Free Tool

Reactivation Potential Calculator

Discover in seconds how much revenue is sleeping in your inactive customers — and how to win it back with a targeted direct mail campaign.

How much revenue are you leaving on the table?

Every online shop has them: customers who ordered once and haven't been active since. On average, 30-50% of all e-commerce customers are inactive. That means enormous dormant revenue that can be reactivated with the right strategy.

Our free reactivation potential calculator instantly shows you how much revenue is hidden in your inactive customers. Simply enter your customer data and receive a detailed analysis with ROI forecast for your reactivation campaign.

Studies show: reactivating existing customers is 5-7x cheaper than acquiring new ones. With personalized direct mail, you can achieve response rates of 5-15% — significantly more than email (under 1%).

Industry Benchmarks for Customer Reactivation

Typical metrics by industry — based on e-commerce studies and AutoLetter customer data

IndustryDormant %Reactivation RateAvg. Order Value
E-Commerce / Fashion40%8%€85
E-Commerce / Electronics45%6%€180
Food / Specialty30%12%€55
Cosmetics / Beauty35%10%€65
Household / Furnishing50%7%€150
Sports / Outdoor38%9%€110
B2B / Office Supplies42%11%€250
Pet Food / Pet Supplies25%14%€45

Sources: Klaviyo E-Commerce Benchmarks 2024, Shopify Customer Retention Study, AutoLetter Customer Data

3 Steps

How the Reactivation Calculator Works

Get your reactivation potential in 3 steps

1

Enter Customer Data

Enter your total customer count, dormant customer percentage, average order value and order frequency.

2

Discover Potential

Instantly see how much revenue is sleeping in your inactive customers and what ROI a reactivation campaign can deliver.

3

Launch Campaign

Use the recommendations and start your personalized reactivation campaign with AutoLetter.

Why Customer Reactivation via Direct Mail Is So Effective

The Problem: Dormant Customers Cost Revenue

In e-commerce, 30-50% of all customers become inactive after their first order. That's enormous potential that most retailers leave on the table. While new customers require expensive acquisition (CAC of 30-150 EUR), reactivating existing customers can succeed at a fraction of this cost — because these customers already know your brand and product.

Why Direct Mail Outperforms Email

Inactive customers barely respond to emails — the open rate for reactivation emails is under 10%, and many addresses end up in spam. Physical letters are opened by over 90% of recipients and achieve response rates of 5-15%. There's also no spam filter for physical mail, and a high-quality letter signals appreciation.

The Calculation: How We Determine Your Potential

The calculator multiplies the number of inactive customers by the average order value and order frequency to determine the dormant annual revenue. For the ROI forecast, we use industry-specific reactivation rates and factor in campaign costs (number of letters x cost per letter). The break-even rate shows you from which reactivation rate your campaign becomes profitable.

Best Practices for Successful Reactivation Campaigns

The most successful reactivation campaigns combine personalization, timing and a clear incentive. Address the customer personally, mention their last purchase behavior and offer an exclusive benefit. The optimal timing is 6-12 months after the last order. AutoLetter automates all of this — from segmentation to dispatch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Customer Reactivation

When is a customer considered inactive?
In e-commerce, customers are typically considered inactive when they haven't placed an order for 6-12 months. The exact period depends on your industry and typical order cycle. For consumables (cosmetics, food), inactivity of 3-6 months may be relevant, while for durable goods (electronics, furniture), 12-24 months is common.
What is a typical reactivation rate for direct mail?
The reactivation rate for direct mail ranges between 5% and 15% depending on the industry. Factors like degree of personalization, offer attractiveness and timing significantly influence the rate. Personalized letters with a concrete incentive (e.g., 20% discount) typically achieve the best results.
What does a reactivation campaign with AutoLetter cost?
The cost per letter with AutoLetter starts at EUR 0.95 including printing, personalization and postage. For a campaign to 1,000 inactive customers, total costs are around EUR 950. Even with a conservative reactivation rate of 5% and an order value of EUR 80, you get a positive ROI.
Is postal reactivation GDPR compliant?
Yes, direct mail to existing customers is GDPR compliant as you have an existing business relationship and can claim legitimate interest (Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR). Unlike email marketing, postal advertising does not require a separate opt-in. AutoLetter ensures compliance with all data protection regulations.
How quickly do I see results after sending?
The first reactions to a direct mail campaign typically occur within 1-2 weeks of delivery. The majority of reactivations (approx. 80%) happen within the first 4 weeks. We recommend evaluating after 6 weeks and planning a follow-up campaign for non-responders if needed.

Ready to Reclaim Dormant Revenue?

Start your reactivation campaign with AutoLetter now. Personalized direct mail, fully automated. No subscription — Pay per Use.

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