How to Write an Order Confirmation Email: Complete Guide + Examples 2026

The order confirmation email is the most-opened email in your entire customer journey — around 70% on average. Customers check it right after completing their order to make sure everything went through correctly. Yet it's often treated as a boring formality, when it's actually a chance to build trust and reinforce your brand. In this guide, you'll learn how to write an order confirmation email that reassures customers and adds extra value.

Why the order confirmation email matters

An order confirmation does more than just say "thanks for your order":

• It confirms the payment went through — customers are often unsure whether their payment was successful
• It provides clarity — what exactly was ordered, for what amount, and when will it arrive?
• It prevents support questions — a complete confirmation answers the most common questions upfront ("where's my order", "what did I order")
• It's a brand moment — the tone and look of this email shape how a customer perceives your brand

What should a good order confirmation email include?

1. A clear subject line

Keep it simple and recognizable, for example:

• "Thanks for your order, [Name]! 🎉"
• "Your order #12345 is confirmed"
• "We've received your order"

2. Order confirmation details

Mention right at the top:

• Order number
• Order date
• Total amount (including shipping costs and any discounts)

3. Overview of ordered products

Show for each product:

• Product image
• Name, size/color/variant
• Quantity and price

This avoids confusion and gives the customer immediate visual confirmation that the right items were ordered.

4. Shipping and billing details

• Delivery address
• Billing address (if different)
• Payment method
• Expected delivery time

5. Next steps

Let the customer know what happens next:

• "You'll receive a shipping confirmation as soon as your package is on its way"
• An optional tracking link (can also be sent in a later email)

6. Contact options

Always include a clear link or button to your customer service, so customers with questions can easily reach you — for example via WhatsApp or live chat.

7. A personal or brand-driven touch (optional)

• Thank the customer in a way that fits your brand voice
• Suggest related products ("Customers who bought this also viewed...")
• Point to your social media or community

Example order confirmation email

Subject: Thanks for your order, Sarah! Your order number is #48213

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your order with [Shop Name]! We've received it and are getting started right away.

Order number: #48213 Order date: June 12, 2026 Total amount: €64.95 (incl. shipping)

Your items:

• Sneakers "Cloud White" — size 42 — €54.95
• Socks set (3 pairs) — €10.00

Shipping address: Sarah Johnson Example Street 12 1234 AB Amsterdam

As soon as your order ships, we'll send you a tracking link by email.

Have a question about your order? Feel free to message us on WhatsApp or chat — we're happy to help.

Best, The [Shop Name] team

Common mistakes

• Too formal or impersonal — an order confirmation can (and should) reflect your brand's tone of voice
• No way to get in touch — if a customer has a question and sees no clear way to contact you, it often ends in a phone call or, worse, a negative review
• Missing information — don't forget the order number, amount, or shipping address; these are the first things customers check
• No mobile preview tested — most customers open their order confirmation on their phone

Automating order confirmations

Sending order confirmations manually isn't an option for most stores — and it doesn't have to be. With transactional emails in Bugalou, you set up a template once, and the order confirmation is sent automatically as soon as an order comes in through your Shopify, WooCommerce, or other connected platform. The same goes for shipping confirmations, review requests, and abandoned cart reminders.

And if a customer does have a question after the order confirmation? That message — via WhatsApp, email, or chat — lands directly in your shared inbox, together with the order details. That way your team can help the customer right away, without switching between tools.

Conclusion

A good order confirmation email is more than a formality — it's your first chance to reassure a customer and build trust after purchase. Keep it clear, complete, and personal, and automate the sending so every customer gets the right information instantly.