How Do I Get WhatsApp Notifications When a Shopify Order Comes In?

Quick answer: To get WhatsApp notifications for Shopify orders, you need to connect your store to the WhatsApp Business API. The easiest way is using a dedicated app like Staff Ping that handles the API setup. You can also use automation platforms like Zapier or build a custom webhook integration.

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You want to know immediately when a customer places an order on your Shopify store. Not in an email you'll check later. Not in the Shopify admin you have to refresh. On WhatsApp, where you'll actually see it.

Here's how to set this up.

What You Need

Before setting up WhatsApp notifications for Shopify orders, you need:

1. A Shopify store with admin access
2. WhatsApp Business API access (through a provider or app)
3. Phone numbers for team members who will receive alerts

Important: You cannot use a personal WhatsApp account for automated business messages. WhatsApp requires the official Business API for any automated notifications.

Method 1: Use a Dedicated Shopify App

Best for: Store owners who want the fastest setup with no technical work.

The simplest way to get WhatsApp notifications for Shopify orders is installing an app that handles everything for you.

How it works:

1. Install the app from the Shopify App Store
2. Add your team members' phone numbers
3. They verify via a one-time code on WhatsApp
4. Configure which orders should trigger notifications
5. Start receiving alerts

What to look for in an app:

• Handles WhatsApp Business API (you don't set it up yourself)
• Lets you filter notifications by order value, payment method, or product type
• Supports multiple recipients
• Includes direct links to the order in Shopify admin

Staff Ping is built specifically for this. You install it, add your team, and configure rules for which orders should send alerts. No WhatsApp Business setup required on your end.

Setup time: 5-10 minutes

Method 2: Use an Automation Platform

Best for: Teams already using Zapier or Make.com who want to add WhatsApp to existing workflows.

Automation platforms can connect Shopify to WhatsApp through a visual workflow builder.

How it works:

1. Create an account on Zapier, Make.com, or similar platform
2. Set up a trigger: "New Order in Shopify"
3. Connect to a WhatsApp Business API provider (like Twilio)
4. Configure the message template with order details
5. Activate the workflow

Example Zapier workflow:

Trigger: New Paid Order in Shopify
   ↓
Action: Send WhatsApp Message via Twilio
   ↓
Message: "New order #{{order_number}} for {{total_price}}"

Limitations:

• Requires separate WhatsApp API provider account
• Monthly fees for both the automation platform and API provider
• More complex setup than a dedicated app
• Limited filtering options without premium plans

Setup time: 30-60 minutes

Method 3: Build a Custom Webhook Integration

Best for: Development teams who want full control and have technical resources.

You can build a direct integration using Shopify webhooks and the WhatsApp Business API.

How it works:

1. Set up a server endpoint to receive webhooks
2. Register the webhook in Shopify admin (Settings → Notifications → Webhooks)
3. Connect to WhatsApp Business API (directly or through Twilio/MessageBird)
4. Build logic to process orders and send notifications

Basic architecture:

Shopify Order Created
   ↓
Webhook POST to your server
   ↓
Your code processes order data
   ↓
WhatsApp API sends message to team

Considerations:

• Requires development time and ongoing maintenance
• You manage server infrastructure
• Full control over message formatting and routing logic
• No per-message fees from third-party apps

Setup time: Several hours to days, depending on complexity

Which Method Should You Choose?

Method	Setup Time	Technical Skill	Monthly Cost	Best For
Dedicated App	5-10 min	None	App subscription	Most store owners
Automation Platform	30-60 min	Low	$20-50+	Teams using Zapier already
Custom Webhook	Hours-days	High	API costs only	Dev teams wanting control

For most Shopify store owners, a dedicated app is the right choice. You get WhatsApp notifications working in minutes without dealing with API setup, webhook configuration, or ongoing maintenance.

What Should Your Order Notifications Include?

A good WhatsApp order notification contains:

• Order number for quick reference
• Total amount to understand order value
• Customer location for shipping context
• Payment method (especially important for COD orders)
• Direct link to view the order in Shopify admin

Example notification:

New Order Alert

Order #4521 needs attention.

Total: $125.00
Location: Chicago, IL
Payment: Cash on Delivery

Tap to view in Shopify →

Should You Notify on Every Order?

No. If your store processes hundreds of orders daily, sending a WhatsApp notification for each one will overwhelm your team.

Send notifications for:

• High-value orders above a threshold you set
• COD orders that need verification
• Orders requiring special handling
• First-time customers with large orders

Skip notifications for:

• Routine prepaid orders
• Low-value orders that don't need attention
• Orders that will be processed automatically

The goal is alerting your team when human attention is actually needed.

Get Started

If you want WhatsApp notifications for your Shopify orders without the complexity of API setup and webhook management, Staff Ping handles all of this for you.

You install the app, add your team members, and configure which orders should trigger alerts. Your team receives WhatsApp messages within seconds of matching orders coming in.

Staff Ping sends WhatsApp alerts to your team when Shopify orders need attention.

We're currently in early access. Join the waitlist to get notified when we launch.

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Summary

To get WhatsApp notifications when Shopify orders come in:

1. Fastest option: Install a dedicated app like Staff Ping that handles WhatsApp API setup
2. If you use Zapier: Create a workflow connecting Shopify to a WhatsApp API provider
3. If you have developers: Build a custom webhook integration

The key requirement is WhatsApp Business API access—you cannot use personal WhatsApp for automated notifications. A dedicated app eliminates this complexity by handling the API for you.