Introduction

This detailed overview explains the new integration between Shopify's product catalog and WhatsApp's native e-commerce capabilities, designed to streamline online shopping experiences.

The process involves multiple steps, from setting up Shopify sales channels to configuring WhatsApp flows, enabling seamless product display, order management, and customer engagement within WhatsApp.

This summary covers the entire workflow, technical considerations, limitations, and practical testing procedures, providing a clear understanding of how to implement and optimize this integration.

Setting Up Shopify for Integration

1. Installing Necessary Sales Channels

• Navigate to Shopify Sales Channels: Access your Shopify admin panel.

• Install Facebook & Instagram Channels: These channels facilitate product catalog synchronization.

• Create a Connected Product Catalog: Once installed, Shopify automatically generates a product catalog linked to Facebook.

2. Ensuring Product Compatibility

• Product Descriptions: Must include detailed descriptions; products without descriptions risk rejection.

• Images: Facebook prefers spread images with dimensions like 1080x1080 pixels for optimal display.

• Product Syncing: After setup, Shopify products sync with Facebook's catalog, reflecting categories and product details.

3. Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Invalid Products: Check product descriptions and images if Facebook flags products as invalid.

• Catalog Visibility: Confirm the catalog appears under the Facebook sales channel.

Synchronizing Shopify with WhatsApp via uChat

1. Connecting Facebook Business Account

• Access uChat Workspace: Navigate to the integrations section.

• Select E-Commerce & Facebook Business: Connect your Facebook Business account.

• List & Select Business Catalogs: Choose the catalog linked to Shopify for synchronization.

2. Product Data Mapping

• Retrieve Retail IDs: Essential for identifying products during transactions.

• Sync Categories: Categories from Facebook mirror Shopify's product types, enabling category-based browsing.

• Limitations: WhatsApp supports up to 30 products per node; plan product fetches accordingly.

Designing the WhatsApp Shopping Flows

1. Main Shop Front

• Introduction Message: Welcomes users and prompts shopping.

• Fetching Products:

  • Use the "Get Products" action.

  • Fetch by categories (e.g., electronics, women's wear).

  • Map SKU values to retail IDs for identification.

• Product Display:

  • Use "Multiple Products" node.

  • Limit to 30 products total across sections.

  • Structure with headers, bodies, footers, and sections.

2. User Interaction & Navigation

• Category Selection: Allow users to choose categories dynamically.

• Product Selection: Users can add items to cart, view details, or remove products.

• Back to Main Menu: Implemented via buttons redirecting to the initial prompt.

Handling Orders in WhatsApp

1. Creating Shopify Draft Orders

• Order Trigger: When users proceed to checkout, capture order details.

• Mapping Cart Items:

  • Extract JSON payload of cart items.

  • Format data with quantity, product ID, variant ID.

• Draft Order Creation:

  • Use Shopify API to generate draft orders.

  • Save draft order ID and invoice URL for payment.

2. Payment & Order Confirmation

• Payment Button: Redirects users to Shopify checkout via the invoice URL.

• Order Completion:

  • After payment, Shopify webhook triggers.

  • Fetch order details, including subtotal, discounts, taxes.

  • Send a confirmation message with order receipt.

Managing Order Lifecycle Events

1. Order Status Updates

• Order Created:

  • Shopify webhook captures new orders.

  • Send confirmation and receipt via WhatsApp.

• Order Fulfillment:

  • Webhook detects when Shopify fulfills an order.

  • Notify customers with tracking info and status.

• Order Cancellation:

  • Triggered if an order is canceled.

  • Inform customers and provide order status link.

2. Abandoned Cart Recovery

• Abandonment Webhook:

  • Fires after 30 minutes of inactivity.

  • Save payload and send reminder message.

• Incentivizing Recovery:

  • Offer discounts (e.g., 15%) to encourage checkout.

  • Apply discounts via Shopify API.

  • Include discounted invoice URL in follow-up message.

Advanced Features & Customization

1. Dynamic Category & Product Selection

• User Prompts: Ask users to select categories or specific products.

• Filtering: Limit product fetches to avoid exceeding WhatsApp's 30-product limit.

• Back Navigation: Buttons to return to main menu or previous steps.

2. Editing & Canceling Orders

• Order Modification:

  • Use draft order deletion if users want to change items.

• Order Cancellation:

  • Triggered via Shopify webhook.

  • Send cancellation confirmation and status link.

3. Shipping & Tracking

• Order Fulfillment Webhook:

  • Notify customers when orders are shipped.

  • Provide tracking numbers and links.

• Order Tracking:

  • Users can request status updates.

  • Redirect to Shopify order status page.

Practical Testing & Implementation

1. Simulating Shopping

• Start Flow:

  • Initiate chat, view categories, select products.

  • Add items to cart, view cart overview.

• Proceed to Checkout:

  • Generate Shopify draft order.

  • Complete payment via provided link.

• Order Confirmation:

  • Receive WhatsApp message with receipt.

  • Verify order details in Shopify.

2. Managing Post-Order Events

• Fulfillment:

  • Mark order as fulfilled in Shopify.

  • Confirm receipt message sent to customer.

• Shipping Updates:

  • Add tracking info.

  • Notify customer of shipment.

3. Handling Abandoned Carts

• Wait for Webhook Trigger:

  • After 30 minutes, send reminder.

  • Offer discount to recover cart.

• Apply Discount:

  • Use percentage or fixed amount.

  • Update draft order with discount.

  • Send updated invoice link.

Summary Table of Key Components

Conclusion

This integration offers a robust, user-friendly way to manage Shopify products within WhatsApp, enabling seamless browsing, ordering, and post-sale updates.


Proper setup of Facebook sales channels, product catalog synchronization, and WhatsApp flow configuration are critical for success.


The system supports dynamic product display, order modifications, abandoned cart recovery, and shipping updates, providing a comprehensive e-commerce solution directly within WhatsApp.

By following the outlined steps, leveraging the provided templates, and respecting platform limitations, businesses can significantly enhance their customer engagement and sales conversion rates.

The integration exemplifies how modern e-commerce can be embedded into popular messaging platforms, creating a personalized shopping experience that meets customers where they are.