Why Every E-Commerce Store Needs an Email Marketing Strategy

When I first launched my e-commerce store, I had no idea what email marketing was or why I needed a strategy for it. I still remember uploading my entire personal email list to Klaviyo and thinking, Wow, I’m ahead with over 500 contacts! 🫣

It was an honest mistake—I had no clue that was actually illegal. A few weeks of sending emails to these people (who, of course, had zero interest in my products), and I pretty much gave up on email marketing altogether. I even kept paying for Klaviyo for six months before sending another email.

If you’ve just launched your e-commerce store, you’re probably juggling a dozen different things—setting up your website, sourcing products, managing inventory, and of course, trying to bring in customers. With so much going on, email marketing might feel like just another task on your never-ending to-do list. But here’s the truth: email marketing is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, especially if you’re just starting out. Let’s break down exactly why your store needs an email marketing strategy.

Listen on…

1. You Own Your Email List (Unlike Social Media)

Social media platforms are great, but they come with a major catch—you don’t own your followers. The algorithms change, reach fluctuates, and your audience could disappear overnight if the platform changes its rules. With email, you own your list. That means you can reach your customers directly, whenever you want, without worrying about external changes.

Think of your email list as your most valuable asset. Every subscriber is someone who’s already expressed interest in your products—why not nurture that relationship?

2. It’s Cost-Effective with a High ROI

One of the biggest challenges for e-commerce store owners is finding affordable ways to market their products. Email marketing offers one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) out there. In fact, for every $1 spent on email marketing, the average ROI is $42! Whether you’re sending product announcements, promotions, or educational content, email marketing helps you generate revenue without breaking the bank on ads.

For a small store with a limited budget, email is a cost-effective way to turn subscribers into loyal customers.

3. Build a Relationship with Your Customers

Unlike social media, where posts can get buried and forgotten, emails land directly in your customer’s inbox, allowing for a more personal, one-on-one connection. Through email, you can send a welcome series to new subscribers, provide exclusive offers, share stories about your brand, and keep your audience engaged.

When done right, email marketing feels more like a conversation—helping you build trust and long-term relationships with your customers.

4. Automate Your Marketing & Save Time

If you’re just starting out, chances are you don’t have a huge team to handle marketing. That’s where email automations come in. With platforms like Klaviyo, you can set up automated email flows for welcoming new subscribers, recovering abandoned carts, or thanking repeat customers—all while you focus on other parts of your business.

Automations allow you to create “set it and forget it” systems that nurture your audience on autopilot while your store grows.

5. Drive Repeat Sales with Targeted Campaigns

Customers may not buy from you on their first visit, but that’s where email campaigns come in handy. By sending targeted, personalized emails based on their interests and purchase behavior, you can bring them back to your store. Whether it’s through a special promotion or an update on new products, email marketing helps you stay top of mind.

The more you segment and personalize your emails, the more likely your customers are to make repeat purchases.

Where to Start with Your Email Marketing Strategy

Now that you know why email marketing is crucial for your e-commerce store, the next step is to start building your list. Use signup forms on your website, offer exclusive discounts or freebies in exchange for email addresses, and begin sending regular emails to nurture those leads.

Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed—getting started is easier than you think. And in next week’s post, we’ll walk you through setting up your first automated email in Klaviyo, so you can start building that direct line of communication with your customers.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, email marketing is one of the few tools that allows you to own your audience, automate your marketing, and build strong, personal relationships with your customers—all while driving sales. Whether you’re new to email or looking to improve your existing email marketing strategy, now’s the perfect time to start turning your inbox into income.

Ready to take the next step?

Kickstart your email marketing journey with my FREE Quickstart Checklist for High-Converting Pop-Ups & Welcome Flows! It’s the perfect resource to help you set up the foundation for growing your email list and boosting sales with ease.

And if you’re excited to dive deeper, keep an eye out for my upcoming course, Leads on Autopilot: Build a High-Converting Pop-Up & Welcome Flow in Klaviyo. It’s packed with everything you need to know to master email marketing and drive consistent revenue.

💌 Download the checklist now and join the waitlist to be the first to know when the course launches!