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Setup Guide · Email Marketing · Shopify

Klaviyo × Shopify
Complete Setup Guide

Klaviyo Shopify setup: from zero to abandoned cart, welcome series, and win-back flows active — the exact configuration that top Shopify stores use to generate 30–40% of revenue from email alone.

~45min
Full setup time
30–40%
Revenue from email for stores using Klaviyo correctly
Free
Up to 250 contacts
Why Klaviyo for Shopify

The only email tool built around e-commerce data

Most email tools were built for newsletters. Klaviyo was built to respond to purchase behaviour. It syncs every Shopify event — product views, add-to-cart, checkout started, purchased, refunded — and lets you trigger automations off any of them. That's the core difference.

🔗
Native Shopify Sync
Real-time event sync. No webhooks to configure, no plugins.
📊
Revenue Attribution
Sees exactly which email drove each order. No guesswork.
⚡
Behaviour Triggers
Trigger on any Shopify event — not just opens/clicks.
🛍️
Product Blocks
Drag-in live product data — price, image, stock — into any email.
Step-by-Step Setup

Klaviyo Shopify setup in under 45 minutes

1
Create your Klaviyo account and install the Shopify app

Go to klaviyo.com and sign up (free up to 250 contacts, 500 emails/month). From your Shopify admin, go to Apps → Search "Klaviyo" → Install. Alternatively, install directly from the Klaviyo dashboard by going to Integrations → Shopify.

Start Klaviyo Free →
💡 During install, Klaviyo will ask which historical data to import. Select all available history — this lets you immediately segment by past purchase behaviour.
2
Configure your sending domain (DNS setup)

Go to Account → Settings → Sending Domains. Add your domain (e.g. yourbrand.com) and configure the DNS records Klaviyo provides — typically 3 CNAME records for DKIM and one for tracking. This step is critical: without it, emails go to spam.

DNS records to add (example)
# Add these in your domain registrar (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.)CNAME klaviyo1._domainkey.yourdomain.com → dkim.klaviyodomain.com CNAME klaviyo2._domainkey.yourdomain.com → dkim2.klaviyodomain.com CNAME tracking.yourdomain.com → trk.klaviyo.com# DNS propagation: up to 48h but usually under 2h # Klaviyo shows green checkmarks once verified
⚠️ Do not skip this step. Sending from a shared Klaviyo domain kills deliverability from day one. Always use your own authenticated domain.
3
Set up your sign-up form and list structure

In Klaviyo, go to Sign-up Forms → Create Form. Use a pop-up with a 5–7 second delay. Offer a discount (10% off) or free shipping in exchange for email. Keep the form to one field — email only — to maximise conversion rate.

💡 List structure: Keep one main list called "Newsletter" or "Customers". Use segments, not separate lists, for targeting. Segments are dynamic and update automatically based on behaviour.
recommended list & segment structure
# Lists (static — subscribers opt-in here) Newsletter ← main list Wholesale Enquiries ← separate opt-in if needed# Segments (dynamic — auto-update based on rules) VIP Customers ← placed 3+ orders OR spent €300+ At Risk ← purchased 90+ days ago, not since Engaged Subscribers ← opened/clicked in last 90 days Never Purchased ← subscribed but 0 orders
4
Activate the Abandoned Cart flow (highest ROI)

Go to Flows → Create Flow → Browse Flow Library → "Abandoned Cart". This is pre-built. Activate it immediately — the default settings work. Then customise the timing and copy.

abandoned cart — recommended timing
# Trigger: Checkout Started → has NOT placed orderEmail 1: 1 hour after trigger ← "You left something behind" Email 2: 24 hours after trigger ← social proof + urgency Email 3: 72 hours after trigger ← 10% off code (last chance)# Industry average recovery rate: 5–15% # With good copy and timing: up to 20%
✅ This single flow typically generates €500–€2,000/month extra for stores doing €10k+/month in revenue. Activate it before anything else.
5
Set up the Welcome Series flow

Flows → Create Flow → "Welcome Series". Triggered when someone subscribes to your list. This is your first impression — use it to build brand affinity before the first sale.

welcome series structure
# Trigger: List → Subscribed to NewsletterEmail 1: Immediately ← Welcome + discount code delivery Email 2: Day 2 ← Your brand story / bestsellers Email 3: Day 5 ← Social proof (reviews, UGC) Email 4: Day 10 ← "Code expires in 48h" urgency# Add a conditional split after Email 1: # If purchased → exit flow (skip the rest)
6
Activate post-purchase and win-back flows

From the Flow Library, also activate: Post-Purchase (thank you, review request, upsell) and Win-Back (re-engage customers who haven't bought in 90+ days). These two flows run in the background permanently.

💡 In the post-purchase flow, add a Review Request email at Day 7. Klaviyo integrates with Judge.me, Okendo, and Yotpo — the review request email is sent automatically and links directly to the review widget on your product page.
7
Send your first campaign and set up a weekly cadence

Campaigns → Create Campaign. Send to your "Engaged Subscribers" segment (not your whole list). Use a weekly or bi-weekly send cadence. Never send to unengaged contacts — it damages your sender reputation.

⚠️ Suppression rule: In your account settings, set a global suppression for contacts who haven't opened in 180 days. This keeps your deliverability score high and ensures your campaigns reach the inbox.
✅ Setup complete. With flows active and a regular campaign cadence, most stores see email generating 25–40% of total revenue within 60–90 days.
Flows priority

Which flows to activate first

🛒
Abandoned Cart
3-email sequence. Trigger: Checkout Started → no order within 1h.
Typical impact: €500–€3,000/mo extra revenue
👋
Welcome Series
4-email brand introduction. Delivers the sign-up discount code.
Highest open rates of any flow — 50–70%
🧾
Post-Purchase
Thank you + review request + cross-sell recommendation.
Increases repeat purchase rate by 15–25%
🔄
Win-Back
Re-engage customers inactive for 90+ days. Final suppression if no response.
Recovers 5–12% of lapsed customers
👁️
Browse Abandonment
Triggered when a known contact views a product but doesn't add to cart.
Lower volume but very high intent
FAQ

Klaviyo + Shopify — common questions

How do I connect Klaviyo to my Shopify store?▾
Install the Klaviyo app from the Shopify App Store (Apps → search "Klaviyo" → Install), or from Klaviyo go to Integrations → Shopify. The integration syncs historic and real-time data automatically — orders, checkouts, browsing activity, and customer profiles. A full sync of a large store can take a few hours, but flows start working as soon as the sync begins.
Is Klaviyo free to use with Shopify?▾
Yes — Klaviyo's free plan covers up to 250 contacts and 500 email sends per month, with the Shopify integration and all flows included. Past 250 contacts, paid plans start at roughly $20/month and scale with list size. The Shopify app itself has no separate charge.
Should I use Klaviyo or Shopify Email?▾
Shopify Email is fine for occasional newsletters, but it has no real flow builder, limited segmentation, and no browse-abandonment trigger. Klaviyo is built around e-commerce automation — the abandoned cart, welcome, and win-back flows in this guide are where the revenue actually comes from. If email is a serious channel for your store, Klaviyo wins. See our Klaviyo vs Mailchimp comparison for how it stacks up against general email tools.
How long does the Klaviyo Shopify setup take?▾
Under 45 minutes for the full setup in this guide: app install and sync (10 min), sending domain DNS records (10 min), sign-up form (5 min), and activating the core flows from the flow library (15–20 min). Once active, the flows run in the background permanently.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to Klaviyo without losing my subscribers?▾
Yes. Export your Mailchimp audiences as CSV and import them into Klaviyo, or use Klaviyo's built-in Mailchimp integration to sync subscribers and tags. Crucially, also import your Mailchimp suppression (unsubscribe) list — that protects your sender reputation and keeps you GDPR-compliant from day one.
Can I use Klaviyo with multiple Shopify stores?▾
Yes, but each Shopify store needs its own Klaviyo account — one account holds one store's data and sending domain. Multi-brand operators and agencies manage several accounts from a single login with Klaviyo's account switcher.

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