How to Integrate and Set Up Shopify and Klaviyo: A Guide to Common Pitfalls
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The integration of Shopify and Klaviyo is completed by simply installing and authenticating the official app from the Shopify App Store, a process that typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. After integration, data such as orders, customers, products, carts, and browsing behavior are automatically synced, enabling immediate setup of automated emails like abandoned cart reminders.
However, Yulie, a specialist in Shopify x Klaviyo support, notes that in practice, "initial setup after connection" is overwhelmingly where users stumble, rather than the app connection itself. This article will explain the integration steps, along with often-overlooked initial settings such as sender domain authentication and subscription synchronization, and the flows that should be built immediately after integration. If you are new to Klaviyo, reading What is Klaviyo? A Comprehensive Guide first will help you grasp the overall picture.
What can be done after integration: Synchronized data
When Shopify and Klaviyo are integrated, the following data automatically flows into Klaviyo:
| Synchronized Data | Content | Main Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Information | Name, email address, subscription status, etc. | Automatic update of distribution lists |
| Order Data | Placed Order, Fulfilled Order, Cancelled orders, etc. | Post-purchase flows, RFM segments |
| Cart Information | Checkout Started, Added to Cart | Abandoned cart flows |
| Browsing Behavior | Viewed Product, Active on Site | Abandoned browse flows, browsing-based segments |
| Product Catalog | Product name, price, image, URL | Automatic insertion of product information into emails, recommendations |
Of these, measuring browsing behavior (Viewed Product, Active on Site) requires enabling onsite tracking, which will be discussed later. Many inquiries about "browsing data not coming in after integration" are due to this.
Preparation before integration
- Shopify store administrator privileges (required for app installation)
- Klaviyo account (if you don't have one, you can create one for free from the official website. For pricing, refer to Klaviyo Pricing Guide)
- Custom domain email address to be used as the sender (Gmail and other free email services cannot be used as senders, so a custom domain is practically essential)
- Permissions to modify DNS settings (used for sender domain authentication)
Steps for integrating Shopify and Klaviyo
Step 1: App Installation and Authentication
- Search for "Klaviyo" in the Shopify App Store and install the official app (Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS)
- Log in to your Klaviyo account (or create a new one) and select the account to connect
- Confirm data access permissions and complete the connection
Step 2: Review Synchronization Settings
- Open Klaviyo's integration settings (Integrations > Shopify)
- Enable onsite tracking (for measuring Viewed Product and Active on Site)
- Specify which list Shopify email subscribers should sync to (e.g., Newsletter list)
- Confirm consistency with the subscription checkbox settings on the checkout page (Shopify side)
Step 3: Verify Synchronization
- Place a test order and confirm that "Placed Order" is recorded in the Klaviyo profile
- View a product page and confirm that "Viewed Product" is recorded (only recorded for logged-in visitors or visitors identifiable by cookies)
- Proceed partially through checkout and confirm that "Checkout Started" is recorded
Essential initial setup checklist after integration
1. Sender Domain Authentication (Most Important)
Add Klaviyo-specified records (such as DKIM) to your domain's DNS and set up a dedicated sending domain (Branded Sending Domain). Since Gmail and Yahoo strengthened sender guidelines, this setting directly impacts inbox deliverability. Avoid starting live campaigns without this setting. It may take several hours to a day for DNS changes to propagate (as a guideline), so it's recommended to tackle this on day one.
2. Organize Lists and Subscription Synchronization
Clarify "which Klaviyo list Shopify customers who consented to email subscriptions will join." Sending marketing emails to customers without subscription consent should be avoided from the perspective of specific commercial transaction laws, and operations should be restricted to profiles marked as "Subscribed."
3. Install Sign-Up Forms
Create pop-up or embedded forms using Klaviyo's form feature to provide an entry point for newsletter subscriptions. Pairing this with an initial coupon (e.g., 10% OFF) tends to increase registration rates, and connecting it with a welcome flow immediately after registration is a standard practice.
4. Basic Settings for Japanese
- Set account timezone to Asia/Tokyo (to prevent delivery time discrepancies)
- Localize unsubscribe page and footer text to Japanese
- Confirm that currency display is set to JPY in templates
3 Essential Flows to Build Immediately After Integration
Once the initial setup is complete, the standard practice is to build the following three flows, in order of effectiveness:
- Abandoned Cart Flow: A reminder for people who started checkout but didn't complete a purchase. Typically consists of 2-3 emails and is the most effective flow because it targets highly interested customers. For detailed design, see Abandoned Cart Email Guide
- Welcome Flow: A greeting, coupon offer, and brand introduction immediately after newsletter signup. This is when customer interest is highest, and open rates tend to be higher than other emails. For how to conceptualize the structure, see Welcome Email Series Design Guide
- Post-Purchase Thank You Flow: A thank you, usage guide, and review request after an order. This builds the foundation for repeat purchases and review acquisition
Common Pitfalls and Solutions
Browsing events (Viewed Product) are not recorded
This typically occurs when onsite tracking is disabled, or the script is not correctly outputted on the theme side. Check the tracking status in the integration settings screen, and for highly customized themes, verify script loading using browser developer tools. Note that browsing by anonymous visitors is not recorded (only visitors identified by email clicks or form submissions are targeted), which is a specification, not a bug.
Abandoned cart flow does not trigger
The "Checkout Started" trigger occurs when a customer proceeds to the checkout screen and their email address can be identified. Anonymous visitors who abandon after only adding to cart are not included, so the number of triggers may appear lower than expected. Also, a very common oversight is that individual emails within the flow remain in Draft mode instead of being Live, so always check their publication status.
Emails go to the spam folder
The main causes are unset sender domain authentication, mass sending to unresponsive lists, and emails containing only images. After completing domain authentication, it's standard practice to start sending small batches to recently active segments and gradually scale up (known as warming up).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a cost for integration?
The integration app itself is free. Klaviyo's usage fees are usage-based, depending on the number of active profiles, and you can try it for free with up to 250 profiles (as of writing).
Q. Can I run Klaviyo in parallel when migrating from an existing email marketing tool?
Yes, it is possible. However, sending to the same customer from both tools can degrade the customer experience, so it's safer to separate roles (e.g., flows in Klaviyo, campaigns in the old tool) and migrate gradually. When migrating, it's recommended to import only recently active subscribers.
Q. Will data be deleted if I disconnect the integration?
Even if you disconnect the integration, the profiles and event data accumulated in Klaviyo will remain. However, the synchronization of new data will stop, so flows will not trigger and segments will not be updated.
Q. Can I connect multiple Shopify stores to one Klaviyo account?
Generally, one Shopify store can be connected to one Klaviyo account. If you operate multiple stores (e.g., one for domestic and one for international), the basic configuration is to have a separate Klaviyo account for each store.
Q. How long should I expect for the setup to be completed?
App integration and domain authentication can be completed within one day. Including form installation and the creation of the three main flows and email content, the practical estimate is 1-3 weeks (this varies depending on the level of design detail).
Yulie is a CRM operations support team specializing in Shopify x Klaviyo. As a Klaviyo certified partner, we provide comprehensive support from integration and initial setup to flow design, email design, and operational improvement. If you have concerns about setup or want to know the most effective configurations, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
