Integration Guide

Smile.io Integration

Create a unified loyalty program across Etsy and Shopify. Award points automatically for every purchase, no API needed.

Get Started About Delayed Import

Why Integrate Smile.io with OrderBridge

Build customer loyalty across both platforms automatically

Unified Loyalty Program

Customers earn points from their Etsy purchases that they can redeem on your Shopify store. One loyalty account, two storefronts, seamless rewards.

Automatic Point AwardsFree Plan

Smile.io automatically detects orders synced from Etsy and awards points. No manual intervention, no API setup, no SDK integration required. Works perfectly with Smile.io's free plan.

Encourage Repeat Purchases

Etsy customers see they have points waiting on Shopify. They're incentivized to make their next purchase on your Shopify store where you keep 100% of the profit without marketplace fees.

Build Customer Relationships

Transform one-time Etsy buyers into loyal multi-platform customers. Points create ongoing engagement and give customers a reason to return to both stores.

Zero Technical Setup

  • No API tokens or credentials needed
  • No SDK integration required
  • Works with Smile.io's free plan
  • Smile.io automatically detects synced orders
  • Points awarded instantly when orders sync

Prerequisites

What you need before the integration works automatically

Installing Smile.io

Install Smile.io from the Shopify App Store and complete the initial setup. Configure your loyalty program rules (points per dollar spent, redemption values, etc). The free plan works perfectly with this integration.

Install Timing: You can install Smile.io at any time. If you install it before syncing orders, points will be awarded automatically via webhooks. If you install it later, you can use OrderBridge's CSV export feature to retroactively award points for orders synced before Smile.io was installed.

How Smile.io Detects Orders Automatically

Smile.io monitors all orders created in your Shopify store through Shopify's webhook system. When OrderBridge creates an order in Shopify, Smile.io automatically receives notification of that order and processes it according to your loyalty program rules.

  • OrderBridge syncs Etsy order to Shopify with customer email
  • Shopify creates the order and triggers webhooks
  • Smile.io receives the order creation notification
  • Smile.io awards points based on order value and customer email
  • Customer sees points in their Smile.io account automatically

This is why delayed import is preferred: Smile.io needs the real customer email to match the order to the correct loyalty account. Without real emails, points can't be properly attributed.

Setup Instructions

Getting Smile.io working with OrderBridge

No Configuration Needed in OrderBridge

Unlike other integrations, there's nothing to configure in OrderBridge for Smile.io to work. The integration is automatic and happens at the Shopify level. Just ensure delayed import is enabled to capture real customer emails.

1
Install Smile.io in Shopify

Go to Shopify App Store, search for "Smile.io Rewards", and install. The free plan works perfectly for this integration.

2
Configure Smile.io Loyalty Rules

Set up your points-per-dollar ratio, redemption values, and any VIP tiers. These rules will automatically apply to Etsy orders synced through OrderBridge.

3
Enable Delayed Import in OrderBridge

In OrderBridge settings, enable delayed import. Install the browser extension to capture real customer emails from Etsy.

4
Process Orders as Normal

Use the browser extension when processing Etsy orders. OrderBridge captures real customer emails and syncs orders to Shopify with complete customer data.

5
Smile.io Awards Points Automatically

When the order appears in Shopify, Smile.io detects it and awards points based on your loyalty program rules. No manual action needed.

6
Export CSV for Historical Orders (Optional)

If you synced Etsy orders before installing Smile.io, export a points CSV from OrderBridge settings and import it to Smile.io to retroactively award points.

How It Works

The complete automatic workflow

1
Customer makes Etsy purchase

Order comes in through Etsy with customer email address

2
You process order with extension

Browser extension captures real customer email and order details

3
Order held in delayed import

OrderBridge holds order in pending status until real email is captured

4
Order synced to Shopify

OrderBridge creates order in Shopify with real customer email address

5
Shopify triggers webhooks

Shopify notifies all connected apps (including Smile.io) about new order

6
Smile.io receives notification

Smile.io detects new order with customer email and order value

7
Points awarded automatically

Smile.io awards points to customer's account based on your loyalty rules

8
Customer sees points balance

Customer can log into your Shopify store and view their earned points, incentivizing future purchases

What About Existing Etsy Customers?

If you sync Etsy orders after Smile.io is installed, points will be awarded automatically through Shopify webhooks. However, if you synced orders before installing Smile.io, you'll need to use OrderBridge's CSV export feature to retroactively award points. Either way, customers who bought from you on Etsy months ago can have points waiting when they visit your Shopify store - a great way to surprise and delight existing customers.

Email Matching Explained

Why delayed import is important for proper point attribution

With Delayed Import

Orders created with real customer emails

  • Real customer email captured from Etsy via extension
  • Order held until real email is available
  • Order created in Shopify with actual customer email
  • Shopify webhooks fire with correct email
  • Smile.io receives order with real email
  • Smile.io matches email to customer account
  • Points automatically awarded to correct customer
  • Customer can log in and see points balance

Without Delayed Import

Orders created with placeholder emails

  • Order created with placeholder (customer@etsy.com)
  • Shopify webhooks fire with placeholder email
  • Smile.io receives order with placeholder email
  • Smile.io cannot match to real customer account
  • Points awarded to placeholder email address
  • Customer never sees points (wrong email)
  • Points essentially lost/wasted
  • No loyalty incentive created

Why Real Emails Are Important

Smile.io's Order Detection: When Shopify creates an order, it immediately sends that order data to Smile.io through webhooks. The email address in that initial order creation is what Smile.io uses to match the customer and award points.

No Retroactive Matching: If the order is created with a placeholder email like customer@etsy.com, Smile.io stores that placeholder. Even if you later update the Shopify order with the real email, Smile.io doesn't automatically re-process the order or move points to the correct account.

Customer Experience Impact

  • Customer buys $100 of products on Etsy (should earn 100 points)
  • Without delayed import: Points go to fake email, customer sees 0 points
  • With delayed import: Customer logs in, sees 100 points waiting, excited to redeem
  • Result: Customer more likely to purchase again on Shopify to use points

Retroactive Points for Historical Orders

Award points for orders synced before Smile.io was installed

The Historical Order Challenge

The Problem: Smile.io only awards points for orders created after it's installed. If you synced Etsy orders to Shopify before installing Smile.io, those orders won't automatically earn points because Smile.io wasn't listening for webhooks when they were created.

The Solution: OrderBridge includes a CSV export feature that generates a points file you can import directly into Smile.io, retroactively awarding points for all historical orders.

1
Navigate to OrderBridge Settings

Open OrderBridge dashboard and go to Settings → Smile.io Integration

2
Export Points CSV

Click "Export Points CSV" button. OrderBridge generates a CSV file containing all orders with customer emails, order values, and calculated points based on your Smile.io rules.

3
Review the CSV File

Open the CSV and verify the data looks correct. Each row represents one order with customer email, order date, order value, and points to award.

4
Import to Smile.io

In Smile.io dashboard, go to Customers → Import Points. Upload the CSV file. Smile.io will process and award points to customer accounts.

5
Verify Points Were Awarded

Check a few customer accounts in Smile.io to confirm points were properly credited. Customers will see their updated balances immediately.

When to Use CSV Export

Scenario 1: You've been using OrderBridge for months and are now installing Smile.io. Export CSV to award points for all past Etsy orders.

Scenario 2: You did a bulk import of historical Etsy orders before Smile.io was installed. Export CSV to retroactively award points.

Scenario 3: You want to surprise existing customers with points they didn't know they earned from past Etsy purchases.

CSV Export vs Automatic Points

CSV Export: Manual one-time process for historical orders that existed before Smile.io installation. You export from OrderBridge and import to Smile.io.

Automatic Points: Ongoing automatic process for new orders created after Smile.io is installed. No action needed - points awarded automatically via webhooks.

Best Practice: When you first install Smile.io, use CSV export to credit historical orders. From that point forward, all new orders automatically earn points.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions about the integration

How do I award points for orders synced before Smile.io was installed?

Use OrderBridge's CSV export feature. Go to Settings → Smile.io Integration → Export Points CSV. This generates a file you can import into Smile.io to retroactively award points for all historical orders.

Will the CSV export include placeholder email orders?

The CSV will include all orders, but only orders with real customer emails will successfully award points in Smile.io. Orders with placeholder emails (like customer@etsy.com) will be skipped during import. This is another reason why delayed import is recommended.

Do I need a paid Smile.io plan?

No! The integration works perfectly with Smile.io's free plan. The free plan supports up to 200 monthly orders and unlimited customers, which is sufficient for most small to medium shops.

Do I need to configure anything in OrderBridge?

No configuration needed. The integration happens automatically at the Shopify level. Just ensure delayed import is enabled to capture real customer emails.

Will historical orders earn points?

Yes! When you sync past Etsy orders using OrderBridge, Smile.io will award points for those orders too. This is a great way to surprise existing customers with points they didn't know they had.

What if the customer doesn't have a Smile.io account?

Smile.io automatically creates an account when they make their first purchase. The customer can then log into your Shopify store to view their points balance and redeem rewards.

Can customers redeem points on Etsy?

No, Smile.io only works with Shopify. However, this is actually beneficial - it incentivizes customers to make their next purchase on your Shopify store where you avoid marketplace fees and keep more profit.

How do customers know they have points?

Smile.io can send automatic emails notifying customers when they earn points. You can also add a Smile.io widget to your Shopify store that shows points balance and available rewards.

What if I update a customer's email in Shopify later?

Smile.io uses the email from the initial order creation. If you update it later, Smile.io won't automatically re-process the points. This is why using delayed import with real emails from the start is recommended.

Do I need API access or technical knowledge?

Absolutely not! The beauty of this integration is that it's completely automatic. No API tokens, no SDK integration, no coding required. Just install both apps and they work together seamlessly.

Best Practices

Maximize customer engagement and retention

Always Use Delayed Import

  • Enable delayed import for all Etsy orders
  • Use browser extension when processing orders
  • Ensure real emails are captured before sync
  • This guarantees proper point attribution

Configure Smile.io Thoughtfully

  • Set competitive points-per-dollar ratios
  • Create achievable redemption tiers
  • Enable email notifications for point earnings
  • Display points widget prominently on store

Communicate the Benefit

  • Tell Etsy customers about Shopify rewards
  • Include loyalty program info in packaging
  • Add note to Etsy order confirmations
  • Create incentive to visit Shopify store

Award Points for Historical Orders

  • If you installed OrderBridge before Smile.io, use CSV export
  • Export points CSV from OrderBridge settings
  • Import CSV to Smile.io to retroactively award points
  • Surprise existing customers with unexpected rewards
  • Build goodwill and encourage repeat purchases

Quick Reference

Integration Checklist

□ Install Smile.io from App Store □ Configure loyalty program rules □ Enable delayed import in OrderBridge □ Install OrderBridge extension □ Process orders with extension □ Verify points appear in Smile.io □ Export CSV for historical orders □ Import CSV to Smile.io □ Enable customer notifications □ Add rewards widget to store

How Points Flow

Etsy Purchase → Extension Captures Email → Delayed Import Pending → Synced to Shopify (real email) → Shopify Webhook Fires → Smile.io Receives Order → Points Awarded to Customer → Customer Can Redeem on Shopify

Required Components

✓ Shopify store ✓ Smile.io app (free plan OK) ✓ OrderBridge app ✓ Delayed import enabled ✓ Browser extension installed ✓ Real customer emails captured Not Required: ✗ API tokens ✗ SDK integration ✗ Technical configuration

Customer Journey Example

Day 1: Buy $50 on Etsy Day 1: Earn 50 points (automatic) Day 7: Receive email about points Day 14: Visit Shopify store Day 14: See 50 points balance Day 14: Redeem $5 off next order Day 14: Make $45 purchase (earn 45 more) Day 21: 90 points available Result: Loyal multi-platform customer
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