Abandoned carts are one of the biggest lost revenue sources in ecommerce. Studies show that nearly 70% of online shopping carts are never completed. Most brands rely on email follow-ups to recover those sales — but email open rates are falling, and inbox competition is fierce.
AI voice agents are changing that. Instead of sending another reminder email, Catana’s AI voice assistant calls customers directly, engaging them in a natural, real-time conversation that leads to action.
Why Email Alone Isn’t Enough
Traditional abandoned cart recovery relies on automated email sequences.
They work, but they’re limited by a few key problems:
- Low visibility: Only about 20% of cart recovery emails are opened.
- Delayed engagement: Even if customers see them, they may not respond for hours or days.
- Lack of urgency: Emails can’t answer live objections or help customers complete checkout instantly.
The result? Most abandoned cart emails fail to convert.
How AI Voice Agents Fix This Problem
Catana’s AI connects directly to your Shopify store and automatically identifies abandoned checkouts. When a customer leaves items in their cart, the AI calls them within minutes to follow up conversationally.
“Hey! I noticed you left something in your cart. Would you like me to help you finish your order?”
This real-time outreach turns a cold reminder into a warm, interactive experience.
1. Immediate Engagement
Voice agents reach customers while they’re still in shopping mode.
Instead of waiting for them to check their inbox, Catana’s AI calls instantly, turning timing into a conversion advantage.
If the customer answers, the AI can guide them through checkout or send a direct payment link to their phone.
2. Personalized, Two-Way Conversation
Emails are one-directional. Voice calls are interactive.
Catana’s AI can respond to questions in real time, such as:
- “Can I use a promo code?”
- “Is this item still in stock?”
- “How long will shipping take?”
This builds trust and eliminates friction points that cause drop-offs.
3. Higher Conversion Rates
Because calls feel more personal and urgent, voice-based recovery campaigns consistently outperform email.
- Email recovery rate: ~8–10%
- AI voice agent recovery rate: ~25–35% (based on internal testing and client data)
The difference is speed, conversation, and personalization — three factors that email can’t replicate.
4. Real-Time Incentives
Catana’s AI can apply time-limited discounts or free shipping dynamically during the call:
“If you’d like to complete your order now, I can apply a 10% discount for you.”
This ability to offer incentives conversationally increases conversion probability instantly.
5. Seamless Shopify Integration
Because Catana connects directly to your Shopify backend, it can:
- Detect new abandoned carts automatically
- Retrieve product and pricing details in real time
All without any manual setup or coding.
Voice vs. Email: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Email Recovery | AI Voice Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Response time | Hours or days | Instant |
| Interaction | One-way | Two-way |
| Open rate | ~20% | ~90% (answer rate) |
| Conversion rate | 8–10% | 25–35% |
| Personalization | Limited | Fully conversational |
| Urgency | Passive | Immediate |
Final Thoughts
Emails are great for reminders — but they’re passive.
Voice is active. AI voice agents like Catana convert more abandoned carts because they combine human-like conversation, perfect timing, and full access to store data.
If you’re serious about recovering lost sales, it’s time to upgrade from email-only recovery to real-time AI calling.
Search Catana in the Shopify App Store to start recovering more abandoned carts with voice automation.
