Smart Abandoned Cart Links

1What are Abandoned Cart Deep Links?#

When a user adds items to their cart but doesn't complete the purchase, you can send a push notification that takes them back to their exact cart page.

This is one of the most effective re-engagement strategies:

• 📈 Recover 10-30% of abandoned carts
• 💰 Direct revenue recovery
• 🎯 Highly targeted notifications
• ⏰ Time-sensitive urgency

2Prerequisites#

To use Smart Abandoned Cart Links, you need:

1. ✅ OneSignal integration enabled in your app
2. ✅ A website with unique cart URLs (e.g., yoursite.com/cart?id=abc123)
3. ✅ A way to track abandoned carts on your server

If your website uses Shopify, WooCommerce, or similar - they often have abandoned cart tracking built-in.

3Method 1: Simple URL Push (No Code)#

The easiest method - just send a push with the cart URL. No JSON or coding needed!

OneSignal Dashboard Steps:

1. Go to Messages → New Push
2. Title: "You left something in your cart! 🛒"
3. Message: "Complete your order - items are
   selling fast!"
4. Launch URL: https://yoursite.com/cart?id=abc123
5. Send to: Specific user (by OneSignal Player ID)
   or a segment

That's it! User taps → app opens → cart page loads

4Method 2: JSON Payload Push (Advanced)#

For more control, send a JSON data payload. Your website JavaScript can read this data and take custom actions:

OneSignal API Call:

POST https://onesignal.com/api/v1/notifications
{
  "app_id": "YOUR_ONESIGNAL_APP_ID",
  "include_player_ids": ["PLAYER_ID"],
  "headings": {"en": "Your cart misses you! 🛒"},
  "contents": {
    "en": "Complete checkout & get 10% off"
  },
  "url": "https://yoursite.com/cart",
  "data": {
    "type": "abandoned_cart",
    "cart_id": "cart_abc123",
    "discount_code": "COMEBACK10",
    "expires": "2025-12-31"
  }
}

5Handle JSON Data on Website#

When the app opens from a notification with JSON data, you can read the URL parameters on your website:

// On your cart/checkout page:
const params = new URLSearchParams(
  window.location.search
);

// Auto-apply discount if present
const discount = params.get('discount_code');
if (discount) {
  applyDiscountCode(discount);
  showBanner('Welcome back! ' + discount +
    ' discount applied 🎉');
}

// Or handle via OneSignal web SDK:
// OneSignal.on('notificationDisplay',
//   function(event) {
//     console.log(event.data);
//   });

6Automation with Webhooks#

For fully automated abandoned cart recovery:

1. User abandons cart on your website
2. Your server detects no purchase after 1 hour
3. Server calls OneSignal API to send push
4. User taps notification → returns to cart

Most e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento) have plugins that automate this entire flow with OneSignal.

OneSignal Abandoned Cart Docs →

7Best Practices#

✅ Timing: Send first reminder 1 hour after abandonment

✅ Second chance: Send another at 24 hours with a discount

✅ Urgency: Use phrases like 'Items selling fast' or 'Limited stock'

✅ Personalize: Include the product name if possible

✅ Discount: 5-15% off is usually enough to convert

⚠️ Don't spam: Max 2-3 reminders per abandoned cart

⚠️ Respect opt-outs: Honor notification preferences

8Tracking Success#

Monitor your abandoned cart recovery rate:

📊 In OneSignal Dashboard:

• Check notification CTR (Click-Through Rate)
• Track 'Confirmed Deliveries' vs 'Clicks'

📊 On your website:

• Track conversions from notification-originated visits
• Compare cart completion rates before/after

💡 Pro Tip: A/B test different notification messages and timing to optimize your recovery rate.