Using Shopify Flow for Automation

Introduction

Running a successful Shopify store requires more than just great products—it demands smart operations and efficient workflows. From managing inventory and tagging customers to handling orders and sending notifications, repetitive tasks can quickly pile up. That’s where Shopify Flow comes in.

Shopify Flow is a no-code automation tool that empowers you to streamline your store’s operations by automating manual tasks. Whether you’re running a small boutique or a high-volume ecommerce business, Flow helps you save time, reduce errors, and stay focused on growth.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to use Shopify Flow for automation, walk through real-world use cases, and show how you can build workflows that work for your unique business.

What Is Shopify Flow?

Shopify Flow is a visual automation builder available to Shopify Plus merchants. It allows you to create custom workflows that automatically trigger actions based on store events—without writing a single line of code.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop interface
• Event-based triggers (e.g., order created, customer tagged)
• Conditional logic to customize flows
• Multi-step automation sequences
• Integration with popular apps (e.g., Klaviyo, Gorgias, LoyaltyLion)

1. How Shopify Flow Works

Shopify Flow uses a Trigger → Condition → Action model to build workflows.

Example workflow:

• Trigger: An order is placed
• Condition: Order value is greater than $200
• Action: Add a “High Value” tag to the customer and send a Slack notification

You can combine multiple conditions and actions to build complex, time-saving automations.

2. Common Use Cases for Shopify Flow

Here are some powerful ways merchants use Shopify Flow:

🛍️ Order Management

• Tag high-risk orders for review
• Cancel unfulfilled orders after a set period
• Notify staff of high-value or international orders

📦 Inventory and Product Management

• Hide out-of-stock products automatically
• Alert purchasing teams when stock runs low
• Tag products with low inventory levels

🎯 Customer Segmentation

• Tag VIP customers based on order count or value
• Segment customers by location or product preferences
• Trigger welcome flows for new customers

🔁 Workflow Automation

• Send Slack or email alerts for key events
• Create tasks in project management tools
• Connect with third-party apps using Flow connectors

Shopify Flow empowers you to build a backend that runs automatically, so you can focus on growth.

3. Creating a Workflow in Shopify Flow

To get started:

1. Go to your Shopify admin
2. Navigate to Apps → Shopify Flow
3. Click Create workflow
4. Choose a trigger event
5. Add optional conditions
6. Choose one or more actions

Shopify provides prebuilt templates for common workflows, which you can customise to suit your needs.

Example: Auto-Tagging High-Value Customers

• Trigger: Order created
• Condition: Order total > $500
• Action: Tag customer with “VIP”

This tag can then be used to segment email campaigns or offer loyalty perks.

4. Best Practices for Shopify Flow Automation

To make the most of Flow:

• Start simple: Build single-purpose workflows and expand as needed
• Test thoroughly: Use test orders and conditions to validate logic
• Name workflows clearly: Use descriptive titles so your team knows what each flow does
• Document your flows: Maintain a log of your automation processes for team reference
• Monitor regularly: Review Flow activity logs to ensure everything is working as expected

Automation is powerful—but only when it’s accurate and purposeful.

5. Integrating with Third-Party Apps

Shopify Flow works seamlessly with many apps in the Shopify ecosystem, enhancing its automation capabilities.

Notable integrations:

• Klaviyo – Trigger segmented email flows
• Gorgias – Automate ticket creation and tagging
• LoyaltyLion – Reward customers based on behaviour
• Slack – Send internal alerts and updates

By connecting Flow with your favourite tools, you can build cross-platform workflows that keep your operations in sync.

6. Limitations and Availability

Shopify Flow is currently available exclusively for Shopify Plus merchants. While it’s highly powerful, it does have some limitations:

• No direct support for custom scripting (it’s no-code only)
• Cannot automate changes outside of approved apps and Shopify data
• Complex logic may require breaking into multiple flows

If you’re not on Shopify Plus, consider using Shopify webhooks and third-party tools like Zapier or Alloy Automation for similar functionality.

Conclusion

Shopify Flow brings automation to the hands of non-developers, giving ecommerce teams a way to save time, reduce manual errors, and respond faster to business events. Whether you’re managing a lean store or scaling an enterprise brand, automation is key to long-term efficiency—and Flow is built to help you get there.

By understanding how Shopify Flow works and applying it strategically, you can build smarter workflows that adapt to your store’s growth.