Mailchimp, which had been working with Shopify since March 2019, announced that it was ending its cooperation and requested that Shopify remove its application. MailChimp’s decision to leave Shopify was questioned by many. According to some, this decision was taken because the confidentiality issues were not resolved by both parties.
Shopify store owners are not interested in what causes disagreements between companies but rather what the MailChimp API integration application should be used in their store. This is a very important question because MailChimp apps on Shopify no longer work since May 12, 2019.
We will be demonstrating two quick and affordable solutions to this problem. You can continue to use email marketing from Shopify as a sales and lead generation channel.
- Integration of Shopify and MailChimp via third-party apps
- You can switch from Mailchimp into another similar application.
How to keep sending emails to Shopify
1. Integration of Shopify and MailChimp through third-party apps
MailChimp can be continued by using the integration app to connect Shopify to Mailchimp.
To solve this problem, the Shopify App Store offers these integration apps:
- MailChimp Connect (Seguno)
- MailChimp and OneSaaS
- ShopSync
MailChimp allows third-party integration tools like Zapier and Automate.io to be used. These tools are available on a fee-paying basis, the most expensive among all those above-listed, and they do not support many important functions.
We recommend the ShopSync app, which is popular and easy to use. The list of supported functions for Zapier and Automate.io is also much larger than that for ShopSync.
Mailchimp is a great option, but if you want to keep using it, there is one major drawback: Mailchimp’s client information will not sync with your Shopify store data. This is an example of a situation where this is crucial. This information is needed in Shopify in order to prevent other applications from sending emails to the client who unsubscribed from your MailChimp ads. You can end up in a difficult situation now because MailChimp does not sync client data. This could cause problems with your client. Unsubscribe requests are also prohibited in certain parts of the globe.
We recommend that you switch from Mailchimp to a different application.
2. Switching to other email marketing apps
If you want to be able to use all of the features of email marketing, it is worth switching to Mailchimp from another application. There are many options that will help you, and they provide the support and tools to make it a seamless migration.
You can find suitable email marketing apps in the Shopify App Store.
These are the applications that you should be aware of:
- SmartrMail;
- Klaviyo;
- Jilt,
- Spently;
- Privy
All include an editor that is easy to use and report writing. They also offer basic customer segmentation, abandoned shopping cart notification, as well as a series welcome letters.
If your requirements are more complex for email marketing organization, then you should choose Klaviyo with Shopify or Conversio, Marsello and Omnisend. They offer more advanced functionality than the basic functionality. These include the possibility to distribute information regularly and collect email addresses within your Shopify store.
Each application is designed to address a different aspect of email marketing. It can be difficult to choose which one to use. We recommend you pay close attention to Klaviyo on Shopify.
These are the arguments for using this application:
- Klaviyo integrates with Shopify, and collects all data necessary to personalize your marketing.
- Klaviyo can also be integrated with other e-commerce or marketing applications such as Facebook, Recharge and Zendesk, Swell and Smile.io. This will allow you to collect all data possible about your customers.
- Klaviyo automatically inserts the code required to track online behavior in order to understand your customers beyond what they purchase.
- Segmentation of lists is possible. This is one the most powerful Klaviyo for Shopify features. There are many default lists available. You can create your own lists or segmentation based upon a particular group of purchases or a customer’s past actions on your site.
- There are many different types of letter templates. A lot of templates can be themed so you can find the perfect template for your industry. You can edit the mail template editor if the template doesn’t suit your needs.
How do I migrate contacts from MailChimp into Klaviyo
Step 1: Register in Klaviyo
Step 2: Locate the Integration tab on your Klaviyo account’s left side and search for the Shopify integration.
Step 3: After being redirected to your Klaviyo target page, you will need to enter your URL and click “Connect with Shopify”. You will then be redirected to Shopify’s target page. Here you can insert the URL into your store and click “Connect to Shopify”.
Step 4: Go back to Klaviyo’s Integrations tab and locate the MailChimp integration.
Step 5: Enter an API key. Log in to MailChimp, navigate to the “Account” section, then the “Advanced”, and click “API Keys”.
Step 6: Create an API key, and then paste it into Klaviyo.
Step 7: Click Intergate
It’s done!
Mailchimp’s complaints
Official statements were made by both parties last March 22 to address this issue. Mailchimp appears to have split with Shopify. Mailchimp says:
“We have asked Shopify to discontinue the Mailchimp integration with Shopify for new users as of March 21.” Shopify updated their terms, which could negatively impact our business and place our customers at risk. We made this decision.
Mailchimp’s statement also stated that they had tried to discuss it for months but that Shopify’s terms ” compromise our users’ privacy” and that they would require them to give over any customer data that Shopify has acquired.
Mailchimp charges Shopify with three things
- Shopify wants to see retroactive data Mailchimp collected.
- Shopify asks for data that is not related to Shopify’s platform.
- Shopify’s ” New Terms” make it clear that Shopify wants control over which providers they partner with and how they conduct business.
These were the decisive factors that caused Mailchimp to split with Shopify.
Mailchimp made it clear why they were leaving, but they didn’t specify which part of Shopify’s updated Terms of Service would adversely affect their business, place users at risk, or be competitive for small business owners.
Shopify’s complaints
Shopify has not denied or confirmed the allegations of Mailchimp. They made similar accusations against Mailchimp in their official statement.
- Mailchimp offers a ” poor merchant experience”
- Mailchimp refuses ” to respect our Partner Programme Agreement.”
Shopify then reveals what Mailchimp did in violation of their PPA on the official statement.
“…Mailchimp does not synchronize customer data from merchants’ online shops and emails opt-out preferences. Our merchants, partners, and other apps can’t reliably service their customers, or comply with privacy legislation i >..”.
Arguments concerning data
Only 2 things can be confirmed from their contradictory statements. Their rocky relationship has been simmering internally for several months. Shopify asked Mailchimp for information, but Mailchimp refused to provide it.
Shopify has a stronger argument because they argued for the information needed and why Mailchimp would not give it to them.
Mailchimp makes strong claims about Shopify, but they are at best vague.
Mailchimp’s statement that Shopify asks for data from them before they integrate into Shopify’s platform is the only thing that they can prove. Joni Deus (Mailchimp’s Director for Partnerships) confirmed this statement. Deus claimed that the consent to Mailchimp’s data collection before integration with Shopify can not be requested retroactively. Mailchimp has refused to provide that data to Shopify.
Clarification and Mailchimp for e-commerce platform
Kurt Elster is a Shopify Plus Expert and host of the Unofficial Shopify podcast. He stated in a series tweets Shopify asks for the timestamp at which a customer opts into or out of Mailchimp.
This is in compliance to the GDPR, which is in line with Shopify’s statement.
Elster suggests that Shopify might have created confusion by not specifying the data they required at first but quickly added it on one of their forum posts. Elster speculates that Mailchimp uses these to cut their ties faster.
This is plausible, as Mailchimp bought a minor competitor LemonStand just before the kerfuffle. TechCrunch reached Ross Paul VP of Growth at LemonStand to confirm the deal. Paul explained that it was an acquisition, with the team currently working on light ecommerce functionality . The deal was completed at the end February. Paul’s LinkedIn profile now displays Mailchimp partnership.
This rumor is plausible because of the timing of the acquisition and breakup. The story doesn’t stop there. Mailchimp partnered with Square last November to offer Shoppable Landing Pages, which helped the rumor mills spin faster.
Mailchimp appears to be partnering with Shopify through these acquisitions and partnerships. Mailchimp stated that half of their revenue is e-commerce. We can’t blame them for this shift in direction. It’s a very lucrative platform.
Mailchimp denies facing Shopify head-on
Mailchimp stated that they are not directly in competition with Shopify and don’t plan to become an e-commerce platform.
Mailchimp commented on Square’s partnership. Shopify stated that they knew Shopify was working on shoppable landing page designs even before LemonStand’s acquisition.
Shopify did not choose to partner with LemonStand so they chose LemonStand.
Mailchimp has been vocal about not competing directly with Shopify. However, their actions speak volumes. If it is a hindrance to expansion, it makes business sense not to continue with the partnership.
“Merchants” and “Customers”
Jenny Miranda is a business marketing consultant and entrepreneur who noticed an unusual detail in the official statements. She stated that Shopify will address the “merchants” as well as their “customers”, while Mailchimp addresses only their “customers”. This distinction is crucial. Shopify and Mailchimp have “merchants” who are their true customers. Their “customers” are their customers.
Mailchimp does not refer to the protection of specific customers. Mailchimp is making a bold move. It is not taking the moral high road, but it is alienating its true customers, merchants. It could cause Shopify customers to switch to other EMS integrations.
Mailchimp is kind enough to offer workarounds for this problem. This is a risky move. Shopify is the fastest-growing SaaS company with almost 800,000. merchants. Although it can be difficult to change your email marketing software, it is possible. It can be difficult to change e-commerce platforms. Mailchimp customers may choose to just modify their EMS rather than changing their ecommerce platform.
What does this mean for you? What do other merchants think
The end of the split will not be effective until May 12. Mailchimp’s services will still be available to merchants until that date. You can then choose to remain and continue using Mailchimp. You can also use third-party applications to continue using Mailchimp with Shopify. Manually adding customers to your mailing list is also possible. This can be a bit inconvenient but still an option.
You can also ditch Mailchimp altogether and use another email marketing software. Klaviyo and ActiveCampaign are the most popular names, according to Reddit and articles. Yael K. is a marketing strategist and consultant who created a handy table that illustrates some EMS options available for Shopify integrations.
A petty fight
When migrating to other EMS’s, or keeping with Mailchimp, there are many things you need to consider. There are many options available. These business partnerships aren’t really worth separating. It’s just business as usual. The ones who are slowest to adapt in today’s digital environment are those who suffer.
Since the implementation of GDPR as well as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which raised legitimate concerns about data privacy, the claims of each party regarding this situation to protect customers’ data are extremely relevant. Their customers will trust them more if they uphold their ideology in an environment filled with data breaches and leaks. To undermine this trust, they took jabs at one another.
The Future of the Platforms
These digital business relationships will continue even if Mailchimp chooses to separate from Shopify. This is only the beginning. Digital landscape is constantly changing. Digital businesses are looking to expand exponentially in areas that are not directly related to their core functions but are relevant to their products and services. They are chasing platforms.
Google is doing the same thing, and dipping its toes in the gaming sector which was not part of their core business.
Mailchimp could be Shopify’s rival, even though they may not have any plans at the moment. It is a great business idea.
Indirect Competition
Mailchimp stated in a statement they are not directly competing against Shopify, but that they will continue integration and support other e-commerce platforms.
Although it may not be directly in competition with Shopify, this is still a very competitive move. Mailchimp shared this statement with TechCrunch:
” Small businesses benefit from having the freedom to choose the technology that they use. This is why we integrate with over 150 apps and platforms, including the e-commerce platforms.
This is a good thing. These changes are good for the market’s health. This ensures platforms are competitive in price, security, and other features. This would be a benefit to us. These changes can be compared to growing pains. These changes are uncomfortable, but necessary for growth.
