Shopify Flow: Simplifying E-commerce Automation
Shopify Flow is like having your own e-commerce automation assistant. It helps you automate tasks and processes in your store and even with your apps.
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Components of a Shopify Flow Workflow
Shopify Flow works on events and lets you create automated workflows. Think of it as a system that keeps an eye on your store for certain events and then takes actions automatically in response.
To set up these automations, you create a workflow using three main components:
Trigger: This is the event that kicks off the workflow. It can be something that happens in your store or within an app. For example, it could be when a new order is placed in your store.
Condition: Conditions are like the decision-makers of the workflow. They check whether certain conditions are met. For instance, you could set a condition to see if the total order amount is over $200.
Action: When the condition is met, an action is taken. This could involve making changes in your store or within an app. For instance, if the total order amount exceeds $200, you could automatically add a tag to the customer's account.
In a nutshell, Shopify Flow simplifies e-commerce automation by watching for events, making decisions based on conditions, and taking actions accordingly.
Creating Workflows in Shopify Flow
Shopify Flow makes it easy to automate tasks by creating workflows. You can start a new workflow from scratch or use pre-made templates for convenience.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Creating a Workflow:
Before you dive in, here are a few things to consider:
Workflows begin as soon as possible, but there may be some delay between when a trigger starts a workflow and when its actions finish. The timing isn't fixed.
Orders and draft orders are treated separately in Flow. What happens to orders doesn't affect draft orders, and vice versa. Converting a draft order into an order activates workflows related to orders.
Be cautious with workflows involving tags if there are more than 250 tags associated with the order, product, or customer.
Every workflow must start with a trigger, either from Shopify Flow or an app.
Some data in the GraphQL Admin API may populate asynchronously, especially for orders. Test your workflow before activating it to ensure the data is as expected.
Creating a New Workflow:
Here's how to create a simple workflow with one trigger, one condition, and one action. You can make it more complex by adding additional conditions, actions, or advanced triggers and actions:
Go to your Shopify admin, then click on "Settings" > "Apps and sales channels."
Find and click on "Shopify Flow."
Click "Open app."
Choose "Create workflow."
Select a trigger to start the workflow.
Create a condition that must be met before any actions can run.
Choose the action that runs based on the condition.
Optionally, add more conditions or actions.
Give your workflow a title.
To activate your workflow, click "Turn on workflow."
Pro Tip: If a condition gets disconnected from an action, you can easily reconnect them by clicking the "+" icon next to "Then" on the condition and dragging it to the disconnected action with the blue dot.
Creating a Workflow Using a Template:
Templates are pre-made workflows by Shopify that you can customize and use:
In your Shopify admin, click "Settings" > "Apps and sales channels."
Find and click on "Shopify Flow."
Click "Open app."
Choose "Create workflow."
Browse and select a template that suits your needs.
Review the template and make necessary edits (e.g., changing tags or recipient information).
Click "Install."
Edit the template further if needed.
Optionally, update the title.
To activate the workflow, toggle the switch from "Off" to "On" in the upper-right corner.
That's it! You've successfully created workflows in Shopify Flow, making automation a breeze for your e-commerce business.
Examples of Shopify Flow Workflows
Shopify Flow offers 150+ templates for easy automation. Here are some example templates to get you started:
Customers:
Tag customers based on attributes like postal code, email, or order history.
Send emails to customers when wishlist items go on sale.
Organize customers by lifetime spending tiers.
Send handwritten notes after customers place their second order.
Fulfillment:
Manage order fulfillments based on location or order details.
Prepare draft shipping labels.
Get notified about large order quantities.
Hold fulfillment based on risk level.
Inventory and Merchandising:
Control inventory and product presentation.
Create collections of low-stock products.
Standardize product tags.
Receive notifications for out-of-stock product variants.
Loyalty:
Track discount codes and reward customer loyalty.
Give loyalty points for specific actions.
Reward customers for creating positive reviews or adding birthday tags.
Orders:
Tag orders for special attention.
Notify staff about expedited orders.
Email logistics team when needed.
Tag orders paid with gift cards.
Archive orders if automated fulfillment is used.
Risk:
Manage high-risk orders.
Use Flow to notify you of high-risk orders.
Tag orders for later processing.
Prevent payment processing for high-risk orders.
Cancel orders if they're set for manual fulfillment.
Track cancelled orders with tags or app notifications.
Collabs (Shopify Collabs App):
Automate affiliate program tasks.
Automatically approve applicants.
Export accepted creators to Klaviyo.
Follow up on gift orders.
Celebrate your first sale!
These templates simplify automation across various aspects of your Shopify store, from customer management to order fulfillment and risk assessment.
Setting up Shopify Flow: We're Here to Help!
While Shopify Flow might seem complex at first, our team is here to provide you with professional support every step of the way. Whether you require assistance in mastering Shopify Flow or refining your rule processes, consider us your trusted advisors, ready to assist via messages. Whether you seek clarity, efficiency, or tailored automation solutions, feel free to reach out!