How to Automate Repetitive Shopify Custom Tasks and Save Time

Running a successful Shopify store requires handling various tasks daily, from managing inventory and processing orders to marketing and customer support. While essential, these repetitive tasks can consume valuable time that could be better spent growing your business.

Fortunately, Shopify automation can streamline these processes, saving you time, reducing errors, and improving efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explore how to automate custom Shopify tasks, boost store performance, and focus on scaling your eCommerce business.

Why Shopify Automation Matters

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, automating eCommerce processes can reduce operational costs by up to 30% while improving order accuracy and customer satisfaction. With over 4.5 million live Shopify stores (BuiltWith, 2024), automation has become a crucial strategy for staying competitive in the eCommerce space.

Benefits of Shopify Automation:

• Saves time – Reduces manual work, allowing store owners to focus on growth.

• Enhances accuracy – Minimizes human errors in order processing, inventory tracking, and customer communication.

• Boosts efficiency – Automates repetitive tasks, enabling faster workflows.

• Improves customer experience – Enables quicker response times and personalized interactions.

• Increases revenue – Helps optimize marketing campaigns, abandoned cart recovery, and upselling strategies.

Key Shopify Tasks to Automate

1. Order Processing & Fulfillment

Manually processing orders can be time-consuming, especially for stores with high sales volume. Shopify automation tools can streamline this process by:

• Automatically sending order confirmations to customers.

• Integrating with fulfillment providers like ShipStation, Printful, or Oberlo.

• Setting up order tracking notifications to update customers in real-time.

2. Inventory Management

Keeping track of stock levels is crucial to avoid overselling or running out of popular products. Automation can:

• Sync inventory across multiple sales channels (Shopify, Amazon, eBay, etc.).

• Send low-stock alerts to prevent stockouts.

• Automate reordering from suppliers when inventory reaches a set threshold.

3. Abandoned Cart Recovery

Statistics show that 69.99% of online shopping carts are abandoned (Baymard Institute, 2024). Recover lost sales with automation by:

• Sending automated email reminders to customers who left items in their cart.

• Offering discounts or incentives to encourage checkout completion.

• Using SMS or push notifications for faster engagement.

4. Customer Support & Chatbots

Providing timely customer service is crucial, but it can be overwhelming. AI-driven chatbots and automation tools can:

• Respond to common customer inquiries instantly.

• Guide users through the purchasing process.

• Automate return and refund requests.

5. Marketing Automation

Marketing campaigns require consistency, and automation can help:

• Schedule and send personalized email campaigns using Klaviyo or Mailchimp.

• Automate social media posting with Buffer or Later.

• Retarget website visitors through automated Facebook and Google Ads.

6. Upselling & Cross-Selling

Boost your average order value (AOV) by setting up automated upselling and cross-selling:

• Recommend related products at checkout.

• Use pop-ups for limited-time offers.

• Send follow-up emails suggesting complementary products.

7. Review & Feedback Collection

Customer feedback is essential for improving your Shopify store. Automation tools like Yotpo and Loox can:

• Automatically request reviews after a purchase.

• Send surveys to collect customer feedback.

• Showcase positive reviews on product pages to boost conversions.

Tools to Automate Shopify Tasks

Here are some powerful tools to help automate your Shopify store:

How to Set Up Shopify Automation in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Identify Repetitive Tasks

Start by listing the most time-consuming tasks in your daily operations. Prioritize those that impact efficiency and require frequent manual input.

Step 2: Choose the Right Automation Tools

Select Shopify apps or built-in automation features to handle the identified tasks. Use Shopify Flow (for Shopify Plus users) to create automated workflows without coding.

Step 3: Monitor & Optimize

Automation isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Regularly review reports, track performance, and make adjustments to ensure optimal efficiency.