What Is a Product Recommendation Email?
7 Product Recommendation Email Examples
Here are 7 effective examples to inspire your next product recommendation email campaign:
1. The “Based on Your Purchase” Email
This is an email sent after a customer makes a purchase, suggesting complementary products that enhance or work well with their recent order. It’s an example of personalized post-purchase communication designed to keep customers engaged.
Why It Works:
- Customer satisfaction: You’re not just selling but helping the customer maximize their purchase’s value.
- Personalized experience: Customers feel the email is tailored to them, creating a deeper connection with your brand.
- Encourages repeat purchases: By showing helpful suggestions, it nudges them to return to your site.
How to Use It:
Tips for Success:
- Timing matters: Send it soon after purchase while the product is still top of mind.
- Keep it relevant: Only include items directly related to their purchase. Irrelevant recommendations can annoy rather than entice.
- Add a time-sensitive offer: For example, “Buy these within the next 24 hours to get 10% off.”
2. The “Recently Viewed” Email
Why It Works:
- Reduces decision fatigue: Whether a prospect or customer, people often leave without purchasing due to indecision. A reminder email makes it easier for them to pick up where they left off.
- Highly targeted: The email uses past browsing behavior to send personalized recommendations, which makes it more relevant and effective for both prospects and customers.
- Encourages action: Adding urgency (e.g., “Limited stock!” or “Sale ends soon”) motivates hesitant buyers, whether they’ve already purchased or just shown interest.
How to Use It:
Tips for Success:
- Make it visually appealing: Use high-quality images of the items to catch the eye.
- Create urgency: Phrases like “Only a few left!” or “Limited-time offer” prompt quick action.
- Suggest alternatives: If the original item didn’t catch their eye, offer similar options to keep them engaged.
3. The “Frequently Bought Together” Email
This email suggests items that other shoppers (prospects or customers) frequently buy alongside the product they’ve already looked at or purchased. It’s a smart way to recommend complementary items in a seamless, easy-to-digest format.
Why It Works:
- Capitalizes on buyer behavior: Whether prospects or customers, people love to see what others are buying. It feels natural and helps them make informed decisions.
- Encourages higher spend: Bundling related products makes it easier for them to add more to their cart.
- Saves time: Customers and prospects alike appreciate being guided to items that make their purchase more complete.
How to Use It:
Tips for Success:
- Use phrases like “Popular with customers like you” to build trust.
- Offer a discount for bundling items together, such as “Save 15% when you bundle these!”
- Test different combinations to find the most effective groupings.
4. The “Back-in-Stock” Email
This email alerts both potential customers and existing ones that a previously unavailable item is back in stock. It’s perfect for triggering urgency and rekindling interest in something they’ve been eyeing.
Why It Works:
- Reactivates interest: Customers and prospects who missed out the first time are often eager to jump on the chance to get the item now that it’s available again.
- Creates urgency: Scarcity increases value, and limited availability can be just the nudge someone needs to act fast.
- Targets intent-driven shoppers: People who signed up for restock notifications are already motivated to buy.
How to Use It:
Tips for Success:
- Include a prominent CTA like “Buy Now Before It’s Gone!”
- Add a countdown or highlight limited stock to emphasize urgency.
- Personalize the email by addressing the previous interaction: “We noticed you were waiting for this.”
5. The “New Arrival” Email
This email introduces new products to your customers and prospects, encouraging them to be among the first to explore the latest offerings. It builds excitement by highlighting fresh arrivals and their unique features.
Why It Works:
- Creates excitement: New arrivals always generate buzz. Whether customers or prospects, people are drawn to what’s fresh and exclusive.
- Encourages first-purchase or repeat-buying: For prospects, this is a great way to entice them to finally make their first purchase. For customers, it encourages them to check out the latest items they may love.
- Positions products as exclusive: New arrivals often come with a sense of scarcity, encouraging quick action.
How to Use It:
When launching a new product like a limited-edition sneaker collection, an email could read:
Tips for Success:
- Use attention-grabbing visuals and include a “New Arrival” label.
- Provide an incentive, such as “10% off your first order of new arrivals!”
- Create urgency by adding “limited stock available” or “only a few left” to increase perceived value.
6. The “Wishlist Reminder” Email
This email targets products that customers or prospects have added to their wishlist but haven’t purchased yet. It serves as a reminder and often includes a nudge like a limited-time offer or discount to encourage action.
Why It Works:
- Re-engages dormant interest: Items on a wishlist are often products that someone was considering but didn’t purchase. A reminder email brings that desire back into their mind.
- Nurtures decision-making: It encourages recipients to reconsider their choices and move forward with the purchase.
- Increases conversion: Adding a discount or limited-time offer can prompt customers to make the purchase before the opportunity expires.
How to Use It:
Tips for Success:
- Include clear images of the items in the wishlist.
- Personalize with “Your wishlist is waiting!” to create a sense of exclusivity.
- Add urgency with phrases like “limited-time offer” or “only a few left in stock.”
7. The “Trending Now” Email
This email showcases products that are currently trending or popular among customers. It taps into the social proof of items that are being bought frequently and positions them as “must-haves.”
Why It Works:
- Taps into social proof: People are more likely to buy something that others are also purchasing. It creates a sense of belonging and a fear of missing out.
- Encourages immediate action: When something is trending, it creates urgency for recipients to buy before it sells out.
- Appeals to both prospects and customers: Prospects are likely to be intrigued by what others are buying, and current customers will appreciate the recommendations based on popularity.
How to Use It:
- Use “Top Sellers” or “Trending Now” banners on images.
- Add customer reviews or testimonials to showcase popularity.
- Offer a special deal, such as “Free shipping on trending items today only!”
What Are the Benefits of Product Recommendation Emails?
Now that you know what they are, let’s talk about why product recommendation emails are so powerful.
1. Boost Sales
When you recommend products that are relevant to your customers at the right moment, it can lead to higher conversion rates and more purchases. For example, sending an email after a purchase with a suggestion for a complementary item (like recommending socks with those running shoes) can increase overall sales.
2. Raise Brand Awareness
These emails also help remind your customers about the variety of products you offer. They might’ve bought something from you before, but now you’re showing them more options that could interest them. It’s a subtle way to bring them back to your site to check out what else you have.
3. Keep Customers Engaged
When customers see you’re sending them things they’re actually interested in, it builds a connection. They’ll feel like you understand their needs, which helps keep them around for the long haul. And the more engaged they are, the more likely they are to click, buy, and come back for more.
4. Strengthen Customer Loyalty
Sending tailored recommendations makes customers feel valued, and when they feel like you’re taking care of them, they’ll keep coming back. It’s all about building that trust and loyalty.
5. Save Money on Marketing
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your customers, especially compared to other forms of marketing like paid ads. By using product recommendation emails, you’re making the most out of your marketing spend while still delivering a personalized experience that drives sales.
Read this next: 5 Email Loyalty Marketing Programs Examples That Drive Repeat Business
