Introduction
Running an ecommerce business involves countless repetitive tasks—from tagging customers to managing inventory and sending notifications. These routine actions consume valuable time and are prone to human error. That’s where Shopify Flow comes in.
Shopify Flow is a visual automation tool built into the Shopify ecosystem that helps merchants automate common business processes with simple, logic-based workflows—no coding required. From order management to fraud detection and customer segmentation, Flow can handle it all behind the scenes.
In this guide, we’ll explore what Shopify Flow is, how to use it, and provide real-world automation examples to help you save time, reduce errors, and scale your store operations efficiently.
What Is Shopify Flow?
Shopify Flow is an ecommerce automation tool available to stores on Shopify Plus. It allows merchants to create custom workflows using a trigger-condition-action model. These workflows help automate everyday tasks across orders, products, customers, inventory, and apps.
Key Features:
- No-code drag-and-drop interface
- Over 80 prebuilt templates
- Integration with third-party apps (Klaviyo, LoyaltyLion, Gorgias, etc.)
- Triggers from events like orders, inventory updates, and customer behavior
- Conditions to set rules or filters
- Actions to automate business logic
Benefits of Using Shopify Flow
1. Save Time on Repetitive Tasks
Automatically tag high-value customers, archive fulfilled orders, or restock products without manual effort.
2. Reduce Human Error
Avoid mistakes caused by manual data entry or inconsistent workflows.
3. Improve Operational Efficiency
Streamline order management, fulfillment, and customer segmentation.
4. Enhance Marketing Automation
Send targeted emails, trigger loyalty rewards, or notify teams instantly.
How Shopify Flow Works
Shopify Flow uses a Trigger → Condition → Action model:
Trigger
An event that starts the workflow (e.g., order is created, customer is tagged, product is updated).
Condition
A rule that must be true for the workflow to proceed (e.g., order total is greater than $200).
Action
What Flow does if the conditions are met (e.g., tag customer, send email, notify team).
Getting Started with Shopify Flow
Step 1: Install Shopify Flow
If you’re on Shopify Plus:
- Go to the Shopify App Store
- Search for and install Shopify Flow (free for Plus merchants)
Step 2: Create a New Workflow
In your admin panel:
- Go to Apps > Shopify Flow
- Click Create Workflow
- Choose a trigger from the list (e.g., “Order Created”)
- Add conditions to narrow the scope
- Select one or more actions to perform
Common Use Cases and Examples
1. Auto-Tag High-Value Customers
Trigger: Order Created
Condition: Order total > $500
Action: Tag customer as VIP
This helps with segmentation for marketing and loyalty rewards.
2. Flag Potential Fraud Orders
Trigger: Order Created
Condition: Risk Level = High
Action: Add tag Potential Fraud, Send internal notification
Shopify Flow can act immediately to prevent fraud-related losses.
3. Restock Inventory When Returned
Trigger: Order is Returned
Condition: Product is restockable
Action: Update inventory at location
No manual restocking needed—Shopify Flow handles it automatically.
4. Notify Team of Large Orders
Trigger: Order Created
Condition: Order total > $1000
Action: Send Slack message or email to fulfillment team
Keep stakeholders in the loop for high-priority shipments.
5. Automate Product Publishing
Trigger: Product Created
Condition: Product type = New Arrival
Action: Publish product to online store
Useful for merchandising workflows where timing matters.
6. Loyalty Program Integration
Integrate Shopify Flow with apps like LoyaltyLion or Smile.io to automate rewards.
Example:
- Trigger: Customer earns 500 points
- Action: Send discount code via email
This keeps users engaged without constant manual input.
Using Templates to Get Started Faster
Shopify Flow offers prebuilt templates in categories like:
- Order management
- Fraud prevention
- Inventory control
- Customer segmentation
- Marketing automation
How to Access Templates:
- Go to Shopify Flow > Browse Templates
- Select and customize one to suit your business needs
Templates drastically reduce setup time and provide inspiration for powerful automations.
Tips for Building Effective Workflows
- Start simple – Begin with one action and expand as needed
- Test before launching – Run small test orders or use preview tools
- Label and organize workflows – Use clear names like “VIP Tagging” or “Notify Returns”
- Monitor performance – Review Flow’s logs to see which workflows have run
- Use app integrations – Extend Flow with tools like Klaviyo, Asana, Trello, and Slack
Limitations of Shopify Flow
- Only available for Shopify Plus merchants
- Cannot interact directly with third-party APIs (without middleware)
- Limited to events within the Shopify ecosystem and connected apps
- Requires careful setup to avoid redundant or conflicting automations
For more advanced logic or external integrations, use tools like Zapier, Make (Integromat), or a custom app in tandem with Flow.
Conclusion
Shopify Flow is a powerful automation platform designed to help high-growth brands save time, scale operations, and eliminate repetitive tasks. From tagging customers to handling inventory logistics and marketing triggers, Flow puts automation into the hands of every Shopify Plus merchant—without writing a single line of code.
If you’re on Shopify Plus and not using Flow yet, you’re leaving efficiency on the table. Start with a few basic workflows, explore templates, and build your automation stack one process at a time.
