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Shopify email setup: Simple steps & tips
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Shopify email setup: Simple steps & tips

Reading Time: 10 minutes

The Shopify Email setup process is simple and straightforward, and the tool itself allows you to connect with your customers, boost engagement, and foster loyalty with your brand.

With an effective email marketing campaign, you can promote new products, share relevant updates, and offer exclusive discounts to keep your customers engaged long after they purchase. The initial setup might seem daunting for those who are not tech-savvy, but in reality, it’s easy even for beginners.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to add Shopify Email to your Shopify store so you’ll be ready to start sending campaigns in no time.

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Shopify Email requirements

With Shopify Email, you can create engaging, automated email campaigns that reflect your brand’s style and guide customers to your website.

For you to be able to set up Shopify Email, first make sure that you:

  • Have a paid plan: You can only access the full benefits of Shopify Email if your store has a paid subscription
  • Consider trial plan implications: If you’re on the trial plan, you won’t have access to the full features
Shopify email account requirements
Image via Shopify

It’s important to note that if you’re on a trial plan, you can use Shopify Email to design messages and send test emails to yourself. However, you won’t be able to send actual email campaigns to your subscribers. With such limitations in place, your only option is to upgrade, if you want to use Shopify Email at its full capacity.

So make sure you buy a paid plan before starting the Shopify Email setup. The cheapest subscription costs $39/month. See Shopify pricing plans here.

Shopify Email setup

To setup your Shopify Email app, follow this guide that provides step-by-step instructions for navigating the Shopify dashboard, using email forwarding, and choosing third-party hosting options.

Go to the Shopify Email app page to begin.

shopify email
Image via Shopify App Store

Click Install and follow the instructions to start the installation. You’ll then need to log into your Shopify store to continue. You can sign in with your email address or passkey.

logging into shopify store
Image via Shopify

Once you’re logged in, click Install on the Install app screen to complete the installation.

Shopify Email install app
Image via Shopify

In a few seconds, Shopify Email will be ready to use.

One important note: Shopify doesn’t host your emails directly. More specifically, you can’t reply directly to your customers through your Shopify Email. Instead, you have two options: email forwarding and third-party hosting.

Using email forwarding

Email forwarding allows you to direct emails sent to a specific address (such as [email protected]) to another email address (like your personal Gmail account). This is useful because it helps you manage all your business communications in one place.

To set up email forwarding:

  • Log into your Shopify account and navigate to the dashboard
  • Click on Settings in the bottom left corner of the dashboard
  • Select Domains and choose the Shopify domain email you’d like to set up a custom email forwarding address for
  • If you don’t have a domain connected, buy a new one or connect an existing domain
  • Click on Manage next to the appropriate domain
  • Click Add forwarding email in the Email forwarding section
  • Enter the desired prefix for your email (e.g., info) in the text box (don’t include “@yourdomain.com”)
  • Enter the full email address where you want to receive forwarded emails (e.g., “[email protected]”)
  • Click Save to complete the process

To create a forwarding email for your custom domain, you’ll need to add a DMARC record to your domain. Shopify automatically adds this record to the DNS settings for the custom domains it hosts.

If you’re using a third-party domain and haven’t added a DMARC record, or you aren’t using a custom email (meaning your domain ends in .myshopify.com), then your sender emails will have @shopifyemail.com at the end.

Using third-party hosting

Third-party hosting, on the other hand, means using another service to host your emails. It’s a great option that many stores use. With Shopify, you can select between Google Workspace and Zoho Mail.

To add a third-party email hosting service:

  • Log into your Shopify account and navigate to the dashboard
  • Access your Shopify Email settings in the bottom left corner of the dashboard
  • Select Domains and click your domain under Shopify-managed domains
  • In the Email forwarding section, click on Switch to email hosting
  • A window will appear, prompting you to choose between Google Workspace or Zoho Mai
Shopify Email use third-party hosting service
Image via Shopify
  • Follow the instructions to set up your custom email accounts
  • You can obtain the meta tag or TXT from your chosen email hosting provider
  • To connect your Shopify store to any of those two email hosting services
  • Go to Settings > Domains and click Connect existing domain, then type in your store’s URL
Shopify Email connect existing domain
Image via Shopify

If you bought your domain from GoDaddy, Google Domains, or 1&1 IONOS, an option to connect automatically will appear:

Shopify Email connect existing domain Shopify partners
Image via Shopify

Click Connect automatically and follow the instructions.

How to add SPF and DKIM records to Shopify

Should you choose a third-party hosting provider when setting up your email, you need to connect to the Shopify Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) records. Otherwise, your emails will be shown as being sent from [email protected] or, worse, flagged as spam.

What are SPF and DKIM?

SPF

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is an email authentication protocol that allows you to specify which mail servers are permitted to send emails on behalf of their domain. It works by creating a list of authorized IP addresses in the Domain Name System (DNS). When an email is received, the recipient’s mail server checks this list to verify if the email is coming from an authorized source.

Why does SPF matter? It prevents spoofing. By specifying which servers can send emails, SPF helps prevent unauthorized users from impersonating your domain. 

It also improves deliverability — emails sent from authorized servers are less likely to be marked as spam, increasing the likelihood that they will reach the intended inbox.

DKIM

DKIM adds a layer of security by allowing you to attach a digital signature to your emails. This signature is created using a private key held by your mail server. The corresponding public key is published in your DNS records.

When the recipient’s mail server receives the email, it can use this public key to verify that the email has not been altered and does indeed come from the claimed domain.

Why does DKIM matter? It builds trust. Recipients can trust that the email genuinely comes from your domain, which enhances your brand’s reputation.

Connecting SPF and DKIM

You can connect to the Shopify SPF and DKIM records by adding a DMARC policy and Shopify’s CNAME records to your domain.

Review your domain provider’s requirements for adding a DMARC record to your domain. Meanwhile, you can add CNAME records to your third-party domain by following these steps:

  • Navigate to Settings in your Shopify dashboard
  • Click on Notifications
shopify store notification dashboard
Image via Shopify
  • Verify your subdomain (it can take up to 48 hours to complete)

Or:

  • Log into your third-party domain provider’s account (e.g., Godaddy.com)
  • Access the domain management area or DNS Settings in your dashboard
  • Set up a new CNAME record, but keep in mind that changes to your DNS settings can take up to 24 hours to reflect
  • Enter the subdomain in the Host field
  • Enter CNAME in the Record Type or Type or field
  • Point the CNAME record to shops.myshopify.com
  • Click Save to complete the process

Once this is done, you can feel confident that your emails will be delivered directly to your customers. If you need more help with this step, see this SPF & DKIM records guide.

Shopify email marketing with Omnisend

Shopify Email is a decent email marketing option for basic email marketing needs. With an average rating of 3.9 stars, users are generally satisfied, but many reviews mention a few drawbacks, such as a lack of automation and too few templates.

If you’re looking for a more powerful alternative with more advanced features, Omnisend caters specifically to ecommerce businesses. Its comprehensive automation capabilities, extensive template library, and superior customer support make it an ideal choice for those looking to enhance their marketing strategies.

If you’re serious about growing your online store through effective email marketing, exploring Omnisend could be a beneficial next step.

Shopify vs. Omnisend: How do they compare?

Here’s how each tool compares across different comparison points:

Comprehensive marketing automation

  • Shopify Email: Primarily focuses on basic email automation without integrated SMS capabilities
  • Omnisend: Offers advanced automation capabilities, including email, international SMS, and web push notifications, so users can create complex workflows tailored to customer behaviors

Advanced segmentation

  • Shopify Email: Features basic contact segmentation, limiting the ability to tailor messages effectively
  • Omnisend: Provides sophisticated segmentation options based on location, purchase history, and customer behavior, allowing for highly targeted campaigns

Omnichannel marketing

  • Shopify Email: Focuses solely on email marketing
  • Omnisend: Supports multiple channels (email, SMS, push notifications) for a more integrated approach to customer engagement

Template library

  • Shopify Email: Provides a limited selection of templates compared to Omnisend
  • Omnisend: Offers over 250 customizable templates designed for various marketing goals, making it easy to create visually appealing emails

Customer support

  • Shopify Email: Offers support primarily through email and live chat for paid plans only
  • Omnisend: Provides 24/7 live chat and email support for all users, ensuring assistance is readily available

Integrations with other platforms

  • Shopify Email: Exclusively designed for Shopify users
  • Omnisend: Integrates seamlessly with various ecommerce platforms beyond Shopify, such as WooCommerce and BigCommerce, which is a plus if you ever consider switching your ecommerce platform

If checking out some alternatives has crossed your mind, let us suggest Omnisend. And don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at Omnisend’s 5,000+ 4.7-star reviews from Shopify users:

Omnisend review
Image via Shopify App Store

Feature comparison table

Here’s how Shopify vs. Omnisend compare at a glance:

FeatureOmnisendShopify Email
Marketing automationAdvanced (email, international SMS, push notifications)Basic (email only)
SegmentationAdvanced (location, purchase history)Basic
Omnichannel marketingYesNo
Template library250+ customizable templates10 templates styles
Customer support24/7 live chat and email with a dedicated Customer Success ManagerLimited to paid plans
IntegrationsShopify, WooCommerce, Wix, BigCommerce, and other ecommerce platformsShopify only
A/B testingYesNo

Using Omnisend

If you’re considering taking Omnisend for a spin, here’s how to do it:

Go to Omnisend’s page on the Shopify App Store and click Install.

Omnisend Shopify page
Image via Shopify App Store

After that, click Install on the next page:

Omnisend Install app Shopify store
Image via Shopify

In just a few seconds, you’ll see the account registration window.

Omnisend signup - from Shopify install page
Image via Omnisend

Create your free account by entering your business details like email, password, and name. Select Shopify Email as your email marketing automation software. Tick the box to agree with Omnisend’s Terms of Use and Anti-spam Policy, then click Get started to complete.

You’ll see a brief popup that states to check your email inbox to verify the setup process. In your inbox, you will find a verification email from Shopify. Click Verify email within 24 hours.

email verification
Image via Shopify

At this point, your account is created.

You’ll be taken to a dashboard page where you can set your brand assets. Here, you can upload your logo, colors, fonts, and social links.

Omnisend will automatically apply these assets and colors to your emails and forms. You can choose to add or change these details later, however, if you’re not quite ready. Click I’ll do this later or Save brand assets in the bottom right corner.

adding brand assets
Image via Omnisend

Next, you’ll arrive at Omnisend’s Dashboard, where you’ll see the goals you need to meet to operationalize your store fully. There’s also an Overview and Live View tab to see how your sales and contacts are doing, respectively.

Feel free to explore the Campaigns, Automation, Forms, Audience, and Reports tabs. Omnisend is very intuitive, so you’ll be able to get started fairly quickly. If you haven’t set up your brand style yet, you’ll find a prompt under the Goals tab to do so when you’re ready.

Omnisend dashboard
Image via Omnisend

That’s it. You’re ready to set up your email marketing. Browse around, create your first campaigns, and check out the guides below to become better at email marketing.

Should you need any assistance, see the complete guide to integrating Omnisend and Shopify.

Wrap up

Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in a Shopify merchant’s arsenal. When executed strategically, it can grow sales revenue by as much as 460%, as To’ak Chocolate experienced in a six-month period after starting to use Omnisend.

By following our step-by-step guide, you can easily complete the Shopify Email setup process. Beyond setup, it’s critical to optimize deliverability by adding SPF and DKIM records so your messages reach the inbox.

Once done, you’re ready to focus on high-impact email marketing campaigns. With the right email strategy and platform, you’ll be able to enjoy outstanding ROI.

Explore our handpicked resources to unlock the full potential of your Shopify business email:

Get started with Omnisend today & drive sales on autopilot with pre-built automation workflows

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Bernard Meyer
Article by

Bernard is the Sr. Director of Communications & Creative at Omnisend, with a passion for good research, helping ecommerce businesses with their marketing automation needs, and beating absolutely everyone in Mario Kart 64.


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