Klaviyo is the leading email and SMS platform for e-commerce. If you run an online store, it is built for you -- the integration with Shopify and other platforms is deep, the pre-built flows cover the key e-commerce use cases, and the segmentation based on purchase behavior is more powerful than most tools. Here is how to get set up.
Total setup time: 2-3 hours. Difficulty: Moderate. You do not need any technical background to follow this guide.
Klaviyo at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $20/mo (Email, 500 contacts) |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Free plan up to 250 contacts |
| Setup time | 2-3 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best for | E-commerce brands on Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce |
How to set up Klaviyo in 7 steps
Go to klaviyo.com and sign up. The free plan supports up to 250 contacts and 500 email sends per month. Enter your business name and details. Klaviyo will ask whether you are starting fresh or migrating from another platform -- select the option that applies.
Go to Integrations and connect your e-commerce platform. For Shopify, click the Shopify integration and install the Klaviyo app from the Shopify App Store -- it syncs your products, orders, and customer data automatically. For WooCommerce, install the Klaviyo plugin from the WordPress plugin directory. This integration is the foundation of everything else in Klaviyo -- do this before anything else.
Go to Settings > Email > Dedicated Sending Domain. Add your domain and follow the steps to add DKIM and DMARC records to your DNS. Klaviyo will confirm once the records are detected. A dedicated sending domain ensures your emails arrive from your brand domain rather than a shared Klaviyo address.
If you connected your store, your customer list will sync automatically -- you may not need to import a separate CSV. If you have contacts from another source, go to Audience > Lists & Segments > Import and upload your CSV. Create a list for your imported contacts so they are easy to find.
Flows are Klaviyo's automated email sequences. Go to Flows > Create Flow and use the flow library. Start with these four: Welcome Series (triggered by joining your list), Abandoned Cart (triggered by starting checkout without purchasing), Browse Abandonment (triggered by viewing a product without adding to cart), and Post-Purchase (triggered by completing an order). Klaviyo's pre-built flow templates are well-designed -- customize the content but keep the structure.
Go to Sign-up Forms > Create Sign-up Form. Build your popup or embedded form. For e-commerce, a discount-for-email popup is common -- new subscribers get a code delivered in the welcome flow. Design the form to match your brand, set the timing and targeting rules, and publish it to your site.
Go to Campaigns > Create Campaign. Choose a list or segment to send to. Use the drag-and-drop email editor to design your campaign -- Klaviyo's editor supports dynamic blocks that show personalized content based on each subscriber's purchase history. Set your subject line, send a test, and schedule or send.
Tips before you start
- Set up your flows before sending any campaigns -- the abandoned cart flow alone typically generates significant revenue.
- Use Klaviyo's predictive analytics to identify your high-value customers and create VIP segments.
- Klaviyo's benchmarks tool shows you how your metrics compare to similar stores in your category.
Next steps
Once your account is set up, focus on building your first automation before sending any broadcast campaigns. A working welcome sequence ensures every new subscriber gets a consistent first experience. After that, review your migration guide if you are moving contacts from another platform, and use the recommendations quiz to confirm Klaviyo is the right long-term fit.