Automate Shopify Emails Using Product Tags with Shopify Flow

In the world of e-commerce, automating processes can significantly improve efficiency and customer service. One common requirement for Shopify store owners is to send automated emails when an order contains products with specific tags. This article will explore how to achieve this using Shopify Flow, discussing both native capabilities and potential workarounds.

Understanding Shopify Flow and Product Tags

Shopify Flow is a powerful automation tool that allows store owners to create custom workflows based on specific triggers and conditions. Product tags, on the other hand, are labels that can be assigned to products for categorization and organization purposes. Combining these two features can create dynamic and targeted automations for your store.

The Challenge with Product Tags in Flow

Many Shopify users have found it challenging to create workflows based on product tags within line items. This limitation has been a source of frustration for store owners looking to automate processes based on specific product attributes.

Recent Updates to Shopify Flow

The good news is that Shopify has made significant improvements to Flow’s capabilities. In the past, Flow was limited to accessing only two levels deep in the data structure (e.g., order.lineItems). However, this limitation has been lifted in the newer version of Flow, enabling more complex automations.

Native Solution: Using the Updated Shopify Flow

With the latest updates to Shopify Flow, it is now possible to create workflows that check for specific product tags within line items. This functionality addresses a key use case that many store owners have been requesting.

Setting Up the Workflow

To set up a workflow that sends an email when an order contains a product with a specific tag, follow these steps:

1. Access your Shopify admin panel and navigate to the Flow section.
2. Create a new workflow with the trigger “Order created”.
3. Add a condition that checks for the presence of the desired tag.
4. Use the updated data structure: order / lineItems / product / tags.
5. Set up an action to send an email when the condition is met.

Benefits of the Native Solution

Using the native Shopify Flow solution offers several advantages:

• No need for third-party apps
• Direct integration with Shopify’s ecosystem
• Potential for more complex automations using other Shopify data

Alternative Solutions and Workarounds

While the native solution is now available, it’s worth exploring alternative methods that some users have employed to achieve similar results. These approaches may still be relevant for stores with specific requirements or those using older versions of Shopify Flow.

Using Order Tagger Apps

Several third-party apps, such as Order Tagger, offer solutions for tagging orders based on product attributes. These apps can be used in conjunction with Shopify Flow to create the desired automation.

How Order Tagger Works

1. The app analyzes product tags within an order.
2. It applies a specific tag to the order based on predefined rules.
3. A Flow workflow is triggered based on the newly applied order tag.
4. The workflow then sends the desired email.

Leveraging Product Titles

For stores that can’t use product tags or prefer not to use additional apps, modifying product titles can be an effective workaround.

Implementing the Product Title Method

1. Add a specific phrase to the titles of products you want to target (e.g., “Special Order Item”).
2. Create a Flow workflow that checks for this phrase in the line item names.
3. Set up the desired email action when the condition is met.

Using Inventory Changes as a Trigger

Another creative workaround involves using inventory changes as a trigger for your workflow.

Setting Up an Inventory-Based Workflow

1. Create a Flow that triggers on inventory changes.
2. Add conditions to check for specific products or SKUs.
3. Set up the email action when the conditions are met.

Best Practices for Implementing Tag-Based Workflows

Regardless of the method you choose, there are some best practices to keep in mind when implementing tag-based workflows in your Shopify store.

Maintain Consistent Tagging

Ensure that your product tagging system is consistent and well-documented. This will make it easier to create and maintain your workflows over time.

Regular Review and Updates

Periodically review your workflows to ensure they’re still functioning as intended. As your product catalog grows or changes, you may need to update your automations.

Test Thoroughly

Before setting your workflows live, conduct thorough testing to ensure they’re triggering correctly and sending the right information.

Potential Use Cases for Tag-Based Email Workflows

The ability to send emails based on product tags opens up numerous possibilities for enhancing customer service and streamlining operations.

Special Handling Instructions

For products that require special handling or additional information, you can set up workflows to send specific instructions to your fulfillment team.

Customer Education

If certain products in your catalog require special care or have unique features, you can automatically send educational content to customers who purchase these items.

Personalized Follow-ups

Use product tags to trigger personalized follow-up emails based on the type of product purchased, enhancing the customer experience and potentially driving repeat sales.

By leveraging the power of Shopify Flow and understanding the various methods available for working with product tags, you can create sophisticated automations that enhance your store’s operations and customer service capabilities. Whether you opt for the native solution or explore alternative approaches, the key is to choose a method that aligns with your specific business needs and technical capabilities.