How to Set Up Klaviyo on Shopify (Step-by-Step)

Quick answer: To set up Klaviyo on Shopify: (1) install the Klaviyo app and connect your store, (2) sync historical orders and customers, (3) authenticate a dedicated sending domain with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, (4) build a signup form to grow your list, (5) turn on the five essential flows (welcome, abandoned cart, browse, post-purchase, sunset), then send a test and go live. A clean setup takes an afternoon for the basics.

Key takeaways

• Connect the native Shopify integration first — it powers all your data and flows.
• Authenticate a dedicated sending domain before sending at volume, or you’ll land in spam.
• Build a signup form so the welcome flow has people to greet.
• Turn on the five essential flows before worrying about campaigns.
• Work through a go-live checklist so nothing critical is missed.

Just signed up for Klaviyo? This guide takes you from an empty account to live and sending, in the right order. It’s a cluster of our complete Klaviyo flows guide.

Step 1: Connect the Shopify integration

In Shopify’s App Store, install Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS, then authorize the connection. This native integration is the foundation — it syncs your products, customers, orders, and onsite events into Klaviyo in real time, which is what every segment and flow runs on. For the full data picture and platform-specific notes, see the Klaviyo Shopify integration guide.

Step 2: Sync historical data

When you connect, Klaviyo backfills your historical orders and customer profiles. Let this finish before building segments — it’s what lets you immediately create audiences like “repeat buyers” and “VIPs” based on real purchase history rather than starting from zero.

Step 3: Set up a dedicated sending domain (DNS)

This is the step most beginners skip, and it’s the one that decides whether you reach the inbox. In Klaviyo’s settings, set up a dedicated sending domain (e.g., send.yourstore.com) and add the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records Klaviyo gives you to your DNS. These prove your emails really come from you. Don’t send at volume until they’re verified — the full reasoning is in the Klaviyo deliverability guide.

Step 4: Build your first signup form

Create a popup or flyout in Klaviyo’s form builder to capture email (and SMS consent). This grows the list and, crucially, gives your welcome flow people to greet. Keep it simple: a clear offer, one or two fields, and a visible consent checkbox. More detail in our signup forms guide.

Step 5: Turn on the five essential flows

With data and a form in place, switch on the core automations — in this order:

1. Welcome series — greets new subscribers (your welcome flow).
2. Abandoned cart — recovers unfinished checkouts.
3. Browse abandonment — nudges product viewers (browse flow).
4. Post-purchase — onboards buyers and cross-sells (post-purchase flow).
5. Sunset — cleans unengaged contacts to protect deliverability.

Start from Klaviyo’s templates, then add the conditional splits that keep each flow relevant.

Step 6: Send your first campaign

Once flows are live, send a campaign to an engaged segment (not your whole list). This warms your sending reputation with your most receptive audience before you scale up.

Go-live checklist

Work through this before you consider the setup done:

Klaviyo’s own getting-started documentation covers the account mechanics if you get stuck on any step.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set up Klaviyo on Shopify?

The basics — integration, data sync, a signup form, and the core flows from templates — take an afternoon. Authenticating your domain adds a short wait for DNS to verify. A fully optimized setup with custom flows and segments is more like a 1–2 week project.

Do I need a dedicated sending domain in Klaviyo?

Yes, before you send at volume. A dedicated sending domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authenticates your email and is the single biggest factor in whether you land in the inbox or the spam folder.

Which flows should I turn on first in Klaviyo?

Welcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment, post-purchase, and a sunset flow. These five capture the highest-intent moments and protect your deliverability before you scale campaigns.

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About the author

Ravinder is the founder of Excelohunt, a Klaviyo-focused email & SMS agency. We set up Klaviyo accounts for ecommerce brands end to end.

Don’t want to DIY? Our done-for-you Klaviyo setup gets you live in days, fully configured.