Most shoppers who leave checkout meant to buy. They got distracted, wanted to compare prices or weren't sure about the size. A reminder brings many of them back, and on WhatsApp it lands where they actually read messages, unlike an email that sits unopened in a promotions tab.
Below are eight templates you can copy, plus the rules that decide whether Meta approves them and whether shoppers act on them.
How WhatsApp templates work
WhatsApp only lets a business start a conversation with a template: a message Meta has reviewed and approved. Templates contain variables written as {{1}}, {{2}} and so on, which are filled with the shopper's details when the message is sent. Cart reminders are marketing templates, so they can only go to shoppers who have agreed to receive WhatsApp messages from you (here's how to collect WhatsApp opt-ins on Shopify).
In the templates below, {{1}} is the shopper's first name, {{2}} is the product or store name, and the button opens their checkout.
The templates
1. The friendly reminder
Hi {{1}}, you left something in your cart at {{2}}. It's saved for you. Tap below to finish your order whenever you're ready.
[Complete my order]
Best as the first reminder. No pressure, no discount, just help.
2. Low stock
Hi {{1}}, the {{2}} in your cart is selling fast and we can't hold it for long. Complete your order to make sure it's yours.
[Complete my order]
Only use this when stock really is limited. Shoppers notice when every item is "almost gone".
3. The question
Hi {{1}}, we noticed you didn't finish your order at {{2}}. Did something go wrong, or do you have a question about size or delivery? Just reply here and we'll help.
[Complete my order]
Invites a reply instead of a click. Great for products where fit, size or compatibility causes hesitation, and the replies tell you what's stopping people.
4. The COD reassurance
Hi {{1}}, your cart at {{2}} is waiting. Cash on Delivery is available, so you pay only when your order arrives.
[Complete my order]
For first-time buyers who don't yet trust your store with an online payment.
5. Free shipping
Hi {{1}}, good news: your order at {{2}} ships free. Complete it in the next 24 hours and we'll dispatch it right away.
[Complete my order]
6. A small discount (second reminder)
Hi {{1}}, still thinking about it? Here's 10% off your cart at {{2}} with code {{3}}, valid for 48 hours.
[Use my discount]
Save discounts for a second reminder. If you offer one every time, shoppers learn to abandon carts on purpose to get it.
7. Social proof
Hi {{1}}, the {{2}} you picked is one of our most-loved products. Your cart is saved, tap below to complete your order.
[Complete my order]
Only claim "most-loved" or "bestseller" if it's true.
8. Hinglish
Hi {{1}}, aapka {{2}} cart mein wait kar raha hai! Order complete karne ke liye neeche tap karein.
[Order complete karein]
If many of your customers message you in Hinglish, a reminder in the same style feels more personal. Submit it as a separate template.
When to send the reminder
- First reminder: 30 minutes to 1 hour after the checkout is abandoned. The shopper still remembers what they wanted.
- Second reminder (optional): about 24 hours later, ideally with an incentive like free shipping or a small discount.
- Stop there. More reminders annoy shoppers, and people who block or report your number hurt its quality rating with Meta.
- Never send a reminder after the shopper has already ordered. Check for a completed order just before sending.
Getting your templates approved by Meta
Meta usually reviews templates within minutes and at most 24 hours. To avoid rejections:
- Don't start or end the message with a variable like
{{1}}. Put words before and after it. - Avoid absolute claims like "guaranteed" and keep the tone helpful, not pushy.
- Pick the right category: cart reminders are Marketing.
- Give sample values for every variable when you submit, so the reviewer can read the message as a shopper would.
- Keep it short. One or two sentences and one button work better than a paragraph.
What it costs
Cart reminders are marketing messages, which Meta charges at about ₹0.86 each in India, plus GST. 1,000 reminders cost about ₹863. If even a handful of those shoppers complete their order, the reminders pay for themselves many times over. See our full guide to WhatsApp API pricing in India.
Sending them automatically
You can't send these reminders from the regular WhatsApp Business app at scale; you need the WhatsApp Business API and something that watches your Shopify checkouts. Wapimate's abandoned cart recovery does exactly that: it waits the delay you choose (30 minutes by default), skips shoppers who already bought, sends your approved template with a one-tap link back to their checkout and shows you the revenue each reminder recovered.