How to personalize CartBoss texts with shortcodes

For SMS personalization in CartBoss, add shortcodes such as {FirstName} to a message; each text gets the shopper's own details when it is sent. Shortcodes cost nothing extra, but longer texts can need more SMS parts.

Before you begin

You can add shortcodes to your custom messages. Preset message texts are locked. See How to write your own abandoned cart text.

Add a shortcode to a message

Open a message: Messaging → Abandoned cart or Win-Back, then the pencil, or Add custom message.
Click in the Default message box where the shortcode should go.
Click a button under Shortcodes, for example FirstName. CartBoss inserts {FirstName}. Hover a button to see what it does.
Check the phone preview. It shows sample values, such as "Jane" and "Boss T-Shirt".
Click Save.

Shortcodes buttons in the abandoned cart editor: CartItems, CartItemsCount, CheckoutUrl, DiscountCode, DiscountValue, FirstName, LastName, OrderCurrency, OrderNumber, OrderValue, SiteName

Abandoned cart shortcodes

{FirstName}: the shopper's first name, if CartBoss has it.
{LastName}: the shopper's last name, if CartBoss has it.
{CartItems}: the names of the products in the cart. Up to two names, then "...".
{CartItemsCount}: how many different products are in the cart.
{CheckoutUrl}: a short link back to the shopper's cart. Put it in every abandoned cart text; any discount travels on it.
{OrderValue}: the cart total as a number, for example 24.99.
{OrderCurrency}: the currency symbol, for example €. Use it with {OrderValue}.
{SiteName}: your store's Site name, from Sites → pencil → General.
{DiscountCode}: the shopper's discount code, or your custom coupon. Empty when the message has no discount.
{DiscountValue}: the discount, for example "20%" with a Percentage discount. Empty for Free shipping and Custom coupon.
{OrderNumber}: leave it out of abandoned cart texts. It stays empty until an order is placed.

Win-Back shortcodes

Win-Back texts go out after a purchase, so they have their own set:

{FirstName}, {LastName}, {SiteName}, {DiscountCode} and {DiscountValue}: as above.
{SiteUrl}: a short link to your store. Use it as the link in a Win-Back text.

Shortcodes buttons in the Win-Back editor: DiscountCode, DiscountValue, FirstName, LastName, SiteName, SiteUrl

Example

You write: "Hi {FirstName}, you left {CartItems} in your cart. Get {DiscountValue} off: {CheckoutUrl}"

The shopper gets: "Hi Jane, you left Boss T-Shirt in your cart. Get 20% off: " followed by a short link.

If the name is missing, CartBoss tidies the leftover comma and spaces, so the text still reads well.

Rules for shortcodes

Write them exactly as on the buttons, with curly brackets. Capitals matter: {FirstName} works, {Firstname} does not.
A misspelled shortcode in the default message stops the save with: "Firstname" is not a valid shortcode. Check the spelling or remove it.
Translations are not checked. A misspelled shortcode there goes out as plain text, so copy shortcodes from the default message.
Don't translate shortcodes. {FirstName} stays {FirstName} in every language.
The length meter counts a shortcode by its name, not by what replaces it. Product names and links can be longer. See How to keep a CartBoss text to one SMS part.

Questions

Can I use {CheckoutUrl} in a Win-Back text?

No. A Win-Back text goes out after a purchase, so there is no cart to return to. Use {SiteUrl}.

Can I use {SiteUrl} in an abandoned cart text?

No. Use {CheckoutUrl}, which brings the shopper back to their own cart.

Are links tracked?

Yes. CartBoss adds UTM tracking to every link.