Cart Bell Documentation

Your complete guide to recovering lost sales with WhatsApp & Email — no coding required!

Quick Start Guide

Follow these simple steps to start recovering abandoned carts. Most store owners complete this setup in under 5 minutes!

1. Step 1: Install the Plugin

   What to do:

   • Log in to your CodeCanyon account
   • Go to your Downloads page
   • Find "Cart Bell" and click Download
   • Choose "Installable WordPress file only" (this downloads a .zip file)

   Then in WordPress:

   • Go to your WordPress dashboard
   • Click Plugins in the left menu, then Add New
   • Click the Upload Plugin button at the top
   • Click Choose File and select the cart-bell.zip file you downloaded
   • Click Install Now, then click Activate

   What happens next: You'll see "Cart Bell" appear in your WordPress menu on the left side.

2. Step 2: Set Up WhatsApp (Optional but Recommended)

   Why WhatsApp? WhatsApp messages have a 98% open rate compared to 20% for emails. This means more customers will see your recovery messages!

   What to do:

   • Click Cart Bell in your WordPress menu
   • Click WhatsApp
   • Choose your WhatsApp provider from the dropdown (see Third-Party Services for options)
   • Enter your API credentials (your provider will give you these)
   • Click Save Changes
   • Click Test Connection to make sure it works

   What happens next: If the test is successful, you'll see a green "Connection successful" message.

   Don't Have a WhatsApp Provider Yet?

   That's okay! You can skip this step and use email recovery only. You can always add WhatsApp later.

3. Step 3: Turn On Cart Recovery

   What to do:

   • Go to Cart Bell > Settings
   • Click on the Abandoned Carts tab
   • Make sure "Enable Cart Recovery" is switched ON (it should be blue)
   • Set your Abandonment Timeout — this is how long Cart Bell waits before considering a cart "abandoned" (we recommend starting with 60 minutes)
   • Click Save Changes

   What happens next: Cart Bell will now start tracking when customers leave items in their cart without buying.

4. Step 4: Test Everything Works

   Why test? It's important to make sure Cart Bell is working before relying on it to recover sales.

   What to do:

   • Open a new private/incognito browser window (this acts like a new customer visiting your store)
   • Go to your online store
   • Add any product to your cart
   • Go to checkout and enter an email address (use your own email for testing)
   • Check the consent checkbox if visible
   • Don't complete the purchase — just close the browser window
   • Wait for your abandonment timeout (e.g., 60 minutes)
   • Go back to Cart Bell > Abandoned Carts in WordPress

   What you should see: Your test cart should appear in the list with the email address you entered.

License & Terms

Envato License

Cart Bell is sold exclusively on CodeCanyon under the Envato Market license terms.

What's Included

Multi-Site Usage

• Single Site: One Regular License required
• WordPress Multisite: One Regular License per sub-site that uses the plugin
• Multiple Separate Sites: One Regular License per site
• Client Projects: One Regular License per client site

Third-Party Services

Cart Bell connects to external messaging services to send WhatsApp messages and emails. This section explains what you need and the associated costs.

What You Need for WhatsApp Messages

To send WhatsApp recovery messages, you need an account with one of these approved providers. Each provider has different pricing — choose the one that fits your budget and expected message volume:

Introduction

What is Cart Bell?

Have you ever noticed customers adding products to their cart but leaving without buying? This is called "cart abandonment" — and it happens to every online store. Studies show that 70% of shopping carts are abandoned before checkout!

Cart Bell helps you recover these lost sales automatically. When a customer leaves items in their cart, Cart Bell sends them a friendly reminder via WhatsApp or Email, encouraging them to come back and complete their purchase. Many store owners recover 10-30% of abandoned carts with automated recovery messages.

Who Is This Plugin For?

Cart Bell is perfect for:

• Online store owners who want to increase sales without extra advertising costs
• Small business owners who don't have time to manually follow up with customers
• Growing e-commerce stores looking to automate their marketing
• Store managers who want to understand why customers leave without buying
• Web agencies setting up stores for their clients

No technical skills required! If you can use WordPress, you can use Cart Bell.

Key Benefits

Feature Overview

Here's what Cart Bell can do for your store. Each feature is designed to help you recover more abandoned carts with minimal effort.

Abandoned Cart Detection

Cart Bell automatically watches your store and detects when customers leave without buying. Here's how it works (you don't need to do anything — it happens automatically!):

How Detection Works

• Works for all visitors: Tracks carts for both registered customers and guest shoppers (people without an account)
• Captures contact info early: As soon as a customer types their email or phone number at checkout, Cart Bell saves it — even if they don't finish their order
• You control the timing: You decide how long to wait before a cart is considered "abandoned" (the default is 60 minutes, but you can change this)
• Ignores completed orders: If a customer comes back and completes their purchase, their cart is automatically removed from the abandoned list

WhatsApp Recovery System

WhatsApp messages have an incredible 98% open rate — far higher than email. Cart Bell lets you send recovery reminders directly to customers' phones through WhatsApp.

What You Can Send

• Text Messages: Simple text reminders like "Hi Sarah, you left something in your cart!"
• Template Messages: Pre-designed messages that include your branding and can be sent anytime
• Product Images: Show customers a picture of what they left behind
• Quick Reply Buttons: Add buttons like "Complete My Order" for easy one-tap action

Email Recovery System

Not everyone uses WhatsApp — and that's okay! Cart Bell also sends recovery emails. The best part? Email recovery is completely free with no extra services needed.

• Professional Templates: Beautiful, mobile-friendly email designs that look great on any device
• Works Everywhere: Automatically creates a simple text version for older email programs
• Personalized Messages: Include the customer's name, what they left in their cart, prices, and more
• Better Delivery: Optional connection to email services like SendGrid or Mailgun for improved inbox placement

Personalization Tags

Use these "tags" in your email templates and Cart Bell will automatically replace them with real customer data:

Recovery Sequences

Instead of sending just one message, Cart Bell can send a series of messages over time. This "sequence" approach dramatically increases recovery rates because different customers respond to different types of messages.

How the Default Sequence Works

Cart Bell comes with a ready-to-use sequence. You can customize it anytime, but here's what works out of the box:

Live Chat Support

Cart Bell includes a complete live chat system for both WhatsApp and website visitors.

• Real-Time Messaging: Instant message delivery using WebSockets or AJAX polling
• Multi-Agent Support: Multiple team members can handle conversations
• Department Routing: Route conversations to appropriate departments
• Typing Indicators: Show when agents/customers are typing
• Quick Replies: Canned responses for common questions
• Customer Context: View customer order history and profile during chat

Analytics & Reports

Cart Bell tracks every aspect of the recovery process.

System Requirements

Before installing Cart Bell, make sure your website meets these requirements. Good news: Most modern web hosting already meets all of these!

What Your Website Needs

Hosting Requirements

These are technical settings on your web server. Most quality hosting providers (like SiteGround, Bluehost, Cloudways) already have these configured correctly.

Installation Guide

Installing Cart Bell is just like installing any other WordPress plugin. Follow these simple steps:

Method 1: Install Through WordPress (Recommended)

This is the easiest method — no technical knowledge required!

1. Download Your Plugin File

   Where to get it:

   • Go to codecanyon.net and log in
   • Click your profile picture (top right) and select Downloads
   • Find "Cart Bell" in your purchases
   • Click the Download button
   • Select "Installable WordPress file only"

   What you'll get: A file named something like cart-bell.zip saved to your computer.

   Common Mistake

   Don't select "All files & documentation" — that's a larger package meant for developers. Choose "Installable WordPress file only" for the easiest installation.

2. Upload to Your WordPress Site

   In your WordPress dashboard:

   • Go to Plugins in the left sidebar
   • Click Add New at the top
   • Click the Upload Plugin button (at the top of the page)
   • Click Choose File and select the cart-bell.zip you just downloaded
   • Click Install Now

   What happens: WordPress will upload and unpack the plugin. You'll see a success message when it's done.

3. Activate the Plugin

   After the upload completes, click the Activate Plugin link.

   What happens: Cart Bell will appear in your WordPress menu on the left side. You're now ready to configure it!

Method 2: FTP Upload (Advanced)

Only use this method if you're comfortable with FTP, or if the regular upload doesn't work. If you don't know what FTP is, stick with Method 1 above or ask your web host for help.

1. Download and unzip the cart-bell.zip file on your computer
2. Connect to your website using an FTP program (like FileZilla)
3. Navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder on your server
4. Upload the entire cart-bell folder there
5. Go to Plugins in WordPress and click Activate next to Cart Bell

Installation Problems? Here's How to Fix Them

Click on any error message below to see how to fix it:

First-Time Setup

Welcome! This guide walks you through setting up Cart Bell step-by-step. Don't worry if you're not technical — we explain everything simply.

Step 1: Find Cart Bell in Your Dashboard

After activating the plugin, you'll see Cart Bell in your WordPress sidebar with these menu items:

• Cart Bell - Main dashboard with stats
• Chat Inbox - View and reply to customer messages
• WhatsApp - Connect your WhatsApp Business number
• Cart Recovery - Set up recovery sequences
• Abandoned Carts - See all abandoned carts
• Settings - Configure widget, notifications, etc.

Step 2: Connect Your WhatsApp Number

Go to Cart Bell > WhatsApp. You'll see "Not Connected" — this is normal! Click Add Your First Number and choose your provider (Meta Cloud API is most common).

Step 3: Enable Customer Opt-in

Go to Cart Bell > Settings > Checkout Opt-in. Turn ON the opt-in checkbox — this is required for legal compliance!

Step 4: Set Up Recovery Sequence

Go to Cart Bell > Cart Recovery. The default 3-step sequence works great: Step 1 at 1 hour, Step 2 at 24 hours, Step 3 at 3 days with discount.

Step 5: Test Everything

1. Send yourself a test WhatsApp message from Cart Bell > WhatsApp
2. Open your store in incognito, add to cart, enter checkout details, close browser
3. Wait for timeout, then check Cart Bell > Abandoned Carts

Settings Explained

The default settings work great for most stores. Here's what each setting does:

Widget Settings

Location: Cart Bell > Settings > Widget

• Enable Widget - Shows chat button on your site (recommended: ON)
• Position - Bottom Right is standard
• Theme Color - Match your brand or use WhatsApp green
• Hide on Pages - Add /checkout and /cart to avoid distracting buyers

Abandoned Cart Settings

Location: Cart Bell > Cart Recovery > Settings

• Enable Recovery - Master switch (keep ON)
• Abandon Timeout - 30 minutes for most stores
• Minimum Cart Value - Set to $0 or $20+ to skip tiny carts
• Capture Guest Carts - Keep ON, most carts are guests!

WhatsApp Configuration

To send WhatsApp messages, you need a Business Solution Provider (BSP). Most users choose Meta Cloud API (pay per message) or Wati/Interakt (monthly fee, easier setup).

Meta Cloud API Setup

1. Go to developers.facebook.com and create an app
2. Add WhatsApp product to your app
3. Copy Phone Number ID, Business Account ID, and Access Token
4. Enter these in Cart Bell > WhatsApp > Add Number
5. Set up webhook URL: https://yoursite.com/wp-json/cart-bell/v1/webhook/receive

Message Variables

Use these in your messages for personalization:

• {first_name} - Customer's name
• {cart_total} - Cart value
• {recovery_url} - Link to restore cart
• {coupon_code} - Discount code

Email Configuration

Cart Bell uses your WordPress email settings. For better delivery, install WP Mail SMTP plugin and connect to Gmail or SendGrid.

Email Templates

Location: Cart Bell > Cart Recovery > Templates

Customize subject lines and content. Use the same variables as WhatsApp messages.

Avoiding Spam Folders

• Use short subject lines (under 50 characters)
• Avoid "FREE", "ACT NOW", ALL CAPS
• Always include unsubscribe link
• Balance images and text

Understanding the Recovery Flow

Here's what happens when a customer abandons their cart:

1. Customer Shops

   Customer adds items to cart. Cart Bell starts tracking.

2. Checkout Started

   Customer enters email/phone at checkout. Cart Bell captures this AS THEY TYPE — even if they don't complete the order!

3. Cart Abandoned

   Customer leaves. After your timeout (e.g., 30 min), cart is marked "abandoned".

4. Recovery Messages Sent

   Automatic messages go out: Step 1 at 1 hour, Step 2 at 24 hours, Step 3 at 3 days.

5. Customer Returns

   Customer clicks recovery link → cart is restored → discount applied → sale recovered!

Cart Statuses

• Pending - Waiting for first message
• In Progress - Messages being sent
• Recovered - Customer bought!
• Unrecovered - All messages sent, no purchase

GDPR & Privacy Compliance

If you sell to customers in Europe (or want to follow privacy best practices anywhere), this section explains how Cart Bell helps you stay compliant with privacy laws like GDPR.

What Data Does Cart Bell Collect?

Here's exactly what Cart Bell stores and why:

Built-in Privacy Features

Cart Bell includes these tools to help you comply with privacy laws:

• Consent Checkbox: A customizable "I agree to receive cart reminders" checkbox appears at checkout. You can edit the text to match your needs.
• Easy Unsubscribe: Every email and WhatsApp message includes a one-click unsubscribe link. Customers can opt out anytime.
• Consent Records: Cart Bell keeps a log of when each customer gave or withdrew consent — useful if you ever need to prove compliance.
• Data Deletion: You can delete any customer's abandoned cart data from Cart Bell > Abandoned Carts.

Add This to Your Privacy Policy

Copy and paste this text into your website's Privacy Policy page (adjust as needed for your situation):

Things to Know Before You Start

Every tool has limitations. Here's what you should know upfront so you can set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

WhatsApp Limitations

These are rules set by WhatsApp itself (not Cart Bell limitations):

Technical Limitations

Important Expectations

To avoid misunderstandings, here's what Cart Bell cannot do:

• Guaranteed delivery: Message delivery depends on WhatsApp and email services working correctly. Cart Bell sends the messages, but actual delivery is up to WhatsApp/email providers.
• Bypass customer consent: If customers don't check the consent box or don't provide their email/phone, Cart Bell cannot contact them. This is by design (and legally required in most places).
• Work with other e-commerce platforms: Cart Bell only works with WooCommerce. It won't work with Shopify, Easy Digital Downloads, or other platforms.
• Include a WhatsApp account: You need to sign up separately with a WhatsApp provider. Cart Bell is the tool that sends messages through your account.
• Recover 100% of carts: Realistically, expect to recover 10-30% of abandoned carts. Some customers simply decided not to buy, and no amount of messaging will change their mind.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Having issues? Don't worry — most problems have simple solutions. Click on your issue below to see how to fix it.

Common Issues & Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Developer Hooks & Filters

Actions

cart_bell_message_received

Fires when a WhatsApp message is received.

add_action('cart_bell_message_received', function($message_data, $conversation_id) {
    // Process incoming message
    error_log('Message received: ' . print_r($message_data, true));
}, 10, 2);

cart_bell_agent_assigned

Fires when an agent is assigned to a conversation.

add_action('cart_bell_agent_assigned', function($conversation_id, $agent_id, $type) {
    // Log assignment or send notification
}, 10, 3);

cart_bell_register_bsp_adapters

Register custom BSP adapters.

add_action('cart_bell_register_bsp_adapters', function($manager) {
    $manager->register('custom_provider', new My_Custom_BSP_Adapter());
});

Filters

cart_bell_message_content

Modify message content before sending.

add_filter('cart_bell_message_content', function($content, $type, $context) {
    // Add signature to all messages
    if ($type === 'text') {
        $content .= "\n\n— Your Store Team";
    }
    return $content;
}, 10, 3);

cart_bell_recovery_url

Modify the recovery URL.

add_filter('cart_bell_recovery_url', function($url, $cart_id, $cart_data) {
    // Add UTM parameters
    return add_query_arg([
        'utm_source' => 'cart_recovery',
        'utm_medium' => 'whatsapp',
    ], $url);
}, 10, 3);

Translation & Localization

Cart Bell is fully translation-ready and uses WordPress internationalization (i18n) standards.

Translation Files Location

cart-bell/
└── languages/
    ├── cart-bell.pot          (Template file)
    ├── cart-bell-fr_FR.po     (French translation)
    ├── cart-bell-fr_FR.mo     (French compiled)
    └── ...

How to Translate

Using Poedit (Recommended)

1. Download and install Poedit
2. Open Poedit and click Create new translation
3. Select cart-bell.pot from /wp-content/plugins/cart-bell/languages/
4. Choose your target language
5. Translate each string
6. Save as cart-bell-{locale}.po

Using Loco Translate Plugin

1. Install and activate Loco Translate
2. Go to Loco Translate > Plugins
3. Find "Cart Bell" and click it
4. Click New language
5. Translate strings in the editor

RTL Support

Cart Bell supports right-to-left (RTL) languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu. RTL styles are automatically applied when WordPress is set to an RTL language.

Changelog

[1.0.0] - Initial Release

Added

• WhatsApp Business API integration with 8 BSP providers (Meta, Twilio, Wati, Dialog360, Zoko, Interakt, Gupshup, AiSensy)
• Multi-step abandoned cart recovery sequences
• Email recovery system with customizable templates
• Live chat support for website and WhatsApp
• Real-time messaging with Pusher/Ably WebSocket support
• Multi-agent support with department routing
• 6 routing modes (Round Robin, Least Busy, First Available, Department, Skill Based, Manual)
• Customer consent (opt-in) management for GDPR compliance
• Analytics dashboard with recovery metrics
• Activity logging with configurable retention
• 24-hour WhatsApp session window management
• Quick replies/canned responses for agents
• Customer context panel with order history
• Automatic coupon generation for recovery messages
• WooCommerce HPOS compatibility
• WooCommerce Cart/Checkout Blocks compatibility

Security

• Nonce verification on all AJAX requests
• Capability checks for admin access
• Input sanitization and output escaping
• Webhook signature verification
• Rate limiting on opt-out endpoints

Need Help? We're Here for You!

Stuck on something? Found a bug? We're happy to help you get Cart Bell working perfectly.

Support Details

How to Contact Support

We Can Help With

• Installation problems — Plugin won't install or activate
• Configuration questions — Not sure how to set up a feature
• Bug reports — Something isn't working as expected
• Feature questions — Unsure if Cart Bell can do something
• Compatibility issues — Problems with standard WordPress/WooCommerce setups

Outside Our Support Scope

These things require specialized help that we can't provide:

• Custom modifications — Changing how Cart Bell works for your specific needs (hire a developer)
• Server issues — PHP errors, memory limits, SSL setup (contact your web host)
• WhatsApp account setup — Getting verified, template approvals (contact your BSP provider)
• Third-party plugin conflicts — Issues caused by other plugins (we can suggest workarounds but can't debug other plugins)

Before You Contact Support

How to Write a Great Support Request

Help us help you faster! When contacting support, please include:

PURCHASE CODE: [Find this in your CodeCanyon downloads]

MY WEBSITE: [Your website URL]

WHAT I EXPECTED TO HAPPEN:
[What should have happened]

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:
[What went wrong instead]

STEPS TO SEE THE PROBLEM:
1. I went to...
2. I clicked on...
3. Then I saw this error...

ANY ERROR MESSAGES:
[Copy the exact error text, or say "no error shown"]

SCREENSHOTS:
[Attach screenshots if helpful]