Shopify Delivery Integration & Automated Tasking

Shopify offers excellent native webhook capabilities and powerful automation tools that make delivery integration straightforward. With clean APIs, comprehensive documentation, and a robust app ecosystem, Shopify is one of the easiest platforms to connect with automated delivery services.

This guide shows you how to integrate your Shopify store with our frozen food delivery automation system.

Why Shopify Integration Excels

Shopify is built for modern e-commerce automation, making delivery integration smoother than most platforms:

Shopify’s Advantages:

Native webhooks – Built-in, reliable, no plugins needed
Clean JSON structure – Well-organized data format
Shopify Flow – Visual automation builder (Shopify Plus)
Powerful Admin API – Full read/write capabilities
App ecosystem – Thousands of automation apps
Excellent documentation – Clear, comprehensive guides
Order fulfillment workflow – Designed for external services

The Shopify Difference:

✅ Webhooks are stable and reliable
✅ JSON payload is clean and logical
✅ No complex filtering needed
✅ Automatic retry on webhook failures
✅ Built for third-party fulfillment

Integration Methods: Three Approaches

Method 1: Native Shopify Webhooks (Recommended for Most)

Best for:

Simple, reliable automation
Quick setup without apps
Direct webhook integration
Businesses of any size

How it works:

Configure webhook in Shopify Admin
Shopify sends order data when event occurs
We receive and create delivery task
Email notifications keep you informed

Advantages:

✅ Built-in to Shopify (all plans)
✅ No monthly app fees
✅ Reliable and fast
✅ Easy to set up

Limitations:

⚠️ One-way communication (no auto order updates)
⚠️ Email notifications only (not in Shopify)

Method 2: Shopify Flow Automation (Shopify Plus Only)

Best for:

Shopify Plus merchants
Visual workflow builders
Complex automation logic
Multiple conditions and actions

How it works:

Create Flow workflow with visual builder
Trigger on order events
Add conditions (product tags, order value, etc.)
Action: Send webhook to us

Advantages:

✅ Visual, no-code interface
✅ Complex logic without coding
✅ Multiple triggers and conditions
✅ Easy to modify

Limitations:

⚠️ Requires Shopify Plus plan
⚠️ Still one-way communication

Method 3: Custom Shopify App (Advanced)

Best for:

Full automation including order updates
Custom requirements
Two-way communication needed
Developer resources available

How it works:

Build or install custom Shopify app
App monitors orders via Admin API
Sends delivery tasks to us
Receives status updates from us
Updates order status in Shopify

Advantages:

✅ Complete automation loop
✅ Order status updates in Shopify
✅ Custom logic and features
✅ Full control

Limitations:

⚠️ Requires development expertise
⚠️ Monthly app costs (if using third-party)
⚠️ More complex setup and maintenance

Recommendation: Start with Method 1 (Native Webhooks), upgrade to Method 2 if you have Shopify Plus, or Method 3 if you need full automation.

Shopify Webhook Structure

What Shopify Sends

Shopify webhooks deliver clean, well-structured JSON. Unlike some platforms, Shopify’s payload is logical and doesn’t need extensive filtering.

Example Shopify Order Webhook Payload:

{
  "id": 820982911946154508,
  "email": "customer@example.com",
  "created_at": "2024-10-15T14:25:00-04:00",
  "updated_at": "2024-10-15T14:25:00-04:00",
  "number": 1234,
  "note": "Customer delivery instructions here",
  "token": "abc123",
  "financial_status": "paid",
  "fulfillment_status": null,
  "customer": {
    "id": 115310627314723954,
    "email": "customer@example.com",
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Smith",
    "phone": "+27821234567"
  },
  "billing_address": {
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Smith",
    "address1": "123 Main Street",
    "address2": "Apartment 4B",
    "city": "Johannesburg",
    "province": "Gauteng",
    "country": "South Africa",
    "zip": "2000",
    "phone": "+27821234567"
  },
  "shipping_address": {
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Smith",
    "address1": "123 Main Street",
    "address2": "Apartment 4B",
    "city": "Johannesburg",
    "province": "Gauteng",
    "country": "South Africa",
    "zip": "2000",
    "phone": "+27821234567"
  },
  "line_items": [
    {
      "id": 466157049,
      "title": "Frozen Meal Pack",
      "quantity": 2,
      "sku": "FROZEN-001"
    }
  ]
}

What’s great about Shopify’s structure:

✅ Clearly labeled fields
✅ Consistent naming conventions
✅ Separate billing and shipping addresses
✅ Customer object with all contact info
✅ Order notes included
✅ No unnecessary nested complexity

Our Required JSON Schema for Shopify

Here’s the exact format we need from your Shopify store:

{
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "title": "TheFrozenFoodCourierShopifyReceiver",
  "description": "The Frozen Food Courier Shopify Webhook Schema",
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "senderID": {
      "description": "Your Merchant Code",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "Get this from thefrozenfoodcourier.co.za/register"
    },
    "orderNumber": {
      "description": "Shopify Order Number",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "From order.number or order.name"
    },
    "orderID": {
      "description": "Shopify Order ID",
      "type": "integer",
      "$comment": "From order.id (optional but helpful)"
    },
    "customerEmail": {
      "description": "Customer Email",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "From order.email or order.customer.email"
    },
    "customerNote": {
      "description": "Order Notes",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "From order.note (optional - delivery instructions)"
    },
    "shipping": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "firstName": {"type": "string"},
        "lastName": {"type": "string"},
        "phone": {"type": "string", "$comment": "Mobile for SMS/WhatsApp"},
        "email": {"type": "string"},
        "address1": {"type": "string"},
        "address2": {"type": "string"},
        "city": {"type": "string"},
        "province": {"type": "string"},
        "country": {"type": "string"},
        "zip": {"type": "string", "$comment": "Postal code"}
      },
      "required": ["firstName", "lastName", "phone", "address1", "city", "province", "zip"]
    },
    "dispatchReadyDate": {
      "description": "Dispatch Ready Date",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "Optional - from order metafield"
    },
    "taskAction": {
      "description": "Action to perform",
      "type": "string",
      "$comment": "UPDATE or CANCELLED"
    }
  },
  "required": ["senderID", "orderNumber", "customerEmail", "shipping", "taskAction"]
}

Mapping Shopify Fields to Our Schema

Direct mapping from Shopify webhook:

Our Field	Shopify Source	Example
senderID	Your merchant code	“TFFC-MERCHANT-001”
orderNumber	order.number or order.name	“1234” or “#1234”
orderID	order.id	820982911946154508
customerEmail	order.email	“customer@example.com”
customerNote	order.note	“Gate code: 1234”
shipping.firstName	order.shipping_address.first_name	“John”
shipping.lastName	order.shipping_address.last_name	“Smith”
shipping.phone	order.shipping_address.phone	“+27821234567”
shipping.email	order.email	“customer@example.com”
shipping.address1	order.shipping_address.address1	“123 Main Street”
shipping.address2	order.shipping_address.address2	“Apt 4B”
shipping.city	order.shipping_address.city	“Johannesburg”
shipping.province	order.shipping_address.province	“Gauteng”
shipping.country	order.shipping_address.country	“South Africa”
shipping.zip	order.shipping_address.zip	“2000”
taskAction	Always	“UPDATE”

Note: Shopify’s clean structure makes mapping straightforward!

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Method 1: Native Shopify Webhooks (Detailed Setup)

Step 1: Register as Merchant

Visit thefrozenfoodcourier.co.za/register
Complete registration
Save your merchant code
Note the webhook URL provided

Step 2: Access Shopify Webhooks

Log into Shopify Admin
Go to Settings (bottom left)
Click Notifications
Scroll down to Webhooks section
Click Create webhook

Step 3: Configure Webhook

Event: Choose the trigger event

Recommended: Order payment (fires when order is paid)
Alternative: Order creation (fires when order created)
Alternative: Order fulfillment (fires when marked fulfilled)

Format: JSON

URL: Enter the webhook URL from your registration

Webhook API version: Use latest (currently 2024-10)

Step 4: Create Transformation Template

Shopify allows you to transform the webhook payload before sending. Click “Use transformation” and enter:

{
  "senderID": "YOUR_MERCHANT_CODE_HERE",
  "orderNumber": "{{ order.order_number }}",
  "orderID": {{ order.id }},
  "customerEmail": "{{ order.email }}",
  "customerNote": "{{ order.note }}",
  "shipping": {
    "firstName": "{{ order.shipping_address.first_name }}",
    "lastName": "{{ order.shipping_address.last_name }}",
    "phone": "{{ order.shipping_address.phone }}",
    "email": "{{ order.email }}",
    "address1": "{{ order.shipping_address.address1 }}",
    "address2": "{{ order.shipping_address.address2 }}",
    "city": "{{ order.shipping_address.city }}",
    "province": "{{ order.shipping_address.province }}",
    "country": "{{ order.shipping_address.country }}",
    "zip": "{{ order.shipping_address.zip }}"
  },
  "taskAction": "UPDATE"
}

Replace YOUR_MERCHANT_CODE_HERE with your actual merchant code.

Step 5: Test the Webhook

Click Send test notification
Shopify sends a test payload to us
Check your email for our confirmation
Verify test order appears in your merchant dashboard

Step 6: Save and Activate

Click Save webhook
Webhook is now active
New orders will automatically trigger delivery tasks

Step 7: Monitor First Orders

Place a real test order
Verify webhook fires (check Shopify webhook logs)
Confirm you receive our email notification
Check customer receives pre-delivery notification

Method 2: Shopify Flow (Shopify Plus)

Step 1: Access Shopify Flow

Shopify Admin → Apps
Click Shopify Flow (pre-installed on Plus)
Click Create workflow

Step 2: Set Up Trigger

Click Select a trigger
Choose Order paid or Order created
Click Add trigger

Step 3: Add Conditions (Optional)

To filter only frozen food orders:

Click + to add condition
Select Order tag
Condition: contains “Frozen”
Or use Product type if categorized

Step 4: Add Webhook Action

Click + to add action
Select Send HTTP request
Configure:
- Method: POST
- URL: Your webhook URL
- Headers:
  - Key: Content-Type
  - Value: application/json
- Body: Use JSON with Liquid variables

{
  "senderID": "YOUR_MERCHANT_CODE",
  "orderNumber": "{{ order.orderNumber }}",
  "orderID": {{ order.id }},
  "customerEmail": "{{ order.email }}",
  "customerNote": "{{ order.note }}",
  "shipping": {
    "firstName": "{{ order.shippingAddress.firstName }}",
    "lastName": "{{ order.shippingAddress.lastName }}",
    "phone": "{{ order.shippingAddress.phone }}",
    "email": "{{ order.email }}",
    "address1": "{{ order.shippingAddress.address1 }}",
    "address2": "{{ order.shippingAddress.address2 }}",
    "city": "{{ order.shippingAddress.city }}",
    "province": "{{ order.shippingAddress.province }}",
    "country": "{{ order.shippingAddress.country }}",
    "zip": "{{ order.shippingAddress.zip }}"
  },
  "taskAction": "UPDATE"
}

Step 5: Test and Turn On

Click Test workflow (uses sample data)
Verify webhook received
Click Turn on workflow
Monitor first real orders

Method 3: Custom Shopify App (Advanced)

For Developers or Using Third-Party App:

Option A: Build Custom App

Create Private App:
- Shopify Admin → Apps → App and sales channel settings
- Develop apps → Create an app
- Configure Admin API scopes: read_orders, write_orders
Set Up Webhooks via API:

// Create webhook programmatically
const webhook = {
  topic: "orders/paid",
  address: "https://your-webhook-url.com",
  format: "json"
};

// Using Shopify API
fetch('/admin/api/2024-10/webhooks.json', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    'X-Shopify-Access-Token': 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({ webhook })
});

Receive Status Updates:

// Endpoint to receive our updates
app.post('/delivery-status', (req, res) => {
  const { senderID, orderNumber, deliveryStatus } = req.body;
  
  // Verify it's from us
  if (senderID !== "THEFROZENFOODCOURIER") {
    return res.status(403).json({ error: "Unauthorized" });
  }
  
  // Update order in Shopify
  updateShopifyOrder(orderNumber, deliveryStatus);
  
  res.status(200).json({ success: true });
});

async function updateShopifyOrder(orderNumber, status) {
  // Add note to order or update custom field
  const note = `Delivery Status: ${status}`;
  
  // Use Shopify Admin API to update
  // Implementation depends on your setup
}

Option B: Use Third-Party App

Popular Shopify apps that can help:

Mechanic – Powerful automation platform
Order Automator – Webhook and automation tool
Zapier – Connect Shopify to webhooks

Note: We’re not affiliated with these apps – evaluate based on your needs

Advanced Features

Scheduled Deliveries with Metafields

If customers choose delivery dates:

Step 1: Create Order Metafield

Settings → Custom data → Orders
Add definition: “Delivery Date”
Namespace: custom
Key: delivery_date
Type: Date

Step 2: Include in Webhook

In transformation template:

{
  ...
  "dispatchReadyDate": "{{ order.metafields.custom.delivery_date }}",
  "dispatchReadyDateMask": "YYYY-MM-DD",
  ...
}

Filtering by Product Tags

To only send frozen orders:

Tag your frozen products: frozen-food

In Shopify Flow:

Condition: If order contains product with tag frozen-food
Then: Send webhook

In webhook transformation:

{% if order.tags contains 'frozen' %}
  {
    /* Your webhook payload */
  }
{% endif %}

Multiple Warehouse Locations

If using Shopify locations:

Include location in payload:

{
  ...
  "collectionLocation": "{{ order.location.name }}",
  "collectionAddress": "{{ order.location.address1 }}, {{ order.location.city }}"
}

Receiving Delivery Status Updates

Method 1: Email Notifications (All Plans)

Setup: Configure during merchant registration

What you receive:

Task accepted confirmation
Address validation status
Planned/scheduled notifications
Dispatched alerts
En route updates
Completed/failed confirmations

How to use:

Monitor delivery progress via email
Forward updates to customers if desired
Manually update Shopify order notes/tags

Method 2: Order Notes via API (Custom App)

If you build a custom app:

What we can do:

Receive status updates from us
Add timeline events to Shopify order
Update order tags (e.g., delivery-in-progress)
Send custom email to customer

Example Order Timeline Event:

// Add note to order
const note = {
  note: `Delivery Status: ${deliveryStatus} at ${timestamp}`,
  order_id: orderId
};

shopify.order.addNote(note);

Method 3: Customer Notifications

Built-in option: Use our tracking link in Shopify order confirmation:

Shopify Admin → Settings → Notifications
Edit “Order confirmation” template
Add our tracking link variable (we provide this)
Customer clicks to see live tracking

Troubleshooting

Problem: Webhook Not Firing

Check:

✓ Webhook is saved and active
✓ Event type matches order workflow (paid vs created)
✓ Order actually triggered the event
✓ Check Shopify webhook logs (Settings → Notifications → Webhooks → View details)

Solution:

Review webhook delivery attempts in Shopify
Check error messages
Verify webhook URL is correct

Problem: Webhook Fails Validation

Check webhook delivery logs for:

Missing merchant code (senderID)
Missing required fields (email, phone, address)
Invalid JSON format
Wrong data types

Solution:

Verify transformation template syntax
Test with actual order data
Check all Liquid variables are correct

Problem: Wrong Address Sent

Common issues:

Billing address sent instead of shipping
Incomplete shipping address
Customer didn’t provide all details

Solution:

Ensure using order.shipping_address.* fields
Require complete shipping address at checkout
Use address validation app on Shopify

Problem: Phone Number Format

Issue: Phone numbers may include country code or not

Solution:

Use order.shipping_address.phone (includes format as entered)
Consider phone validation app
We handle various formats, but mobile preferred

Best Practices

1. Test Thoroughly Before Going Live

Testing checklist:

✓ Place test order with real address
✓ Verify webhook fires
✓ Check we receive correct data
✓ Confirm customer gets pre-delivery email
✓ Monitor first 5-10 real orders closely

2. Handle Edge Cases

Consider:

Orders with no shipping address (digital + physical?)
International orders (if you ship outside SA)
Partial fulfillments
Order cancellations
Gift orders (different recipient)

3. Tag Your Frozen Products

Create consistent tagging:

Tag: frozen-food or requires-frozen-delivery
Use in Flow conditions or filters
Makes automation more reliable

4. Communicate with Customers

In product descriptions:

“Delivered via specialized frozen food courier”
“You’ll receive delivery tracking”
“Professional temperature-controlled delivery”

In order confirmation:

“Your frozen items will be delivered by The Frozen Food Courier”
Include expected delivery timeframe
Link to what3words guide for precise delivery

5. Monitor Webhook Health

Weekly checks:

Review failed webhook attempts (if any)
Check delivery success rate
Monitor customer feedback
Review automation logs

Shopify Plans and Features

Available on All Shopify Plans

✅ Native webhooks
✅ Webhook transformations
✅ Basic automation
✅ Order notes
✅ Customer notifications

Shopify Plus Additional Features

✅ Shopify Flow (visual automation)
✅ Advanced API access
✅ Custom fulfillment services
✅ Wholesale channel

You don’t need Shopify Plus for delivery automation – native webhooks work perfectly on all plans!

Related Resources

Integration Guides:

Delivery Automation Overview
Work Order Processing
Real-Time Tracking
WooCommerce Integration
Wix Integration

Shopify Documentation:

Get Help

Technical Support: 📧 hello@thefrozenfoodcourier.co.za

We can help with:

Webhook URL and merchant code
Transformation template assistance
Payload requirements
Shopify Flow configuration
Testing and troubleshooting
Custom integration consultation

Have a Shopify developer or agency? We’re happy to work directly with them to ensure perfect integration!

The Frozen Food Courier – Seamless Shopify integration for frozen food delivery

Tasking via Shopify

Tasking via Shopify

Shopify Delivery Integration & Automated Tasking

Why Shopify Integration Excels

Integration Methods: Three Approaches

Method 1: Native Shopify Webhooks (Recommended for Most)

Method 2: Shopify Flow Automation (Shopify Plus Only)

Method 3: Custom Shopify App (Advanced)

Shopify Webhook Structure

What Shopify Sends

Our Required JSON Schema for Shopify

Mapping Shopify Fields to Our Schema

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Method 1: Native Shopify Webhooks (Detailed Setup)

Method 2: Shopify Flow (Shopify Plus)

Method 3: Custom Shopify App (Advanced)

Advanced Features

Scheduled Deliveries with Metafields

Filtering by Product Tags

Multiple Warehouse Locations

Receiving Delivery Status Updates

Method 1: Email Notifications (All Plans)

Method 2: Order Notes via API (Custom App)

Method 3: Customer Notifications

Troubleshooting

Problem: Webhook Not Firing

Problem: Webhook Fails Validation

Problem: Wrong Address Sent

Problem: Phone Number Format

Best Practices

1. Test Thoroughly Before Going Live

2. Handle Edge Cases

3. Tag Your Frozen Products

4. Communicate with Customers

5. Monitor Webhook Health

Shopify Plans and Features

Available on All Shopify Plans

Shopify Plus Additional Features

Related Resources

Get Help