Triggers 101: How to Start a Workflow in Flodesk

Triggers are the first step of every workflow—they tell Flodesk when to begin automation for a subscriber.

With Flodesk, you can now trigger workflows based on more than just form signups or segment joins. You can also trigger workflows when someone:

• Abandons a cart in Flodesk Checkout or Shopify

• Makes a purchase in Flodesk Checkout or Shopify

This means smarter, more personalized workflows—without manual effort.

A trigger is what starts a workflow. It tells Flodesk, “When this happens, begin the journey.” Every workflow must start with a Trigger step.

• Someone joins a segment

• Someone submits an opt-in form

• A purchase is made (Flodesk Checkout or Shopify)

• A cart is abandoned (Flodesk Checkout or Shopify)

1. Go to your Workflows dashboard

2. Click + New workflow

3. Choose a template or start from scratch

4. In the Trigger step, select when the workflow should begin:

   • When someone is added to a segment

   • When someone subscribes via a form

   • Or both (either event will start the workflow)

Example: Trigger a welcome sequence when someone either fills out your newsletter form or is added to a “Newsletter” segment via Zapier.

If you want to allow subscribers to go through a workflow again,

• Click the Settings button in the top right corner

• Turn on “Allow repeat subscribers” AND

• Add the Form as an additional trigger for the workflow.

Additionally, set a wait time before subscribers are allowed to repeat the workflow.

Once your workflow is live, you can add people to the trigger segment in many ways:

1. Upload a CSV into the trigger segment

2. Manually add individual subscribers to the trigger segment

3. Use the “Add subscriber(s) to workflow” menu option in the workflow menu drop-down (read more about it here). This option will add the subscriber immediately to the next step after the trigger in your workflow.

4. Trigger one workflow from another: End Workflow A with an action step that adds subscribers to Segment X, and trigger Workflow B when someone enters Segment X

5. Link an opt-in form to a segment, and use that segment as the workflow trigger

6. Use link actions or poll blocks in emails to add subscribers to a segment

7. Use integrations like Zapier, Pabbly, or Flodesk’s built-in integrations to add subscribers to your trigger segment automatically

Once a subscriber has been added to a workflow, their status in the trigger segment has no impact on whether they continue through the workflow or not. If they have already started going through the workflow, and you remove them from the trigger segment, they will still continue in the workflow.

If you want to stop someone from continuing through the workflow:

• You must manually remove them from the workflow, not just from the trigger segment. See the steps here on how to remove a subscriber from a workflow.

The Trigger step pushes subscribers to the next step immediately. If you want to delay when the next step begins, add a Time delay right after the trigger.

For example: “Wait 1 day” before sending a welcome email.

Triggers are what kick off your workflow. You can now start workflows when:

• A subscriber joins a segment

• A subscriber submits a form

• A subscriber abandons a cart (Checkout or Shopify)

• A subscriber makes a purchase (Checkout or Shopify)

Set up one or multiple triggers and automate confidently—whether you’re delivering a freebie, a welcome series, or post-purchase nurture emails.