What’s the best time to trigger an automated email?

The best trigger time depends entirely on the email type and purpose:

Transactional emails: Send immediately. Password resets, order confirmations, and shipping updates should have zero delay. Recipients expect instant response.

Cart abandonment: Typically 1-4 hours after abandonment. Too soon interrupts potential completion; too late loses the moment.

Browse abandonment: Usually 4-24 hours. Give visitors time to return naturally before prompting.

Welcome emails: Immediately after signup for confirmation, then spaced appropriately for onboarding sequence.

Re-engagement: When the recipient historically engaged, if that data is available. Otherwise, mid-week, mid-day tends to perform reasonably.

Consider recipient time zones for marketing automation. A 10am trigger in your zone could be 3am for the recipient.

The best time is when the recipient expects or needs the message. For transactional, that is now. For marketing, that requires understanding your audience.