Published by wpadmin on April 25, 2025

How to Retarget Abandoned Carts Without Ads

You know that gut-punch feeling when someone fills up their cart on your store… and then vanishes? Like, poof! No thank you, no goodbye. Just digital tumbleweeds rolling across your checkout page.

I’ve been there. In fact, almost every online store owner has. And the numbers don’t lie—over 70% of carts are abandoned. That’s not just a statistic; that’s a boatload of potential revenue waving at you from the rearview mirror.

Now, most folks will tell you to fix this with retargeting ads. Sure, those work… if you have the budget, the pixels set up, and the patience for tweaking ad copy till your brain fries. But what if I told you there’s another way?

Yep. You can absolutely retarget abandoned carts without spending a dime on ads. And today, I’m gonna show you exactly how I do it—with a mix of smart tools, clever timing, and just a little human touch.

Let’s dive in.

Why Customers Abandon Carts (And What It Means for You)

Let’s face it: cart abandonment can sting. You’ve put in the work—crafted that perfect product page, made your checkout process smooth as butter, and still, they bail. One minute, they’re loading up their cart with goodies, and the next, poof, they’re gone.

But before you start pacing the floor and pulling your hair out, it’s important to understand why customers abandon carts in the first place. Spoiler: it’s not always because they’re done with your store. In fact, many of these cart abandoners still want your product—they just need a little nudge.

Let’s break down why customers ghost you during checkout, and more importantly, what it means for your business.

Common Reasons for Cart Abandonment

Unexpected Costs (Hello, Shipping Fees!)

One of the biggest reasons customers ditch their carts is the surprise of hidden costs—especially shipping fees. Let’s be real: no one likes to get to the checkout and see their total jump by 20% because of shipping or taxes. It’s like getting to the end of a road trip, only to find out you have no gas money.

What you can do:

Show shipping costs upfront on your product pages or during the early stages of checkout.
Offer free shipping over a certain price threshold.
Consider flat-rate shipping or local delivery options.

Long or Complicated Checkout Process

A smooth checkout is crucial. If your checkout process feels like a maze, with too many steps, confusing forms, or an endless scroll, customers will bail faster than you can say “credit card info.” People are in a rush, and they don’t want to waste time filling out unnecessary details.

And What you can do:

Keep the checkout process simple—aim for as few steps as possible.
Allow guest checkout (not everyone wants to create an account).
Enable auto-fill for address fields to speed things up.

Lack of Trust and Security Concerns

In the age of online shopping, security is top of mind for shoppers. If customers aren’t sure that their personal and payment information is safe, they’re not likely to complete a purchase. Trust signals like SSL certificates, secure payment gateways, and visible contact information can make all the difference.

Maybe you can do:

Display trust signals (secure payment icons, SSL certificates) prominently.
Offer well-known payment options like PayPal, which many customers trust more than unfamiliar payment gateways.
Ensure your website design looks professional and trustworthy.

Distractions or Lack of Time

Let’s be honest: people are busy. Maybe they started filling up their cart while scrolling on their phone during a lunch break, but they got distracted by an email, or their boss walked into the room. Life happens, and before they know it, they’ve abandoned their cart and moved on to the next thing.

What you can do:

Send follow-up reminders (email, SMS, or push notifications) to remind them about their abandoned cart.
Make it easy for them to come back and finish their purchase by saving the cart for later.

Better Deals Elsewhere

Sometimes, customers bail because they found a better price or a better deal on another site. It stings, but it’s a reality of online shopping. Price sensitivity is a huge factor in buying decisions, especially when a shopper feels like they’re not getting a great deal.

Also you can do:

Offer incentives like discounts, free shipping, or bundles to make your offer more attractive.
Use social proof (reviews, testimonials) to reinforce the value of your product.

Why These Customers Are Still Valuable

So, here’s the good news: even though they abandoned their cart, that doesn’t mean all is lost. These people were interested. They liked what they saw and were on the brink of pulling the trigger. Think of it as a near-miss, rather than a lost cause.

Here’s why cart abandoners are gold for your store:

They’re Already Interested in Your Product

These aren’t random window-shoppers. These are people who actively sought out your product and added it to their cart. That’s a big deal. They’ve already taken the step of saying, “Yeah, I want this,” and that gives you a huge advantage. With the right follow-up, they can be convinced to come back and finish the job.

Abandoned Carts Are a Huge Opportunity for Retargeting

I can’t stress this enough—abandoned carts are like low-hanging fruit. With a little nudge, you can bring these customers back and make the sale. And because they’ve already shown interest, they’re much more likely to convert than a first-time visitor. Retargeting through email, SMS, or push notifications is a great way to keep your store top of mind and remind them why they wanted your product in the first place.

You Can Learn from Abandoned Carts

Don’t just see abandoned carts as a lost sale—use them as an opportunity to learn more about your customers. Are there certain products that get abandoned more often? Are people abandoning carts right before checkout? Track these trends and use the insights to improve your store’s user experience.

They Might Need a Little Push

Sometimes, all it takes to convert an abandoned cart into a sale is a simple reminder. A discount, a friendly email, or a special offer could be the difference between them walking away for good and them completing the purchase. And if you’re using retargeting strategies like abandoned cart emails or SMS, you can remind them of what they’re missing out on.

What This Means for Your Store

If you’re feeling disheartened by abandoned carts, don’t. They’re a natural part of the online shopping experience. Instead of seeing them as a failure, think of them as a reminder to focus on improving your store’s checkout process, communication, and customer experience.

Here’s the kicker: the people who abandon their carts are already interested in what you’re selling. They’re not saying no—they’re just saying “not yet.” And with the right strategies, you can turn those “maybes” into definite “yeses.”

In the next sections, I’m going to show you exactly how to retarget these cart abandoners without spending a dime on ads. Trust me, it’s easier than you think, and you don’t need a big budget to make it happen.

So, ready to turn abandoned carts into sales? Let’s dive in. And that’s why understanding the reasons behind abandoned carts is step one in recovering those lost sales. With a little insight, you can take action and start turning these near-misses into wins.

1. Set Up an Abandoned Cart Email Flow

This is hands-down my favorite method. It’s simple, low-cost, and wildly effective when done right.

The Timing

Timing is everything. Send your first email 1–3 hours after the cart is abandoned. That’s the sweet spot—still fresh in their mind, but not annoying.

Follow up with:

A second email after 24 hours
A third (and final) reminder after 48–72 hours

What to Include

Friendly reminder: Don’t be pushy. A simple “Did you forget something?” works wonders.
Product image: Visuals bring them back mentally to that moment of want.
A reason to return: Maybe it’s limited stock, or a small discount, or just a “We saved your cart for you!”
Urgency: Without sounding desperate—just a soft nudge like “Only 2 left in your size.”

Tools I Love

Klaviyo – perfect for eCommerce and crazy customizable
Mailchimp – beginner-friendly and solid
Omnisend – built for automation and visual builders

Keep your tone human. If you can make them smile, you’re halfway to the sale.

2. Send Cart Recovery Text Messages (SMS)

Email’s great, but let’s be real—how many unopened emails are lurking in your inbox right now?

That’s where SMS swoops in like a superhero. Open rates are sky-high, and people usually check texts within minutes.

Quick Tips

Keep it short and sweet
Sound like a person, not a robot
Always get permission (opt-in)

Sample Message:

“Hey! Looks like you left your cozy blanket behind 🛒 We saved it for you: [link]”

I’ve used tools like Postscript and SMSBump—both plug right into Shopify and make setup a breeze.

3. Use Web Push Notifications

You know those little pop-up messages that show up on your desktop or phone screen? That’s web push. And it’s wildly underrated.

When someone opts in, you can send gentle nudges straight to their browser—even if they’re not on your site.

Example Push:

“Still eyeing that vegan candle set? 👀 Your cart’s waiting!”

Use tools like PushOwl or OneSignal—both have generous free plans. Just don’t go overboard—two or three nudges max.

4. Add Exit-Intent Popups to Your Store

These are your last line of defense before a customer bails. Exit-intent popups detect when someone’s about to leave (based on mouse movement) and slide in with a final offer.

Think of it like someone holding the elevator and saying, “Wait! Don’t forget your bag!”

What to Offer:

10% off if they complete their order
Free shipping
A reminder that their cart is saved

Tools like OptiMonk, Privy, or Justuno can set these up in minutes.

5. Add “Save for Later” or “Resume Cart” Features

Not every cart is abandoned out of hesitation—sometimes people just run out of time. Or they’re browsing during lunch break and their boss walks by.

Make it easy for them to come back:

Let users email themselves their cart
Offer a “Save for later” button
Show a “Resume your cart” banner when they return

This builds trust and makes your store feel helpful, not salesy.

6. Use Live Chat to Catch Hesitant Shoppers

Live chat isn’t just for customer service—it’s a goldmine for cart recovery. If someone’s stalling at checkout, a gentle “Need help with something?” can save the sale.

Better yet, use chatbots to automatically ping users who’ve been idle.

“Hey! Do you have any questions about your order?” works better than you think.

I use Tidio and Chatra—both are smooth, customizable, and super beginner-friendly.

7. Add Social Proof & FOMO to Recovery Messages

When you follow up via email, SMS, or push, don’t just say “Hey, come back.” Show them why they should.

Add:

⭐️ Customer reviews
⏳ Limited stock alerts
🔥 “X people bought this today!”

This creates urgency without pressure. It’s the nudge people need to hit that “Buy Now” button.

8. Tools to Help You Recover Carts (No Ads Required)

Here’s my personal stack of budget-friendly (or free!) tools that make this magic happen:

Email

Klaviyo
Omnisend
Mailchimp

SMS

Postscript
SMSBump
Attentive

Push Notifications

PushOwl
OneSignal

Popups & Exit-Intent

Privy
OptiMonk
Poptin

Chat & Automation

Tidio
Chatra
Gorgias

Start with one or two—you don’t need the whole toolbox on day one.

9. Tips to Boost Recovery Success

Alright, once you’ve got your setup rolling, don’t just “set it and forget it.” Tinker. Test. Tweak.

A/B Test Everything

Subject lines
CTA buttons
Time between messages
Incentive vs. no incentive

Make It Personal

Use their first name. Mention what’s in their cart. Make it feel like a one-on-one convo.

Keep It Light

You’re not chasing them down the street. You’re gently holding open the door.

Final Thoughts: Bring Those Carts Back Without Burning Cash

Look, I get it. It’s tempting to throw money at ads when sales start slipping through the cracks. But trust me—sometimes, the best solution is just a little creativity, some automation, and a genuine human voice.

I’ve recovered thousands in lost sales without spending a cent on ads. You can too.

Pick one method from this list and implement it today. Just one. You’ll be amazed at how many ghost carts start finding their way back home.

And when they do? That cha-ching from your Shopify app will sound sweeter than ever.

Over to You:

Have you tried recovering carts without ads? Got a go-to method or tool that’s worked for you? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

And hey, if you want a copy of my free Cart Recovery Checklist, just holler. I’ll send it your way!

(Maybe you are also interested: What Is the Best eCommerce Marketing Plan for 2025?)

FAQs

1. How can I recover abandoned carts without using ads?

You can recover abandoned carts without ads by leveraging email marketing, SMS reminders, push notifications, and exit-intent popups. Setting up an automated abandoned cart email flow is a great first step. You can also send personalized SMS or push notifications to gently nudge customers back to complete their purchase.

2. What’s the best timing for sending cart abandonment reminders?

Timing is crucial! The best practice is to send your first reminder email 1–3 hours after abandonment, as it’s still fresh in their minds. Follow up with a second reminder after 24 hours and a final nudge after 48–72 hours. You don’t want to be too pushy, but a gentle reminder can go a long way.

3. What should I include in my abandoned cart recovery messages?

In your messages, include a friendly reminder of what’s in the cart, along with a clear call to action (CTA) like “Complete Your Purchase” or “Return to Your Cart.” Add product images to make it more visually appealing and consider offering an incentive like a discount or free shipping to encourage them to complete the order.

4. Can I use SMS to recover abandoned carts?

Yes! SMS is one of the most effective methods to recover abandoned carts. With higher open rates than email, sending a simple text message can be a quick way to reach customers who may have abandoned their carts. Be sure to get customer consent before sending SMS messages, and keep your messages short and to the point.

5. How do I make sure my customers trust my store when recovering abandoned carts?

Building trust is key to recovering abandoned carts. Displaying trust signals (like SSL certificates, secure payment methods, and customer reviews) on your checkout page and follow-up messages can help reassure customers. Additionally, ensure that your website looks professional and offers easy, secure payment options.