We all know Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms in the world, but do you know that Shopify is also building the best automation features? Shopify isn’t just an ideal platform for running an online business, it’s also packed with automation features that can make our work much easier.
Let’s dive into a deeper understanding of Shopify Flow, an effective tool that can change how businesses are operated by handling repetitive tasks for us. This means we can focus on scaling our business rather than manually operating. In this blog, we’ll share how Shopify Flow can help you streamline the operations and unbind the full potential of your online business.
What’s the Benefit of No-Code Automation
Without a doubt, coding is like an impossible mission for those who do not have an engineering background. Nowadays, no-code automation is essential in operating an e-commerce business by allowing users to automate tasks and workflows without writing a single line of code.
Shopify Flow allows merchants to automate various routine tasks instead of writing complex code; we can now create automated processes utilizing a drag-and-drop interface along with pre-built templates. Think of it as building with LEGO blocks rather than writing a computer program. This allows non-technical professionals to take charge of automating tasks that would typically require IT intervention or custom software development and makes it particularly effective in fast-paced, customer-facing industries in which agility is the key. This means you can:
- Save time by automating boring, repetitive tasks
- Handle more orders without hiring more people
- Reduce mistakes that happen with manual work
- Adapt quickly when your business needs to change
What's Shopify Flow All About?
The beauty of Shopify Flow is how simple it is to be used. Imagine having a smart assistant that knows exactly what to do when specific events happen in your store. When it comes to sending emails automatically when a customer places an order, or flagging suspicious orders, Shopify Flow can handle all of these automatically.
To get started, merchants can head to the Shopify App Store and install the Shopify Flow app for free. Once installed, we can find it in our Shopify admin panel. Then we can start with ready-made templates or create workflows that fit specific needs.
(Source: Shopify Flow Templates)
(Source: Shopify Flow Templates)
Plus, it plays nicely with other Shopify apps such as the Ako Marketing app through Flow connectors, making it even more powerful. We can think of these connectors as friendly coordinators that help the apps communicate with each other. The flexibility and scalability offered by Shopify Flow allow you to adapt multiple unique automation needs as your business grows.
(Source: Example of using Ako marketing app to automatically send bonus points on member days)
Core Building Blocks of Shopify Flow
To create effective automation, we have to understand the basic logic of Shopify Flow. Think of Shopify Flow as a simple if-this-then-that recipe. All we need is three ingredients to make it work - Trigger, Conditions, and Actions.
Triggers - The Starting Point
This is what kicks things off. Key triggers include:
- Order Created, which activates when a new order is placed, allowing for notifications or inventory updates.
- Customer Created, which triggers actions like tagging new customers or sending welcome emails.
- Inventory Changed, alerts you when stock levels fall below a certain threshold.
- Product Created, activating workflows for tagging or notifying about new products.
Conditions - The Decision Maker
This component allows you to set up if/then rules. For instance, you can create conditions to check if an order total exceeds $100, which could triggers a VIP tag and team notification. Or as in the example, when the order exceeds $100, you can award the customer 200 points.
Other examples:
- If the inventory falls below a specific level, you can set Flow to prompt an alert to your inventory manager
- If a customer is from a specific country, you can set Flow to create targeted promotions.
Actions - What Happens Next
This is what Flow does when your conditions are met. For instance:
- You can send exclusive thank-you emails to customers who spend over a certain amount
- Alert your team when inventory levels drop below a threshold
- Add a VIP tag to valuable customer
- Tag orders paid with gift cards for easier tracking
- Send notifications for large discounts applied to orders
- Or automatically hide products that are out of stock and republish them once they are available again.
These actions streamline operations and enhance customer engagement by ensuring timely and relevant responses.
By following these three steps, we can automate various processes for managing your store, including inventory management, fraud prevention, customer loyalty and retention, fulfillment management, and marketing campaigns.
And the best part? By letting Shopify Flow handle these tasks, we not only save time but also reduce human error. Everything runs like clockwork, following exactly the way you’ve set it up.
Real-World Example of Shopify Flow
Set Up Effective Retargeting Campaigns With Shopify Flow
Retargeting is particularly effective when businesses are looking for solutions to recover lost sales and engage again with customers who have shown interest in their products. One of the most effective ways is combining retargeting campaigns with Shopify Flow.
When customers visit your store and browse products, they often demonstrate an interest in what the website offers. However, many potential buyers leave without completing their purchases. This is where Shopify Flow plays a game-changing role. By automating interactions at key points, you can remind customers of their interests and encourage them to place an order before they leave the site. Shopify Flow allows merchants to set up workflows that trigger specific actions based on customer behavior. For example, if a customer adds items to their cart but leaves without checking out, Shopify Flow can automatically send a personalized email reminder including a CTA button, or offer points for discounts to entice customers and make them visit your store again.
Here’s a notable example of successful retargeting through Shopify Flow from FunnyFuzzy, a leading pet lifestyle brand. As FunnyFuzzy expanded internationally, they encountered challenges in maintaining consistent operations and service across various regions. They were looking for a way that refine their processes and adapt to the diverse preferences of their customers.
As a solution, FunnyFuzzy used Shopify Flow to automate interactions based on how customers browsed their site. For instance, if customers added items to their cart but left without checking out, Shopify Flow would trigger personalized marketing emails reminding them of those items.
By automating their marketing efforts, FunnyFuzzy created a seamless shopping experience for worldwide consumers. These initiatives not only facilitated their expansion into new markets but also helped them effectively manage operations. As a result, they doubled their order volume and repeated purchases within just one year. Implementing their strategy with Shopify Flow, not only reduced abandoned carts but also led to a remarkable 40% increase in conversion rates.
Simplified the Inventory Management Process
When a trigger notifies you that the store is running low on a product, instead of constantly checking the stock levels, Shopify Flow can automatically hide products when they're out of stock and notify your team to reorder.
Meanwhile, the Shopify Flow connectors can automatically tell your Shopify apps to pause ads for the item when the stocks are running out while sending a heads-up to your team's chat app at the same time. It's like having all your apps sitting around a table and working together to keep your business running smoothly.
We can see how effective inventory management with Shopify Flow can drive business growth from DoggieLawn, a company dedicated to providing convenient solutions for pet owners. By optimizing their inventory processes, they maintain optimal stock levels and reduce costs. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also better meets customer demands.
Initially, DoggieLawn faced challenges in maintaining accurate inventory levels. After they implemented Shopify Flow for their online store, the automation features allowed them to set up stock alerts and organize the order processing, significantly reducing manual errors and saving time. This improvement in inventory management not only boosted efficiency but also enhanced the customer experience, as products became consistently available and orders were fulfilled promptly.
Keeping Track of Your Orders
Shopify Flow can be your personal security guard and keep an eye on every order that comes through your store. When an order looks suspicious, like an order from an unusual location, a suspiciously high value, or multiple failed payment attempts, Shopify Flow can automatically flag it for review and hold fulfillment until you give the green light. This allows you to save a significant amount of time by eliminating the need to manually review suspicious orders.
Let's see this in action with Shelfies, a print-on-demand clothing platform. Since their business model relies on custom orders, having a reliable way to manage potential fraud without slowing down their operations is particularly crucial while checking their orders.
To overcome the challenge, they set up a Shopify Flow that automatically flags orders that come from untrusted sources or exhibit unusual characteristics, such as high value or multiple failed payment attempts. When a suspicious order is detected, it is tagged for review, and fulfillment is put on hold until the team gives the green light.
This automation has a significant impact on their business. By preventing the production of potentially fraudulent orders, Shelfies has saved thousands of dollars. This not only protects their bottom line but also allows them to focus on legitimate customer orders without the constant worry of fraud, ensuring a smoother operation and maintaining customer trust.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embracing Shopify Flow can significantly transform the way we manage our business. The no-code automation tool simplifies complex processes, allowing merchants to focus on growing their business. By leveraging Shopify Flow we can automate routine tasks without needing extensive technical knowledge, making it accessible for team members to set up Shopify Flows.
If you are considering integrating Shopify Flow into your operations, think about the specific challenges you face. Identify the tasks that consume your time and explore how automation could alleviate those burdens. With Shopify Flow, you will experience a smarter way to run your business and you will ultimately unlock the full potential of your online business.
👋 Need help with Shopify Flow? Contact us:
📧 service@akohub.com
📅 Schedule a free 20-minute consultation online!