Everything you need to know about Shopify Messaging and email marketing.
Shopify Messaging (formerly Shopify Email) is Shopify's built-in email and SMS marketing platform. It lets you send promotional campaigns, set up automated flows like welcome flows and abandoned cart reminders, and design branded messages directly from your Shopify admin. It is tightly integrated with your store and is a great entry point for merchants new to email and SMS marketing.
Yes. Shopify Messaging enables you to run email and SMS marketing campaigns without the need for third-party software. You can send newsletters, product announcements, and automated flows. For store owners who want to start quickly, SKU Agency offers a live, 4-week cohort called Shopify Messaging Accelerator that helps Shopify Merchants drive more revenue using email and SMS marketing.
Shopify Email is free to install, and every Shopify plan includes a monthly allowance of 10,000 free email sends. After that, additional emails are billed at a low cost per 1,000 sends, making it one of the most affordable ways to get started with email marketing. While the platform itself is budget-friendly, the real value comes from how you use it. See pricing details.
For many merchants, Shopify Messaging (email and SMS marketing) is absolutely worth it. It is cost-effective, beginner-friendly, and removes the need for complex integrations. If you want advanced features like deep segmentation or AI-driven personalization, platforms like Klaviyo may be stronger. But for most small to mid-size Shopify stores, Shopify Messaging delivers a strong ROI with the right strategy.
You can install Shopify Messaging from the Shopify App Store, connect your domain, and start creating email and SMS marketing campaigns or flows. If the initial setup and ongoing growth can feel overwhelming, we have you covered with our Shopify Messaging programs.
SMS marketing is the practice of sending text messages to customers who have opted in. These messages are typically used for promotions, reminders, updates, and time-sensitive offers.
Yes, when used responsibly. SMS messages are highly visible and work best for urgent or high-value communications. SMS is most effective when used as a complement to email, not a replacement.
Unlike Shopify Email, which includes up to 10,000 free sends per calendar month, SMS marketing messages are billed on a per-message basis and incur a modest cost for each send. See pricing for your country.
Email marketing is consistently one of the highest ROI channels in ecommerce. Industry data shows businesses earn $36 to $40 for every $1 spent on email marketing. When coupled with SMS marketing, those figures can increase substantially. Results vary based on your list size, product margins, and consistency. While there is no guarantee, Shopify Email can drive meaningful revenue growth if used effectively.
The best tool depends on your needs. Shopify Messaging is best for simplicity, affordability, and direct integration with your Shopify store. Klaviyo is best for advanced automation and segmentation. Mailchimp, MailerLite, and MailMunch also work but require extra setup. For most Shopify merchants, starting with Shopify Messaging is the most cost-effective way to learn and grow.
For Shopify store owners, the two leading options are Shopify Messaging and Klaviyo. Shopify Messaging is ideal for beginners or smaller stores wanting an integrated, low-cost solution. Klaviyo is best for scaling brands that need complex flows and deep analytics. While SKU Agency originally got its start building email and SMS marketing automations and campaigns on Klaviyo, today our focus is on helping aspiring Shopify ecommerce entrepreneurs who want an affordable yet powerful platform like Shopify Messaging. Want to launch your Shopify Messaging automation and campaigns today? Checkout our Shopify Messaging Accelerator live cohort.
Shopify Messaging (email and SMS) is easier and more affordable, while Klaviyo is more powerful but also more expensive and complex. If you are just starting with email marketing or want something streamlined, Shopify Messaging is better. If you are running a larger store with big lists and advanced segmentation needs, Klaviyo may be the right choice.
Shopify Messaging (email and SMS) integrates seamlessly with your store and requires no external connectors. Mailchimp offers advanced features, but is not native to Shopify. If you want simplicity and cost savings, Shopify Email is better. If you need robust design flexibility and complex workflows, Mailchimp could be an option.
Shopify Messaging (email and SMS marketing) is better for Shopify users because it is built into your store. MailerLite offers inexpensive pricing and simple tools, but it requires integrations and lacks Shopify-native automation triggers. For most Shopify merchants, Shopify Messaging is the smarter starting point.
We like to break Shopify Messaging into the 4 P's: People – Growing and segmenting your list; Promotions – Campaigns that drive sales and product launches; Personalization – Automations like welcome flows and abandoned checkout reminders; Performance – Tracking opens, clicks, and revenue. Our Starter Kit includes worksheets and analytics tools to help you master these.
SKU Agency focuses exclusively on Shopify Email marketing. We currently offer:
Yes. Shopify Messaging supports key email and SMS automations like welcome series, abandoned checkout, post-purchase follow-up, and browse abandonment. These flows drive conversions automatically. If you want to learn how to set up and optimize these yourself, our 4-week live cohort provides you with all the knowledge and training you need to get the most out of Shopify Messaging.