Quick Start
Understand how CartBay works and launch it with the recommended first-run setup, verification steps, and safe production checklist.
Before starting, review Requirements and complete Installation. The free plugin needs no license key. If you also run CartBay Pro Pro, keep its license active (License Activation).
1. Configure Capture
Section titled “1. Configure Capture”Open Capture: WooCommerce > CartBay > Capture or WooCommerce > Settings > Cart > Capture
Recommended starting values:
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Enable Capture | Enabled |
| Consent Text | Short, explicit recovery consent copy |
| Consent Checkbox Default State | Match your legal/compliance policy |
| Abandonment Timeout | 30 minutes |
Example consent text:
Save my email to recover my cart if I leave.2. Configure the Recovery Sequence
Section titled “2. Configure the Recovery Sequence”Open Recovery Sequence: WooCommerce > CartBay > Recovery Sequence or WooCommerce > Settings > Cart > Recovery Sequence
Default sequence:
| Step | Default timing | Default coupon |
|---|---|---|
| Email 1 | 45 minutes after abandonment | Off |
| Email 2 | 24 hours after abandonment | Off |
| Email 3 | 72 hours after abandonment | Off |
Keep the default timing for a first launch unless you already have a tested recovery cadence.
3. Review Templates
Section titled “3. Review Templates”Open Templates: WooCommerce > CartBay > Templates or WooCommerce > Settings > Cart > Templates
- Edit each recovery email in WooCommerce email settings.
- Keep
{restore_url}in the call to action or body. - Keep
{unsubscribe_url}available unless your legal process provides an equivalent opt-out. - Use coupon placeholders only on steps where coupons are enabled.
4. Configure Offers
Section titled “4. Configure Offers”Open Offers: WooCommerce > CartBay > Offers or WooCommerce > Settings > Cart > Offers
Free: the free plugin uses a single static coupon code that references an existing WooCommerce coupon. Create the coupon in WooCommerce > Marketing > Coupons first, then enter its code in Offers. CartBay inserts that code into recovery emails as plain text on steps where the coupon is enabled.
Recommended coupon setup Pro: CartBay Pro replaces the static code with a unique, single-use coupon generated per abandoned cart — email-restricted, with an expiry, and auto-applied when the shopper restores their cart. Generated coupons use fixed-cart defaults out of the box:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Coupon Type | Fixed Cart Discount |
| Coupon Amount | A margin-safe amount, such as 10 in store currency |
| Coupon Expiry | 7 days |
5. Verify Email Delivery
Section titled “5. Verify Email Delivery”Open Templates and use Trigger Test Flow after enabling Test Mode. The test flow creates a dummy abandoned session and schedules the first recovery email in about 30 seconds.
Trigger Test Flow only confirms that CartBay schedules and hands off the email. It does not confirm your site can actually deliver mail. Before launch, follow Email Delivery Setup to configure an SMTP or ESP-native plugin, then use Send Test Email on the Notifications page.
6. Monitor the First Week
Section titled “6. Monitor the First Week”- Review CartBay Overview to monitor tracked, abandoned, recovered, abandoned value, revenue, and recovery rate.
- Review Notifications for failed or retry-queued emails.
- Review WooCommerce logs with source
cartbayif capture or background jobs behave unexpectedly. - Adjust email content before changing timing or discounts.