Using Email & SMS Together for Abandoned Cart Recovery
How Multi-Channel Messages Help You Win Back More Sales
Let’s face it—cart abandonment happens all the time.
Someone adds a product to their cart, gets distracted, and poof—they’re gone. No checkout, no sale, no follow-up… unless you step in. That’s where email and SMS marketing come in.
At Milhook, we help brands recover abandoned carts every day using simple, automated flows that combine email and SMS. And trust us—it works way better than relying on just one channel.
Why Do People Abandon Carts Anyway?
You’re not alone if you’re seeing a ton of dropped checkouts. It’s actually super common.
Here’s why people ditch their cart:
Unexpected shipping costs
Complicated checkout process
Just browsing (aka not ready yet)
Got distracted—life happens
Whatever the reason, the key is to follow up quickly and effectively.
Why Just Email Isn’t Cutting It Anymore
Email is still a powerhouse—it’s great for showing off your product, offering a discount, or reminding people what they left behind. But here’s the thing:
Emails get buried in busy inboxes
Not everyone checks email all day
They’re easy to forget about
That’s why adding SMS to your abandoned cart recovery strategy is a game-changer.
Why SMS + Email = More Recovered Sales
SMS feels personal. It’s fast, direct, and nearly impossible to ignore.
When you combine email and SMS for cart recovery, you hit your customers in two places they’re already active—in their inbox and on their phone. That means more opens, more clicks, and most importantly—more sales.
What a High-Converting Cart Abandonment Flow Looks Like
Here’s a simple flow we love to set up for eCommerce brands at Milhook:
1. Email (1 Hour After Abandonment)
“Still thinking it over?” with a product image + CTA button to return to cart.
2. SMS (2–3 Hours Later)
Something like:
“Hey! You left something in your cart 👀 Tap here to complete your order: [link]”
3. Email (Next Day)
Add urgency: “Your cart’s about to expire…”
Throw in a customer review or two to build trust.
4. Optional SMS (Day 2 or 3)
Sweeten the deal with a discount:
“Take 10% off your cart—but only for the next 12 hours! [code]”
5. Final Email
Last call. Focus on product benefits, a quick FAQ, or offer live chat help.
Real Talk: Does This Actually Work?
Yes. Like, really well.
Brands that use SMS and email together for abandoned cart recovery see:
20–40% more recovered carts
Faster checkouts after reminders
Higher overall revenue from automations
Plus, your customers get a smooth, friendly reminder—not a salesy push.
Ready to Recover More Carts?
If you’re not using both email and SMS to follow up on abandoned carts, you’re leaving money on the table.
At Milhook, we build done-for-you email and SMS flows that bring customers back—without annoying them. From smart timing to high-converting copy, we make sure your messages feel natural and get results.
Want to turn abandoned carts into real sales?
👉 Let’s chat
