Shopify gives you the store. It doesn't automate the work behind it. Every order that comes in still requires someone to: check inventory, notify the warehouse, generate a packing slip, update tracking, and send a confirmation email. For 5 orders a day, you manage it. For 50, you're drowning.
Here's the full workflow we've built for multiple e-commerce clients - including Simbago, which now runs on one warehouse worker with $8k/month revenue and zero manual order processing.
The order processing workflow, step by step
A well-automated Shopify order workflow looks like this: Shopify fires a webhook when an order is placed. Make catches it. The scenario runs: (1) Check inventory in your tracking sheet. (2) Notify the warehouse via Telegram or Slack with the order details and packing instructions. (3) Generate a packing slip PDF. (4) If using a courier API, create the shipment and get a tracking number. (5) Send the customer a branded tracking email with the real number. Total time: under 2 minutes from order to warehouse notification.
What you need to build this
The core stack is Make (the automation platform), Shopify webhooks, and whatever you use for warehouse communication - usually Telegram Bot or Slack. If you have a courier integration, you'll add that API. If you manage inventory in a Google Sheet or Airtable, that connects too.
The pieces:
- Make account (free tier handles low volume, $9/month handles most stores)
- Shopify webhook configured for 'Order Created' events
- Telegram bot or Slack webhook for warehouse notifications
- Google Sheets or Airtable for inventory tracking (optional)
- Courier API connection if you want automated labels (DHL, FedEx, etc.)
- Resend or Klaviyo for customer emails
Setting up the Shopify webhook
In Shopify admin: Settings > Notifications > Webhooks. Create a new webhook for 'Order creation' and point it to your Make scenario's webhook URL. Every order will now trigger your Make scenario instantly - no polling, no delays.
The Make scenario structure
Your Make scenario receives the webhook payload (which contains the full order: customer details, line items, shipping address, order ID). From there, you add modules in sequence. The Shopify module parses the order data. An HTTP module calls your courier API. A Google Sheets module updates inventory. A Gmail or Resend module sends the confirmation. Each step takes 30-60 seconds to configure in Make's visual editor.
Inventory management automation
The harder problem than order processing is inventory. Most Shopify merchants are manually checking stock and emailing suppliers when something runs low. The automated version: when an order is processed, Make decrements the relevant SKU in your inventory sheet. When that SKU hits your reorder threshold, a second automated flow fires: emails the supplier with the SKU, quantity needed, and your standard delivery address. We've run this for Simbago for over a year with zero stockouts.
Returns and refunds
Returns are where most automation breaks down - because they're less predictable. But 70% of return requests follow a pattern: customer submits form, system validates the order exists and is within return window, approves it, sends the label, and updates the order status. The remaining 30% that fall outside the rules get flagged for manual review. Automating the 70% is still a significant time save.
What this costs to build
A full Shopify order processing automation - order to fulfillment, inventory tracking, customer email - takes 3-5 days to build and test. At 2pizza.team, this is a typical $1,500-2,500 project. Make costs $9-16/month for the platform. The build pays for itself in the first month for any store doing 20+ orders/day.
Running a Shopify store? Book a 30-min call and we'll map exactly which parts of your order flow can be automated - with an exact cost estimate.
Free 30-min audit. We tell you what to automate first and what it would cost.