How many emails should a welcome series have?

Two to four is a practical range. A strong first email delivered immediately does most of the work; a couple of follow-ups over the next several days build the relationship and nudge a first purchase. Add more only if each email earns its place.

Should the first email include a discount?

If you promised a sign-up incentive (like a percentage off the first order), deliver it in the first email so you keep your promise and capture intent while it's high. If you didn't promise one, leading with brand story and best-sellers can work just as well.

When does a subscriber enter the welcome series?

Right after they subscribe, for example through a sign-up form, at checkout, or via import with consent. The first email should send promptly so it arrives while your brand is still top of mind.

Does the welcome series run on its own?

Yes. Once activated, it sends automatically to every new subscriber on the schedule you set, with no manual effort.

Set up a welcome series

Reviewed by Eran Betzalel, founder · 2026-06-29

A welcome series is an automated sequence of emails that greets every new subscriber the moment they join, and it earns its keep because new subscribers are at their most engaged right after signing up, welcome emails routinely see some of the highest open rates of any message a store sends. Boostmail’s automations let you set one up once and have it run for every new subscriber automatically.

Why a welcome series matters

The window right after someone subscribes is golden: they just chose to hear from you, so they are primed to open, click, and buy. A welcome series captures that attention, sets expectations for what you’ll send and how often, introduces your brand, and gives a reason to make a first purchase, all without you lifting a finger after setup.

Build the sequence

In Automations, create a flow triggered when a contact subscribes. A simple, effective structure:

Email 1, Welcome (send immediately). Thank them, deliver any promised incentive (such as a first-order discount), and point to your best-selling or most-loved products. This is your highest-engagement message, so make the call to action clear.
Email 2, Brand and value (a day or two later). Share what makes you different, your story, materials, guarantees, or social proof like reviews.
Email 3, Nudge to purchase (a few days later). Highlight a popular collection or a customer favorite, and reinforce reasons to buy now (shipping, returns, limited stock).
Optional Email 4, Gentle reminder. For subscribers who haven’t bought, a light follow-up can recover interest.

Use the drag-and-drop builder to design each email, and use AI to draft copy you then edit to your brand voice. Personalize with the subscriber’s first name where it fits.

Activate and refine

Send yourself a test of each step, confirm links and any incentive codes work, then turn the flow on. After it’s live, watch open, click, and conversion rates per step and trim or adjust messages that underperform.

Pair it with cart recovery

A welcome series and an abandoned-cart flow together cover your two biggest automated wins. Once your welcome flow is live, set up the abandoned-cart flow to recover the sales that slip away at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

How many emails should a welcome series have?: Two to four is a practical range. A strong first email delivered immediately does most of the work; a couple of follow-ups over the next several days build the relationship and nudge a first purchase. Add more only if each email earns its place.
Should the first email include a discount?: If you promised a sign-up incentive (like a percentage off the first order), deliver it in the first email so you keep your promise and capture intent while it's high. If you didn't promise one, leading with brand story and best-sellers can work just as well.
When does a subscriber enter the welcome series?: Right after they subscribe, for example through a sign-up form, at checkout, or via import with consent. The first email should send promptly so it arrives while your brand is still top of mind.
Does the welcome series run on its own?: Yes. Once activated, it sends automatically to every new subscriber on the schedule you set, with no manual effort.