Back

3 Retargeting Strategies to Recover Abandoned Carts on TikTok Shop

If you’re not retargeting TikTok abandoned cart recovery, you’re leaking money. Every TikTok Shop brand is bleeding from abandoned carts — and the truth is, it’s your fault. Not TikTok’s. But good news? You can plug that TikTok abandoned cart recovery hole. Here’s how we do it for our 6-figure TikTok Shop clients (and how you can steal it):

🔥 Strategy 1: Dynamic Product Ads (DPAs) on TikTok + Meta

You don’t need new creatives — you need reminders.
DPAs are like giving your customer’s brain a nudge. They already saw your product. They almost bought it. Show it again.

How to execute:

  • Install both TikTok Pixel & Meta Pixel correctly (don’t half-ass this).
  • Create a product catalog linked with your TikTok Shop.
  • Set up a retargeting campaign for people who added to cart but didn’t buy.
  • Use “last viewed product” in the creative dynamically.
PlatformRetargeting WindowFormatBudget Split
TikTok3-7 DaysCollection Ad60%
Meta7-14 DaysCarousel Ad40%

Pro Tip: Combine this with urgency: “Still thinking? Only 4 left.”

🧨 Strategy 2: Personalized TikTok DM Follow-ups (Via Creator Account)

Most brands ignore the TikTok DM feature. That’s like ignoring your hottest leads. This is where money is sitting.

How we do it:

  • Export the list of cart abandoners using your CRM or order management system.
  • Use a creator profile (not your brand) to send manual but personalized DMs.
  • Example:
    “Hey! 👋 Saw you were checking out our [product name]. Need help deciding? Here’s a 15% off code just for you: CART15 — expires in 6h.”

Why it works:

  • Feels human, not robotic.
  • Bypasses email spam filters.
  • Creates urgency + connection.

Optional Add-on: Use voice or short video message instead of text. It triples reply rate.

🎯 Strategy 3: Abandoned Cart Email & SMS Sequence (That Doesn’t Suck)

Most abandoned cart sequences are garbage. “Hey, you forgot something…” is weak. Here’s how we build one that actually converts.

What it needs:

📨 Email Sequence (3-Part)

EmailTimingSubject LineCTA
11 HourStill thinking? Take 15% offResume checkout
212 HoursSomeone just bought what you likedClaim before it’s gone
324 HoursLast chance: your cart expires soonFinal call, buy now

📱 SMS Sequence (Optional)

  • 1 Hour After Abandonment:
    “Hey it’s [Brand Name]! Your cart’s still here (but not for long): [short link]”

Pro Tip: Time it when your audience is active (TikTok insights will tell you).

Final Punchline:

If you’re not using these, you’re not serious about your TikTok Shop revenue.

  • Use Dynamic Retargeting Ads to show what they want.
  • Slide into DMs like a friend, not a funnel.
  • Write email/SMS copy that feels like a real person.

People don’t hate marketing. They hate bad marketing. Fix yours.

Want Us to Do It for You?

We do this all day for TikTok Shop brands. If you want cart recovery on autopilot — message us.
Let us turn your “almost buyers” into customers.