Running a Shopify store comes with a lot of moving parts — customer tagging, inventory updates, fulfillment rules, internal communication, and more. Every task takes time. And as your store grows, those tasks don’t just add up — they start to slow you down.
That’s where automation comes in.
If you’ve ever asked what are automations on Shopify?, the answer is simple: they’re workflows that let your store run common tasks automatically, based on conditions you set. From sending alerts to tagging customers to updating product data, automations keep your backend moving without constant input from your team.
Here’s how they work — and what they can do for your business.
What automations on Shopify actually are
Shopify automations connect triggers (when something happens) with actions (what you want to happen next). A customer places an order. A product goes out of stock. A customer buys for the third time. Each of these moments can be used to trigger a workflow.
You define the logic: when X happens, do Y.
Automations connect triggers and actions
Common examples include:
- Tag a customer after their second purchase
- Send a Slack message when an order over $500 is paid
- Update inventory across multiple locations every morning at 6:00 AM
- Add or remove metafields based on product status
Each workflow can run once, on a schedule, or whenever the trigger occurs. And you can apply conditions to ensure the right action runs for the right scenario.
Workflows can run on schedule or in real time
Not every task needs to happen right away. Many automations can be scheduled — daily reports, weekly product cleanups, or timed campaign changes.
Others run instantly: order-based triggers, tag updates, or support notifications. The flexibility means you’re not stuck reacting to problems. You can set your store to respond in real time — or run quiet maintenance in the background.
Automations remove repetitive work — not people
The goal isn’t to replace your team. It’s to free them from manual tasks so they can focus on higher-value work — the kind that drives revenue and builds a better experience for your customers.
What Shopify automations can help you do
Most store owners start with a single goal: save time. But the impact goes deeper. Smart automation improves accuracy, supports scale, and keeps your store running clean — even as things get more complex.
Simplify fulfillment and inventory
Fulfillment tends to involve a lot of moving parts — and a lot of manual input. Automations can help reduce delays, standardize handoffs, and flag exceptions before they cause problems.
Examples:
- Tag orders over a certain value or marked as high-risk
- Add internal notes for warehouse teams when orders include fragile or bundled products
- Send low-inventory alerts based on specific SKUs or collections
- Route orders to the right fulfillment location based on customer region
You can even automate order-based metafields to support packing logic, third-party systems, or print workflows.
Personalize post-purchase flows
After the sale is made, automation helps you deliver a better customer experience — without adding more campaigns to manage.
Examples:
- Tag first-time buyers and add them to an onboarding flow
- Identify loyal customers and send them to a high-touch email sequence
- Trigger post-purchase surveys based on product category
- Add product review reminders a set number of days after delivery
These kinds of workflows build retention — without more manual effort from your team.
Keep your store clean and efficient
Your product catalog and customer database grow quickly. Left unmanaged, they get messy. Automation helps keep things organized without constant oversight.
Examples:
- Auto-hide products marked as discontinued or out of season
- Remove “coming soon” or “preorder” tags once a product is published
- Archive stale customers or tag them for re-engagement flows
- Update SEO fields or metafields across product groups at scale
The result: a store that feels maintained — without needing a weekly cleanup session.
How to start building Shopify automations that work
You don’t need a full strategy from day one. Start with what’s slowing you down now — and build from there.
Identify tasks you repeat
Pay attention to the things you do more than once a day or week. Are you tagging customers? Adjusting orders? Notifying your team when something sells out?
These are prime automation candidates. Write down the trigger and what you want to happen. That’s your workflow.
Build the workflow using triggers, conditions, and actions
Once you know the task, set the trigger (what starts the workflow), add any conditions (what filters it), and define the actions (what happens next).
For example:
- Trigger: Order is created
- Condition: Customer has ordered 3+ times
- Actions: Tag as “VIP,” send Slack message, add internal note
Some workflows are event-based. Others run on a schedule or are triggered manually in bulk. Choose the timing that matches the task.
Monitor, refine, and expand
The best automations evolve. Most tools give you a task history or log so you can track what’s running. Watch for edge cases, review performance, and clean up any outdated logic.
Over time, you’ll spot new opportunities to automate. What starts as one workflow becomes a full system — one that saves hours every week and makes your store more reliable.
Conclusion: automation makes your store run smarter, not harder
So, if you’ve been wondering “what are automations on Shopify?”, here’s the answer: they’re how you scale your store without scaling your task list.
By automating repetitive actions — from fulfillment to tagging to catalog cleanup — you create a system that supports your growth. Your store becomes faster, leaner, and easier to manage.
You don’t need to automate everything. Just start with one task. Build the workflow. Watch it run. Then do it again. The more intentional your automations, the more time you free up to focus on the work that actually moves your business forward.
If you’re looking for a flexible Shopify workflow app that can handle complex tasks across your store — from customer tagging to inventory alerts — Arigato Automation is a great place to start.