A good abandoned cart text names what was left behind, links straight back to the checkout and lets the customer opt out, all in one segment. Send the first within an hour or so, and only to people who agreed to marketing texts.
These 20 templates are plain text, so they fit 160 characters to a segment. For the full email and text sequence, see abandoned cart email and SMS examples. This post goes deep on the text itself.
When should you send abandoned cart texts?
| Step | Timing to start with | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Reminder | Within about an hour of leaving | Catch people who got interrupted |
| Reassurance | The next day, if they haven't bought | Answer the question that stopped them |
| Offer (optional) | Two or three days later | Win people who need a reason |
Many stores do better running email first and saving the text for people who haven't opened or clicked, since each text costs money and customers tolerate far fewer of them.
First reminder templates
| Style | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | {store}: You left your {product} in your cart. Pick up where you left off: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 122 (1 segment) |
| Friendly | Hi {name}, it's {store}. Your cart is saved and ready when you are: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 111 (1 segment) |
| Question | {store}: Still thinking about the {product}, {name}? Your cart is here: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 116 (1 segment) |
| Low stock (only if true) | {store}: Only a few {product} left, and yours is still in your cart: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 116 (1 segment) |
| Help offer | {store}: Did something go wrong at checkout, {name}? Reply here and we'll help, or finish up: {link} STOP to opt out | 131 (1 segment) |
| Mobile-friendly | {store}: Finish your order in a tap. Your {product} is waiting: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 111 (1 segment) |
| Very short | {store}: Your cart misses you. {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 77 (1 segment) |
Reassurance templates
| Objection | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping | {store}: Your {product} ships free on orders like yours. Finish here: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 117 (1 segment) |
| Returns | {store}: Not sure about the {product}? Returns are easy if it isn't right. Your cart: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 133 (1 segment) |
| Reviews | {store}: See what customers say about the {product} before you decide: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 118 (1 segment) |
| Sizing | {store}: Not sure about your size, {name}? Reply with your question and we'll help. Reply STOP to opt out | 105 (1 segment) |
| Delivery date | {store}: Order your {product} today and it ships tomorrow. Your cart: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 117 (1 segment) |
| Payment | {store}: You can pay over time on your {product} at checkout. Your cart: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 120 (1 segment) |
Only send a line that's true for your store and that order. Don't promise free shipping, easy returns or a ship date you can't keep.
Offer templates
| Offer | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Percent off | {store}: Here's 10% off your {product}, {name}. Use {code} by Friday: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 114 (1 segment) |
| Free shipping | {store}: Shipping's on us if you finish today with {code}: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 105 (1 segment) |
| Gift | {store}: Finish your order by Friday and we'll add a free sample. Your cart: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 123 (1 segment) |
| Last call | {store}: Last call, {name}. {code} ends tonight and your cart goes with it: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 119 (1 segment) |
| VIP | {store}: As a rewards member, you get {code} on the cart you left: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 113 (1 segment) |
| Final, no offer | {store}: We'll stop reminding you about your cart now. It's here if you want it: {link} Reply STOP to opt out | 127 (1 segment) |
| Reply for help choosing | {store}: Want help picking, {name}? Reply with a question and a real person will answer. STOP to opt out | 104 (1 segment) |
Which text works for which cart?
- Small cart, new visitor: A single reminder. A discount can wipe out the margin on a small first order.
- Large cart: Add a reply offer. People spending more often have a real question, and a person can answer it.
- Repeat customer: Skip the discount and be friendly. They know you, so something probably just interrupted them.
- Subscription in the cart: Mention what they can change later, such as skipping or swapping, if your store allows it.
What should you avoid in cart texts?
- Writing as if you've been watching. "We noticed you were looking at..." lands badly in a text.
- Making up scarcity. If the stock isn't low, don't say so.
- Sending after they bought. Check for a placed order before every step.
- Using a public link shortener, which carriers may filter.
- Losing the business name. Customers may not have your number saved.
- Texting people who only gave you a number for shipping updates.
Should you offer a discount right away?
Usually not. If shoppers learn that leaving a cart earns a code, some will wait for it every time, and you'll give margin to people who would have bought anyway. Start with a reminder, follow with reassurance, and make any offer the last step. Reserve a stronger offer for bigger carts or first-time customers, and use a holdout group to see whether the discount truly adds sales.
What are the consent rules for cart texts?
Leaving a cart isn't consent. A cart reminder is a marketing text, so it needs prior express written consent, not just a phone number typed at checkout for shipping updates. Identify your business, offer a way out, and respect quiet hours. See the SMS compliance checklist. Not legal advice. This is general information. We checked the FCC's telemarketing rule, 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200, on November 1, 2026. State laws can add rules, so ask your lawyer about your business.
How to set this up in SmartyTap
SmartyTap's abandoned cart flow starts when a shopper leaves a checkout. Add emails, text messages, delays and splits, and it leaves customers out once they buy. See how the abandoned checkout flow works. You can edit a message at any time: what's been delivered stays delivered, and later sends use the new version. SmartyTap Starter is $20 a month with 250 SMS credits, and Pro is $199 a month (or $1,990 a year) with 2,500. One credit covers one segment and costs 2¢. New workspaces need a paid plan to send, and there's no free trial. See SmartyTap pricing.
Keep reading: browse abandonment emails, the SMS character limit and flows every store should run.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I send an abandoned cart text?
Start within about an hour of the shopper leaving, then test. If that time falls in quiet hours, hold the text until morning in the customer's time zone.
How many abandoned cart texts should I send?
One to three is plenty, and many stores send just one alongside an email sequence. Each text costs money and adds to the risk of an opt-out, so stop as soon as the customer buys.
Can I text someone who abandoned a cart without consent?
No. A cart reminder is marketing, so in the US it needs prior express written consent. A phone number entered only for delivery updates doesn't cover it.
Should abandoned cart texts include a discount?
Not in the first message. Send a reminder first and save any offer for the last step, or some customers will learn to leave carts on purpose.
Written by
Claire Mitchell
Lifecycle Marketing Writer, Chargezen
Claire Mitchell writes about lifecycle marketing, customer engagement, and the growing role of AI in customer retention. She explores how businesses use email, SMS, messaging platforms, and behavioral data to deliver more relevant customer experiences throughout the customer journey. Her coverage focuses on marketing automation, intelligent segmentation, personalized campaigns, and the strategies that help brands increase repeat purchases and customer lifetime value.
