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 Templates from your back-office menu
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The list of all available automated emails is displayed
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Each email can be enabled or disabled individually (Enable checkbox)
Customize an email
Section titled “Customize an email”-
Click on the email you want to modify, then on Edit
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In the Visual Editor (Unlayer) field, you can edit text, images, and layout using drag and drop. You can also edit the Subject (60 characters maximum) and add a blind copy address (BCC)
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Insert variables to personalize the message with each customer’s information (first name, plan, date, etc.)
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Save, then run the Send a test email action: the email goes to your own address, with sample values
The logo and color of your emails are set in Settings > Sites, Appearance for tab (followed by your site name), Email Logo and Email Color fields. Without an email logo, the site logo is used.
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 |
{*frequency*} | Subscription frequency (e.g. Monthly, Every 3 months) |
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 |
|---|---|
{*address*} | Shipping address |
{*address_1*} | Additional address line |
{*zipcode*} | Postal code |
{*city*} | City |
{*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 canceled
Section titled “Subscription canceled”Type shown in the back-office: “Abonnement Résilié” (subscription cancelled).
Sent: when a customer cancels their subscription from their account, or when you run the Cancel the subscription action with the Notify by Email option ticked. It is not sent when a subscription is paused.
| 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 |
{*resume*} | Product summary |
{*frequency*} | Subscription frequency |
{*next_billing*} | Next billing date |
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:
- 1er échec de reprélèvement (1st failure): first failed payment
- 2nd échec de reprélèvement (2nd failure): second failure
- 3e échec de reprélèvement (3rd failure): third failure
- Dernier échec de reprélèvement (last failure): final warning
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, if auto-cancellation and the Notify Customer option are enabled (Settings > Sites, Advanced tab). This template is disabled by default: review it before enabling it.
| 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 the first shipping slip of a subscription is created, only if the subscription’s carrier has the Enable First Box box ticked (see First Box). The email is not sent when the parcel ships: its default subject announces a first order “being prepared”.
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*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*} | Subject set in the anti-churn offer |
The subject of this email is the one of the anti-churn offer (Marketing > Retention > Anti-Churn Offers): it replaces the template subject.
Best practice: take care of the subject of each anti-churn offer 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 (see Referral).
| 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: 2 days after the end of a subscription offered with a gift card, to invite the recipient to subscribe (unless the follow-up after the gift, below, already covers this gift).
| 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.
Follow-up after the gift (3 emails)
Section titled “Follow-up after the gift (3 emails)”Sent: three automated emails after a gift subscription ends, to offer the recipient the chance to subscribe.
Gift: before the end
Section titled “Gift: before the end”Timing: 15 days before the gift ends (configurable from 1 to 60 days).
| Variable | Displayed content |
|---|---|
{*first_name*} | Recipient’s first name |
{*shop*} | Your shop name |
{*subscription_name*} | Name of the offered plan |
{*end_date*} | Gift end date |
{*link*} | Link to the prefilled cart |
{*offer*} | Description of the welcome offer (inserted automatically) |
{*offer_deadline*} | Offer expiration date (offered in the editor for the last reminder only, but replaced in all three emails) |
The unsubscribe link is added automatically at the bottom of these three emails: there is no variable for it.
Gift: after the end
Section titled “Gift: after the end”Timing: 2 days after the gift ends (configurable from 0 to 30 days).
Variables are the same as the “before the end” email.
Gift: last reminder
Section titled “Gift: last reminder”Timing: 21 days after the gift ends (configurable, between the second email and 90 days).
Variables are the same as the “before the end” email. Use {*offer_deadline*} to remind about the offer expiration date.
Best practice: each email can be edited, disabled, or deleted independently. If you disable the “after the end” email, only the before and last reminder emails send. See the Continue after the gift page for full configuration details and key metrics.
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.