Automated emails and their variables
Ciklik automatically sends emails to your customers at key moments in their journey: subscription, shipping, payment failure, and more. You can customize each email from your back-office using the visual editor (drag and drop), and insert variables to display information specific to each customer.
Access your automated emails
Section titled “Access your automated emails”- Go to Content > Email template from your back-office menu
- The list of all available automated emails is displayed
- Each email can be enabled or disabled individually
Customize an email
Section titled “Customize an email”- Click on the email you want to modify
- The visual editor opens: you can edit text, images, and layout using drag and drop
- Insert variables to personalize the message with each customer’s information (first name, plan, date, etc.)
- Preview the result before saving
How variables work
Section titled “How variables work”Variables are tags you insert into your emails. They are automatically replaced with the customer’s actual information when the email is sent. For example, {*first_name*} will be replaced by the recipient’s first name.
Common variables
Section titled “Common variables”The following variables are available on nearly all emails. They won’t be repeated in each table below:
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*shop*} | Your shop name |
{*logo*} | Your shop logo |
{*domain*} | Your website address |
{*first_name*} | Customer’s first name |
{*last_name*} | Customer’s last name |
Subscription lifecycle
Section titled “Subscription lifecycle”Subscription confirmation
Section titled “Subscription confirmation”Sent: after a subscription purchase.
This is the first email your customer receives. It should reassure, recap the order, and build excitement about receiving the first box.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*creation_date*} | Order date |
{*type_abo*} | Plan name |
{*plan_price*} | Plan price |
{*reduc*} | Discount applied |
{*total*} | Total amount |
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*company_name*} | Company name |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*resume*} | Product summary |
{*referral_url*} | Customer’s referral link |
{*end_date*} | Subscription end date |
{*next_billing*} | Next billing date |
{*relay*} | Selected pickup point |
{*customization*} | Customization choices |
Best practice: include the referral link {*referral_url*} in this email. A customer who just placed an order is the most likely to recommend your box.
Upcoming renewal
Section titled “Upcoming renewal”Sent: before the automatic renewal of a long-term subscription.
This email lets your customer know that their subscription will be renewed soon and that a payment is upcoming.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*creation_date*} | Original order date |
{*type_abo*} | Plan name |
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*referral_url*} | Referral link |
{*next_billing*} | Next billing date |
Best practice: remind customers of the amount and date of the upcoming payment to avoid surprises. An informed customer is a loyal customer.
Customization change
Section titled “Customization change”Sent: when a customer updates their customization options (product choices, preferences, etc.).
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*creation_date*} | Order date |
{*type_abo*} | Plan name |
{*plan_price*} | Plan price |
{*reduc*} | Discount applied |
{*total*} | Total amount |
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*resume*} | Product summary |
{*referral_url*} | Referral link |
{*end_date*} | Subscription end date |
{*next_billing*} | Next billing date |
{*relay*} | Selected pickup point |
{*customization*} | Updated customization choices |
Best practice: clearly confirm the new options via {*customization*} so the customer knows their request was processed.
Subscription paused or canceled
Section titled “Subscription paused or canceled”Sent: when a customer pauses or cancels their subscription.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*end_date*} | Subscription end date |
Best practice: stay positive and remind the customer they can resubscribe at any time. Avoid guilt-inducing messages.
Subscription reactivated
Section titled “Subscription reactivated”Sent: when a customer reactivates a previously paused or canceled subscription.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*relay*} | Selected pickup point |
{*customization*} | Customization choices |
Best practice: celebrate the customer’s return with a warm message. This is a key moment not to be overlooked.
Payments
Section titled “Payments”Payment failure (attempts 1 through 4)
Section titled “Payment failure (attempts 1 through 4)”Ciklik sends up to four emails for successive payment failures:
- Payment failure — 1st attempt: first failed payment
- Payment failure — 2nd attempt: second failure
- Payment failure — 3rd attempt: third failure
- Payment failure — Final warning: last attempt before automatic cancellation
All four emails share the same variables:
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*link*} | Link to update credit card |
Best practice: gradually increase urgency from one email to the next. The first can be informative and reassuring; the last should clearly state that the subscription will be canceled without action. Always make the {*link*} prominently visible.
Subscription auto-canceled
Section titled “Subscription auto-canceled”Sent: when a subscription is automatically canceled after repeated payment failures.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*email*} | Customer’s email address |
{*subscription_name*} | Subscription name |
{*end_date*} | Planned subscription end date |
{*cancellation_date*} | Cancellation date |
{*cycles_unpaid*} | Number of unpaid cycles |
{*update_payment_link*} | Link to reactivate the subscription |
Best practice: clearly offer a way back with the reactivation link {*update_payment_link*}. Many auto-canceled customers actually want to continue — they just needed to update their card.
Credit card expiring soon
Section titled “Credit card expiring soon”Sent: when the customer’s registered credit card is about to expire.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*link*} | Link to update credit card |
{*short_link*} | Short link to update credit card |
Best practice: this email is a powerful retention tool. Sent proactively, it prevents cascading payment failures. Use {*short_link*} if you integrate it into an SMS or short message.
Refund processed
Section titled “Refund processed”Sent: when a refund has been processed for the customer.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*refund*} | Refund amount |
Best practice: be transparent about the amount and the expected timeframe for the refund to appear (typically 5 to 10 business days depending on the customer’s bank).
Shipping
Section titled “Shipping”First shipment
Section titled “First shipment”Sent: when a subscriber’s very first package is shipped.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*creation_date*} | Order date |
{*type_abo*} | Plan name |
{*plan_price*} | Plan price |
{*reduc*} | Discount applied |
{*total*} | Total amount |
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*resume*} | Product summary |
{*referral_url*} | Referral link |
Best practice: this is an exciting moment for your customer. Highlight what they’ll receive with {*resume*} and include the referral link {*referral_url*} to capitalize on their enthusiasm.
Package shipped
Section titled “Package shipped”Sent: when subsequent packages are shipped (renewals).
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*referral_url*} | Referral link |
{*link*} | Tracking link |
{*extra*} | Additional content |
{*relay*} | Selected pickup point |
{*customization*} | Customization choices |
Best practice: the tracking link {*link*} is essential. It’s the information your customers want most. Place it at the top of the email, clearly visible.
Acquisition and abandoned carts
Section titled “Acquisition and abandoned carts”Sign up
Section titled “Sign up”Sent: when a customer account is created (without an order).
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*firstname*} | Customer’s first name |
{*lastname*} | Customer’s last name |
Best practice: welcome the new member and guide them toward your subscription plans. An effective sign-up email leads to a first order.
Abandoned cart reminders (3 emails)
Section titled “Abandoned cart reminders (3 emails)”Ciklik can send up to three reminders when a visitor abandons their cart:
- 1st reminder: first follow-up
- 2nd reminder: second follow-up
- 3rd reminder: final follow-up
All three emails share the same variables:
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Address provided |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*item*} | First item in the abandoned cart |
{*link*} | Link to return to cart |
Best practice: vary the tone across the three reminders. The first can be a simple nudge, the second can highlight customer reviews, and the third can offer a limited-time deal. The {*link*} should always be the main call-to-action button.
Retention
Section titled “Retention”Anti-churn campaign
Section titled “Anti-churn campaign”Sent: to customers identified as at risk of canceling, as part of a retention campaign.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*data*} | Campaign content (text and offer) |
{*subject*} | Personalized email subject line |
Best practice: personalize the email subject with {*subject*} to maximize open rates. A generic subject line will be ignored; a personalized one grabs attention.
Reactivation offer
Section titled “Reactivation offer”Sent: to former subscribers whose subscription was canceled, to encourage them to come back.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*text*} | Reactivation offer text |
{*link*} | Link to resubscribe |
Best practice: highlight what has changed since the customer left (new products, improvements). The {*link*} should lead directly to a resubscription page, with no friction.
Referrals
Section titled “Referrals”Referral reward
Section titled “Referral reward”Sent: to the referrer when their referred friend places an order.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*first_name*} | Referrer’s first name |
{*last_name*} | Referrer’s last name |
{*reward_amount*} | Reward amount |
{*from_first_name*} | Referred friend’s first name |
{*from_last_name*} | Referred friend’s last name |
Best practice: congratulate the referrer and remind them they can keep referring. The {*reward_amount*} should be prominently displayed to reinforce satisfaction.
Purchases and gift cards
Section titled “Purchases and gift cards”One-time purchase confirmation
Section titled “One-time purchase confirmation”Sent: after a one-time purchase (product sold without subscription).
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*resume*} | Product summary |
{*relay*} | Selected pickup point |
Best practice: use this email to introduce your subscription plans. A one-time buyer is a potential subscriber.
Gift card summary
Section titled “Gift card summary”Sent: for gift card follow-up or reminder.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Recipient’s address |
{*address2*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
Best practice: remind the recipient of the steps to use the gift card and the activation deadline if applicable.
General best practices
Section titled “General best practices”- Test your emails before enabling them. The visual editor lets you preview the result. Check that variables display correctly and that the design is readable on mobile.
- Don’t overload your emails with variables. Only use those that provide useful information to the customer in the context of the email.
- Keep a consistent tone. Your automated emails are part of your brand identity. Use the same tone as on your website and social media.
- Regularly check your disabled emails. An essential email accidentally disabled (like shipping or payment failure) can degrade your customers’ experience without you noticing.