Email Communication

Welcome

In this module, you will learn all about email communication, from creating templates to sending targeted messages and testing addresses for optimal performance.

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Understand types of email communications
• Create an email template
• Send abandoned cart emails
• Create a dashboard message
• Test email addresses

What is it? / Why use it?

Optimizely Configured Commerce includes a set of system-generated emails that are sent automatically at specific intervals. For example, customers receive an email confirmation after placing an order or a notification when a new list is shared with them.

These emails are typically configured during the implementation phase by your development partner. For instance, an email may be set up to confirm an order once a customer completes the checkout process. Since these emails run automatically, they usually require minimal updates.

Note: It is best practice to add all email templates to the Admin Console during implementation. Below is a list of available email templates:

• ContactUsTemplate
• ForgotPassword
• JobReport
• OrderConfirmation
• RequestRma
• RfqQuote
• StatusReport
• TellAFriend
• TestTemplate

To learn more about viewing and resending system-generated emails that failed to deliver, check out the Email Message Logs link below.

How do I benefit from using email communications?

Here's how this feature benefits different roles:

• Marketer: Regular communication is an important way to stay in touch with your customers. The pre-defined email templates to include personalized information or links to additional resources. Keeping your customers educated and in the loop will keep them coming back to you as the trusted source.
• Researcher/Buyer:  Customers expect, at the bare minimum, to receive confirmation when they take basic actions in the system. A true value-added service is to see those email communications with customized touches, like their name, their industry, recommendations for resources, and more. A buyer is more likely to trust your site when it looks like your website communications are speaking directly to their needs.

Create and edit an email templates

Optimizely Configured Commerce generates email templates during implementation, but you may need to create new ones or update existing templates as needed.

There are two types of emails in Configured Commerce: auto-generated and subscription-based. Auto-generated emails are triggered by specific events, such as Admin_AccountActivation, OrderApproval, and OrderConfirmation, and are sent to relevant users automatically. Subscription-based emails, on the other hand, require an email list, ensuring that only subscribed users receive them. Refer to the Email Subscriptions article for more information.

Walk through these steps on your own using your training site and the help article below.

Front view

In the Email templates section, you can see all the pre-defined or created email templates used by your websites.

Enable abandoned cart email reminders

Cart abandonment is a common challenge in eCommerce. Sending follow-up emails to those who left items in their cart serves as a helpful reminder and encourages them to complete their purchase. This simple strategy can effectively improve conversion rates.

Go to the below link , where you'll find all the instructions on how to enable and send abandoned cart email.

Front view

This is a possible display for the abandoned cart email.

This is an example of a list reminder notification you customer might receive.

Create a dashboard message

The Request for Quote (RFQ) feature sends notifications to users through email and notification, ensuring that both customers and sales representatives stay informed. This helps track incoming quotes and keeps both parties updated throughout the entire quote process.

Walk through these steps on your own using your training site and the help article below.

Front View

From the my account section, users can see all additional dashboard messages.

If Request for quote is turned on, users receive quote notifications automatically when they request a quote, or when the sales rep approves/responds to their quote.

Test email address

When working with sandbox environments or pre-production, the Test email address setting exists to override where these email notifications are sent allowing for easier testing:

Test email address

• Navigate to the Admin Console > Administration > System > Settings.
• Search for "Test email address."
• Enter the desired email address.
• Click Save.

Try it

It’s time to play in the Configured Commerce sandbox!

The following practice exercises take place in the Knowledge & Learning training site. Before jumping in, please log in to the Training site using the following credentials:

• Username: TrainingUser
• Password: Opticon1!#

After logging in, do the following:

1. Create an email template
2. Edit an email template
3. Create an email list and assign subscribers
4. Enable abandoned cart email reminders

Wrap up

Congratulations! You have completed the module. You should now be able to:

• Understand types of email communications
• Create an email template
• Send abandoned cart emails
• Create a dashboard message
• Test email addresses

Learn more

While we covered a lot, there's always more to learn about products and how to work with them!

Check out the below link for an up-to-date collection of helpful guides and technical documentation.