Why Email Marketing Matters for Shopify Stores
30%+
of store revenue from email (top stores)
$36
ROI per $1 spent on email marketing
2-4x
More revenue per email vs generic platforms
Email is the highest-ROI marketing channel for Shopify stores. Unlike paid ads (which stop working when you stop paying), email subscribers are a owned asset that generates revenue for months and years after acquisition.
The top Shopify stores generate 30%+ of their total revenue from email. That means if your store does $100K/month, email should be generating $30K+ of that. If it is not, you are leaving significant revenue on the table.
Pro tip: The key to Shopify email success is using a platform with deep Shopify integration. GetResponse offers Shopify integration with automation, abandoned cart, and AI product recommendations from $19/mo.
Best Email Marketing Tools for Shopify
| Tool | Shopify Integration | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klaviyo | Best-in-class | $20/mo | Serious ecommerce ($20K+/mo) |
| GetResponse | Good | $19/mo | All-in-one with webinars + funnels |
| Omnisend | Excellent | $16/mo | Small-mid Shopify stores |
| Mailchimp | Good | $13/mo | Beginners (but 40% more expensive) |
| SmartrMail | Good | $19/mo | Shopify-native simplicity |
Klaviyo — The Ecommerce Standard
Klaviyo is the gold standard for Shopify email marketing. Its deep Shopify integration syncs your product catalog in real-time, enabling dynamic emails with live product images, prices, and inventory. AI-powered product recommendations and per-flow revenue attribution are unmatched.
Best for stores doing $20K+/month. Published benchmarks show 2-4x more revenue per email than generic platforms.
GetResponse — Best Value All-in-One
GetResponse offers Shopify integration with abandoned cart flows, product recommendations, and AI email builder — plus webinars, landing pages, and conversion funnels that Klaviyo does not offer. At $19/mo with unlimited sends, it is significantly cheaper than Klaviyo at scale.
Try GetResponse free for 14 days →6 Essential Shopify Email Flows
Email flows (automated sequences) are the backbone of Shopify email marketing. They run 24/7 and generate revenue while you sleep. Here are the 6 flows every Shopify store needs, in order of priority:
1. Welcome Series (Revenue: 10-15% of email revenue)
3-5 emails sent when someone subscribes. Introduces your brand, delivers any promised discount, and drives the first purchase.
2. Abandoned Cart (Revenue: 15-25% of email revenue)
2-3 emails sent when someone adds to cart but does not checkout. Highest-ROI flow — captures 10-15% of abandoned carts.
3. Browse Abandonment (Revenue: 5-10% of email revenue)
1-2 emails sent when someone browses products but does not add to cart. Recovers window shoppers.
4. Post-Purchase (Revenue: 5-10% of email revenue)
2-3 emails after purchase. Request reviews, offer complementary products, and build loyalty.
5. Win-Back (Revenue: 5-10% of email revenue)
2-3 emails to customers who have not purchased in 60-90 days. Offer incentive to return.
6. Customer Loyalty/VIP (Revenue: 10-15% of email revenue)
Ongoing emails to top customers. Early access, exclusive offers, and VIP treatment to drive repeat purchases.
Welcome Series Flow (3 Emails)
Email 1: Welcome + Discount (Send immediately)
Subject: "Welcome to [Brand] — here's your [X]% off"
Content: Deliver the promised discount code, introduce your brand in 2-3 sentences, showcase 3-4 bestsellers with product images and shop links. Single CTA: "Shop Bestsellers."
Goal: Drive the first purchase with the discount incentive.
Email 2: Brand Story + Social Proof (Send Day 2)
Subject: "Why we started [Brand] (and what makes us different)"
Content: Share your brand story, what makes your products unique, and include 2-3 customer reviews with photos. No hard sell — build trust.
Goal: Build brand affinity and trust before the pitch.
Email 3: Bestsellers + Discount Reminder (Send Day 3)
Subject: "Your [X]% off expires soon — here's what's popular"
Content: Showcase top-selling products with images, prices, and review counts. Remind them the discount expires in 48 hours. Single CTA: "Shop Now."
Goal: Create urgency to use the discount before it expires.
Abandoned Cart Flow (3 Emails)
Abandoned cart emails are the highest-ROI automated flow in ecommerce. 70% of shopping carts are abandoned. This flow recovers 10-15% of them.
Email 1: Friendly Reminder (Send 2-4 hours after abandonment)
Subject: "[First Name], you left something behind!"
Content: Show the exact product(s) in the cart with images and prices. One-click checkout link. No discount — just a reminder. Social proof: "12,000 people bought these this week."
Email 2: Social Proof + Urgency (Send 24 hours later)
Subject: "Still thinking about [Product Name]?"
Content: Show product again with customer reviews. Mention low stock if applicable: "Only 3 left in your size!" No discount yet.
Email 3: Discount Offer (Send 48 hours later)
Subject: "Here's 10% off your cart, [First Name]"
Content: Offer 10-15% discount with code. "We noticed you haven't completed your order — here's a little push." Last chance framing. Expires in 48 hours.
Pro tip: With GetResponse or Klaviyo, you can show the exact product image, name, and price that was left in the cart — dynamic content that updates in real-time based on the customer's cart.
Browse Abandonment Flow (2 Emails)
Not every visitor adds to cart. Browse abandonment captures the 80%+ of visitors who browse products but leave without adding anything. This flow requires site tracking (available in Klaviyo and GetResponse).
Email 1: Product Reminder (Send 6-12 hours after browsing)
Subject: "Still browsing, [First Name]?"
Content: Show the products they viewed with images and prices. "We noticed you were checking out [Product Name] — here it is again." Soft CTA: "Continue Shopping."
Email 2: Bestsellers + Social Proof (Send 24 hours later)
Subject: "Our most-loved products this week"
Content: Show top-selling products with review counts and ratings. If they browsed a specific category, show bestsellers from that category. Include a small incentive: free shipping or 5% off.
Post-Purchase Flow (3 Emails)
Post-purchase emails are the most underused revenue driver in Shopify email marketing. They increase customer lifetime value (CLV) and drive repeat purchases.
Email 1: Order Confirmation + Cross-Sell (Send immediately)
Subject: "Your [Brand] order is confirmed!"
Content: Confirm the order, show order details, and include a "You might also like" section with complementary products. 15-20% of customers buy again from this email.
Email 2: Review Request (Send 14 days after delivery)
Subject: "How's your new [Product Name]?"
Content: Ask for a review with a one-click link. Offer a small incentive (10% off next order) for leaving a review. Reviews boost social proof and SEO.
Email 3: Replenishment Reminder (Send 30-60 days after purchase)
Subject: "Time to restock your [Product Name]?"
Content: Remind them to repurchase consumable products. Offer a "subscribe and save" option if available. For non-consumables, suggest complementary products.
Win-Back Flow (3 Emails)
Customer acquisition costs are rising. Winning back past customers is 5-25x cheaper than acquiring new ones. This flow targets customers who have not purchased in 60-90 days.
Email 1: We Miss You (Send at 60 days inactive)
Subject: "We miss you, [First Name] — here's what's new"
Content: Show new arrivals and bestsellers since their last visit. No discount — just re-engagement. Soft CTA: "See What's New."
Email 2: Incentive (Send 7 days after Email 1)
Subject: "Come back and save [X]%"
Content: Offer 15-20% discount. "We'd love to see you again — here's [X]% off your next order." Show bestsellers. CTA: "Shop with [X]% Off."
Email 3: Last Chance (Send 7 days after Email 2)
Subject: "Last chance: your [X]% off expires tonight"
Content: Final reminder that the discount expires. Create urgency. "This is your last chance to use your [X]% off code." CTA: "Claim My Discount."
Campaign Email Strategy for Shopify
In addition to automated flows, you need regular campaign emails (blasts) to drive consistent revenue. Here is the optimal campaign calendar for Shopify stores:
Weekly: New Arrivals
Showcase new products every week. Subscribers who feel they are the first to know are more likely to buy.
Bi-Weekly: Bestsellers
Highlight top-selling products with review counts and ratings. Social proof drives conversions for hesitant buyers.
Monthly: Content + Value
Share a blog post, how-to guide, or styling tips. Non-promotional emails build relationship and keep your brand top-of-mind.
Seasonal: Sales & Holidays
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Valentine's Day, Summer Sale — plan 3-5 emails per major sale event (teaser, launch, reminder, last chance, post-sale).
Shopify Email Segmentation Strategy
Segmentation is what separates average Shopify email programs from great ones. Segmented campaigns generate 760% more revenue than non-segmented campaigns.
| Segment | Criteria | Best Campaign Type |
|---|---|---|
| VIP Customers | 3+ purchases, $200+ total spent | Early access, exclusive products |
| First-Time Buyers | 1 purchase only | Cross-sell complementary products |
| Repeat Customers | 2+ purchases | Loyalty rewards, new arrivals |
| Browsers | Visited site, no purchase | Discount incentive, bestsellers |
| Cart Abandoners | Added to cart, no checkout | Abandoned cart flow (automated) |
| Lapsed Customers | No purchase in 90+ days | Win-back with discount |
Start Your Shopify Email Marketing Today
GetResponse offers Shopify integration, abandoned cart flows, AI product recommendations, and unlimited sends from $19/mo.
Try GetResponse Free for 14 DaysFAQ
What is the best email marketing tool for Shopify?+
Klaviyo is the gold standard for Shopify email marketing — its deep Shopify integration generates 2-4x more revenue per email than generic platforms. For stores doing $20K+/month, Klaviyo is worth the premium. For smaller stores or those wanting an all-in-one platform with webinars and funnels, GetResponse offers Shopify integration from $19/mo with unlimited sends. For budget-conscious stores, Omnisend starts at $16/mo with ecommerce-focused templates.
How much revenue should email generate for my Shopify store?+
Top Shopify stores generate 30%+ of total revenue from email. The industry average is 20-25%. If your store does $100K/month, email should generate $20K-$30K+. If you are below 15%, you likely need to: (1) set up abandoned cart and welcome flows, (2) segment your campaigns, (3) send more consistently (2-3 campaigns per week), and (4) use a platform with deep Shopify integration like Klaviyo or GetResponse.
How do I collect email addresses on my Shopify store?+
The most effective methods: (1) Exit-intent popup with a discount (10-15% off), (2) Welcome popup on first visit, (3) Footer signup form on every page, (4) Checkout opt-in (Shopify built-in), (5) Spin-to-win gamified popups, (6) Landing pages for lead magnets (guides, checklists). Most email platforms offer built-in forms and popups that integrate directly with Shopify.
Should I use Shopify Email or a dedicated email platform?+
Shopify Email is fine for sending basic campaigns to small lists (under 1,000 contacts). But it lacks the automation flows (abandoned cart, welcome series, browse abandonment), segmentation, product recommendations, and revenue attribution that dedicated platforms offer. If you are serious about generating revenue from email, use Klaviyo or GetResponse instead.