Email & SMS

Shopify & Mailchimp Integration: What Brands Need to Know & FAQ

By Tinuiti Team

This is a news announcement by Mike DeBella, Director, CRM & Email at Elite SEM.

Mike DeBella

As you may have already heard, there are some important changes happening for brands using Mailchimp and Shopify.

Effective March 22, 2019, the MailChimp app is no longer available in the Shopify App Store. The Shopify to MailChimp integration will be disabled for current clients using the integration on May 12, 2019.

This means that the data being passed from Shopify to Mailchimp will no longer be sent and Shopify orders and contacts will no longer sync with MailChimp effective May 12, 2019. With less than 60 days until the breakup is official, it’s time to sprint on your next option.

We’ve put together this quick FAQ, and upcoming webinar, to assist you during this change.

Q: Why did Mailchimp choose to sever their integration with Shopify?

A: From the sounds of it, there are a few reasons MailChimp made this decision. Here is a link to Mailchimp’s public announcement for their full perspective.

I’m currently using MailChimp and Shopify. What do I do now?

Here are some options for brands currently using Mailchimp as their ESP, and Shopify as their eComm platform: 

Build a custom integration using MailChimp API 3.0 – If you have a development team at the ready, you can custom build an integration from Shopify to MailChimp using Mailchimp’s API 3.0.

Use a 3rd Party App to connect your store to Mailchimp – Zapier, Automate.io, and ShopSync top the list for web apps that offer simple integrations between two applications. While fairly simple to set up, the long term usage of this option is not recommended. Not only can the volume of data events lead to a high cost at the end of the month, you may experience delays in data synching and incomplete data transfers.

Migrate to another ESP – The simplest option. Choosing another ESP may be the best course of action for many eCommerce brands in order to ensure powerful Shopify data remains synched within their email program. Our friends at Klaviyo offer a pre-built connector that pulls over all of your Mailchimp data into your new account.

Q: Does Elite have experience migrating email programs from MailChimp to another email service provider?

A: Yes, the Elite Email team has a wealth of experience assisting brands to migrate their email service provider. We migrate brands to new ESPs every week and have been leading those efforts for years.

Q: I’m interested in moving to Klaviyo. Will I lose functionality if I migrate?

A: No, it is likely that you will not lose any functionality in moving from MailChimp to Klaviyo. Based on your current setup, you may gain functionality and have even more options to make your email program more sophisticated. Contact Klaviyo for more information.

Q: Will Klaviyo cost more than MailChimp?

A: If you choose to migrate from MailChimp to Klaviyo, it’s likely that the estimated cost would be around a 25% increase from what you’re currently paying for Mailchimp. With Klaviyo’s more robust out of box capabilities through their tight Shopify integration, you will likely have more comprehensive revenue-driven marketing options and there’s a strong chance that your brand can make up for the difference effectively.

Q: How can Elite SEM help?

A: With a world-class email team, specializing in fast-growth and enterprise brands from MVMT, Pura Vida Bracelets, and Bombas to Frederick’s of Hollywood, Francesca’s and Eddie Bauer, the Elite SEM email team builds enterprise based email programs for every brand they work with. As a Full Service or Strategic Development Client, Elite SEM’s email team can facilitate ESP migrations, in addition to providing leadership in all facets of email strategy, management, and development.

Q: What timeline can I expect and can this all get done prior to May 12th?

A: Timelines may vary due to complexities that exist within your specific email program. Most programs may take 4-6 weeks for a complete migration. We are making it a priority to assist our existing clients with this change prior to 5/12. If interested in learning how we can assist in your migration and provide ongoing email service strategy and management, contact us.

Q: Is this a big deal and should I make this a top priority?

A: Yes, this is a big deal. If you are currently using MailChimp and Shopify and make no changes, your customer data and email addresses being passed from Shopify to Mailchimp will no longer be sent, and Shopify orders/contacts will no longer be added to MailChimp after May 12, 2019. The clock is ticking!

Q: Who can I talk to about this? Who can help me?

A: For more information on Klaviyo’s capabilities or to get started with Klaviyo right away, you can contact Klaviyo. For more information in regards to Elite SEM’s email services, and whether they may be the right fit to bring your brand to the next level, please contact our team here.

About Elite SEM/CPC Strategy:

Founded in 2007, CPC Strategy is a retail-focused performance marketing agency that drives paid media strategy and management for brands like Reef, The Honest Company, Unilever’s Seventh Generation, and Nestle. CPC’s Amazon Sales Acceleration Program (ASAP) is the industry-leading growth solution for brands on Amazon.

In 2018, CPC was acquired by Elite SEM, an award-winning digital marketing agency founded on Search and focused on holistic performance-driven digital marketing. Elite’s services span all stages of an integrated marketing strategy, allowing leading industry brands to strategically evaluate digital marketing spend and increase cross-channel performance.

Together, CPC and Elite form the most capable Paid Search, Paid Social, and Amazon performance marketing practice in the industry, with established complementary solutions in CRM/Email Marketing, Analytics, SEO/CRO, and Integrated Marketing planning.

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