TL;DR: Open Shopify admin, go to Marketing → Automations, pick a pre-built flow like Welcome or Abandoned Checkout, and toggle it on. Customize the email timing, subject lines, and discounts inside each flow, then activate to let Shopify send them automatically.
Step 1: Access the Automations Dashboard
Log in to your Shopify admin and click Marketing in the left sidebar, then select Automations. This hub shows every pre-built and custom flow available on your plan. Shopify Plus users see additional templates, but all plans include core flows like welcome, abandoned cart, and thank-you emails.
If you want to dig deeper, check out our guide on 10 Easy Lifestyle Hacks for a Happier, Healthier You.
Step 2: Choose a Template That Matches Your Goal
Click Create automation and browse the template gallery. For a first setup, start with Welcome new subscribers or Abandoned checkout—these drive the highest revenue. Each template previews the number of emails and suggested delays before you commit.
Step 3: Customize Triggers and Timing
Inside the flow editor, click any email block to edit its delay. A strong welcome sequence sends email one immediately, email two after two days, and email three after five days. For abandoned checkout, set the first reminder for one hour after abandonment and a second for 24 hours later. Avoid sending more than three emails per flow—engagement drops sharply after that.
Step 4: Write and Brand Your Emails
Use the drag-and-drop editor to add your logo, brand colors, and a single clear call-to-action button. Personalize subject lines with the customer’s first name using the Add personalization option. Keep one goal per email—mixing a discount with a product education piece dilutes clicks.
Step 5: Test and Activate
Click Preview to check mobile rendering, then send a test email to yourself. Once satisfied, toggle the flow to Active. Monitor performance under the Automations dashboard weekly and adjust delays based on open and click rates.
FAQ
Q: Do I need Shopify Plus to use email automations?
A: No. All Shopify plans include the core automation templates; Plus only adds more advanced branching and custom triggers.
Q: How many emails should an abandoned checkout flow have?
A: Two to three emails work best—typically at one hour, 24 hours, and 72 hours after abandonment.
Q: Can I connect Klaviyo or Mailchimp instead?
A: Yes. Both integrate natively with Shopify and offer deeper segmentation, though Shopify’s built-in flows are simpler to launch.
Leave a Reply