Journal

6 Best Triggered Email Examples for Your Automation

22 Mar
2024
6 Best Triggered Email Examples for Your Automation

Triggered emails are a great way to increase sales, engagement, and customer loyalty. They are automated emails sent out based on specific user behavior or interactions with your website or app. These automated emails can be used to thank customers for purchases, welcome new customers, follow up with existing customers who haven’t been active recently or even offer special discounts as a reward for loyalty.

In this article, we’ll look at 6 of the best triggered email examples and discuss what makes them effective. By using these strategies in combination with other marketing tactics, you can create an automated email sequence that helps to nurture your customers and drives sales.

Differences Between a Triggered and Regular Email

Before we look at triggered emails, let’s consider the differences between triggered and regular email campaigns. create a successful email marketing campaign.

Triggered emails are typically:

  • Based on customer actions or behaviors
  • Personalized with customer data, making them tailored to individual customers
  • Triggered by any number of actions or behaviors, from subscribing to a newsletter or making a purchase, to completing an event registration or opting in for a webinar series
  • Sent in a timely manner, right after the customer action or behavior, while regular emails are sent at a predetermined time. Triggered emails are also personalized in that they can be triggered by any number of customer actions or behaviors

While regular campaigns are typically:

  • One-off sends to a segmented base of contacts
  • Sent at at any frequency
  • Are not based off contacts’ actions taken but rather based on their interests

Triggered emails, while automated, can still come across as authentic and on-brand. You can create a series of messages that are sent out automatically based on a trigger or set schedule without the need for manual intervention. This can be incredibly useful for welcoming new subscribers to your email list, following up with customers after a purchase, or sending reminders about upcoming events. 

Not only do automated emails save time, but they also ensure that your messages are consistent and on-brand. Plus, by using automation to send targeted, personalized messages to your audience, you can improve engagement and increase conversions. 

Take a look at these triggered email examples.

6 Top Triggered Email Examples 

Now that we’ve looked at the differences between triggered and regular emails, let’s look at 6 triggered email examples.

1. Abandoned Cart Emails

Popupsmart

An abandoned cart email is triggered when a customer adds items to their shopping cart but doesn’t complete the purchase. This type of triggered email is used to remind customers about their incomplete purchases and encourage them to finish the checkout process. They are effective in increasing sales, as it helps to push customers who are close to the finish line over the edge and complete their purchase.

Here are some examples of abandoned cart emails.

Example 1: Personalized subject line

“Don’t forget about your cart [Name]!”

Body: “Hi [Name], we noticed you added these items to your cart but didn't complete your purchase! Don’t worry; we saved your cart for you. Click through to check out!”

Example 2: Urgency-based email

Subject line: “Your cart is almost empty!”

Body: “Hey [Name], you're running out of time to take advantage of 10% off! Complete your purchase now before it’s gone for good. Don't miss out – click here to finish checkout now.”

Example 3: Product recommendations

Subject line: “We think you’ll love these products, [Name]”

Body: “[Name], you left some items in your cart! Before you check out, take a peek at what others bought with your items. Don’t forget to check out today and get 10% off!”

Example 4: Abandoned cart recovery email series

Subject line: “We missed you!”

Body: “Hey [Name], it's been a few days since you left some items in your cart. Don't miss out on your special offer! Come back and finish your checkout to get 10% off your order.”

You can use it when:

  • A customer has added items to their online shopping cart but has not completed the purchase (typically 3-4 hours after cart abandonment)
  • A customer has shown intent to purchase but has not completed the transaction
  • You want to send a special offer or discount to a shopper who has left an item in their cart

2. Recommendation emails 

MeUndies product recommendation email
Popupsmart

Recommendation emails are triggered when a customer has purchased an item or interacted with your website in some way. They are designed to show customers other items they may be interested in based on their previous shopping habits or interests. By recommending related products and services, you can engage customers and increase sales.

Here are some examples:

Example 1: Product recommendation email

Subject line: “These would look good on you, [Name]”

Body: “You recently purchased [Product] and we thought you might be interested in these other items that go great with what you already have. Check out the selection and get 10% off when you complete your order today.”

Example 2: Personalized recommendation email

Subject line: “We think you’ll love these products, [Name]”

Body: “A fan of classic rock, [Name]? We thought you might be interested in these albums. Check out your personalized selections and get 10% off when you complete your order today.”

Example 3: Abandoned cart recommendation email

Subject line: “These are calling your name, [Name]”

Body: “[Name], you left some items in your cart and we thought these products would go great with your selections! Check ‘em out and complete your order today to get 10% off.”

You can use it when a customer:

  • Makes a purchase
  • Visits a specific product page
  • Adds an item to their cart but doesn't complete the purchase
  • Has shown interest in a particular product category
  • Has been inactive for a while
  • Has already made a purchase and you want to upsell them

3. Back-in-Stock email

Everlane back-in-stock email
Popupsmart

Importance of back-in-stock emails for businesses to keep inventory levels in check:

Back-in-stock emails are triggered when a product that was previously out of stock is now available for purchase. This type of email is an important tool for businesses to keep inventory levels in check and ensure customers can find the products they need quickly and easily.

There are multiple types of back-in-stock emails, such as product-specific, category-specific, and general back-in-stock reminders. 

Here are some examples:

Example 1: Product-specific back-in-stock email

This type of email should include a product image and description, a call to action, and an option to subscribe for future restocking notifications.

Subject line: “Your favorite pair of shoes is back in stock!”

Body: “[Name], your faves are back in action! [Shoe name] it's now available to purchase. Get your pair today before they're gone again! Click here to shop now.”

Example 2: Category-specific back-in-stock email

This type of email should include a list of popular products in that category, a call to action, and a link to the category page for further browsing.

Subject line: “Return of the fan favorites!”

Body: “These top sellers are back in stock! Take a look at our selection of category and get them before they're gone. Click here to shop now.”

Example 3: General back-in-stock

This should include a list of all recently restocked products, a call to action, and a link to the restocked products page for easy browsing.

Subject line: “Guess what’s back… back in stock!”

Body: “These favorites went quick! Take a look at our selection of recently restocked items and get them before they're gone (again). Click here to shop now.”

You can use it when:

  • There are changes in inventory levels and you want to generate excitement and drive traffic
  • A contact who has opted in to receive notifications once new inventory is added
  • You want to promote new products
  • A customer has shown interest in a particular product and you want to give them a reminder

4. Welcome Emails

Shopify

Welcome emails are triggered when a customer takes action, such as signing up for a mailing list or creating an account on your website. This type of email is essential to introducing customers to your brand and starting the relationship off on the right foot. Additionally, welcome emails can be used to remind customers of your brand's mission, educate customers on products or services, and provide helpful information they may need as a customer.

Example 1: The Basic Welcome Email

Subject line: “Welcome to our [Brand] family!”

Body: “[Name], we're so glad you decided to join the crew! We're excited to have you as part of our community. To get started, check out our most popular products and services, explore the website for more information about [Brand], and you can always hit reply if you have any questions. Welcome aboard!”

Example 2: The Personalized Welcome Email

Subject line: “We're so excited to have you on board, [Name]!”

Body: “[Name], finding the perfect product for your needs can be hard and time-consuming. We always strive to provide the best customer service and product selection. Have a look around, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions or need help finding the perfect product. Welcome aboard!”

Example 3: The Welcome Series Email

Subject line: “Welcome to the [Brand] family, [Name]!”

Body: “[Name], we're so excited to have you join us! To kick things off, we want to give you a few helpful tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your experience with [Brand]. Over the next few days, we'll send you emails with helpful information on our products and services and exclusive offers that are only available to our customers. Welcome aboard!”

Example 4: The Interactive Welcome Email

Subject line: “Welcome to [Brand], [Name]!”

Body: “Welcome, [Name]! To get started on your journey with us, let's do a quick interactive questionnaire that will help us personalize your experience and get you the best products and services for your needs. Click here to start the questionnaire and get personalized recommendations!”

You can use it when:

  • A new contact signs up for a email list
  • A customer makes their first purchase from a brand
  • A customer creates a new account
  • A customer subscribes to a brand's newsletter
  • A contact downloads a free resource
  • A customer subscribes to a blog or podcast
  • A contact attends a brand's webinar or event

5. Feedback Emails

ELAVI customer feedback email
Junip

A customer feedback email would be automatically triggered to send either after a designated number of days following a purchase, providing customers with enough time to experience and form an opinion on the product (we recommend at least 14 days), or after a customer service interaction.

Feedback emails allow companies to gather valuable customer feedback and make improvements based on their input. These emails help to develop relationships with customers by encouraging them to share their thoughts and opinions and show that the company cares about their experience.

Example 1: Customer feedback request

Subject line: “We value your opinion!”

Body: “Hi [Name], we hope you're having a great experience with [Brand]. To make sure that we continue to provide the best service and products possible, we'd love to hear your feedback. Please take a few moments to fill out this quick survey and let us know how we did. We truly appreciate your input!”

Example 2: Product review request

Subject line: “Share your experience, [Name]”

Body: “[Name], we hope you enjoyed using [product]. To help other customers make an informed decision, we'd love to hear your honest feedback. Please take a few moments to write a review and let us know how you felt about the product or service. We truly appreciate your input!”

Example 3: Customer survey request

Subject line: “Help us improve our services”

Body: “Hi [Name], we hope you're having a great experience with us. To make sure that we continue to provide the best service and products possible, we'd love to hear your feedback. Please take a few moments to complete this short survey and let us know how we can improve our services for you. We truly appreciate your input!

Example 4: Feedback on website experience

Subject line: “Rate your experience on our website?”

Body: “Hi [Name], we hope you had a pleasant experience browsing our website. To make sure that we continue to provide the best service and products possible, we'd love to hear your feedback. Please take a few moments to let us know how we can improve our website for you. We truly appreciate your input!”

You can use it when a customer:

  • Makes a purchase
  • Interacts with customer service
  • Visits the website
  • Subscribes to a newsletter or signs up for an account
  • Attends an event or webinar
  • Receives a product or service

The purpose of these emails is to gather valuable feedback from the customer, which can be used to improve the overall customer experience and drive business growth.

6. Birthday Emails

Hubspot

Importance of personalization in birthday emails:

Birthday emails are triggered when a customer reaches their birthday anniversary. These triggered emails show customers that the company cares about them and provides special offers or discounts to encourage repeat purchases. The main goal of triggered birthday emails is to make customers feel appreciated and valued by the brand.

When creating triggered birthday emails, it's important to add a personal touch by including the customer's name and other details that make them feel special. Additionally, including a coupon code or discount can help to further engage customers and encourage them to take advantage of the offer.

Example 1: Personalized birthday email with special offer or discount

Subject line: “Happy Birthday, [Name]! Enjoy 20% off today.”

Body: “[Name], we hope you have a wonderful birthday! As a special treat for your special day, enjoy 20% off all purchases made today. We appreciate your loyalty and thank you for being a valued customer. Happy Birthday!”

Example 2: Interactive birthday email with quiz

Subject line: “Happy Birthday, [Name]! Test your knowledge with this fun quiz.”

Body: “Hi [Name], we hope you have a fantastic birthday filled with lots of fun and laughter! To help you celebrate, we've put together a special quiz just for you. See how much you know about [Brand] and get a chance to win a special prize. Have fun!"

Example 3: Birthday email with personalized product recommendations

Subject line: “[Name], here’s a special birthday surprise!”

Body: “We hope you’re having an amazing birthday, [Name]! To make it a little more special, here’s a treat just for you: we've put together a personalized selection of products that we think you'll love. Take a look and see if there's something that catches your eye for 20%. Use code: birthday20”

Example 4: Emotional birthday email with sentimental message

Subject line: “[Name], here’s to another year of joy and laughter!”

Body: “Hi [Name], we hope you have the best birthday ever. Today is a day to celebrate all the wonderful accomplishments, memories and moments that make up your life. We're so grateful for your loyalty and support. Here’s a special 25% off just for you as a thank you!”

You can use it when:

  • It’s a recipient's actual birthday
  • It’s few days before or at the beginning of their birth month
  • You want to show appreciation of a customers loyalty
  • You want to offer a special discount as a birthday present

Harnessing the Power of Triggered Email Automation

Sendlane is here to help businesses achieve their goals with email & SMS automation. By leveraging the power of triggered emails, we can help businesses increase retention and drive higher ROI from their email campaigns. With the help of our platform, businesses can use triggered emails through email automation to send re-engagement emails based on customers' website activity or product purchases, ensuring that customers receive timely and relevant communications. Email automation helps businesses save time that would otherwise be spent manually creating and sending emails. By setting up these triggered email sequences, businesses can focus their energy on other aspects of the business, such as customer service or product development.

Ready to get started on automating an email & SMS strategy  that drives conversions? Sign up for a free 60-day trial today.

Triggered Emails FAQs

What is the difference between triggered emails and regular emails?
What is the purpose of triggered emails?
How can I measure the success of my triggered emails?
How do email and SMS work together?
How does email automation work?

Share article link

Subscribe to our blog!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The 2021 eCommerce
Email Marketing Playbook Part 2

Maximize revenue & customer loyalty in 2021

Mastering Customer
Acquisition & Retention in 2021

Tuesday, July 20

Better features. Better support. Better customer experience.

Get all the same features you need with a more intuitive UI you’ll love. Experience the difference.

No More Guessing; Make Data-driven Decisions at a Glance

Ditch the clunky UI; send high-converting messages with unified email & SMS data under one roof.

Find Hidden Growth Opportunities in your Shopify Customers

Build a retention-first strategy with real-time analytics and multi-channel automation.

Turn sales into reviews & reviews into more sales. All for free.

Collect, manage and dynamically display unlimited reviews all within one snazzy dashboard (and at no additional cost).

Uncover What your Customers Really Want

Get all the same features you need with a more intuitive UI you’ll love. Experience the difference.

Create Winning Campaigns Faster with Personalized Email Marketing

Spend less time building emails & more time creating experiences that drive your store growth.

Unified Email & SMS Marketing for BigCommerce

Send hyper-targeted email & SMS marketing that generates revenue with an easy one-click integration.

Uncover What your Customers Really Want

Get all the same features you need with a more intuitive UI you’ll love. Experience the difference.

Everything Your Brand Needs to Achieve Greatness with SMS

Build lasting, authentic relationships and tap into multi-channel revenue with all-in-one email & sms marketing.

Drive significant ROI for your
online store

Your eCommerce power couple - Unite your email & SMS marketing under one roof with Sendlane.

The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing
CLTV for Digital Retailers

Keep your store cruising onward and upward with these seven strategies to increase CLTV.

The eCommerce
Segmentation Handbook

12 eCommerce Email Marketing Segments to Maximize Your Customer LTV.

The Definitive Guide to Abandoned
Cart Emails for eCommerce

Perfect your abandoned cart email funnel and recover those lost sales on autopilot.

The Big Book of eCommerce Email Funnels

Boost your customer LTV & ROI with these 10 proven automated funnel templates.

Your 2021 Guide to eCommerce Holiday Marketing

9 tried and tested omnichannel marketing strategies to crush holiday sales

The Digital Retailer’s Email Copywriting Handbook

A Marketer's Guide to Writing Killer Email Copy That Sells.

The Future of eCommerce
in 2022

Omnichannel strategies to drive revenue plus trends to watch in 2022 and beyond

The Digital Retailer's Guide to Modern SMS/MMS Marketing

10 Best practices to convert more customers where and when they’re active most with text messaging.

Increase Revenue and Retention by Mastering the Digital Customer Experience

A step-by-step guide to mastering the customer experience and building a base of loyal, repeat buyers.

The BigCommerce Experience: Omnichannel Marketing Strategies for a Post-Cookie World

The Shopify Experience:
A Merchant & Marketer's Guide
to Scaling eCommerce Growth

Get started with your free
14-day test drive!

All our PRO level features at your fingertips.

Try for Free