Integrating PledgeBox Email Marketing with Third-Party Platforms

Integrating PledgeBox Email Marketing with Third-Party Platforms

PledgeBox Email Marketing (EDM) is designed to be the central hub for your backer communication and audience engagement strategies. To maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns, it is essential to have a unified view of your customers across all your sales and marketing channels. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to seamlessly integrate PledgeBox with the industry's leading e-commerce platforms and CRM tools.
By connecting your external accounts, you enable a direct, automated data pipeline that imports your contacts into a specific PledgeBox Audience. This eliminates the need for manual CSV exports and imports, ensuring your email lists are always up-to-date with your latest customer data. Whether you are running a store on Shopify or WooCommerce, or managing leads in HubSpot or Zoho CRM, these integrations allow you to centralize your subscriber base within PledgeBox for targeted, high-impact email campaigns.
This tutorial covers the integration process for the following supported platforms:
  • Shopify 
  • WooCommerce 
  • Mailchimp 
  • Klaviyo 
  • HubSpot 
  • Zoho CRM
Upon completion of these steps, your external contacts will be synchronized inbound to PledgeBox, ready for your next newsletter or product update.

Connect Shopify

Integrating Shopify allows PledgeBox to pull customer data directly from your store. Because Shopify prioritizes security, this connection requires creating a 'Custom App' within your Shopify Admin to explicitly grant PledgeBox permission to read customer data. Follow these steps carefully to ensure the authentication handshake is successful.

Step 1: Locate your Shop Domain

Before you can configure the integration, you need to identify your store's unique internal identifier, known as the 'Shop Domain'. This is often distinct from your public custom domain (e.g., ‘mystore.com’) and is the permanent address assigned when you created your Shopify account.
To find it:
  1. Log in to your Shopify Admin dashboard.
  2. Look at the URL in your browser's address bar.
  3. Identify the text segment immediately following /store/.
For example, if your admin URL is admin.shopify.com/store/wkyvfv-t7. your unique handle is wkyvfv-t7. Consequently, your full Shop Domain is wkyvfv-t7.myshopify.com. Please note this string down, as you will need to enter it into PledgeBox later.

Step 2: Access the Dev Dashboard

Shopify has moved custom app management to a dedicated environment called the Dev Dashboard. This separates administrative tasks from developer configurations.
To access it:
  1. From your Shopify Admin, click on Settings in the bottom left corner.
  2. In the Settings sidebar, select Apps
  3. Click the Build apps in Dev Dashboard button.
This action will open a new browser tab displaying the dark-themed developer interface.

Step 3: Create your App

You are now in the Shopify Dev Dashboard. This interface is where you will generate the specific credentials PledgeBox needs to talk to your store.
  1. Click the Create app button located in the top right corner.
  2. A modal will appear asking for an App Name. Enter a recognizable name such as PledgeBox Integration.
  3. Click Create to proceed.

Step 4: Configure Scopes

Security is paramount. You must explicitly tell Shopify that this app is allowed to 'Read'your customer data. This uses a system called 'Scopes'.
  1. On the app overview page, click on Select scopes.
  2. In the search bar of the modal, type read_customers.
  3. Under the Admin API section, check the box next to read_customers.
  4. Click Done to save your selection.

Step 5: Set Redirect URL

This is the most critical step for the authentication handshake. You must verify that Shopify sends the API tokens to the correct PledgeBox server address.
  1. In the app configuration settings, find the Redirect URLs section.
  2. Click the input field or 'Add redirect URL'.
  3. Enter the following URL exactly as written below: https://api.pledgebox.com/api/edm/shopify/callback

Step 6: Retrieve Credentials

Now that the permissions and security settings are in place, you can retrieve the unique keys that identify your app.
  1. Navigate to the Settings tab in the left sidebar of the Dev Dashboard.
  2. Locate the Credentials card at the top of the page.
  3. Copy the Client ID and Secret.

Step 7: Configure PledgeBox

With your credentials in hand, it is time to connect the two platforms.
  1. Open a new browser tab and log in to your PledgeBox account.
  2. Navigate to Email Marketing > Integrations.
  3. Click Add Integration and select Shopify.
  4. Fill in the form using the information you gathered in the previous steps.
Field Name
What to Enter
Integration Name
A nickname for your reference.
Shop Domain
Your .myshopify.com domain from Step 1.
Client ID
The Client ID copied in Step 6.
Client Secret
The Secret key copied in Step 6.

Step 8: Select Target Audience

After clicking Next, you will be asked to choose where to store the imported contacts. You can select an existing Audience (e.g., 'Newsletter Subscribers') or create a new one to keep these contacts segmented.

Step 9: Authorize and Install

Once you click Create Integration, PledgeBox will redirect you back to Shopify to finalize the permission grant.
  1. Click the black Install button.

Step 10: Sync Your Data

Upon successful installation, you will be redirected back to the PledgeBox Integration Detail page. The status should now read 'Active'. To begin the import process:
  1. Click the blue Sync Now button.
Your Shopify store is now fully integrated. New customers will be automatically synced, keeping your PledgeBox audience up-to-date.


Connect WooCommerce

For WooCommerce stores, PledgeBox connects via the WordPress REST API. This method is robust and secure, allowing PledgeBox to 'read' your customer database without interfering with your store's operations. You will need to generate a specific set of API keys (Consumer Key and Consumer Secret) within your WordPress dashboard.

Step 1: Generate REST API Keys

  1. Log in to the store connected to WooCommerce
  2. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings in the left sidebar.
  3. Click on the Advanced tab at the top of the settings page.
  4. Select the REST API sub-link (located just below the main tabs).
  5. Click the Add key button.

Step 2: Configure Key Permissions

On the Key Details screen, you will define the scope of access. This is a critical security step.
  • Description: Enter a recognizable name, such as ‘PledgeBox EDM’. This helps you identify the key later if you need to revoke it.
  • User: Select an administrator user (usually yourself).
  • Permissions: Select Read from the dropdown menu.
Click Generate API key to proceed.

Step 3: Copy Consumer Secrets

WooCommerce will display your new credentials: a Consumer Key and a Consumer Secret. 
Info
The Consumer Secret appears only once. If you navigate away from this page, you cannot retrieve it again. Copy both keys to a secure temporary location immediately.

Step 4: Activate in PledgeBox

Return to the PledgeBox dashboard to complete the connection.
  1. Go to Integrations > Add Integration > WooCommerce.
  2. Store URL: Enter the full URL of your Store site (including https://).
  3. Consumer Key: Paste the ck_... string.
  4. Consumer Secret: Paste the cs_... string.
  5. Click Next.

Step 5: Finalize and Sync

Select the PledgeBox Audience where you want these contacts to be stored. Once the integration is saved, click Sync Now on the Integration Detail page to pull your historical customer data into PledgeBox.


Connect Mailchimp

If you are migrating from Mailchimp or using it alongside PledgeBox, you can sync your existing audiences directly. This integration uses Mailchimp's standard API keys to authorize the transfer of subscriber lists.

Step 1: Get API Key

Log in to Mailchimp. Click your profile icon and go to Account & billing > Extras > API keys. Click Create A Key and give it a label (e.g., 'PledgeBox Sync'). Copy the generated key.

Step 2: Add to PledgeBox

In PledgeBox, go to Add Integration > Mailchimp. Paste your API Key into the field provided.

Step 3: Map Audience

PledgeBox will fetch a list of your Mailchimp Audiences. You must carefully select which Mailchimp Audience you want to import (e.g., 'Main Newsletter'). Then, select the corresponding PledgeBox Audience where these contacts should land.


Click Create Integration and then Sync Now to start the transfer.


Connect Klaviyo

Klaviyo integrations rely on 'Private API Keys'. For security, PledgeBox recommends using a key with Read-Only permissions to minimize risk.

Step 1: Create Key

In Klaviyo, go to Settings > Account > API Keys. Under 'Private API Keys, click Create Private API Key.

Step 2: Set Scope

Name the key 'PledgeBox'. Under 'Access Level', select Read-Only Key. This grants access to fetch profiles without allowing modification of your Klaviyo data.

Step 3: Copy Key

Paste the key into the PledgeBox Klaviyo integration form. 

Select your target Audience and click Sync Now.


Connect HubSpot

HubSpot has transitioned from legacy API keys to 'Private Apps'. This method provides granular control over what data an integration can access. To connect PledgeBox, you will build a simple Private App that has permission only to read contact objects.

Step 1: Create a Private App

  1. In HubSpot, click the Settings (gear icon) in the main navigation.
  2. In the left sidebar, navigate to Integrations > Private Apps.
  3. Click Create a private app. Name it 'PledgeBox Integration'.

Step 2: Define Scopes

HubSpot requires you to explicitly select 'Scopes'. A scope is a specific permission rule.
  1. Click on the Scopes tab in the app creator.
  2. In the search bar, type crm.objects.contacts.read.
  3. Check the box next to this scope under the 'CRM' category. This tells HubSpot: 'Allow this app to Read Contact Objects.'

Scope Check

Ensure you select read and not write. PledgeBox only needs to import your contacts.

Step 3: Retrieve Access Token

Click Create app and confirm the prompt. HubSpot will generate an Access Token. Click 'Show token' and then 'Copy'.

Step 4: Activate in PledgeBox

Paste the Access Token into the PledgeBox integration form. 

Step 5: Select Audience & Sync

Upon successful validation, you will be directed to the configuration screen. Here, you must select the specific PledgeBox Audience where your HubSpot contacts will be stored.

Finally, click the Sync Now button to initiate the transfer. The system will begin importing your historical contacts immediately. The 'Total Synced' counter will update in real-time as records are successfully processed and added to your list.


Connect Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM uses a robust OAuth 2.0 system. You will need to access the Zoho API Console to generate a 'Self Client' which acts as the bridge between your CRM data and PledgeBox. This process involves generating a temporary authorization code.

Step 1: Access API Console

Open a new browser tab and log in to your Zoho account. Navigate to the Zoho API Console at https://api-console.zoho.com/. Click Get Started.

Step 2: Create Self Client

Zoho offers several client types. For this server-to-server integration, select Self Client. Click Create.
You will immediately see your Client ID and Client Secret. Keep this tab open, as you will need to copy these into PledgeBox shortly.

Step 3: Generate Authorization Code

Click on the Generate Code tab within the Self Client details. You must define the 'Scope' precisely so PledgeBox can access the correct modules.
  1. Scope Field: Copy and paste the following string exactly. It grants access to CRM modules and organizational data: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL,ZohoCRM.org.READ
  2. Time Duration: Set this to '10 minutes'. This code is temporary and is only used once to establish the permanent handshake.
  3. Scope Description: Enter 'PledgeBox Integration'.
  4. Click Create. A pop-up will display your Generated Code.


Step 4: Configure in PledgeBox

Copy the Generated Code immediately. This code is a temporary key that acts as the initial handshake credential and expires in exactly 10 minutes. If you miss this window, the code will become invalid, and you will need to regenerate it in the Zoho Console.
Return to the PledgeBox Add Integration page and complete the fields as follows:
  • Client ID & Client Secret: Paste the values you obtained from the Self Client page in Step 2. These identify your specific integration instance.
  • Refresh Token: Paste the Generated Code (from Step 3) into this field. Note that although the field is labeled 'Refresh Token,' it accepts the temporary Authorization Code for the initial setup.

Step 5: Map Audience

After clicking Next, you will be prompted to select a destination. Choose the PledgeBox Audience where you want these CRM contacts to appear. Correct mapping ensures that your CRM leads are not mixed with unrelated backer lists.

Step 6: Sync Contacts

With the integration created, click the blue Sync Now button on the Integration Detail page. This triggers an immediate batch job to fetch your existing records from Zoho.


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