CART RECOVERY
Abandoned Cart Recovery on WhatsApp, RCS and SMS
Remind shoppers about what they left behind with the product image and a link back to checkout, then answer their doubts in the chat before they move on.
QUICK ANSWER
Smart Growth AI recovers abandoned carts by sending a WhatsApp message with the product image, price and a checkout link shortly after a shopper leaves. Shoppers can ask questions in the chat, answered by an AI chatbot or your team. If WhatsApp is not delivered, an RCS card with a Buy button goes out, and SMS covers the rest.
01
Product image, not just text
WhatsApp and RCS show the item the shopper left, with price and a one-tap link back to their cart.
02
Doubts answered in the chat
Questions on size, delivery or COD can be answered by the chatbot or your team before the shopper buys elsewhere.
03
Reach beyond WhatsApp
RCS and SMS fallbacks mean shoppers without WhatsApp, or with it switched off, still get a reminder.
Why shoppers leave, and why email is not enough
Shoppers on Indian D2C and e-commerce stores abandon carts for ordinary reasons: a phone call came in, they wanted to check the price elsewhere, they were unsure about size or delivery time, or they were waiting to pay with a different UPI app. Many of them still want the product.
Email recovery messages work for some, but in India a lot of shoppers check WhatsApp far more often than their inbox. A short WhatsApp reminder with the product image, followed by RCS or SMS if needed, reaches them where they actually look.
How the cart recovery flow works
- Step 1 – Cart event. Your store sends abandoned checkout details via webhook/API: shopper name, mobile, product, image, price and cart link. This needs the shopper's phone number and consent captured at checkout.
- Step 2 – First reminder. After a short delay you choose, an Official WhatsApp template goes out with the product image, name, price and a Complete your order button.
- Step 3 – Help in the chat. If the shopper replies with a question, the AI chatbot answers common ones like delivery time, return policy or COD. The dynamic API chatbot can check live stock or delivery to a pin code. Anything else goes to your team inbox.
- Step 4 – RCS if WhatsApp fails. If the WhatsApp message is not delivered, an RCS rich card with the product image and a Buy button is sent from your verified sender.
- Step 5 – SMS as last resort. If neither WhatsApp nor RCS lands, a DLT-compliant SMS with the cart link goes out.
- Step 6 – Optional second nudge. For higher-value carts, a second reminder a day later, perhaps with a carousel of similar products or an offer if you choose to give one.
Keep it helpful, not pushy
One or two reminders are usually enough. More than that tends to annoy shoppers and can lead to blocks, which affects your WhatsApp quality rating. Some practical habits:
- Send the first reminder while the shopper still remembers, rather than days later
- Show the actual product, not a generic "you left something" message
- Offer help before offering a discount
- Stop the sequence the moment the order is placed
- Honour opt-outs on every channel
Using RCS carousels for browsing shoppers
RCS lets you send a carousel of up to 10 image or video cards. For a shopper who left a single kurta, a second reminder could show the item plus a few matching options. For electronics, a short product video can answer questions a photo cannot. Each card can carry its own button.
Bringing them back with ads
Shoppers who replied on WhatsApp or tapped an RCS card are clearly interested. They can be added to Meta ad audiences, so your Instagram Reels ads or WhatsApp Status ads reach people who already know your products. We manage these Meta ads for you if you prefer.
Reports you can act on
Each reminder's delivery, reads, clicks and replies can be tracked, and orders matched when your store sends back purchase events. The AI campaign report shows which template drew more responses, so you can test a version with the product video against one with just an image. Data can also go to a Google Sheet for your team.
Getting started
Most stores begin with a single WhatsApp reminder, then add RCS and a second nudge. Our team helps connect your store via webhook/API and get templates approved. See WhatsApp and RCS for e-commerce and D2C brands, or book a demo.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Which e-commerce platforms can send abandoned cart data?
Any store or platform that can send abandoned checkout events via webhook or API can connect. Our team helps map the fields, such as shopper name, mobile, product, image and cart link, during onboarding.
How soon should the first cart reminder go out?
Usually within an hour or so, while the shopper still remembers the product. You choose the delay, and you can test different timings to see which brings more people back.
Do I need to offer a discount in the reminder?
No. Many shoppers just need a reminder or an answer to a question about size, delivery or returns. You can add an offer for a second reminder or high-value carts if it suits your margins.
What if the shopper does not use WhatsApp?
The flow sends an RCS rich card with the product image and a Buy button. If RCS is not delivered either, a DLT-compliant SMS with the cart link is sent as the final fallback.
Can I send reminders to every visitor who left the site?
Only to shoppers who shared their phone number and agreed to receive messages, usually at checkout. Messaging people without consent hurts your WhatsApp quality rating and your brand, so we set up opt-in properly with you.
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