Editing Abandoned cart automation (section)

= How do I create an abandoned cart automation? =

== Introduction ==
The '''Abandoned Cart Automation''' in ActiveCampaign is a powerful feature designed to engage potential customers who have left items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase. This automation allows you to send customized emails that remind these customers about the products they left behind, increasing the likelihood of them returning to your store to finalize their orders. This feature is especially crucial for e-commerce businesses as it directly impacts sales and conversion rates.

This article will guide you through the process of creating your own abandoned cart automation, including accessing the feature, step-by-step instructions, configuration options, best practices, and troubleshooting tips.

== How to Access This Feature ==
To create an abandoned cart automation, you first need to navigate to the '''Automations''' section of your ActiveCampaign account. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Log into your ActiveCampaign account.
2. From the left menu, click on '''Automations'''.
3. Once in the Automations dashboard, you can choose to create a new automation using the steps outlined below.

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
To successfully create an abandoned cart automation, follow these detailed steps:

=== Create a New Automation ===
1. Click on '''Create an automation'''.
2. A modal window will appear; select the '''Start from Scratch''' option and click on '''Continue'''.
3. You will be redirected to the automation builder page.
4. Click the '''Add a start trigger''' action located near the top.
5. The '''Select a Trigger''' modal will open. From the left menu, click on the '''E-commerce''' tab and then select the '''Abandons cart''' option.

=== Configure the Abandons Cart Trigger ===
Now, you need to configure the Abandons Cart trigger with the necessary parameters:
- In the '''Integration''' dropdown, select your preferred e-commerce store or choose '''Any'''.
- In the '''Select product''' dropdown, decide on the criteria for products: "Any product," "Product name contains," or "Product name matches." If applicable, input the product name.
- In the '''Select category''' dropdown, define the criteria for the product category: "Any category," "Category name contains," or "Category name matches." Similarly, specify the category name when required.
- In the '''Cart value''' dropdown, determine the cart value criteria: "Any value," "Value equals," "Value is more than," or "Value is less than." If selecting the latter options, enter the numeric value without a currency sign.
- Specify whether the trigger should run once or multiple times.

If you wish to narrow down the contacts further, you can create a segment under '''Advanced''' by selecting the checkbox to segment the contacts entering this automation.

6. Once you have configured all options, click on the '''Save''' button.

=== Add the Send an Email Action ===
With the trigger set, you'll want to define the action for the contacts entering your automation. Adding an email is a crucial next step:
1. Click the node (+) under the start trigger.
2. Click the '''Sending''' tab and select the '''Send an email''' option from the modal window.
3. Choose between '''Create a new email''' (where you can utilize AI or templates) or '''Start from an existing email''' (to base the new email on a previously created campaign).
4. You will then navigate to the campaign templates page. Select the preferred email designer by choosing from the dropdown menu.
5. Hover over your chosen template and click the '''Select''' button that appears.
6. A modal will pop up with details of your email. Configure the message name, subject line, preheader text, and sender information. Additionally, adjust the tracking options ('''Open/Read Tracking''', '''Link Tracking''', '''Reply Tracking''', '''Google Analytics Tracking'''). Click '''Done''' when finished.

=== Customize Your Abandoned Cart Email ===
In the email designer, you will use the '''Abandoned Cart''' content block to create a personalized experience:
1. Drag the '''Abandoned cart''' content block to your layout.
2. The '''Abandoned Cart Builder''' modal will open. Utilize the '''Customize''', '''Preview''', and '''Settings''' tabs to configure the content block.
3. Click '''Okay''' in the modal to return to the email designer.
4. Click '''Next''' to view the Campaign Summary page.
5. Save the email and choose to send it immediately or use the '''Predictive Sending''' feature.
6. Add more actions to your automation as necessary, and to activate your automation, click '''Active'''.

== Configuration Options and Settings ==
In the process of configuring your abandoned cart automation, be aware of the following important options and features:

- **Integration**: Choose which e-commerce platform you want the automation to be integrated with, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or any custom deep data integration that supports abandoned carts.
- **Content Block Options**: You can only utilize one (1) '''Abandoned cart''' content block per automated campaign.
- **Delay Settings**: You may want to adjust how long the trigger waits before pulling contacts into your automation, which is set to 1 hour by default for Shopify.

== Best Practices and Tips ==
To optimize the effectiveness of your abandoned cart automation, consider implementing the following best practices:
- Personalize your emails with the contact's name and details about the abandoned product to create a stronger connection.
- Test different email templates and content to see which has the highest engagement rates.
- Schedule multiple reminders if a customer still hasn't returned to their cart after the first email.
- Monitor your automation's performance and adjust time delays or content based on analytics.
- Make sure the "Return to Checkout" button is easily visible and functional, encouraging a seamless shopping experience.

== Troubleshooting ==
If you experience issues with your abandoned cart automation, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure your integration with the e-commerce platform is correctly set up.
- Double-check that the '''Abandons cart''' trigger is correctly configured to capture the desired audience.
- Make sure your email settings, especially tracking options, are correctly configured and saved.
- Verify that the abandoned cart data is syncing properly from your e-commerce platform to ActiveCampaign.

== FAQ ==
=== What should I do if contacts are not entering my abandoned cart automation? ===
Check that the trigger options are accurately configured and that the e-commerce integration is functioning properly. Ensure there are indeed contacts who have abandoned carts.

=== Can I send different emails to different segments of my audience? ===
Yes, you can create segments based on the conditions you define during the setup of your automation.

=== How many times can I use the abandoned cart feature per campaign? ===
You can only use one (1) '''Abandoned cart''' content block per automated campaign.

=== What e-commerce platforms are supported for abandoned cart automation? ===
This feature works with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and any custom deep data integration that supports abandoned cart functionality.

=== How can I track the performance of my abandoned cart emails? ===
Enable tracking options such as '''Open/Read Tracking''' and '''Link Tracking''' to evaluate engagement levels after emails are sent.

=== Is there a limit to the number of products I can display in the abandoned cart email? ===
You can display a certain number of products, but this number cannot exceed 99.

=== Can I use this feature with direct campaigns? ===
No, the '''Abandoned cart''' content block can only be used with automated campaigns, not direct campaigns.

By following these guidelines, you can create an effective abandoned cart automation that successfully encourages customers to complete their purchases, thereby enhancing your e-commerce performance.
```