Want to save time and improve customer communication? Shopify Flow makes it easy to automate notifications. Here’s what you need to know:
- What is Shopify Flow? A no-code automation tool for Shopify Plus merchants to streamline tasks like sending order updates or inventory alerts.
- Why use it? Automating notifications ensures customers stay informed while freeing up your team for other tasks.
- How does it work? Create workflows using:
- Triggers: Events like order status changes or low stock.
- Conditions: Rules to filter actions (e.g., notify for orders over $500 AUD).
- Actions: Send emails, SMS, Slack updates, or create tasks.
Notification examples:
- Order updates: Confirmation emails, payment alerts.
- Delivery tracking: Dispatch and delivery updates.
- Inventory alerts: Low stock or overstock notifications.
Get started in 4 steps:
- Access Shopify Flow in your admin panel.
- Choose triggers like “Order status changed.”
- Add conditions to refine workflows.
- Configure actions (e.g., email customers or alert your team).
Pro tip: Test your workflows to ensure they work smoothly across all channels.
Quick Overview:
| Feature | Use Case | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Triggers | Order or inventory updates | Automating notifications |
| Conditions | High-value orders, risk levels | Filtering actions |
| Actions | Emails, SMS, Slack, tasks | Customer and team updates |
Start using Shopify Flow to improve efficiency and keep customers happy.
Shopify Flow Components
Shopify Flow is built around three main parts that help create automated notification workflows. Here’s a closer look at each one.
Triggers
Triggers are the starting point for your automation. They kick off the workflow when specific events happen, such as:
- Changes in order status (e.g., paid, fulfilled, delivered)
- Updates to inventory levels (e.g., low stock, out of stock)
- Customer activities (e.g., creating a new account, submitting product reviews)
- High-risk order alerts
- Requests for returns or refunds
You can tailor triggers to match your needs. For instance, you might set up a trigger for orders over $1,000 AUD.
Conditions
Conditions act as filters, deciding whether an action should be carried out based on specific rules.
| Type | Example | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Order Value | Above $500 AUD | Notify VIP customer service team |
| Stock Level | Below 50 units | Alert the warehouse manager |
| Shipping Zone | Queensland only | Send delivery updates specific to the state |
| Risk Level | High-risk score | Inform the fraud prevention team |
You can combine multiple conditions using ‘AND’ or ‘OR’ to make your rules more precise.
Actions
Actions are the steps taken when both triggers and conditions are met. These might include:
- Sending emails to customers
- Creating tasks in your team management tool
- Posting updates to Slack
- Sending SMS alerts
- Adding tags to orders or customer profiles
- Generating support tickets
For example, if a high-value order comes from Queensland, Shopify Flow could send a personalised email to the customer, notify the fulfilment team via Slack, and tag the order as a priority. These actions help improve both customer experience and internal processes.
Setting Up Notification Automation
Available Notification Channels
Shopify Flow supports several channels for sending automated notifications. Here’s a quick overview:
| Channel | Best For | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Customer updates | Custom templates, order notifications | |
| SMS | Urgent alerts | Delivery updates, stock notifications |
| Slack | Team communication | Instant updates, channel-specific alerts |
| Microsoft Teams | Team collaboration | Task updates, workflow notifications |
| Webhook integrations | Custom solutions | Links to third-party apps |
Once you’ve chosen your channel, you can start building your notification workflows.
Creating Notification Workflows
Follow these steps to set up your notification workflows:
- Access Shopify Flow
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Find and open ‘Flow’ from the Apps menu.
- Choose a Trigger
- Select a trigger like “Order status changed.”
- Define the specific status change (e.g., from “Unfulfilled” to “Fulfilled”).
- Set Conditions
- Add filters to control when notifications are sent. This ensures that only relevant notifications are triggered.
- Configure Actions
- Pick your notification channel (e.g., email, SMS).
- Design message templates with personalisation tokens.
- Adjust delivery settings for timing and audience.
Once everything is set up, testing is crucial to ensure everything works as expected.
Testing Your Setup
To test your notification workflows, follow these steps:
- Create a test order that matches your chosen trigger conditions.
- Watch the workflow execute in real-time.
- Check that notifications are delivered through all selected channels.
- Review the message format and confirm personalisation details.
Pro Tips for Testing:
- Enable test mode in Shopify Flow to avoid affecting real orders.
- Use a separate test account for trial runs.
- Keep a log of any issues for troubleshooting.
- Review notification logs for errors or delays.
- Check how messages look on different devices to ensure proper formatting.
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Common Notification Workflows
Here’s how you can use Shopify Flow to set up practical notification workflows.
Order Updates
These workflows help keep everyone informed about order progress:
| Trigger Event | Notification Type | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Order placed | Confirmation email | Customer |
| Payment failed | Alert message | Customer & Team |
| High-value order (over A$1,000) | Priority alert | Sales team |
| Order cancelled | Status update | Customer & Inventory |
You can expand these workflows to cover every stage of your customer’s experience.
Delivery Status Messages
Delivery notifications ensure your customers stay updated during the shipping process. Automate these key updates:
- Order Processing: Notify customers when their order enters the packing stage.
- Dispatch Confirmation: Let customers know when their order leaves the warehouse.
- Delivery Updates: Provide tracking updates as the shipment progresses.
- Delivery Completion: After delivery, request feedback to improve future experiences.
Inventory Alerts
Stay on top of stock levels by automating inventory notifications:
| Alert Type | Trigger Threshold | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Low stock | Less than 20 units | Alert warehouse team |
| Critical stock | Less than 5 units | Notify purchasing |
| Overstock | Stock older than 90 days | Notify sales team |
| Seasonal items | 30 days before peak period | Schedule inventory review |
| 30-day warning | Products near expiry | Notify sales team |
| 7-day alert | Expiry imminent | Trigger markdown |
| 48-hour notice | Final clearance | Apply emergency pricing |
Use past sales data to set up smart reordering alerts and avoid stock issues.
Advanced Shopify Flow Tips
Using Ready-Made Templates
Shopify Flow includes pre-built workflow templates to simplify setting up notifications. These templates address common scenarios and can be adjusted to suit your specific needs:
| Template Type | Use Case | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Order Risk Analysis | Flags suspicious orders | Automates fraud detection alerts |
| Customer Segmentation | Identifies VIP customers | Enables tailored communication |
| Product Restock | Manages inventory | Sends automated supplier notifications |
| Abandoned Cart | Launches recovery campaigns | Sends timely follow-up messages |
Start by selecting a basic template, tweak it to fit your requirements, and test every modification before activating it.
Once you’ve tailored your templates, you can improve your workflows further by linking them with essential apps.
App Connections
Boost your Shopify Flow workflows by integrating with relevant apps:
- SMS Gateways: Use mobile messaging services to deliver instant updates to customers.
- Team Chat Platforms: Connect to workplace communication tools for internal notifications.
- CRM Systems: Sync customer data for more personalised messaging.
- Analytics Tools: Monitor and evaluate notification performance metrics.
Make sure authentication is properly configured, and test the data flow before putting workflows into action.
Message Personalisation
Make your notifications more engaging by including customised elements:
| Element | How to Use | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Name | Add {{customer.name}} variable | Captures attention with personalisation |
| Order Details | Include {{order.number}} and {{order.total}} | Provides useful context |
| Store Branding | Incorporate logo and colours | Keeps messaging consistent with your brand |
| Time-Based Content | Use {{local.time}} references | Ensures messages are sent at the right time |
Key steps for effective personalisation:
- Add default values for dynamic fields to avoid gaps.
- Use fallback content when customer information is incomplete.
- Test personalised messages across different customer groups and monitor their performance regularly.
Next Steps
Main Points Review
Building effective Shopify Flow automation requires careful planning. Here are the key elements to focus on:
| Component | Key Consideration | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Design | Define notification triggers and conditions | Delivers timely and relevant updates |
| Channel Integration | Connect multiple communication channels | Provides a smooth customer experience |
| Message Templates | Use consistent, personalised messaging | Strengthens your brand identity |
| Testing Protocol | Conduct regular workflow checks | Minimises errors in notifications |
These elements come together to create a reliable notification system that improves customer satisfaction and streamlines operations. Collaborating with professionals can help you implement these effectively.
Work with Alinga
Alinga specialises in helping businesses create notification workflows that engage customers and increase sales. Their services include:
- Strategic planning and technical guidance
- Multi-channel integration and ongoing updates
- Consistent monitoring and performance reviews
With Alinga, you gain access to Shopify developers and strategists who ensure your workflows are optimised and scalable as your business expands.
“Businesses can leverage Alinga’s expertise in Shopify Flow to create tailored notification workflows that enhance customer engagement and drive sales”
Reach out to Alinga’s Shopify Plus team to elevate your notification automation strategy.
