SMS vs email for abandoned cart recovery: which works better for Shopify stores?

Most Shopify stores lose the majority of shoppers who reach checkout. The usual fix is an abandoned cart email flow, and it's worth having. But it's rarely enough on its own.

Why email alone leaves money on the table

Abandoned cart emails land in a crowded inbox, often in a promotions tab, next to dozens of other brands. Many are opened hours later, if at all, by which time the shopper has bought elsewhere or moved on.

What SMS does differently

• It gets seen quickly. Text messages are usually read within minutes, while the shopper still remembers the product.
• It's a conversation. A customer can reply "does this come in medium?" or "how long is delivery?" and get an answer. Hesitation often comes down to a single unanswered question.
• It's personal. One short, friendly message feels like customer service, not marketing.

When email is still the better choice

Email is cheaper per message, carries images well and suits longer content such as product recommendations. Customers who haven't given SMS marketing consent should only receive email.

The best approach: use both

Keep your email flow and add SMS for the carts email doesn't win back. With Auto Recover, you can do this without bombarding anyone:

1. One text is sent after a cart is abandoned.
2. If the customer replies, AI answers using your store's own products, shipping and returns information.
3. If they don't reply, a single follow-up can offer an extra incentive.
4. STOP is honoured immediately, and quiet hours are respected.

Stay compliant

In the UK, only text customers who gave marketing consent at checkout, identify your brand, and make opting out easy. Auto Recover reads consent from Shopify on every send.

Want to see what SMS recovery adds on top of your emails? Start a 7-day free trial. Setup takes about five minutes.