. And, as a bonus, we’ll also give you subject line ideas for each email type, so you can start standing out in crowded inboxes and watch your open rates soar.

Ready to take your email marketing from average to amazing? Let’s dive in!

1. Abandoned Cart Emails: “Hey, You Forgot Something!” 🛒

It’s easy for online shoppers to get distracted—browsing, adding things to their cart, and then something pulls them away before completing the purchase. That’s where Abandoned Cart Emails come in—a targeted follow-up email that reminds customers about the items left in their cart, encouraging them to finish their order.

The average abandonment rate in ecommerce being around 70.19%, that’s a significant number of potential sales lost if no follow-up action is taken.

Abandoned cart emails are highly effective: 45% of these emails are opened, and 21% of those lead to a purchase.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Timing is crucial: Send the first reminder within 24 hours to keep your products fresh in the customer’s mind.
• Personalize the message: Include the exact items they left behind, along with a friendly reminder like, “Did you forget something?”
• Add urgency: Phrases like “These items may sell out soon!” or “Grab them before they’re gone!” encourage quick action.
• Offer an incentive: Include a discount or free shipping to motivate customers to complete their purchase.

A classic example of this strategy in action comes from Bite, a brand known for its eco-friendly products.

Their abandoned cart email uses the witty subject line “Finish what you carted.” The email is clean and direct, showcasing the product left behind with a clear call-to-action.

By keeping the message simple and focusing on the brand’s values, Bite makes it easy for the customer to quickly return and complete their purchase.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• Oops! you left something behind.
• Your cart is waiting for you.
• Forgot something? Let’s fix that.
• Complete your order while it’s still in stock.
• Your items are almost gone—act now!Welcome Emails: “Hello and Welcome!”

The first impression matters, and Welcome Emails are your chance to make a great one. Whether it’s a new subscriber or a first-time customer, these emails introduce your brand, offer a warm greeting, and often come with a tempting offer to encourage that first purchase.

And here’s the best part—welcome emails boast an impressive 50-60% open rate, far higher than most other types of emails. This means it’s your prime opportunity to make a strong connection with your new customers right from the start.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Start strong: Personalize the email and greet the customer by name. Include a message that highlights what makes your brand unique.
• Offer a discount: Sweeten the deal with a limited-time discount, free shipping, or a special offer for new customers.
• Set expectations: Let them know what to expect from your emails—whether it’s exclusive deals, new products, or valuable content.

A good example is NOOCI’s welcome email, which introduces their brand’s mission of making Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) accessible while offering a 10% discount code to encourage a first purchase.

The clean design and product recommendations make it easy for new subscribers to explore and shop.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “Welcome to [Brand Name]! Here’s 10% off to get started.”
• “We’re so happy you’re here! Let’s get you set up.”
• “Thanks for joining us—your exclusive offer is inside.”
• “Welcome aboard! Check out what’s waiting for you.”

2. Thank You Emails: “A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way”

Nothing builds customer loyalty quite like showing appreciation, and Thank You Emails are a simple yet powerful way to do just that. Whether it’s thanking a customer for a recent purchase, signing up, or leaving a review, these emails help strengthen the relationship and leave a positive lasting impression.

Thank you emails are often overlooked, but they come with impressive benefits. In fact, personalized thank-you emails can generate up to 5x more revenue per email compared to promotional emails.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Be sincere: A genuine “thank you” goes a long way. Make the message feel heartfelt, not like a generic auto-response.
• Add value: Include a special offer, discount on their next purchase, or even a referral code for friends. It’s a great way to drive repeat business.
• Encourage engagement: Invite customers to share their experience, leave a review, or connect with you on social media.

ProFlowers’ thank-you email is a great example of how to do this well. Their email acknowledges the order with a friendly greeting (“Thanks, Smiles Davis!”) and provides details on what will happen next, keeping the customer informed every step of the way.

Plus, they include a $15 credit towards the next purchase, adding value and encouraging repeat business.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “Thank you for shopping with us—here’s something special for you!”
• “We appreciate you! Here’s a little treat.”
• “Thanks for being awesome! Let’s stay connected.”
• “You made our day! Enjoy this special offer.”

3. Re-engagement Emails: “We Miss You!”

When customers go quiet, it’s time to send a friendly reminder that you’re still around. Re-engagement Emails are designed to win back inactive customers by reigniting their interest in your brand. Whether it’s through a special offer, an invitation to explore new products, or simply reminding them of what they’ve loved before, these emails are a great way to re-establish a connection.

Around 25-50% of email lists go inactive after some time, so re-engagement campaigns are key to bringing them back. Successful re-engagement emails have a 45% higher open rate compared to regular promotional emails.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Personalized messaging: Address the customer directly and remind them of their previous interactions with your brand.
• Exclusive offers: A well-timed discount, free shipping, or an exclusive deal can motivate them to come back.
• Highlight new products: Share exciting updates or new arrivals that might catch their attention.
• Add a sense of urgency: Let them know the offer won’t last forever, giving them a reason to act now.

A strong example of this is Sourse’s re-engagement email. The playful subject line “We’ll give you 25% off to open this email 🤑” and discount code “GOODBYE” invite customers back in with a lighthearted tone and a great offer.

The email gives customers a clear choice—take the discount or simply unsubscribe—making it a low-pressure but effective way to bring back interest.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “We miss you! Here’s a little something to welcome you back.”
• “It’s been a while—come check out what’s new!”
• “Don’t miss out! We’ve got something special for you.”
• “Your favorites are waiting for you—come back today!”

4. Product Recommendation Emails: “We Think You’ll Love This”

Product Recommendation Emails are a personalized way to introduce customers to items that match their interests, based on their browsing or purchase history. These emails help drive repeat purchases and cross-sell by highlighting products that complement what customers already love. The magic lies in how personalized and relevant you can make them.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Leverage data: Use browsing history, past purchases, or items left in the cart to suggest products your customer is likely to love.
• Keep it personal: Address the customer by name and make the product suggestions feel like they were handpicked just for them.
• Suggest complementary items: Offer products that go well with what they’ve already bought, like accessories or add-ons.

Amazon is a master at this with their “We found something you might like” emails, which suggest products based on recent purchases or browsing history.

Their emails are clean, showcasing just a few relevant items with prices, and include a clear call to action.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “We picked these just for you.”
• “Based on what you liked, we think you’ll love this.”
• “You might also like these!”
• “Check out these top picks just for you.”

5. New Product Launch Emails: “Introducing Something New!”

When you’re launching a new product, nothing builds excitement like a well-crafted New Product Launch Email. These emails create buzz, showcase what’s new, and drive customers to be among the first to try it out. Whether it’s a new collection, limited-edition item, or updated product, this email type is all about creating urgency and excitement.

Product launch emails have impressive engagement rates, with an average open rate of 26% and a click-through rate of 4.5%. This is the perfect opportunity to grab your customers’ attention.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Create urgency: Use phrases like “Limited edition” or “Be the first to try” to build excitement and encourage immediate action.
• Show it off: Use high-quality images or videos to highlight the product’s best features.
• Include a strong CTA: Make it easy for customers to shop with a clear call-to-action button like “Shop Now” or “Get it First.”

The Label Edition does a great job with their product launch email for the Pre-Fall ’24 collection. The email is clean, showcasing stunning images of their new collection with a minimalist approach.

The line, “Pre-Fall 24 Just Landed,” builds excitement, and the clear call-to-action button, “Discover the Collection,” makes it easy for customers to click through and start shopping.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “The wait is over—our new product is here!”
• “Be the first to get [Product Name]!”
• “Introducing our latest [Product Type]—shop now!”
• “Get ready for something new—[Product Name] just dropped!”

6. Educational Emails: “Learn Something New!”

Educational Emails are a great way to provide value to your customers while keeping your brand top of mind. These emails offer useful information, tips, or tutorials related to your products or services, helping customers make informed decisions. By establishing yourself as a knowledgeable resource, you build trust and deepen customer relationships.

These types of emails are highly effective for engagement, with educational content leading to 20% higher click-through rates compared to standard promotional emails.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Focus on value: Share tips, how-to guides, or insights that help customers get the most out of your products or services.
• Use multimedia: Incorporate videos, infographics, or step-by-step visuals to make the content engaging and easy to digest.
• Keep it simple: While you’re providing information, keep the message straightforward and actionable.

A great example is Hers’ educational email, which provides tips for better hair care routines. The email offers three simple, actionable tips for hair care, using clean visuals to keep the message clear.

The focus is on providing value with a gentle nudge to use Hers products, making it both informative and subtly promotional.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “How to [achieve a goal] with
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• “Expert tips to make the most out of your ”
• “Here’s how to level up your [product-related activity]”
• “Learn how to get the most from your purchase!”

7. Referral Emails: “Share the Love and Get Rewarded!”

Referral Emails are a fantastic way to turn happy customers into brand advocates. By encouraging them to refer friends or family in exchange for a reward (such as discounts, free products, or store credit), these emails can help expand your customer base while strengthening existing relationships.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Make it enticing: Offer something valuable—like a discount or credit for both the referrer and the referred friend.
• Keep it simple: Explain how the referral process works in just a few sentences. The easier it is, the more likely people will participate.
• Add urgency: Phrases like “Limited time offer” or “Earn rewards today” can give your referral program a sense of immediacy.

For example, Lumina’s referral email clearly explains how customers can earn a free webcam by referring just two friends.

The email uses a clean design and explains the process in three simple steps: share the link, a friend buys, and you get rewarded.

It’s direct, effective, and motivates action with a strong incentive.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• Share the love—refer a friend and get rewarded!
• Your friends deserve this—refer them and earn [reward]!
• Friends + Rewards = Win-Win!
• Make your friends owe you one

8. Back in Stock Emails: “It’s Back—Don’t Miss Out!”

Back in Stock Emails are perfect for re-engaging customers who previously showed interest in a product that sold out. These emails tap into the urgency of scarcity, giving customers the chance to finally get their hands on something they wanted but missed out on earlier.

Back in stock emails tend to have high engagement rates, with an average open rate of 65% and conversion rates of up to 23% because they target an audience already interested in the product.

Key Tactics to Implement:

• Create urgency: Use language like “Back by popular demand” or “Limited stock available” to encourage quick action.
• Include visuals: Feature images of the product to remind customers why they wanted it in the first place.
• Add a clear CTA: Make it easy for customers to purchase right away with buttons like “Shop Now” or “Get Yours Before It’s Gone Again.”

A great example is Facile’s back in stock email, which announces the return of their “Rouge + Berry Lip Jelly” with bold visuals and a simple, clear CTA button labeled “Shop.”

The minimalist design emphasizes the product while creating a sense of urgency with repeated “Back in Stock” text, motivating customers to act fast.

Subject line ideas to get started with:

• “It’s back! Get [Product Name] while it’s in stock.”
• “You asked, we delivered—[Product Name] is back!”
• “Don’t wait—[Product Name] is back and selling fast!”
• “Missed out? [Product Name] is back in stock!”

Conclusion

With these 9 ecommerce email marketing examples in your toolkit, you’re now equipped to tackle everything from cart abandonments to product launches like a pro. Whether it’s reigniting old customer love with a re-engagement email or making a killer first impression with a welcome email, you’ve got strategies that work.

But here’s the secret sauce: It’s not just about sending emails—it’s about making them unforgettable. Nail those subject lines, keep your message clear, and always think about what your customer wants to see in their inbox. If you keep refining, testing, and tweaking, your email marketing will keep getting stronger—and so will your sales.

Hit send!