How to connect Shopify to WhatsApp, step by step
Shopify does not send WhatsApp messages on its own. You connect it to a provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform, which listens to your store's events and sends the right template for each one.
This guide takes a Shopify store from nothing to its first live automations in an afternoon, plus a day or two for template approvals.
What you need
- A Shopify store with checkout collecting phone numbers with country codes.
- A Meta business account, verified if possible.
- A phone number for WhatsApp that is not in use on the WhatsApp app, or one you are ready to move.
- An account with a WhatsApp provider that supports Shopify.
Step 1: connect your WhatsApp number
Inside your provider, start Meta's embedded signup. Choose or create your Meta business account, add the number, verify it by code, and set your display name. Prefer a provider that creates the WhatsApp Business Account inside your own Meta business account, so the number stays yours if you switch later.
Step 2: connect Shopify
Install the provider's Shopify app or connect through its integration page, and approve the permissions it asks for: orders, customers and checkouts. Place a test order and check that the provider shows the event arriving.
Step 3: get your templates approved
| Template | Category | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Order confirmation | Utility | Name, order number, items, total |
| COD confirmation | Utility | Name, order number, total, address, buttons |
| Shipped | Utility | Name, order number, courier, tracking link |
| Delivered | Utility | Name, order number |
| Cart reminder | Marketing | Name, product, cart link |
Step 4: add opt-in at checkout
Shopify's checkout can collect marketing consent for SMS and email; add clear WhatsApp wording through your provider's checkout option or a checkbox app, naming your store. Keep a record of each opt-in.
Step 5: switch on order updates
Map order created to the confirmation, fulfilment created to shipped, and delivered to the delivered message. Test each with a real order.
Step 6: switch on COD confirmation
For COD orders, replace the plain confirmation with the confirm, cancel or pay-now message, and decide what happens to unconfirmed orders.
Step 7: switch on cart recovery
Set the first delay, connect the stop rule so placed orders never get a reminder, and decide on one follow-up or none.
After launch: the first week
- Read replies daily; they show what buyers still need to know.
- Check template quality ratings after the first few hundred sends.
- Count "where is my order" support messages against the week before.
Testing checklist
- A prepaid order receives the confirmation, shipped and delivered messages.
- A COD order receives the confirm, cancel or pay-now message.
- An abandoned cart receives one reminder, and none after ordering.
- Names, totals and links fill correctly on a phone.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Messages not sending | Template not approved, or phone number missing a country code |
| Duplicate messages | Another app also sending notifications |
| Reminder sent after purchase | Stop rule not connected to orders |
| Wrong names in messages | Variables mapped to the wrong field |
Our pick: Tadlo AI
Tadlo AI
Our top pick
Best for: Shopify stores connecting WhatsApp
Tadlo AI's Growth plan, ₹2,499 a month, includes Shopify order events, COD confirmation with prepaid switch, abandoned cart recovery and broadcasts. Onboarding runs through Meta's own signup window, the number stays in your Meta account, and the template studio explains any rejection.
Price: Free forever plan with up to 10 messages a day. Starter ₹999, Growth ₹2,499, Pro ₹5,999 and Scale ₹11,999 a month, priced on unique contacts engaged per month. Meta's message charges are billed by Meta directly to your own account, and Tadlo adds no markup. Prices exclude GST.
Strengths
- No markup on Meta's message charges: Meta bills your own WhatsApp Business Account directly, and Tadlo only charges a flat plan
- Built for D2C: abandoned cart recovery, COD to prepaid nudges and order updates from Shopify and WooCommerce (Growth plan and above)
- Instagram comments to WhatsApp chats, which most WhatsApp-only tools cannot do
- Priced on unique people reached, not on every message, so you can follow up without counting sends
- Number health checks every 15 minutes, gradual ramp-up for new numbers and automatic opt-out handling
- Your WhatsApp Business Account is created inside your own Meta business account, so it stays yours
Limitations
- Newer than AiSensy, WATI or Interakt, with a shorter track record
- Commerce automations start on the Growth plan (₹2,499 a month)
- Tadlo AI is onboarding brands in stages, and you request access on its WhatsApp page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I integrate WhatsApp with Shopify?
Connect your store to a WhatsApp Business Platform provider that supports Shopify, get templates approved, add opt-in at checkout, and map store events to messages.
Does Shopify send WhatsApp messages by itself?
No. You need a provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform connected to your store.
How long does Shopify WhatsApp setup take?
An afternoon for the connection and settings, plus a day or two for Meta to approve templates.
Which WhatsApp tool is best for Shopify?
We recommend Tadlo AI: Shopify events, COD confirmation and cart recovery on its Growth plan, with no markup on Meta's charges.
Sources
- tadlo.ai: Tadlo AI WhatsApp automation. Plans, features, Meta rates and onboarding checked 16 October 2026.
- Meta WhatsApp Business Platform pricing,
developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing. Rates effective 1 October 2026; page updated 30 September 2026. - Meta WhatsApp opt-in requirements,
developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/getting-opt-in. Updated 16 June 2026.