How to Create Abandoned Cart Emails for Shopify in GoHighLevel
By Marnix Geerkens. Published 2024-04-11. Updated 2026-06-02.
GoHighLevel can send branded abandoned cart emails when a Shopify customer starts checkout but does not complete payment. You connect Shopify by creating a custom app in your Shopify admin and pasting the API token into GoHighLevel. Then you build an email template, set up a workflow triggered by the Abandon Checkout event, and disable Shopify's own built-in abandoned cart emails so only your version goes out.
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Summary. The Shopify and GoHighLevel integration routes abandoned checkout data into GoHighLevel workflows, replacing Shopify's default emails with fully custom ones. The connection requires a custom Shopify app with read access to orders and products. Once connected, you create an email template using GoHighLevel's builder (including a shopping cart element that populates the items the contact left behind), attach it to an Abandon Checkout workflow trigger, and publish. Shopify's native automations should be disabled so contacts receive only the GoHighLevel version.
Steps
Create a custom app in Shopify
In your Shopify admin, search for 'develop app' and enable custom app development. Click Create App, give it a name, then go to Configuration and click Configure next to Admin API Integration.
Set API permissions
In the Admin API Integration settings, check the boxes for 'read_orders' and 'read_products'. Save and then click Install App.
Copy the Admin API access token
After installing, reveal the Admin API access token. Copy it and store it somewhere secure. This token is shown only once.
Connect Shopify to GoHighLevel
In GoHighLevel, go to Settings > Integrations and find the Shopify connection. Paste the API token and your Shopify store name. Refresh if needed until the connection shows as active.
Build the abandoned cart email template
Go to Marketing > Email Templates and create a new template. Add a shopping cart element so the email dynamically lists the products the contact left behind. Add a link button pointing back to the store and save the template.
Create the automation workflow
Go to Automations and create a new workflow. Add the trigger 'Abandon Checkout' (available under the Shopify triggers section). Set the delay to 10 minutes. Add a Send Email action, select your abandoned cart template, fill in the subject line, and save.
Publish the workflow and disable Shopify's emails
Publish and save the workflow in GoHighLevel. Then go to Shopify > Automations and disable or delete any existing abandoned checkout email automations so contacts only receive your GoHighLevel version.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do I need a custom Shopify app instead of using a direct integration?
GoHighLevel requires Admin API access, which Shopify only grants through a custom or private app.
What does the shopping cart element in the email show?
It dynamically renders the specific products the contact added to their cart before leaving.
What happens if I leave Shopify's own abandoned cart emails active?
Contacts receive two abandoned cart emails, which is confusing and looks unprofessional.