Abandoned cart WhatsApp template with a discount code

This is the cart reminder that carries a code. If you use one, our data says it belongs in the second message, about 24 hours after the first. And it is clear on one more point: on TextYess, cart flows with a code bring an order from 12.7% of delivered messages for the median brand, against 14.8% for flows without one. So the discount is a margin decision, not the lever that recovers the cart. If you use one, these are the messages that work best.

What works, from the messages brands send on TextYess

• A code doesn’t lift the first reminder. First messages with a discount bring orders from 11.8% of delivered messages, against 12.9% without. Start without a code, as in our abandoned cart reminder.

• The second message is worth sending, with or without a code. Sent about 24 hours after abandonment, it brings around 28% of a cart flow’s orders. A code doesn’t rescue it: second messages with a code convert 5.2%, those without 6.7%.

• 10% is the norm, and enough. Every top discounted cart flow on TextYess uses 10 to 15%. In campaigns, deeper discounts showed no clear lift.

• Make the code effortless. The best messages pre-apply the code in the link, add a copy-code button or put the code in bold. In campaigns, sends with a copy-code button bring 1.51× the orders of the same brand’s sends without one.

• Stop at two messages. Flows with three or more messages fall to 7.5% per message.

Templates

1. The short classic with a code

The TextYess preset, which several brands send almost word for word. A fashion brand gets 19.3% with it, and a beauty brand gets 21.8% with a near-identical version.

• Header: none

• Buttons: URL “Complete my order”, copy code

• Example values: {{first_name}} = Emma, {{brand}} = Casa Lino, {{discount_code}} = BASKET10, {{discount}} = 10

2. A loyalty code from a real person

For returning customers. A person from the team writes, the code rewards them as a customer, and the link opens the basket with the code already applied. A supplements brand sends this to repeat customers and gets 30.0%, the highest of the discounted cart messages we looked at.

• Header: none

• Buttons: URL “Recover my basket”

• Example values: {{first_name}} = Emma, {{brand}} = Casa Lino, {{discount_code}} = LOYAL15, {{discount}} = 15

3. Payment still pending

For shoppers who reached payment and stopped. It shows the order value and keeps a small extra discount “reserved” for them. A shoe brand sends this an hour after abandonment and gets 20.5%.

• Header: none

• Buttons: URL “Back to my order”

• Example values: {{first_name}} = Emma, {{total}} = 119, {{brand}} = Casa Lino, {{discount}} = 10, {{discount_code}} = WHATSAPP10

4. Second message, with a real deadline

The 24-hour follow-up. It doesn’t repeat the first reminder: it brings something new, the code, with an expiry you will actually enforce. Mild urgency helps a little in campaigns (1.20×) when it is real.

• Header: none

• Buttons: copy code, URL “View my basket”

• Example values: {{first_name}} = Emma, {{brand}} = Casa Lino, {{discount}} = 10, {{deadline}} = midnight tomorrow; copy-code button = BASKET10

5. Reassurance first, code second

For a brand with a trust argument: customer numbers, free returns, a product that solves a clear problem. A cycling gear brand selling in English sends this kind of message and gets 15.4%. Use your own real figures.

• Header: none

• Buttons: URL “Complete my order”

• Example values: {{first_name}} = Emma, {{brand}} = Casa Lino, {{discount_code}} = WELCOME10, {{discount}} = 10. Write your own real customer number in the text: it doesn’t change, so it doesn’t need a variable.

When to send it

Send the reminder without a code within 30 minutes to 2 hours of abandonment, then this message about 24 hours later, only if the shopper still hasn’t ordered. Don’t add a third message. With TextYess both messages go out automatically from your Shopify checkout data, and the second is skipped if the order comes in first.

Meta category

A cart reminder is marketing whether or not it has a discount, and a code makes that even clearer. Don’t submit it as utility, because Meta will reject it or move it to marketing. If the code has a real expiry, you can use Meta’s limited-time-offer template, which shows a countdown and a copy-code button. Source: Meta template categorisation.

Avoid rejection

• Keep symbols like % and £ outside the variables and use plain sample values (10, not 10%). Meta rejects special characters inside variables.

• One copy-code button per template, and the sample code can be 20 characters at most. Use letters and numbers only.

• In the limited-time-offer template the offer text is limited to 16 characters and the body to 600, and footers aren’t allowed.

• Don’t start or end the body with a variable: “save {{discount}}% today.” needs the words after it.

• Button labels can be 25 characters at most. Full rules: Meta template review.

FAQ

Related templates

Abandoned cart reminder, Price drop and Welcome message.

See all 20 WhatsApp message templates for ecommerce.