Skip to main content

Route Shopify orders to ShipStation

Build a dependable flow that imports Shopify orders, routes the right orders to ShipStation, and returns fulfillment updates to Orderly.

1. Verify both connections​

Open Bridges

On Bridges, confirm both cards are active:

  • The Shopify bridge is the source that imports orders.
  • The ShipStation bridge is the destination that receives orders and returns shipments or fulfillment updates.

Click Sync now on Shopify, then open Tasks & Schedules → History. Confirm the newest grab-orders run succeeds and the test order appears under Orders.

If ShipStation was connected with an API key and secret, use its bridge configuration to re-test credentials before continuing.

2. Decide which orders should route​

Write the rule in plain language before opening the dispatcher. Examples:

  • Every paid Shopify order routes to ShipStation.
  • Only orders shipping to the United States route to ShipStation.
  • Orders tagged cold route to a cold-chain 3PL instead.
  • Orders over a value threshold require manual review.

Choose fields that are reliably present when Shopify first creates the order. Avoid conditions based on data that arrives later in the lifecycle.

3. Create the dispatcher​

Open Dispatchers

Click New Dispatcher and configure:

  1. Basics: use a name such as Shopify → ShipStation · US.
  2. Routing: select Shopify as the source and ShipStation as the destination.
  3. Conditions: add the smallest set of rules needed for the workflow.
  4. Triggers: select Order Created. Add Order Updated only when a later update should re-evaluate routing.
  5. Review: give the dispatcher an intentional priority and set it active.

If several dispatchers can match the same order, review their priorities together. Higher-priority rules run first.

4. Test one order​

Use a test order that clearly matches the conditions:

  1. Sync Shopify or wait for its webhook.
  2. Open the order in Orderly and confirm its source bridge is Shopify.
  3. Run the dispatcher manually if you want to test without waiting for the automatic trigger.
  4. Confirm the order shows ShipStation as its dispatch destination.
  5. Confirm the order appears in ShipStation with the expected address, items, service, and notes.

If it does not route, inspect the dispatcher assignment result. Compare every condition with the actual order field rather than the value shown in Shopify's UI.

5. Return fulfillment​

After ShipStation creates the shipment, run or schedule its shipment task. Confirm the linked shipment appears in Orderly with:

  • tracking number,
  • carrier and service,
  • current tracking status,
  • a link back to the original order.

If Shopify should receive fulfillment automatically, confirm the bridge task or webhook responsible for pushing fulfillment is active before enabling the flow for all orders.

6. Roll out safely​

  1. Keep the rule narrow for the first production orders.
  2. Watch dispatcher assignment results and bridge task history.
  3. Compare order counts between Shopify, Orderly, and ShipStation.
  4. Add a recurring Shopify poll as a fallback when webhooks are unavailable.
  5. Expand conditions only after the first flow is stable.

To pause the workflow, deactivate the dispatcher. Do not delete the bridges: that would also interrupt unrelated sync work.

Success checklist​

  • Shopify and ShipStation bridges are active.
  • A Shopify test order syncs into Orderly.
  • The dispatcher matches only the intended orders.
  • The test order reaches ShipStation once.
  • Shipment and tracking data return to Orderly.
  • Production monitoring and a fallback schedule are in place.