How do I set up basic automation workflows in Shopify Flow (if available)?

Shopify Flow is a free ecommerce automation tool that helps you automate repetitive tasks inside your Shopify store. Using a visual drag-and-drop editor, you can build workflows that reduce manual work, prevent errors, and improve operational efficiency.

Availability and Plan Requirements

Shopify Flow is available on:

• Basic plan
• Grow plan
• Advanced plan
• Plus plan

Not available on:

• Starter plan
• Some trial stores

Plan-specific features:

• Grow, Advanced, and Plus plans can use the Send HTTP Request action.
• Plus plan can use tasks created by custom partner apps.
• All plans have API usage limits based on their subscription level.

Step 1: Install Shopify Flow

1. Go to Settings in your Shopify admin.
2. Click Apps and sales channels.
3. Select Shopify App Store.
4. Search for Shopify Flow.
5. Click Install and confirm.

After installation, access it from Apps → Flow.

How Shopify Flow Works

Every workflow includes three main components:

• Trigger: The event that starts the workflow (e.g., Order created).
• Condition: A rule that checks data (e.g., Total price ≥ 500).
• Action: What happens if the condition is met (e.g., Add customer tag).

How to Create a Basic Workflow

If you want to create a Shopify Flow workflow from scratch to automatically tag high-value customers as VIP, follow the detailed step-by-step guide below. This method is beginner-friendly and explains exactly where to click inside your Shopify admin.

Step 1: Open Shopify Flow

1. Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.
2. Click Apps from the left sidebar.
3. Select Flow.
4. Click Create workflow.

Step 2: Select Your Trigger

1. Click Select a trigger.
2. A list of available triggers will appear.
3. Search for or scroll to find Order created.
4. Click Order created.
5. The trigger will now appear as a box on your workflow canvas.

Step 3: Add a Condition

1. Hover your mouse over the Order created box.
2. Click the + (plus) icon that appears below it.
3. Select Condition from the menu.

Step 4: Configure the Condition (Order Total ≥ 500)

The configuration panel will open on the left side.

1. Click the first dropdown field (IF field).
2. Scroll and select Total price.
3. In the comparison dropdown, select Greater than or equal to.
4. In the value field, type 500 (do not add currency symbol).
5. Click Done or the checkmark to save.

Your condition should now read: Total price greater than or equal to 500.

Step 5: Add an Action (Tag Customer as VIP)

After saving the condition, you will see two paths:

• True – When order total is 500 or more.
• False – When order total is below 500.

1. Hover over the True path and click the + icon.
2. Select Action.
3. Search for Add customer tags.
4. Select it and type VIP in the Tags field.
5. Click Done to save.

You can leave the False path empty if no action is required.

Step 6: Name Your Workflow

1. Click the workflow title at the top (usually says Untitled workflow).
2. Rename it to something clear like Tag VIP Customers – 500+.
3. Click outside the title field to save.

Step 7: Test Your Workflow

1. Click Test workflow (top right corner).
2. Use sample order data to verify the condition and action work correctly.

Step 8: Activate Your Workflow

1. Click Turn on workflow.
2. Confirm by clicking Turn on in the popup.

Your automation is now live. Any customer who places an order with a total of 500 or more will automatically receive the VIP tag.

Quick Summary

To tag VIP customers using Shopify Flow, create a new workflow, choose the Order created trigger, set a condition for orders greater than or equal to 500, add the “Add customer tags” action on the True path, test the workflow, and turn it on.

Common Beginner Workflow Examples

1. Capture Payment for Low-Risk Orders

• Trigger: Order risk analyzed
• Condition: Risk level is not High
• Action: Capture payment

2. Send Welcome Email

• Trigger: Order created
• Condition: Customer orders count equals 1
• Action: Send email

3. Low Inventory Alert

• Trigger: Inventory quantity changed
• Condition: Inventory less than 10
• Action: Send email or Slack notification

4. Tag Small Orders

• Trigger: Order created
• Condition: Line items count less than 3
• Action: Add order tag “Small Order”

Best Practices

• Start with templates before building complex workflows.
• Always test workflows before activating them.
• Use clear, descriptive workflow names.
• Verify tags, email addresses, and conditions carefully.
• Monitor workflow runs to ensure they execute correctly.

Quick Summary

To set up basic automation in Shopify Flow, install the app from the Shopify App Store, then create a workflow using a template or by selecting a trigger, adding conditions, and defining actions. Common automations include tagging VIP customers, capturing low-risk payments, sending welcome emails, and setting inventory alerts.