Running an online store means juggling dozens of moving parts every day. From monitoring sales to checking fulfilment, it’s easy to get bogged down in repetitive tasks that steal your time and attention. The good news? You don’t need a full tech team or a massive budget to put impactful automation to work for your business.
In fact, some of the most powerful ecommerce automations are surprisingly simple. They’re the “tiny tweaks” that really add up – protecting your margins, reducing human error and giving you peace of mind – all while freeing you up to focus on growth.
In this article, we’ll explore three everyday store workflows you can automate right now. Each one tackles a high-risk point in the customer journey. A new study from Juniper Research predicts that the value of eCommerce fraud will rise from $44.3 billion in 2024 to $107 billion in 2029, a mind-melting 141% increase. With this in mind, we’re recommending three simple workflows that help protect your store from this growing problem.
Why Small Automations Matter
When most merchants think about automation, they imagine complex systems designed for enterprise-level brands. But the truth is, even a single small workflow can deliver a big impact.
By automating repetitive checks, you:
- Reduce errors that creep in with manual work.
- Save time on routine tasks.
- Improve fraud protection and cash flow.
- Deliver a smoother overall experience for your customers.
That’s the essence of the “tiny tweak, big impact” mentality. You don’t need to overhaul your entire store to feel the benefits. You just need to start with smart automations that solve everyday pain points.
Workflow #1: Tag and Investigate High-Risk Orders
One of the biggest risks for any ecommerce store is fraudulent orders. Chargebacks, lost inventory and wasted fulfilment costs can eat into your profit margins fast.
That’s why our Tag Order and Email Me to Investigate workflow is so valuable.
How it works:
- When an order is created, the workflow triggers and checks its risk level.
- The workflow automatically tags any “High Risk” order.
- You get an instant email notification prompting you to review it.
Instead of checking manually, you’re immediately alerted to potential issues. This ensures you don’t accidentally ship a questionable order, giving you the chance to review it personally, without slowing down your overall fulfilment times.
Why it matters:
- Speed: Catching issues before fulfilment saves time and money.
- Accuracy: No missed alerts or forgotten manual checks.
- Control: You still make the final decision on whether to approve or cancel.
Even if you only encounter a handful of high-risk orders a month, this small automation can protect your store from significant potential losses. And this increased visibility will help you start to see patterns within risky orders over time.
Workflow #2: Cancel High-Risk Orders Automatically
Sometimes you don’t need to review – you just need to stop fraud in its tracks, fast. That’s where our Cancel High-Risk Orders and Notify Me workflow comes in.
How it works:
- A new order is placed.
- Shopify’s risk analysis flags it as “High Risk.”
- The workflow automatically cancels the order.
- You receive an email letting you know the cancellation has taken place.
Why it matters:
- Prevents chargebacks: Once the order is cancelled, the fraudulent transaction is stopped before it causes damage.
- Protects inventory: You don’t risk shipping products you’ll never be paid for.
- Saves fulfilment costs: No wasted labour or postage.
This workflow acts like an automated security guard, protecting your store around the clock. You’ll still be notified, but the workflow removes the need for you to intervene every time. For merchants who receive frequent high-risk orders, this simple tweak can be a game-changer.
Workflow #3: Get Alerts for Orders from High-Risk Countries
Certain regions are known for higher fraud rates or shipping challenges. Rather than blocking all international orders, you can simply set up Alerts for Orders from High-Risk Countries.
How it works:
- An order is placed from a country you’ve flagged as high-risk.
- The workflow instantly emails you an alert.
- You can choose to investigate, approve, or cancel the order before fulfilment.
Why it matters:
- Adds visibility: You see these orders straight away without scanning reports.
- Keeps control: You decide whether to ship or reject based on context.
- Prevents losses: Reduces the risk of chargebacks and logistical headaches.
Imagine spotting multiple suspicious orders from the same high-risk region over a few days. This automation ensures you’re alerted before you send out stock that could vanish without payment.
Putting It All Together
Individually, each of these workflows is a small tweak. But together, they can add up to significant savings and peace of mind. You’ll spend less time double-checking orders and reduce your exposure to fraud. All while building a more resilient business.
The best part? These automations take minutes to set up and run silently in the background. You don’t have to babysit them, and they don’t add complexity to your store.
That’s the real power of ecommerce automation: simple workflows that deliver big returns.
So if you’re ready to save time, reduce fraud, and protect your revenue, why not start by setting up just one of these workflows today?