Thank you email: Examples, templates, and best practices

Reading Time: 18 minutes

Have you ever received a thank you email after purchasing, leaving feedback, or referring a friend? That’s a brand nurturing your relationship and nudging you through its customer journey.

Perhaps you didn’t realize it, but that’s the point — the best thank you emails feel like a natural part of the brand experience. They achieve that by triggering based on subscriber actions (e.g., purchases) and being non-promotional.

I’ve found that thank you emails can positively impact conversions and satisfaction and build cohesiveness in the customer experience.

Join me below to learn how I write thank you emails and discover examples, templates, and tips for making them as effective as possible.

What is a thank you email?

A thank you email is a quick digital note you send after someone takes an action. It could be buying, signing up, or saying yes to a meeting. It names what you’re thankful for and keeps the tone friendly and direct.

Brands often use thank you email templates to keep the message fast and consistent. A well-written one shows you noticed the person and leaves the door open for the next step. A good email marketing tool like Omnisend can help you automate thank you emails and save time.

Key purposes of a thank you email

In my experience, thank you emails deepen the customer relationship, and unlike promotional messages, they arrive when customers engage with my brand and expect communication. That perfect touch of timing provides opportunities to:

• Build customer trust and satisfaction
• Encourage repeat purchases
• Generate positive reviews
• Open up referral and loyalty opportunities
• Create positive emotional connections with customers
• Express genuine gratitude and appreciation to customers
• Build strong long-term customer relationships
• Show professionalism and that you care
• Reinforce customers’ interest in your brand or products

Best practices for writing a professional thank you email

These are the best practices I follow to write professional thank you emails:

• I create descriptive subject lines that capture the purpose of thanking my customers, such as “Thanks for your review” and “Thank you for your order“
• The first heading my customer sees after opening their email reinforces its intent, e.g., “Thank you for referring a friend”
• My subject lines and the first heading or sentence in my emails mention the customer’s first name to create an instant connection
• I write my content so it’s on-brand, such as with conversational language and emojis
• The content I write when describing steps and explaining information is concise and doesn’t use any adjectives
• I add value when appropriate (e.g., a discount or VIP access)
• My CTA buttons use action-oriented language (e.g., “Grab my discount”), and I give them a contrasting background color to stand out
• I always proofread my writing with an editing tool, including the subject line and CTAs, and I’m not afraid to ask other people to double-check it
• I send thank you emails soon after a customer takes an action, when their interest is still fresh

Top 15 real-life thank you email examples

Here are my top picks for thank you email examples:

1. Thank you for your order email

Subject line: Thanks for your Postable order 📬

This is a simple order confirmation email that also thanks the customer. It provides order details and tells the customer when they can expect their order.

Why I liked this email

The headline does the emotional work first by saying thank you, before jumping into details. The delivery window is placed right at the top, which answers the biggest question without forcing me to scroll. 

The order summary is clean and itemized, so it’s easy to double-check the purchase. The design is playful but not distracting, which keeps the mood positive after checkout. The “Review order” button gives a clear next step without pushing another sale.

2. Thank you for your purchase email

Subject line: Thank You For Your Purchase!

This is a clean transactional email with a human touch. It confirms the sale and gives context about the company.

Why I liked this email

The company mentioned helping local shelters and being family-owned, which made me feel like my purchase supports something good. The copy is simple and easy to read, which lowers post-purchase worry. 

Visual hierarchy is clear, with a headline, short note, and then the purchase details, so the email is easy to scan. The minimalistic colors and big “THANKS FOR YOUR PURCHASE” art give it personality without hiding the facts. It reads like a friendly note, not a long legal receipt.

3. Thank you for your purchase email with a discount

Subject line: Thank you for your Lifestyle Base Purchase…

This email functions as a transactional follow-up and a promotional push. It confirms the gift and makes the benefit easy to redeem in-store.

Why I liked this email

I like that the layout puts the value front and center, so people see the offer at a glance. Branding is clear at the very top, which builds trust before the offer. 

The call to action is implied by the code and the “Happy Shopping” line, keeping the email uncluttered. The contrast between the white card and the red background makes the code easy to find. Overall, it feels like a neat, useful gift rather than a hard sell.

4. Post-purchase thank you email with helpful content

Subject line: Thanks for your purchase Smiles Davis

This email is a friendly how-to that helps customers set up a new device. It focuses on useful actions instead of selling more stuff. It goes beyond being a basic thank you email.

Why I liked this email

I appreciate that the email gives immediate value instead of pushing another sale. The hero image and product name remove any doubt about what the customer bought. 

Numbered steps with matching icons lower the chance of user error. The copy is short and easy to scan on a phone, which matters for new owners. From a lifecycle view, this should add to the first-run success and cut early support needs.

5. Thank you for your order confirmation email

Subject line: Thank you for your order (#R650000650)

This is a clear order-confirmation email that thanks the customer, shows billing and shipping, and lists each item with small images and prices. It tells the reader the order was received, and that tracking will follow when it ships.

Why I liked this email

The bold headline and short intro set expectations right away. Showing both billing and shipping addresses builds trust and cuts confusion. Item thumbnails, names, and quantities make it easy to scan and confirm the order. 

The price breakdown with gift code and tax is transparent and reduces post-order questions. Linking the order number to order details is a smart move for quick access.

6. Thank you for preordering email

Subject line: Thank You for Pre-Ordering the All-New EX5!

This email thanks the customer for preordering and spells out the exclusive offers that come with the purchase. It mixes brand storytelling with practical next steps.

Why I liked this email

The benefit bullets communicate tangible value and justify the preorder decision. Personal addressing adds warmth while the copy stays short and professional. 

Mentioning a sales rep contacting the buyer manages expectations and reduces follow-up emails. The clean layout keeps focus on the offer rather than pushing other products. This should keep preorders feeling premium and supported.

7. Thank you for your feedback email

Subject line: Thanks for helping us

This message closes the loop on a survey by sharing outcomes and thanking participants. It uses social proof and a discount to reinforce loyalty after gathering feedback.

Why I liked this email

The opening stat (94% would recommend) instantly shows the survey result and feels credible. Highlighting a coupon right after the result uses reciprocity to drive another purchase. 

Customer quotes give real voice to the number and make the claim believable. The green coupon box and final CTA create an easy path to redeem. From a lifecycle view, this is a strong way to turn feedback into repeat revenue.

8. Thank you for subscribing email

Subject line: 📚 Thanks for signing up! Here are some resources to boost your SMS and email strategy

This welcome email confirms a signup and hands new subscribers a short list of starter resources. It aims to convert that initial interest into action right away.

Why I liked this email

I see this as a strong onboarding touch that shows clear value immediately. The top copy sets expectations about frequency and benefits, so new subscribers know what to expect. 

Visual tiles for each resource let readers scan and pick one thing to click. Bold, black CTAs create obvious next steps without overwhelming the page. 

From a marketing view, it primes users to engage with content and stay subscribed. It increases early click rates and get more traffic to the website.

9. Thank you for your referral email

Subject line: Freebies incoming! 🎁💨

This is a referral-trigger email that thanks the referrer and hands them an immediate reward. It also shows progress toward a larger prize to keep people engaged.

Why I liked this email

The message uses positive momentum: it thanks the customer and then asks them to take one easy action. The CTA copy “claim your reward” is action-focused and low friction. 

Counting referrals visually helps people see progress and sets a clear goal to reach the bigger prize. Imagery and color make the reward feel fun rather than transactional. I would expect good click-throughs because the value is immediate and the path is obvious.

10. Thank you email with product recommendations

Subject line: Smiles Davis, Thank You for Your Purchase! Save $10 on Your Next Order.

This email combines gratitude with an easy upsell via curated product picks and a short-term discount. It aims to convert post-purchase goodwill into another order.

Why I liked this email

A strong visual hierarchy with thank you, offer, then product suggestions, guides attention in the right order. 

Showing multiple SKUs increases the chance that at least one item will appeal to the buyer. The $10 off message is clear and feels like a reward rather than a hard sell. 

Repeating CTAs across the grid improves the odds of clicks. From a retention point of view, this is a low-effort nudge to drive a second purchase.

11. Thank you email with a social media call to action

Subject line: Thanks for your order!

This is a post-purchase thank you that nudges new buyers to connect on social media while they wait for their order. This “thanks for your order email” keeps the message light and points to one clear action.

Why I liked this email

There’s a strong focus on just one particular action which is following it on Instagram. The large Instagram icon and short copy make the ask obvious without clutter. Gaining an Instagram follower increases future touchpoints, so this is great.

Personalizing the headline with the customer’s name helps the message feel direct. The secondary CTA, check order status, gives a practical path for anyone who wants order details.

12. Thank you for attending our webinar email

Subject line: Thanks for attending our Ecommerce Email Marketing Webinar 💌

This email is meant to keep the momentum after a webinar. It gives people time, space, and options. It’s a great thank you email example for B2B companies.

Why I liked this email

It respects the reader’s time by keeping the message short. The resources feel relevant because they were already mentioned during the session. I like that the team positions themselves as available, not pushy. 

The CTA to watch past webinars gives value even if someone missed part of the live event. Overall, it feels like a natural continuation of the conversation, not a funnel step.

The tone is helpful and professional, which fits B2B buyers. I would expect good click rates on the consultation link because attendees already showed interest.

13. Professional thank you email after a meeting

Subject line: Thanks for joining us at Activate Live!

This is a post-event thank you email sent right after the conference wraps up. It’s meant to close the loop and keep the relationship warm.

Why I liked this email

It opens like a genuine thank you note, not a campaign. The copy acknowledges the effort it takes to attend an event, which shows respect for the audience. 

Asking for feedback feels natural because the value exchange is clear. The on-demand recordings are shared without pressure, which makes them more likely to be used. Ending with the donation message adds a human layer that goes beyond marketing.

14. Thank you for being a part of our community email

Subject line: Happy holidays from Unsplash 🌟

This is a year-end thank you sent to the community. It has no offer and no ask. It’s just meant to close the year on a good note. This is a perfect example of having no agenda, except to show appreciation or gratitude.

Why I liked this email

The message stays focused on gratitude and never drifts into promotion. Short paragraphs make it easy to read and feel sincere. Calling out creativity and inspiration reflects how people actually use the product. 

The heart emoji adds warmth without feeling forced. From a brand point of view, this reinforces trust and emotional connection. This is the kind of thank you email that builds brand loyalty.

15. Thank you email with a brand story

Subject line: Thank you!

This thank you email uses the brand’s origin story to build a connection. It thanks customers and then shows them where the product originated.

Why I liked this email

The language is plain and grounded, which fits the brand. Showing early workspaces and labels makes the process feel human and genuine. 

The transition from apartment to small factory feels earned, not hype-driven. It quietly reinforces quality and care without needing to say those words. This kind of story helps customers feel good about supporting the brand.

Overall, I feel that sharing a brand story like that is a great way to build an emotional connection with your customers. The more connected your customers feel with your brand, the more they’ll continue buying from you. 

Thank you email templates

Feel free to steal my thank you email templates below (remember to replace the (Placeholders) with your details to make them your own):

Thank you for your purchase email template

A thank you for your purchase email should trigger within minutes to reassure customers you have their order and set expectations about the next steps.

Thank you for your feedback email template

Acknowledge customer opinions and show you’re listening with an authentic email. To encourage additional purchases, consider offering a discount, too.

Thank you for your referral email template

Show appreciation when customers spread the word about your business. Since they have shown loyalty, a small reward makes sense.

Thank you for your order email template

Provide an order confirmation, while also showing your gratitude. Make customers feel appreciated and build lasting relationships with this thank you email.

Thank you for attending our webinar email template

Thank participants for attending your event or webinar and share key takeaways or learning resources. Use it as an opportunity to continue the conversation and schedule a follow-up consultation or meeting. Here’s a professional thank you email template you can use.

Professional thank you email after a meeting template

As a professional courtesy, thank the person or people you had a recent meeting or conference with. This also gives you a chance to follow up or take the conversation further.

Thank you for subscribing email template

Thank people for signing up to receive your emails or newsletter and reinforce the benefit they’ll get. Provide some resources to keep them engaged.

How to write a thank you email

Some of the content in your thank you email will be automated, such as order details and recommended products. However, you have complete control over subject lines, headings, text, call to action (CTA) buttons, and their layouts.

Here’s how I write highly effective thank you emails:

1. Choosing a subject line

I write subject lines under 50 characters to prevent truncation by email apps like Gmail and Outlook. I also say “thank you” or “thanks” before anything else — for example, “Thank you for your order” instead of “We’ve got your order, thanks!”

Omnisend’s AI subject line generator helps me create subject lines for thank you emails (among others). When I put the words “thank you” into it, it gave me these:

these:

Want to see more subject line examples? Find 150 best email subject lines to boost sales in 2025.

2. Personalizing your greeting

Thank you emails that use the customer’s name and reference past purchases and other interactions have higher engagement metrics.

I look for opportunities to personalize these email elements:

• Subject lines
• Message content
• Content blocks
• Automation flows

Omnisend makes personalizing emails intuitive with liquid syntax with double square brackets, such as [[contact.first_name]]. I add these to my email, and they get replaced with the customer’s information during sending.

Manually inserting these is one option, but in the email automation workflow editor, there’s a personalized variables option for the subject line under Edit email:

Additionally, there’s a personalized variables option in the email design editor:

3. Writing the main text

Right after the first heading, I go straight into the thank you message using concise content directly tied to the customer’s action.

Did they place an order? Join my list? Refer a friend? I acknowledge it and get to the point of the message, be it a general thank you note or information on the next steps I want them to take, such as creating an account.

I write or edit content within Hemingway or Grammarly to ensure no spelling errors and size the typography within my template for good readability.

4. Including a next step

It isn’t always the case, but when I want my customer to take another step within their thank you email, I add a CTA button like this one:

The example above thanks the customer for creating an account and provides a link to their abandoned cart. Your CTA button should be similarly relevant and tied to their actions. For instance, if they purchase, your button could say, “Track your order.”

5. Signing off with personality

I know my thank you email’s closing is the last chance to leave an impression — so I don’t waste it! My sign-offs reflect my brand’s warm, casual, and sometimes playful feel. Your closing should also match your brand without losing professionalism.

Example closing elements:

• Friendly phrase: “Thanks again”
• Name: Your team name or a personal name
• Brand name
• Optional: A support link (helps reduce inquiries)

Also, I change my email footer depending on the message’s purpose. Social media links, privacy statements, and delivery information are helpful in some emails.

How to automate thank you emails

My thank you emails run on autopilot and reach customers based on the triggers I define to guarantee good timing and relevance.

Here’s how I automate thank you emails in Omnisend:

Setting up email automation workflows

Automated emails save me hours each week. Instead of manually sending emails after each purchase, I set them up once and focus on other tasks.

To get my thank you email automation running:

1. I log into Omnisend and head to the Automations tab

2. After clicking Create workflow, I look for the Order Followup option:

3. For the trigger, I stick with Placed order and make sure the filter shows Order status is paid:

4. I’ve learned through trial and error that timing matters — sometimes, I delay the email by 30 minutes so it doesn’t get lost in the order confirmation flurry

When setting up these workflows, I found that segmentation based on purchase value makes a difference. My higher-value customers receive a slightly different message than first-time buyers to create a more premium experience.

One trick I discovered is that exit conditions prevent email fatigue. If someone places three orders in two days, I set up conditions so they don’t get three identical messages back-to-back.

Filling out the automated thank you email

My thank you emails evolved through many iterations. The current version includes:

• The customer’s first name (not just “Dear Customer”)
• A brief, genuine thank you that doesn’t sound like a robot wrote it
• Order details for their reference
• A single next action — usually an invitation to join our community

I keep testing different approaches. Last month, I removed the promotional language and saw my reply rate increase. People responded with questions and comments, starting conversations rather than just clicking through.

A/B testing different versions of my thank you messages has been eye-opening. I tested two different subject lines and discovered that “Thanks for your order, (Name)!” significantly outperformed “Your order is confirmed.”

I also use dynamic content blocks to make each email feel custom-made. My click-through rates jumped when I added recommended products based on my customers’ purchase history.

When to send a thank you email in ecommerce

The best time to send a thank you email is when your customer expects it (immediately following a purchase) or when they perform an action requiring confirmation. Here are some of the timing practices I use for thank you emails:

• After purchase: I send these within 30 minutes of purchase completion — after the order confirmation but before shipping notification when excitement is the highest
• After newsletter signup: My welcome emails go out immediately after signup, as delays here can cause confusion and lead to my customers reattempting signup
• After feedback: I automate these to send within three hours of receiving feedback to show we’re actively listening
• After a referral: I set up these emails to arrive within one hour of the referral and follow up with an additional email a few days after to incentivize additional ones
• After a milestone (loyalty tier, anniversary): Anniversary emails go out on the milestone date, and loyalty tier achievements go out within 24 hours of achievement
• After abandoned cart recovery: I send these thank you emails two hours after the recovered purchase is complete to separate the thank you from the standard order confirmation

Conclusion

I’ve created thank you emails for multiple stages of my customer journey, and they consistently rank in the top 10% for engagement.

My customers receive automated thank you emails after signing up for my newsletter, ordering, leaving feedback, or referring a friend. I also have a workflow that triggers a thank you email to non-subscribers following abandonment if they enter their email during checkout.

You can also send these to close out customer actions and create additional opportunities for sales and engagement. Another top tip is to A/B test two email versions and refine your subject lines, content, and offers to maximize results.

FAQs