TL;DR: To set up automated flows in Shopify Email, open the Shopify admin, go to Marketing → Automations, and choose a pre-built template such as Welcome or Abandoned Cart. Then customize the email content, set your timing and trigger conditions, and activate the flow — the whole process takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1: Open the Automations Dashboard
From your Shopify admin, click Marketing in the left sidebar, then select Automations. This is your control center for every triggered email. If you have not installed the free Shopify Email app yet, you will be prompted to add it — it takes one click and costs nothing for your first 10,000 emails per month.
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Step 2: Pick a Template
Click Create automation and browse the templates. The highest-performing starting points are Welcome New Subscribers, Abandoned Cart, and Browse Abandonment. Select one and give your flow a clear internal name, like “Welcome Series – July.”
Step 3: Set the Trigger and Timing
Confirm what event starts the flow, such as a customer joining your list. Then choose the delay: send the welcome email immediately, but wait one hour for abandoned carts and 24 hours for browse abandonment. Short delays win for intent-driven flows.
Step 4: Customize the Email
Use the drag-and-drop editor to add your logo, a strong subject line, one clear call to action, and a product block. Personalize with the customer’s first name using the merge tag. Keep the design simple and mobile-friendly.
Step 5: Test and Activate
Send a test email to yourself, check every link, then toggle the automation to Active. Monitor opens, clicks, and revenue in the Automations report, and refine subject lines after the first 100 sends.
Pro tip: Start with just one flow, master it, then add another every week rather than launching five at once.
FAQ
Q: Is Shopify Email free to use?
A: Yes. You can send 10,000 emails per month for free, and additional sends are billed at a low per-email rate.
Q: How long does an automated flow take to set up?
A: Using a template, most merchants finish a single flow in about 10 minutes, including testing.
Q: Can I edit a flow after it is active?
A: Yes. You can pause the automation, edit the email or timing, and reactivate it without losing your existing data.
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