What are the main types of automated emails?

Automated emails generally fall into several categories based on their triggers and purposes.

Welcome/Onboarding:

Welcome series: Greets new subscribers, sets expectations, introduces brand
Onboarding sequences: Guides new users through product setup and adoption

Transactional:

Order confirmations: Immediate acknowledgment of purchase
Shipping notifications: Delivery updates
Account alerts: Password resets, security notifications
Receipts: Transaction records

Behavioral:

Abandoned cart: Reminder about items left in cart
Browse abandonment: Follow-up on viewed products
Post-purchase: Reviews, cross-sells, usage tips
Milestone: Triggered by reaching usage thresholds

Lifecycle:

Reactivation/Winback: Attempts to re-engage inactive users
Loyalty: Rewards for continued engagement
Renewal reminders: Subscription expiration notices
Sunset: Final attempts before removing inactive contacts

Date-based:

Birthday/Anniversary: Personal celebrations
Subscription anniversaries: "You've been with us for 1 year"
Replenishment: Timed reminders to reorder consumables

Engagement-based:

Lead nurture: Educational sequences moving prospects toward purchase
Drip campaigns: Scheduled content delivery over time
Event follow-ups: Post-webinar, post-download

Each type serves a different moment in the customer relationship. The right automation meets subscribers where they are with relevant messages at relevant times.