How can I set up automated emails for international customers using Flow?

[PCBros]

We are attempting to set up a way to contact customers automatically following specific criteria being met, after they place an order. Namely, we want to have an automated message emailed to customers who place orders being shipped internationally to obtain consent before shipping so that they are aware they may have to pay import/duties, VAT, etc... I don't see any way to send an email through Flow, but is there any plans to be able to email customers via Flow, or any thoughts on an alternative method that doesn't require we manually email each person?

[paul_n]

We don't have that yet. You can use one of the 3p email services that have built-in Flow actions. There are quite a few, including Seguno, Klaviyo, etc.  If you have your own email service, you could also call an API from Flow using Send HTTP Request.

[PCBros]

It looks like those apps may be more targeted towards marketing, and not for followup emails. I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to implement with Flow, considering Shopify already has the ability to send followup emails to customers. Even if there was an automated way to send followups based on simple criteria, like shipping country.

Are there currently any plans to add features like that to Flow? Seems a little silly to pay a 3rd party developer for such a basic feature.

[paul_n]

What you are asking is if you can send custom emails as Shopify. That is simple technically but very complicated in terms of preventing merchants from deliberating or accidentally spamming merchants and harming Shopify's email reputation. The current notifications work because Shopify can control when and how often they are sent. 

[simonski]

I was looking for the same, and I also don't want to install a huge marketing tool like Klaviyo just to send a simple reminder message to a customer out of Shopify Flow.

Still not sure if it's working, but you can send an order invoice to the customer's email address out of shopify flow ("send order invoice"). There, you can add a custom message. Is this helping?

[1600MetersAbove]

Hey! I just found an app, it seems, made for specifically that - sending transactional emails in Flow: https://apps.shopify.com/flowmail.

The app is currently FREE, just created (Feb 8, 2024), asks you to agree to terms & conditions that you won't send marketing emails (the problem why Shopify does not provide this function built-in Flow).

Haven't tested the app yet though.

[paul_n]

Yes, they just created that app for this use case. Please report back here if you try it out. 🙂