For the longest time, I had an email list… and a store. Two separate islands.
I’d manually export buyers, upload them to my list, and then maybe send a campaign every few weeks. Spoiler: not much happened.
The day I integrated my email marketing with my store, things changed fast. Abandoned cart emails started pulling people back in. New subscribers got offers automatically. Thank-you emails turned into repeat orders. It was like I’d finally hired a marketing assistant, without actually hiring anyone.
Here’s what I’ve learned from setting up email marketing integration the hard way (so you don’t have to).
Why Integration Matters More Than You Think?
Most sellers know they need an email list. But it’s what you do with that list that drives real results. And that starts with connecting it directly to your storefront.
If you’re on Payhip, this step-by-step guide on integrating Payhip with Mailchimp and ConvertKit will help you get started fast — no coding needed.
Benefits I noticed immediately:
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My welcome sequence actually reached every new lead
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Customers didn’t fall through the cracks
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I could tag buyers and send relevant upsells
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My email revenue jumped within a week
Once your store and email platform “talk” to each other, the magic begins.
My 3 Favorite Email Platforms (And Why I Use Them)
1. MailerLite – Great for beginners
It’s drag-and-drop, super affordable, and integrates with Payhip using Zapier. I started here when I had under 1,000 subscribers.
2. ConvertKit – Built for creators
It’s perfect if you’re selling digital products or memberships. You can tag people based on what they buy and send smarter emails — like “Want the advanced version?” two days after purchase.
3. Klaviyo – Ideal for ecommerce pros
If you’re on Shopify and love data, Klaviyo gives you all the segmentation, revenue tracking, and analytics you could ask for.
Each of these tools integrates with platforms like Payhip, Shopify, or WooCommerce through direct connections or tools like Zapier.
How I Set It Up (And You Can Too)?
Here’s what I did with Payhip + MailerLite:
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Connected Payhip to Zapier
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Set up a trigger: “New purchase → add to MailerLite list”
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Assigned tags based on product purchased
Then I built automations:
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Welcome email immediately
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Day 2: “Here’s how to use your purchase”
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Day 5: “Want to upgrade?”
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Day 10: “What else can I help with?”
Want to dive deeper into automation? This step-by-step guide to creating an automated email sales funnel will walk you through building sequences that convert.
Automations That Make the Most Impact
These are the flows that brought in the most sales for me:
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Welcome sequence: Builds trust and introduces your brand
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Abandoned cart: A must-have. Add urgency, show social proof, offer help
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Post-purchase series: Guides them, asks for reviews, upsells
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Re-engagement (win-back): Targets inactive customers after 30+ days
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Launch sequence: When dropping a new product, warm up your list first
The key? Keep it short, helpful, and natural — like you’re talking to a friend.
Need inspiration for abandoned cart flows? Check out this guide on how to write effective abandoned cart emails that actually win back sales.
Segment Like a Pro (Even if You’re Just Starting)
One of the best things about integrating your tools is being able to segment your audience.
Start with basics:
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New subscribers
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First-time buyers
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Repeat customers
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High spenders
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Inactive users
Then use those segments to send better, more targeted emails. For example, offer a bundle discount only to people who’ve bought one of the included items.
If you’re unsure where to start, this breakdown of the 4 best ways to segment your email list will show you what really works.
Even a basic tag like “bought digital planner” helped me create offers that felt personalized — and converted better.
Don’t Make These Mistakes (I Did)
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Not testing automations — My “thank you” email once had the wrong link.
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Forgetting unsubscribe links — It happens. Always double-check.
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Over-sending — One email a day = burnout. I now space emails 2–3 days apart.
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Not tracking what’s working — I ignored open and click rates for months. Now I test subject lines, layouts, and CTAs regularly.
Speaking of performance, here’s how to use email analytics to improve open rates, so you can double down on what actually works.
Even if you mess up (and you will), what matters is tweaking and learning as you go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re selling anything online, email marketing integration isn’t optional anymore. It’s the quiet powerhouse that turns strangers into buyers and buyers into superfans.
Start with one integration. Build one automation. Then keep layering.
Because once your store and email tools are working together? You’re no longer chasing sales, you’re building momentum that grows while you sleep.
