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The Ultimate Guide to WooCommerce Email Marketing [2024]

Editorial Team
September 13, 2024
The Ultimate Guide to WooCommerce Email Marketing [2024]

Leveraging WooCommerce email marketing efficiently can help you to skyrocket your sales and revenue.

With over 64% of businesses already using email marketing to connect with customers, it's clear this approach has immense potential for driving success in customer communication and sales. [Source: HubSpot]

Email marketing isn’t just a trend; it’s a proven method that lets you directly reach a targeted audience and convert them through personalized messages.

To stay competitive in today’s digital marketing landscape, you should harness the power of email marketing.

In this blog, we will share everything you need to know to start utilizing WooCommerce email marketing to grow your business.

What is WooCommerce Email Marketing?

WooCommerce email marketing is a powerful strategy that leverages the strengths of the WooCommerce platform and email communication to effectively engage customers, drive sales, and nurture long-term customer relationships.

You can create highly targeted email campaigns that resonate with your audience by harnessing customer data from your WooCommerce store, such as purchase history, browsing behavior, and cart abandonment.

The beauty of WooCommerce email marketing lies in its ability to automate communications, ensuring that your customers receive timely, relevant messages.

From welcome emails for new customers to personalized product recommendations and re-engagement campaigns for lapsed buyers, WooCommerce email marketing offers a versatile toolkit for success.

Types of WooCommerce Emails

There are two different types of WooCommerce emails:

  • Transactional emails
  • Marketing emails

Let’s look at them one by one.

Transactional emails

By default, WooCommerce sends many emails to users depending on their interaction with the online store, such as creating a new account, placing a new order, requesting a password reset, etc.

Here are the default events for which WooCommerce sends an email:

As you can see, many emails inform users about their orders’ fulfillment status. You can create a custom order status and send a custom email for that status as well.

Additionally, there are product subscription emails, too.

Marketing emails

In addition to these default ones, you can send many additional emails based on users’ past purchase history, browsing behavior, demographics, etc., to form a strong bond with them and increase sales. 

Some of the emails you can send to your WooCommerce customers include: 

To send the latter emails, you will need an additional plugin along with WooCommerce. We will discuss the WooCommerce email marketing plugins later in this blog.

Why Do You Need Email Marketing for WooCommerce?

Here are some of the reasons why you must leverage email marketing for your WooCommerce store:

  • Boost conversions and sales - According to a stat by Monetate, email marketing drives 4.24% of e-commerce conversions, surpassing search and social media. Sending tailored content directly to your customers’ inboxes keeps them informed and encourages them to complete their purchases.
  • Foster customer relationships - Email marketing helps communicate with your customers consistently. By sending newsletters, product updates, and personalized messages, you can build trust and strengthen customer loyalty. Engaging content keeps customers returning to your store, leading to long-term relationships.
  • Abandoned cart recovery - WooCommerce stores lose massive revenues due to cart abandonment. With cart abandonment email marketing, you can automatically send reminders to customers who left items in their cart. Offering a discount or simply reminding them to complete the purchase can significantly reduce cart abandonment rates.
  • Repeat customers - With email marketing, you can continue communicating with your customers with follow-up emails even after they make a purchase and convince them to purchase repeatedly with the right messages.
  • High revenue - In 2023, email marketing revenue was estimated at more than US $10 billion. You can also grow high revenue for your WooCommerce store if you properly leverage your email marketing strategy.
  • Trackable results and ROI - Email marketing gives you detailed insights into the performance of your campaigns. From open rates to click-through rates to orders placed, you can track the effectiveness of your efforts and optimize them for better results, ensuring a high return on investment.

With the right tools and strategies, email marketing can significantly enhance your WooCommerce store’s sales, customer engagement, and long-term growth.

5 Best WooCommerce Email Marketing Plugins 

Here, we have put together 5 of the best WooCommerce email marketing plugins based on their ease of use, features, and pricing plans. 

1. FunnelKit Automations 

Funnelkit Automations is the most potent and highest-rated WooCommerce email marketing tool. This tool allows you to create, run, and monitor automated email campaigns right from the WordPress dashboard. 

Funnelkit Automations - best WooCommerce email marketing plugin

Here are some of the key features:

  • Automated campaigns: With FunnelKit automations, you can automate your email campaign so they run even when you are away. If you want to turn off the campaign, you can also easily do that.
  • An array of action triggers: You get a huge range of action triggers that you can use to set up WooCommerce email marketing campaigns, such as order created, order refunded, cart abandonment, etc. 
  • Email/SMS broadcasts: Along with triggered emails, you can also send broadcast emails and SMS to your audience using this tool for different marketing purposes such as product promotion, product updates, etc. 
  • Visual email builder: Funnelkit Automations has a built-in visual drag-and-drop email builder that you can use to create beautiful customized emails by customizing pre-designed templates with draggable and droppable elements. 
  • Segmentation: You can segment your email list based on users’ demographics or purchase history and send them super-relevant content. 
  • Personalized email: FunnelKit has a merge tag feature that allows you to send personalized emails with dynamic customer information. You can also send personalized discount coupons.
  • In-depth Analytics: You get in-depth analytics from active contacts, completed contacts, orders placed, revenue generated, average order value (AOV), etc. 

Price: You can get started with the lite version of FunnelKit Automations for free. The pro version starts from $99.50 / year. You can even get the combo plans, which include the FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

2. MailChimp

Mailchimp is one of the most popular general email marketing tools.

Not just WooCommerce users but any eCommerce store owners, bloggers, or website owners can use this tool for effective email marketing.

Mailchim WooCommerce email marketing platform

Here are some of the few key features: 

  • Ease of use:  The UI of MailChimp is pretty intuitive, making it extremely easy to use for email marketing. 
  • Pre-built templates: You get many distinctive and industry-specific email templates and automation journeys that you can import and use easily. 
  • Integration with AI: MailChimp’s generative AI tool can write email subject lines, headlines, body content, and more for you based on your ideas.
  • Segmentation:  You can segment your audience using tags to create an organizational structure and personalize the process of email marketing. 
  • Reporting and Analytics: You get real-time data for all your marketing campaigns–including email automations, so you can easily identify what’s working and make informed decisions about the next steps.

Price: Mailchimp offers a free plan with limited features. The pro starts from $6 to $175, based on the feature you want. 

3. MailPoet

MailPoet is one of the best email marketing platforms for WooCommerce. This tool does wonders in driving engagement, conversions, and recovering abandoned carts.

mailpoet best email marketing plugin for WooCOmmerce

Here are some of the key features:

  • Segmentation option: You can segment your audience easily using MailPoet based on customers’ purchase history and behavior. This way, you can create more personalized email campaigns.
  • Recover abandoned carts: Send reminder emails to users who abandoned their carts to remind them to return to the store and complete the order.
  • Drag and drop email editor: MailPoet has a built-in drag-and-drop email builder that empowers users to create beautiful emails with minimal effort. 
  • Analyze email campaigns: You will get data like open rate, the number of clicks, and the revenue earned from each email campaign to help you easily analyze their performance. 

Price:  A free plan is available where you can send emails to up to 1,000 subscribers. The paid version starts from $8/month.

4. AutomateWoo

Another great tool for email marketing is AutomateWoo. This amazing tool allows ecommerce businesses based on the WordPress platform to convert and retain customers with automated marketing tools.

automated woo

Here are some of the key features:

  • Custom follow-up emails: You can send customers follow-up emails after they make a purchase on your WooCommerce store. You can automatically email customers asking for a review or suggest other products they might like based on their purchase.
  • Personalized coupons: You can generate dynamic discount coupons for customers to encourage them to buy more products. This helps to increase sales and boost revenue. 
  • Refer a friend: You can utilize the AutomateWoo Refer A Friend add-on to boost sales using the power of word of mouth. However, this is a separate purchase. 
  • Effortless setup: With AutomateWoo, you can create emails right in the familiar WordPress editor, enhanced by variables that let you insert products and dynamic content.

Price:  No free version is available. The paid version starts at $9.92/month. 

5. AWeber

One of the popular WooCommerce email marketing tools is AWeber. The thing that contributes to this tool’s popularity is its extensive library of pre-made email templates.

aweber

Here are some of the key features:

  • Prebuilt email templates: AWeber comes with 700+ ready-to-use email templates. You can easily import, customize, and use these templates. 
  • Segmentation:   You can segment your audience by adding tags on them based on various aspects of their purchases and cart abandonments.
  • Recover lost cart: You can send a sequence of emails to users who abandoned their cart to convince them to complete the order and recover lost carts. 
  • Sign up newsletter:  You can offer customers an opportunity to sign up for your newsletter when they make a purchase on your WooCommerce store. 

Price: A free version is available. The pro version starts from $16/month.

Out of all the plugins in our list, we recommend you go for FunnelKit Automations because this is the complete email marketing tool for WooCommerce users.

10 Effective Best Practices for WooCommerce Email Marketing

To maximize the success of your WooCommerce email marketing, here are some effective best practices:

1. Personalize your emails

Personalized emails have high open and click-through rates and deliver six times higher transaction rates than generic emails. So, it’s a good practice to personalize your emails. 

You can address recipients by their names and customize emails with product recommendations or content relevant to their interests.

FunnelKit Automations allows you to personalize email content with merge tags. With this feature, you can add dynamic information such as customer name, address, order details, upsell product, order metadata, etc.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - personalize your emails

2. Automate your business processes

It makes sense to automate your email marketing workflows to perform business functions. Tasks like sending a welcome email to new subscribers sets the tone for your relationship. 

Set up automated abandoned cart reminders with a clear CTA to entice customers to complete their purchases. Offering an incentive, like free shipping, can boost recovery rates.

You can continue engaging your customers after purchases with automated post-purchase email notifications. This could include product care tips, review requests and upsell offers for related products.

FunnelKit Automations offers tons of WooCommerce events that help you set up profitable marketing automations. This includes basic WooCommerce events, subscriptions, memberships, wishlists, and many more.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - automate your business processes

3. Compelling subject lines

47% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone, and 69% will report spam based on the subject line. So, it’s important to craft an engaging email subject line.

You can use emojis to make it stand out.

In addition, you can use FunnelKit’s merge tag to personalize the email subject lines to achieve better open rates.

WooCommerce email best practice - compelling subject lines

4. Device responsive design

Around 42% of emails are opened and read on a mobile device. So, make sure your emails are mobile-responsive, as many recipients open emails on mobile devices. 

In fact, not just mobile, you should design emails that are device responsive and look good on all devices.

FunnelKit Automations offers a variety of pre-designed email templates optimized for desktops, tablets, and mobile.
You can customize your emails and ensure they look good on all devices.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - device responsive design

5. Send targeted emails

Don’t just send every email to everyone on your email list. Segment your audience based on their past purchase history, browsing behavior, demographics, etc., and send them personalized, tailored emails. 

For example, you can recommend someone's relevant product based on their previous purchase this way, people with different purchase histories will receive different emails.

FunnelKit Automations allows you to segment the audience based on demographics and purchase history. 

Under WooCommerce, you can create audience segments based on last purchase, first order, last order, average order value, total order count, etc. 

WooCommerce email best practice - send targeted emails

6. Clear call-to-actions (CTA)

Every email should have a clear and compelling CTA that directs users about what to do. Add a CTA that stands out visually and place it prominently to guide readers toward the desired action.

FunnelKit Automations allows you to create a catchy action button and gives you all the customization options to help you create a CTA that goes with your brand.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - clear call to action button

7. Leverage discount offers

Sending personalized, time-bound WooCommerce dynamic coupons is a sure-shot way to drive sales. 

As a WooCommerce store owner, while you’re looking for ways to increase sales, your customers are also consistently looking for the opportunity to save money on new purchases.

You can create dynamic discount coupons using FunnelKit easily. Personalize the coupon code by appending customer information and setting an expiry date. 

WooCommerce marketing best practice - leverage discount offers

You can use these coupons to incentivize customers for the purchase. 

FunnelKit Automations lets you display conditional content - you can offer 10% discount to your VIP customers, while offering 5% discount to regular customers inside the same automated email.

Display conditional content in emails

8. Compliance and consent

Ensure your email practices comply with GDPR and CAN-SPAM regulations. This includes obtaining explicit consent before sending marketing emails and providing an easy opt-out option.

Additionally, you must ask users to confirm that they want to join your mailing list. This way, you will only attract recipients who are genuinely interested in the emails you send them, resulting in better open rates and click rates. 

With FunnelKit Automations, you can easily configure double opt-in emails. This tool comes with a prebuilt double opt-in automation workflow.

9. Visual appeal

Incorporate high-quality images, GIFs, or short videos in your email design to capture attention. But ensure all these visual elements are optimized for fast loading without compromising the user experience.

Maintain consistent branding throughout your emails using your brand colors, fonts, and logo. This helps build brand recognition and strengthens the connection with your subscribers.

You can make use of the global styles available inside FunnelKit Automations for quick email customization as per your brand.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - visual appeal

10. Leverage analytics to optimize campaigns

FunnelKit Automations provides insights into key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, orders placed, conversion rates, revenue generated, etc.

Regularly monitor these metrics to understand how your campaigns are performing. Set up eCommerce tracking with tools like Google Analytics to attribute sales to specific email campaigns and measure ROI.

Continuously A/B test different elements of your emails, such as subject lines, layouts, or CTA buttons, to see what resonates most with your audience.

WooCommerce email marketing best practice - analytics

For more tips and optimization strategies, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here, we’ve answered some common questions related to WooCommerce email marketing, which will help you clear some confusion.

1. Does WooCommerce have email marketing?

No, WooCommerce doesn’t have built-in email marketing tools by default. However, it can integrate seamlessly with various email marketing plugins like FunnelKit Automations, Mailchimp, etc.

These tools allow WooCommerce store owners to create automated promotional or transactional emails, segment lists, and measure the performance of their campaigns.

2. Can WooCommerce send emails?

Yes, WooCommerce can send emails, primarily transactional emails such as order confirmations, new registrations, password resets, etc. These emails are automatically sent based on store actions.

However, to customize these emails to match your brand, you need WooCommerce email customizer plugins. 

3. What is the best marketing tool for WooCommerce?

The best marketing tool for WooCommerce depends on your store requirements. You can choose FunnelKit Automations because it’s an all-in-one plugin. It offers email and SMS marketing automation, abandoned cart recovery, upsell automation, and more.

You can even set conditions, A/B test your emails, or design beautiful emails with pre-built templates - FunnelKit Automations lets you do everything.

4. How do I automate emails in WooCommerce?

To automate emails in WooCommerce, you can use an email automation tool like FunnelKit Automations. It allows you to set up automated email workflows based on pre-defined events and set up actions corresponding to these triggers.

5. Can I send bulk email with WordPress?

Yes, you can send bulk emails with WordPress by using email marketing plugins like FunnelKit Automations, Mailchimp, etc.

These platforms allow you to manage email lists, create campaigns and send bulk emails to your subscribers directly from your WordPress website.

However, make sure to set up the SMTP plugin and check its limit on bulk email sending.

6. What is the best email marketing platform for WordPress?

The best email marketing for WordPress depends on your needs, but some of the popular options include FunnelKit Automations, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and more.

Identify your needs and choose the best platform for your WordPress website.

Ready to Set Up WooCommerce Email Marketing Campaigns in Your Store?

WooCommerce email marketing equips your business with a potent tool to engage customers, drive conversions, and foster lasting relationships. 

To help start your email marketing journey, we shared with you some of the best WooCommerce email marketing tools.

Out of the tools, you can go for the most complete one - FunnelKit Automations. 

FunnelKit Automations is the most powerful WooCommerce marketing engine that lets you get in touch with your buyers at each stage of their buyer journey - imagine guiding them to the cashier in an organized checkout queue.

Turn mundane WooCommerce transactional emails into stylish, on-brand emails that can be used to cross-sell or upsell.

You can even throw in a dynamic discount coupon to create urgency and convert quicker. 

Most importantly, FunnelKit Automations’s powerful dashboard ties it all together and gives you the most actionable insights to make proactive business decisions.

So, what are you waiting for?

Jump on the bandwagon and enjoy a smooth sail in the world of WooCommerce email marketing with FunnelKit Automations.

Author: Editorial Team
The Editorial Team at FunnelKit (formerly WooFunnels) is a passionate group of writers and copy editors. We create well-researched posts on topics such as WordPress automation, sales funnels, online course creation, and more. We aim to deliver content that is interesting and actionable.
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