Quick answer
Send abandoned checkout reminders in three steps: a short, helpful nudge at 1 hour, a reassurance message at 24 hours that answers delivery, returns and fit questions, and a final reminder at 72 hours. That is the timing Scale.gg MyStore uses, as shown in our latest video. Keep each message about the shopper's cart, not your brand, and only add a discount on the last one if you add one at all.
Key takeaways
- Use three reminders: 1 hour, 24 hours, 72 hours
- Message 1 is a simple return link, not a sales pitch
- Message 2 removes doubt: delivery, returns, reviews, guest order lookup
- Message 3 is the last call; a discount is optional, not automatic
- Measure recovered orders and average order value over 7, 30 and 90 days
📘 Main article: This guide supports Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button. Read that first for the full MyStore walkthrough.
In this guide
Someone added your product, typed their email and then left. That is an almost-sale, and it is the easiest sale to win back. This guide answers one question: what to send in abandoned checkout reminders at 1 hour, 24 hours and 72 hours. For the store itself, see Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button.
Why send three abandoned checkout reminders?
Shoppers leave checkout for different reasons. Some get interrupted. Some have a doubt. Some are comparing prices.
One message cannot cover all three. Three spaced reminders can: the first catches the interrupted, the second answers the doubter, and the third reaches the comparer before they buy elsewhere.
In our video, Scale.gg MyStore follows an unfinished checkout after 1 hour, with follow-ups at 24 and 72 hours. Your job is to make each message earn its place.
What should each reminder do?
| Reminder | Timing | Job | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 hour | Bring them back to the exact cart | Short, helpful, no pressure |
| 2 | 24 hours | Answer the likely objection | Reassuring, useful |
| 3 | 72 hours | Final reminder before the cart goes cold | Polite, clear, final |
What should the 1-hour reminder say?
Keep it short. The shopper already wanted the product an hour ago. You only need to remind them and make the way back easy.
- Show the product name and image they left
- One clear button back to checkout
- One line of help, such as “Questions? Just reply”
Example: “You left something behind. Your is still in your cart. Pick up where you left off.”
⚠️ Warning: Do not open with a discount at 1 hour. You teach shoppers to abandon on purpose and you give away margin to people who were going to buy anyway.
What should the 24-hour reminder say?
A day later, the shopper probably has a doubt. Answer the common ones before they ask:
- Delivery: your shipping options and the free-shipping threshold
- Returns: your policy in one sentence
- Proof: one or two approved customer reviews
- Support: they can check an order later with guest order lookup, no account needed
💡 Tip: Use the same free-shipping message as your store's announcement bar, so the reminder and the store tell the same story.
What should the 72-hour reminder say?
This is the last one. Be clear that it is the final reminder and leave the door open.
Example: “Last reminder: your is still saved. If now is not the right time, no problem. We will not chase you again about this order.”
That promise matters. It builds trust and stops people unsubscribing out of irritation.
Should you add a discount?
Only if your margins allow it, and usually only on the 72-hour reminder. A small discount code or free-shipping offer at the end can tip a comparer over the line.
| Approach | When it fits |
|---|---|
| No discount | Strong margins, loyal audience, products people rarely compare |
| Free shipping on reminder 3 | Shipping cost is a common objection |
| Small discount code on reminder 3 | Competitive products and healthy margins |
🔎 Check before you rely on it: Exact message editing options and whether you can attach a discount code to each reminder may differ in your MyStore account. Check the settings before you write your copy around them.
How do you measure the results?
MyStore's analytics report revenue, orders, average order value and top products over 7, 30 or 90 days. Use them to check whether your reminders work.
- Note your order count and revenue for the 30 days before you change the reminders.
- Change one message at a time.
- Compare the next 30 days, then confirm the trend over 90 days.
- Watch average order value: if it drops after adding a discount, the discount may be too generous.
📘 Keep going: The full store walkthrough is in Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button. Selling without stock? See How to Add Print-on-Demand Products to Your Online Store Without a Warehouse.
Building a store with Scale.gg? See our Starter Bonus Bundle and more guides on Prodify Digital.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to send an abandoned checkout reminder?
Send the first within about an hour, while the purchase is still fresh. Scale.gg MyStore uses 1 hour, then follow-ups at 24 and 72 hours.
How many abandoned checkout reminders should I send?
Three is a good default: a nudge, a reassurance message and a final reminder. More than that tends to annoy people.
Should every reminder include a discount?
No. Discounts on every reminder train shoppers to wait. If you use one, save it for the last reminder.
Do I need permission to send these reminders?
Rules on follow-up messages depend on where you and your customers are. In the UK, check the ICO guidance on electronic marketing and keep reminders about the specific order.
The bottom line
Good abandoned checkout reminders are short, timely and helpful. Remind at 1 hour, reassure at 24 hours, close politely at 72 hours, and measure the change in MyStore's analytics before you touch discounts.
Related posts
- Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button
- How to Add Print-on-Demand Products to Your Online Store Without a Warehouse
- MailBaser Smart Email Marketing Automation: Behaviour-Based Sequences
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