Why Isn’t My Email Marketing Converting My 5,000 Subscribers?

[FatiB]

Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble with my email marketing campaigns and would appreciate some feedback. I have around 5,000 subscribers, but I'm seeing very low conversion rates. A lot of customers abandon their carts just before checkout, and it's been hard to figure out why.

What’s puzzling is that I do get sales from other platforms like eBay, and I used to have success on Etsy. However, my store just doesn’t seem to convert traffic from emails, even though the open rates are decent.

Here’s what I’d love help with:

• What are some common mistakes that could be hurting my conversion rate?

• How can I improve my email content or timing to encourage more completed purchases?

• Are there tools or flows (like abandoned cart sequences) that work well for you?

• Site: https://www.fatishaboutique.com/

Any insights or ideas would be very appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[Bundler-Manuel]

Hello there @FatiB  Welcome to the Shopify community! Your situation does seem a bit peculiar so I’d like to know, do you regularly include discounts, bundle packages, and other such offers in these e-mails? If you don’t yet, I suggest you regularize it more probably. Also you could maybe consider switching focus to SEO and social media marketing to see if they yield more positive reviews for your site on Shopify 

[FatiB]

Hi @Bundler-Manuel,

Thanks so much for the welcome and your reply!

Yes, I do include discount codes and bundle offers regularly in my emails, but unfortunately, they don’t seem to convert well. I’ve tried different formats and timings, but most subscribers still abandon their carts before checking out.

I’m currently working on improving my SEO as you suggested, and I’m also planning to increase my social media activity to drive more qualified traffic.

Thanks again for the support 

[Bundler-Manuel]

You’re very much welcome friend! @FatiB  I wish you and your store the best of luck

[FestivalDrip]

Hi @FatiB, wish I had some tips to help you fix your issue with no conversions from your email campaigns, but I wanted to share my insight on the situation that might help you understand it better.

I'm in the fashion niche as well, but way different audience. I also have a list that nearly at 5,000 subscribers and I dont think I've had one sell attributed from emails. That's because my audience (older Gen Z and younger Millenials) don't really "do" email. Checking email is just not a priority for my customers, especially ones from brands. I'm had some luck with my SMS campaigns

My advice to you would be forget about email marketing for right now. I know it seems like a missed opportunity, but if your customers arent reading your emails they're probably not reading any emails from business brands. Try a different approach. Stop sending out marketing emails and only send lifestyle newsletters related to topics of interest for your demographic. I'm getting higher engagement since I stopped sending out marketing emails (except abandon cart and review requests) and only send out lifestyle emails about topics I know my customers find interesting. Though the open rate is still low, I figure the first step would be to train my customers to acknowledge my brand exists, then open an email that they find very interesting. 

Most automated email flow apps are terrible for conversions because they're set up to be very spammy, and I don't know about you, but I want receiving an email or SMS from my brand to be a positive experience for customers - because once they hit that unsubscribe button, its all over. 

[IshaMehra]

 Hi @FatiB,
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful question. It sounds like you’ve already done a great job building a subscriber list and bringing in traffic, so the next step is refining your email strategy to convert more of that interest into actual sales.

Here are a few common issues that may be affecting conversions from your emails:

1. Unclear or overwhelming calls to action
   - If your emails have multiple links or messages, customers might get confused or distracted
   - Try focusing each email on one specific product or offer with a single, bold call to action
2. Timing and frequency
   - Emails sent too late after cart abandonment often miss the window of intent
   - You’ll want to send the first reminder within 1 to 2 hours, followed by a second message within 24 hours if they still haven’t purchased
3. Not leveraging urgency or incentives
   - Limited-time offers or low-stock notices can give customers a reason to act now
   - Consider offering a small first-time buyer discount or free shipping reminder in your cart recovery email
4. Missing trust-building content
   - Adding customer reviews, product benefits, or satisfaction guarantees inside your emails can reduce hesitation
   - Highlighting “why buy from us” and reminding shoppers of what makes your store unique helps convert interest into trust

Helpful flows to consider:

• Abandoned cart flow: Should include at least two to three timed emails with clear messaging
• Browse abandonment flow: For users who viewed products but didn’t add to cart
• Post-purchase flow: Reinforces brand trust and encourages repeat business
• Welcome flow: Introduce your story, highlight best sellers, and set expectations

Looking for an Easier Way to Set These Up?
Retentionly – AI Email Marketing might be a great fit here. It is beginner friendly with AI integration to guide your flows, and you only pay for the emails you send, not your entire subscriber count. Best of all, the Retentionly team will set up all your automations for free, including abandoned cart and welcome series, so you can focus on your content and customers.

Need a hand? Just reach out via our live chat, we’re happy to help!

Cheers,

Retentionly Team
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