370+ Original Ecommerce Email Subject Lines To Increase Your Open Rates

Writing eCommerce email subject lines can be a headache sometimes. And while crafting them can be troublesome, their importance is paramount as they can be the deciding factor affecting the open rates of your campaigns!

If only there was a subject line inspiration paradise to boost email open rates and your confidence… Only that there is!

Here we’ll give you:

• the top eCommerce email subject lines
• an easy way to optimize your eCommerce subject lines
• eCommerce subject lines examples from well-known brands…

plus a bonus cheat sheet with more eCommerce email subject lines in case you need extra inspiration for your newsletters and blog posts!

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Best eCommerce Email Subject Lines

Ecommerce email marketing is highly competitive and brands try to grab the users’ attention and win over their competitors by crafting original subject lines. Especially for eCommerce stores, a great email subject line works as a good first impression that leads towards a successful conversion.

Below, we’ve compiled a list with the best subject lines from reputable brands and we’ve categorized them according to use case. You can also find the complete list of eCommerce email subject lines here!

How To Improve Your eCommerce Email Subject Lines

Crafting good email subject lines can improve your open rates, and thus lead you to better click-through rates and conversions. This would be a significant boost in your digital marketing efforts.

When competing against countless other brands in subscribers’ inboxes, leveraging the help of A.I. can be of significant help. To that end, there are subject line tester tools out there that provide useful recommendations you can implement and impress your email subscribers.

One such free subject line tester is Refine. Its smart algorithm crunches data from email campaigns non-stop and it is able to provide recommendations across various industries as well as inform you about the estimated effectiveness of your subject line.

Using this free tool is easy and effortless. Here is a quick how-to:

1. Choose an email subject line from our cheat sheet or craft your own.

2. Visit Refine and choose your industry and list size. Then copy and paste the subject line that you wish to optimize and click “Predict Now.”

You’ll get an estimate of the open rates and whether the subject line tester places you above or below the industry average.

Also, you’re getting actionable recommendations to increase your email open rate!

3. Click on Try this” to apply the recommendation and then press “Predict Now.”

4. Check the new estimation and optimize further (if needed).

Your eCommerce subject line is now ready to reach its recipients!

23 Best eCommerce Email Subject Line Examples (Categorized)

In the previous sections, we saw some of the best email subject lines from successful eCommerce businesses. To get the most out of your subject lines, they need to be aligned with the content of your marketing emails.

Below we’ll see eCommerce campaign examples along with their subject lines to understand why they work well.

Welcome

Welcome email campaigns are sent when a user subscribes to the company newsletter or purchases a new product. These emails have higher open rates than other email types because the user is fully engaged upon receiving them. So, they’re very important for eCommerce.

1. Joybird

Subject Line: Welcome to Joybird!

Why it works: The subject line from Joybird is based on simplicity. Upon opening the email, the subscriber sees a welcoming message and a code for 25% off the first purchase. Along with the smart CTA copy, conversions are assured!

The campaign:

2. IPSY

Subject Line: Claim your free welcome gift.

Why it works: IPSY’s subject line uses actionable language (“claim”) while emphasizing the value the user gets (“free welcome gift”). There is also a sense of urgency implied, as we don’t know if this offer expires (unless we open the email). So, the subject line’s goal is achieved.

The campaign:

Birthday

Birthday emails are easy-to-create automated email marketing campaigns that your customers will appreciate. Apart from wishing them a happy birthday, you give them a nice incentive (e.g. discount coupon) to make a purchase.

3. Clarks

Subject Line: Your birthday gift is waiting!

Why it works: Clarks’ subject line plays with clever wording to achieve its goal to get the email opened. You immediately understand that it’s a birthday email while there is also an implied sense of urgency (since the gift is waiting).

The campaign:

4. PopInABox

Subject Line: 🥳️It’s Your PIAB Birthday Today!🥳

Why it works: This is an interesting subject line from PIAB. It celebrates your 1-year anniversary with the brand. Leveraging emojis at the beginning and at the end of the subject, it manages to attract attention. This marketing campaign is a great alternative to the classic birthday email.

The campaign:

Promotional Emails

Promotional emails are the core of an eCommerce store’s marketing strategy. They feature special offers, limited-time sales, etc with the aim to persuade users into making a purchase. Promotional subject lines are particularly effective when they’re personalized and unexpected.

5. Sidemen Clothing

Subject Line: The last of the SDMN x Mr. Men products! 😱

Why it works: Here Sidemen Clothing leverages the fear of missing out (FOMO) in their subject line. It’s the last chance for subscribers to purchase one of the products of the specific collaboration with Mr. Men. The “shocked” emoji adds more emphasis to the message.

The campaign:

6. MVMT

Subject Line: Final hours to save ‼️

Why it works: This is a classic subject line of a sales email. MVMT wants to capitalize on the subscribers’ need to benefit from the sale and purchase in time. Opening the campaign, they face a countdown timer that nudges them further towards the desired action.

The campaign:

Cart abandonment

Abandoned carts are probably the most serious pain point of eCommerce stores. Consequently, abandoned cart emails are the best way to restore otherwise lost revenue. The goal of these emails is to lead users back to the checkout and ideally encourage them to complete their orders.

7. MAC Cosmetics

Subject Line: Awkwafina, Still Thinking About It?

Why it works: Mac Cosmetics cleverly uses the subscriber’s name in the subject line to deliver a personalized message. The subject line is in the form of a question, trying to gently push subscribers into checking their carts again. What’s great about this campaign is its email design that favors mobile devices too.

The campaign:

8. Fashion Nova

Subject Line: Order Status: Incomplete

Why it works: Fashion Nova’s subject line strikes the perfect balance between piquing curiosity and avoiding being spammy. One thing is for sure. Your subscribers will definitely open this campaign!

The campaign:

Anniversary

Delivering email campaigns on a special occasion such as an anniversary establishes a bond with customers and gives them a solid reason to stay loyal to your brand. Here we’ll see some prime examples of that.

9. MOO

Subject Line: We just called to say, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Why it works: In this example, MOO uses capital letters to give emphasis and catch the user’s attention. Simplicity is evident also inside the campaign, but this helps in getting the message across fast.

The campaign:

10. bareMinerals

Subject Line: Josie, your anniversary gift is waiting…

Why it works: First of all, bareMinerals uses personalization with the subscriber’s name to make the anniversary campaign more intimate. Moreover, everyone likes a gift (here it’s 15% off) so people will be compelled to start filling up their shopping carts.

The campaign:

Thank You

Automated thank you emails are extremely important for eCommerce businesses to reach out to their customers and express their gratitude for a number of reasons (e.g. a purchase, becoming a member). While it’s only a small gesture, it helps build a long-lasting relationship with the customer and boost brand loyalty.

11. Body Bliss

Subject Line: Thanks for registering at Body Bliss

Why it works: This automated thank you email from Body Bliss is the first email the subscriber receives upon creating an account. It is simple and elegant, and it encourages people to reply if they have any questions.

The campaign:

12. The Body Shop

Subject Line: Thanks for sharing so much love🌍💖

Why it works: The Body Shop has crafted a great thank you campaign. It stresses the love they’ve received from their valued customers. This love will be spread further through the brand’s donation to the community. Along with a similar social media campaign, the brand can show its “human side” and turn customers into raving fans.

The campaign:

Replenishment / Repeat Purchase Reminders

These email campaigns are used in eCommerce to encourage recurring purchases. If you’re offering products that last for a specific amount of time or customers will need to restock them, then these campaigns are a must to keep a steady revenue stream.

13. MAC Cosmetics

Subject Line: 10% off Auto-M∙A∙C! Refresh and replenish for spring.

Why it works: The effectiveness of this subject line lies in the fact that it stresses the value the user gets (10% off). Furthermore, it uses actionable language (refresh and replenish) to further nudge email subscribers.

The campaign:

Product Recommendations

These campaigns are a great way to target your email list with products they might like, thus having better conversion rates. They require some data on the user’s preferences and ideally the subscriber has to have made a purchase in the past. Creating a template that can be used for such campaigns makes things a lot easier.

14. Kate Spade

Subject Line: backpacks recommended for you 🎒 (code included!)

Why it works: Kate Spade’s subject line combines a series of elements to achieve maximum effectiveness. We have an emoji to attract attention, while the reader understands that a discount code is included before even opening the email.

The campaign:

Purchase Confirmation

Order confirmation emails fall into the category of transactional emails. They are important for eCommerce since they let customers know that their order has been received. Moreover, they eliminate any anxiety as to whether everything went smoothly in the ordering process. By using a reliable SMTP relay service, your transactional emails will reach your subscribers’ inboxes and not the spam folder.

15. Amazon

Subject Line: Your Amazon.de order of “Batman: The Long Halloween” and 2 more items

Why it works: Amazon uses a standard subject line for its purchase confirmation email. Admittedly, these subject lines don’t require creativity. They just need to show who they’re from and potentially the items purchased.

The campaign:

Event

These email campaigns are used to invite subscribers to all kinds of events such as an in-store experience, a webinar, etc. They promote engagement with the brand, while they are also a good opportunity to increase brand awareness.

16. MAC Cosmetics

Subject Line: You’re invited to put our makeup to the test.

Why it works: MAC Cosmetics challenges their subscribers/customers for an in-store experience with the brand. This is an excellent opportunity to establish a connection with their audience and turn them into loyal followers.

The campaign:

17. Apple

Subject Line: Join us for a special Apple Event.

Why it works: Apple’s subject line is simple and elegant without unnecessary information. Moreover, it has the serious tone that the company uses. Upon opening the campaign, the mystery isn’t fully revealed as the user needs to click on the campaign to learn more.

The campaign:

Travel

The travel industry requires catchy subject lines to attract attention and elicit an emotional response from the subscribers. Otherwise, the email campaign might be ignored. Let’s see an example.

18. Vrbo

Subject Line: Vacation days are coming your way

Why it works: With this email subject line, Vrbo starts to warm up users for the upcoming vacation days and tries to encourage them to travel. Upon opening the email, the main message is “Dream vacations, made for you.” So, the reader feels a “personal” connection with the brand.

The campaign:

Christmas

The festive season of Christmas is a great opportunity for eCommerce brands to leverage the increased buying intent of customers. To succeed with email marketing though, your subject lines need to be more than unique due to the large number of emails subscribers receive. You can also check out our dedicated Christmas email subject lines resource!

19. Cokodive

Subject Line: 3 hours left for XMAS SALE to end🎄🎅

Why it works: Cokodive leverages urgency and emojis to catch the reader’s eye and attention. The capital letters also help in that aspect. Moreover, this subject line lets the company send one more follow-up email, which will be the final moments of the sale (e.g it’s officially the last minute).

The campaign:

Easter

Easter is an equally important holiday that brands can use in order to promote seasonal products and increase sales.

20. Fashion Nova

Subject Line: Get Eggs-cited For Easter 🐰🧺

Why it works: Here Fashion Nova employs a smart pun to make the subject line stand out. The same style is also used inside the campaign with one of the headlines being “Going egg hunting.”

The campaign:

Black Friday

Black Friday is a period that customers expect huge sales and offers. For this reason, you need to be prepared to meet that expectation and peak their excitement through clever email subject lines. The complete list of Black Friday email subject lines can be found here.

21. Nutriseed

Subject Line: ⚫ BLACK FRIDAY ⚫ IS ENDING SOON

Why it works: Nutriseed uses capital letters to emphasize the message and create a sense of urgency. The use of the two black emojis creates a nice visual balance in the subject line. However, we should note that using too many capital letters can trigger the email clients’ spam filters. So, use them in moderation.

The campaign:

Valentines’ Day

The season of love is undoubtedly the perfect time to interact and engage with your audience. They’ll be fiercely looking for gifts for their loved ones and as a result, you have to employ content marketing as well as your best subject lines to “satiate their appetite” for lovely presents!

22. Jeffree Star Cosmetics

Subject Line: Something better than chocolates 💋

Why it works: Intriguing, to say the least! What could be better than chocolates dear Jeffree Star Cosmetics? No doubt this is a clever way to push subscribers towards clicking on this subject line.

The campaign:

Halloween

Halloween subject lines usually tend to use smart puns or wordplays to spread fun and “spookiness.” If you manage to create an engaging subject line, you’ll see your open rates skyrocketing. So, it’s a good idea to experiment with A/B testing.

23. Warby Parker

Subject Line: Halloween on the brain

Why it works: Warby Parker has created a stunning all-around Halloween email campaign. From visuals to email copy, everything blends nicely together. The CTA is also brilliant. This Halloween email subject line helps pique readers’ curiosity about why would Halloween occur on the brain.

The campaign: