Automate Shopify Apps with Make.com

Running an online store can get expensive when you rely on multiple paid Shopify apps. With Make.com you can replace many of those tools, automate your workflows, and manage everything from one visual platform without needing to code.

This how-to guide explains how to use Make.com to recreate common Shopify app functionality, reduce subscription costs, and scale your operations with automation.

Why Replace Shopify Apps with Make.com

Traditional Shopify apps are convenient but often come with limits, extra fees, and overlapping features. Using a single automation hub helps you keep control of your data and processes.

• Lower monthly costs by replacing multiple apps.
• Reduce manual work with automated workflows.
• Customize processes to match your unique store setup.
• Connect Shopify with marketing, CRM, and support tools in one place.

Make.com provides a visual interface to build complex workflows, called scenarios, that connect Shopify to hundreds of other services and AI tools.

Getting Started with Make.com for Shopify

Before you start replacing apps, you need to connect your store and understand the basic building blocks inside the platform.

Step 1: Create and Configure Your Make.com Account

1. Sign up for an account on the Make.com website.
2. Complete the onboarding steps and choose a plan that fits your expected number of operations and data volume.
3. Optionally invite team members so they can collaborate on scenarios.

Once your account is ready, you can begin building or using pre-made automation templates.

Step 2: Connect Shopify to Make.com

1. In your dashboard, click to add a new scenario.
2. Search for the Shopify app module.
3. Click to add a Shopify module and follow the prompts to authorize access to your store.
4. Grant the requested permissions so Make.com can read and write the data required for your workflows.

After Shopify is connected, you can use triggers and actions for orders, products, customers, abandoned checkouts, and more.

Typical Shopify Apps You Can Replace with Make.com

Many popular use cases do not actually require dedicated apps. You can often recreate them with flexible workflows built around Shopify data.

Email and SMS Notifications

Instead of separate apps for notifications, Make.com lets you:

• Send order confirmation reminders via email or SMS.
• Notify customers when orders are fulfilled or delayed.
• Send internal alerts to your team in Slack or email.

You can connect Shopify with email platforms, SMS gateways, and chat tools to create a unified communication system.

Abandoned Cart and Win-Back Campaigns

Abandoned cart apps can be replaced using scenarios that:

• Watch for abandoned checkouts in Shopify.
• Send automated follow-up emails with discount codes.
• Push contact data into your CRM or marketing tool.

Using Make.com, these flows can include advanced conditions, such as total cart value, customer tags, or product categories.

Customer Segmentation and Tagging

Many merchants pay for extra apps just to tag customers or segment them based on behavior. You can instead:

• Auto-tag customers by order value or purchase frequency.
• Segment customers into VIP, new, or inactive groups.
• Sync those tags with external CRM or email tools.

This level of control helps you send targeted campaigns and manage loyalty programs without additional app fees.

Inventory and Supplier Workflows

Inventory management and supplier notifications can also be automated.

• Monitor stock levels and send alerts when products are low.
• Trigger purchase orders to suppliers based on rules.
• Sync stock across marketplaces and sales channels.

With Make.com, you can integrate spreadsheets, warehousing tools, or ERP systems into a single streamlined workflow.

How to Build a Scenario in Make.com

The core of your automation is the scenario. You can build it from scratch or adapt existing templates.

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Start by deciding which Shopify app you want to replace and what outcome you need, such as:

• Recover abandoned carts.
• Send post-purchase review requests.
• Sync new customers to a CRM.

Clear goals help you select the right triggers, actions, and filters.

Step 2: Choose a Trigger in Make.com

1. Create a new scenario in your dashboard.
2. Add a Shopify module as the starting point.
3. Select a trigger, such as “Watch Orders”, “Watch Customers”, or “Watch Checkouts”.
4. Set filters, like order status or tags, to refine what data enters the scenario.

The trigger determines when your automation runs, similar to how Shopify apps react to store events.

Step 3: Add Actions and Conditions

After the trigger, build the rest of your flow by adding modules:

• Email or SMS modules to contact customers.
• CRM tools to store contacts and deals.
• Chat and collaboration tools for team notifications.
• AI modules to generate personalized messages.

You can also add filters and routers to branch your scenario based on conditions like order value, product type, or customer history.

Step 4: Test and Activate the Workflow

1. Run the scenario once using sample data.
2. Review logs to confirm that each module completes successfully.
3. Adjust filters, mapping, or message copy as needed.
4. Turn the scenario on to start running it automatically in the background.

Once the scenario is live, it will continue to process events without manual intervention, replacing the functions you previously relied on from individual Shopify apps.

Using Make.com Templates for Faster Setup

Pre-built templates can save time when you are new to the platform. Many common Shopify processes already have ready-made scenarios.

• Search the template library for Shopify automation ideas.
• Install a template that matches the app you want to replace.
• Customize modules, messages, and filters to fit your brand.

This approach gives you a starting point while still letting you control the details.

Best Practices for Migrating From Apps to Make.com

Switching from multiple apps to one automation hub works best when you plan carefully.

• List all apps you want to replace and their core functions.
• Map each function to a scenario or template inside the platform.
• Run both the original app and the new automation in parallel for a short time.
• Turn off redundant apps once you confirm that the automation is stable.

Regularly review your scenarios to ensure they still match your business needs as your store grows.

Learn More About Shopify Automation

For additional learning and inspiration, you can review the official how-to guide on the Make.com website at this page about replacing Shopify apps. It expands on real use cases, modules, and visual examples of the scenarios described here.

If you want expert help designing or optimizing your automation architecture, you can also visit Consultevo for consulting and implementation services.

Start Replacing Shopify Apps Today

By centralizing your workflows in Make.com, you can simplify your tech stack, improve reliability, and avoid paying for multiple single-purpose apps. Begin with one or two simple scenarios, test them thoroughly, then gradually migrate more processes until your store runs on a lean, automated foundation.

Need Help With Make.com?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.

Get Help