If you're running an online store, you've likely heard of Klaviyo. It's one of the most powerful tools available for email and SMS marketing. And when paired with Shopify, it becomes even more effective. But here's the catch: if the integration isn't done right, it can mess with your customer experience, confuse your data, and waste hours of your time.
This guide is here to walk you through the integration process clearly and confidently, without getting too technical. We'll cover what you need to know, what you need to do, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can trip up even seasoned business owners.
Key Tip: The real power isn’t in the platform — it’s in the data. Get clean, real-time insights flowing and your marketing does the heavy lifting for you.
Why Klaviyo + Shopify Is a Smart Move
Klaviyo gives you rich insights into what your customers are doing, so you can send smarter emails that actually convert. When connected to Shopify, Klaviyo can:
- Track customer activity on your site
- Pull in order history, cart contents, and browsing behaviour
- Power automated flows like abandoned cart emails, welcome sequences, post-purchase follow-ups
It puts your customer data and marketing together in one powerful system. But as with anything, how you set it up makes a big difference.
Before You Start: Key Things to Know
- You don’t need to be a developer. This is a no-code process if you follow the steps carefully.
- Use the official Klaviyo app in the Shopify App Store. Don't connect via API unless you know what you're doing.
- Set clear goals. Know what you want to achieve (e.g. better email flows, clearer data, more conversions) before you start.
Step-by-Step: How to Integrate Klaviyo with Shopify
1. Install the Klaviyo App on Shopify
What to do:
- Go to your Shopify Admin
- Click on "Apps"
- Search for "Klaviyo"
- Click "Install" and follow the prompts to connect your store
What this does: This creates a secure connection between your Shopify store and your Klaviyo account. It allows Klaviyo to import customer data, order history, and event tracking in real time.
2. Sync Your Shopify Data
What to do:
- Once installed, Klaviyo will start syncing key data: orders, customer profiles, products, and site events (like when someone adds to cart).
- Make sure the sync includes "past data". This gives Klaviyo a complete picture of your customers.
Why it matters: Having historical data means you can start sending personalised emails right away. It also helps Klaviyo segment your audience more effectively.
3. Install Klaviyo's On-Site Tracking Snippet
What to do:
- In Klaviyo, go to "Account > Settings > Web Tracking"
- Copy the tracking code
- In Shopify, go to "Online Store > Themes > Edit Code"
- Paste the code just before the closing tag in your theme.liquid file
Alternatively: Use a Shopify theme editor or app to insert the snippet without touching the code. Your web developer can also do this quickly.
Why it matters: This enables advanced tracking, like viewing what products people browse, not just what they buy. That’s essential for email flows like “browse abandonment”.
4. Enable "Viewed Product" and "Added to Cart" Tracking
What to do:
- Follow Klaviyo’s guide to enable these events (they require a small code snippet on product and cart pages)
- Use Klaviyo’s Shopify integration guides, or ask your developer for help
Why it matters: These are the triggers behind your most effective automations, like abandoned cart emails.
5. Set Up Your Key Flows
Start with these:
- Welcome Series: A warm hello for new subscribers
- Abandoned Cart: Bring back would-be buyers
- Post-Purchase: Confirm, thank, and cross-sell
- Winback: Reconnect with lapsed customers
What to do:
- Use Klaviyo’s pre-built templates to start
- Personalise with your brand voice and product images
- Test one flow at a time before adding more
Why it matters: These flows run in the background, making sales while you sleep. But only if they're properly connected to real-time customer data.
6. Customise Your Signup Forms
What to do:
- Use Klaviyo’s form builder to create popups, flyouts, and embedded forms
- Match the style to your brand
- Offer a clear incentive to sign up (like a discount or free shipping)
Why it matters: Good forms grow your email list fast. But they must integrate with your Shopify data to avoid duplicate records and messy segmentation.
7. Check Everything (Twice)
What to do:
- Run test orders and check that Klaviyo receives the data
- Trigger flows and ensure emails arrive correctly
- Check the timing and content on desktop and mobile
- Look at your Shopify and Klaviyo dashboards side-by-side
Why it matters: You want a smooth experience from start to finish. Even a small misstep can cause confusion, wrong emails, or missed sales.
What to Watch Out For
1. Duplicate Profiles
This happens when customers sign up via different forms (e.g. Shopify vs Klaviyo). Make sure your forms are all Klaviyo-powered to keep records clean.
2. Overlapping Emails
If you have existing Shopify automations (e.g. order confirmation), turn off the ones you’re now doing in Klaviyo. Avoid double-ups.
3. GDPR and Privacy
Make sure your signup forms are compliant. Let people know how you’ll use their data and give them the option to unsubscribe easily.
What to Do Now: Checklist
- Install the Klaviyo app from the Shopify App Store
- Complete the data sync and ensure past customer data is included
- Add Klaviyo's tracking code to your Shopify theme
- Enable "Viewed Product" and "Added to Cart" event tracking
- Set up core email flows: Welcome, Abandoned Cart, Post-Purchase, and Winback
- Build branded signup forms using Klaviyo’s form builder
- Test your integration thoroughly with real scenarios
- Turn off overlapping automations in Shopify to avoid double emails
- Review and update your privacy and GDPR messaging
- Monitor Klaviyo dashboards to spot trends and refine over time
Final Thoughts
Shopify and Klaviyo are powerful on their own. But together, they can transform how you connect with customers. The trick is making sure the connection is clean, intentional, and tested. You don’t need a developer, but you do need a plan.
If you want help setting it up right — or fixing a setup that’s gone a bit sideways — we can help. At Skyrocket, we specialise in Shopify builds and integrations that just work.
Let’s make your marketing smarter, without overcomplicating things. Get in touch.
