Jennifer Hill
Customer satisfaction often depends on how well you communicate order progress. Standard Shopify order statuses like Unfulfilled, Fulfilled, and Canceled are often too basic to meet the expectations of modern shoppers, especially those placing custom, complex, or bulk orders.
This is where Shopify Custom Order Status becomes a game-changing tool. When used correctly, it can dramatically improve your order tracking, customer experience, and store management.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Shopify Custom Order Status effectively for long-term success.
Step 1: Understand the Customer Journey
Before setting up custom order statuses, it’s essential to map out your entire fulfillment process.
What happens from the moment a customer places an order until the order is delivered?
Typical custom order stages might include:
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Order Received
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Design Review
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Production in Progress
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Quality Check
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Packaging
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Ready to Ship
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Shipped
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Delivered
Breaking your process into clear steps allows you to provide meaningful updates that make sense to your customers.
Step 2: Choose the Right Custom Order Status App
Shopify’s default system doesn’t support custom order statuses out of the box. You’ll need a third-party solution like the Addify Custom Order Status App, which makes it easy to:
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Create custom statuses
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Automate notifications
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Design branded tracking pages
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Track orders efficiently
Pick an app that integrates smoothly with your store and offers customization options that match your workflow.
Step 3: Create Clear, Customer-Friendly Statuses
When setting up your custom statuses, keep your language simple and clear.
Avoid technical or internal terms that customers may not understand. Instead, use easy-to-follow labels like:
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“Production Started” instead of “Stage 3”
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“Design Approved” instead of “Step B”
Customers should always know what each status means without needing additional explanation.
Step 4: Automate Customer Notifications
One of the biggest benefits of using Shopify Custom Order Status is the ability to automatically notify customers when their order moves to the next step. This can be done via email or SMS, depending on your setup.
Automated updates keep customers informed without manual follow-ups and reduce the number of “Where’s my order?” inquiries.
Tip: Customize these notifications to match your brand’s tone and style for a more personal and professional feel.
Step 5: Use Branded Order Tracking Pages
Many custom order status apps allow you to create a branded tracking page where customers can check their order status directly on your website.
This offers several advantages:
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Keeps customers engaged on your store
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Creates a seamless experience that feels more trustworthy
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Enhances your overall brand presentation
Step 6: Monitor and Refine
Once your custom order statuses are in place, regularly review the process:
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Are customers receiving timely updates?
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Are the statuses clear and helpful?
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Is your team using the system correctly?
Customer feedback can help you refine your process over time to make it even better.
Final Thoughts
When implemented carefully, Shopify Custom Order Status can transform your order management and customer experience.
It provides detailed order tracking, improves communication, builds trust, and keeps your team organized.
By following these steps, you can turn your order status system into a strategic advantage that drives customer satisfaction and repeat business.
