1. Log into Klaviyo and Go to “Flows”
From your dashboard, click “Flows” in the left-hand menu and then hit the “Create Flow” button in the top right.
2. Search for “Abandoned Cart” in the Flow Library
Klaviyo has a bunch of pre-built templates. Search for “Abandoned Cart” and choose the "Abandoned Cart Reminder" flow. You can always customize it later.
Click “Use Flow.”
3. Set Your Trigger: “Started Checkout”
Your flow will begin with the “Checkout Started” trigger. This means any user who starts the checkout process but doesn’t complete it will be entered into the flow.
💡 Pro Tip: Make sure you have Klaviyo integrated with your eCommerce platform (like Shopify or WooCommerce), and that your “Started Checkout” event is tracking properly.
4. Adjust the Timing
The first email should go out within 1–4 hours after the cart is abandoned. That’s the sweet spot before they forget about you.
You can add delays between emails using “Time Delay” blocks—e.g., send a follow-up 24 hours later with a discount if they haven’t come back.
5. Customize Your Email Content
Click into each email and make it your own. Here’s what to include:
- Personalization (use their first name if you have it)
- Product images from their cart
- Clear call-to-action (“Complete Your Purchase”)
- Optional: Offer a discount in email #2 or #3
Klaviyo makes it easy to drag and drop blocks, or you can use one of their pre-designed templates to keep things looking polished.
6. Add Exit Conditions (Optional)
You can stop the flow for anyone who does end up purchasing. Just add a “Flow Filter” that says:
“Has Placed Order zero times since starting this flow.”
This way, once they buy, they won’t keep getting the abandoned cart reminders.
7. Turn It On and Test It!
Once everything looks good, hit “Live” in the top right of the flow. Before launching, it's always a good idea to test it with your own email to make sure all the links, images, and dynamic content work perfectly.
Bonus Tips for Higher Conversions
- Use urgency: “Your cart is about to expire!”
- Include reviews or testimonials: Build trust in case they’re still on the fence.
- Use SMS too: Add a text message reminder to the flow for even higher recovery rates.
Setting up your first abandoned cart flow in Klaviyo might feel like a small step—but it can have a big impact. Once it’s live, you’ve got a 24/7 recovery system working behind the scenes to win back lost sales automatically.
Got questions or want help optimizing your flow? Drop them in the comments below!
