Why do I need a migration plan?
In case you missed it: Yotpo is sunsetting its email and SMS platform.
No, not rebranding. Not scaling back. Shutting it down.
As part of a “strategic refocus,” they’ve announced that all email and SMS functionality is being retired. That includes campaigns, flows, popups, list management—the whole stack. In their words, they’re “doubling down” on loyalty, reviews, and subscriptions. Which means you’re on your own for lifecycle marketing.
If you're still running email or SMS through Yotpo, the clock’s ticking. And without a solid migration plan, you’re about to lose the one channel that touches every customer you’ve ever acquired.
This post is your step-by-step roadmap to get out fast, get set up smart, and avoid burning revenue in the process.
Yotpo is recommending Attentive...why Klaviyo instead?
Yotpo wants you to move over to Attentive because they sold their customer base to them. They're financially obligated to, so know that their recommendation is entirely biased.
Ours however, is not. We're entirely objective here as we work with every platform.
You're going to need to do a domain migration no matter what when you switch from Yotpo, you might as well switch to Klaviyo's best in class platform. Klaviyo is objectively better for email & SMS performance:
- Klaviyo is a true CRM, whereas Attentive is a messaging tool
- Segmentation in Klaviyo is miles deeper
- Klaviyo is more customizable and robust
- Klaviyo has better integrations
- Klaviyo has deeper A/B testing & performance analytics
- etc., etc.
You get the point. Anyway, here's what it takes to migrate from Yotpo to Klaviyo properly. If you need help, feel free to reach out and we'll jump in and can execute this entire process for you.
Step 1: Map Your Existing Email & SMS Program
What’s running right now?
Before touching Klaviyo, you need a full audit of your current setup. That means documenting every live campaign, automation, and trigger inside Yotpo.
Audit checklist:
Automations:
- Welcome Flow (Email + SMS?)
- Abandoned Cart
- Browse Abandonment
- Post-Purchase Flow (Cross-sell / Review Request)
- Winback
- Replenishment
- VIP / Loyalty Flows
- Birthday or Anniversary Series
Campaigns:
- Weekly/Monthly newsletters
- Product launches
- Sale events
- Seasonal promos
Forms:
- Popups (Desktop vs Mobile)
- Footer opt-ins
- Exit-intent offers
- SMS capture forms
Segments:
- Engaged subscribers
- High LTV customers
- First-time buyers
- Repeat purchasers
- Location- or interest-based groups
SMS:
- What flows include SMS?
- Standalone SMS campaigns
- Keywords (e.g., “JOIN”)
Reporting:
- Email performance (opens, clicks, rev)
- SMS performance
- A/B test winners
- Deliverability metrics
Pro tip: Screenshot everything. Flow logic, subject lines, delays, segment conditions. It’s your migration playbook.
Step 2: Export Your Data
What needs to be downloaded from Yotpo?
Yotpo doesn’t make this as seamless as you’d like. So be proactive:
Subscriber Data:
- Master subscriber list (emails + phone numbers)
- Consent timestamps (email/SMS)
- Tags or custom properties
- Purchase history (if available)
Campaign Data:
- Recent campaign performance (for benchmarking)
- Subject lines and copy
- Send times and segmentation logic
Flows Data:
- Flow names and descriptions
- Messaging order, delays, and triggers
- Conversion and revenue stats
Forms:
- Copy and offer structure
- Targeting rules
- Design screenshots
Export format: CSV whenever possible. You’ll re-upload this into Klaviyo for list building and segmentation.
Step 3: Prep Your Klaviyo Account
How do I set up Klaviyo for a smooth transition?
If you’re new to Klaviyo, start here:
-
Create account and verify domain
- Authenticate sending domains (SPF, DKIM)
- Set up dedicated sending infrastructure if you’re high-volume
-
Import subscriber lists
- Separate active from inactive
- Maintain tags / custom properties from Yotpo if possible
-
Set up SMS compliance
- Upload consent timestamps
- Confirm opt-ins meet TCPA/GDPR/CASL depending on geo
Pro tip: Don’t just dump everyone into Klaviyo and hit send. Bad list hygiene = bad deliverability. Focus on engaged segments first.
Step 4: Rebuild Your Core Flows—The Right Way
What order should I rebuild flows in?
Start with revenue-critical automations. Each flow should be improved during the rebuild—not just replicated.
1. Welcome Series (Email + SMS)
- Add dynamic product blocks based on behavior
- A/B test copy and CTAs
- Use Smart Sending to prevent overlap
2. Abandoned Cart
- Include dynamic product content
- Add urgency (stock level, time-sensitive offers)
- Use conditional splits (e.g., high cart value = concierge message)
3. Post-Purchase
- Cross-sell logic based on item purchased
- Trigger review request + loyalty info
- SMS delivery confirmation (if applicable)
4. Winback
- 30/60/90-day splits
- Personalized product recs
- Re-engagement offer (optional)
5. VIP or Repeat Buyer Nurture
- Tag high-LTV customers
- Invite to loyalty program
- Personalized founder message or early access
Pro tip: Klaviyo’s flow analytics are gold. Use them to iterate quickly—test subject lines, flow length, discount timing.
Step 5: Rebuild and Re-optimize Forms
How do I carry over Yotpo’s forms?
Klaviyo forms give you more control and better targeting.
Recreate:
- Popups: Mobile + Desktop variants
- Offers: Time-based, scroll-based, exit-intent
- Embedded: Footer, checkout, PDP overlays
Test:
- Offer format (discount vs mystery vs content)
- Timing and targeting
- Multi-step (Email > SMS)
ThreadPoint POV: SMS capture shouldn’t feel like an afterthought. Build value from the first message—don’t bait and switch.
Step 6: Segment Smarter Than Before
What’s possible in Klaviyo that wasn’t in Yotpo?
Here’s where things get fun.
Klaviyo allows:
- Segments based on product viewed but not purchased
- Predictive LTV and churn scoring
- Email engagement + onsite behavior blending
- Dynamic segments based on Shopify tags, Klaviyo events, or integration logic
Rebuild your base segments, but think deeper:
- “VIPs who haven’t bought in 60 days”
- “First-time buyers who purchased skincare >$60”
- “Non-buyers who viewed 3+ product pages”
Step 7: Warm Your List & Relaunch Campaigns
Should I send campaigns immediately?
Not to everyone.
Start by warming up your list:
- Send to highly engaged users first (opened/clicked in last 30 days)
- Gradually expand volume every few days
- Monitor bounce rates, spam complaints, and open rates closely
Plan your re-launch campaign:
- “We’ve moved!” messaging is optional—but testing shows transparency often works
- Focus on value, not the backend change
- Use it as a moment to reconnect + set expectations
Step 8: Monitor, Optimize, and Scale
How do I know the migration worked?
Here’s what to track:
- Flow revenue vs pre-migration benchmarks
- Open and click rates per segment
- Bounce/spam rates
- Deliverability (especially inbox placement)
- Attribution lift across owned and paid channels
Set up reporting dashboards that tie Klaviyo performance into overall business health—MER, contribution margin, channel profit.
Final FAQ
Q: Will I lose any data during the migration?
Not if you export it properly. Some advanced flow analytics may not translate—but contact and consent data will.
Q: Can I run both platforms side by side?
Technically yes, but you risk overlap and list fatigue. Transition cleanly, fast, and with clarity.
Q: Should I rebuild flows exactly as they were?
No. Use this opportunity to improve flow logic, creative, segmentation, and offer structure.
Q: How long does a full migration take?
With proper resourcing: 10–15 business days. Longer if you delay approvals or have complex flows.
Q: Do I need an agency for this?
If you care about speed, performance, and revenue continuity—yes. This isn’t plug-and-play. ThreadPoint’s handled dozens of migrations across stacks with zero downtime.
Bottom line: This isn’t a “platform switch.” It’s a channel reset. Done well, Klaviyo is a vastly superior platform that can help you scale better than Yotpo ever could.
