Turn Chat Into Revenue: The Complete Lead Capture & Automation Playbook for Shopify (2026)
Lead capture plus automation is the backbone of modern ecommerce. The brands that win in 2026 are not the ones with the most traffic; they are the ones that turn every conversation into a repeatable workflow. Chat Squeeze gives you a three-step system: configure your lead capture scenarios, choose which fields to collect (including custom fields), and connect a single webhook to Make.com, Zapier, or n8n to run thousands of automations. This playbook shows you exactly how. If you are new to the AI agent itself, start with our 2-minute setup guide; for the bigger picture on why automation matters, see our post on the benefits of AI agents for Shopify in 2026.
What Is Lead Capture in Chat Squeeze?
Lead capture in Chat Squeeze is an AI-driven flow that collects visitor data during the chat. You write a prompt that tells the AI when to capture a lead (the prompt is the trigger). When the conversation matches it, a visual form opens so the visitor can enter their email, name, phone, or custom fields you choose. That data is sent in real time to a webhook so you can send a discount by email, add them to your newsletter, book a call, or run any automation you build in Make.com, Zapier, or n8n.
You configure this in two places: the Lead Capture tab (prompt/trigger and fields for the form) and the Integration tab (webhook URL). Once set, every qualified lead flows into your stack without manual work. For a quick primer on getting your agent live, use our AI agent setup guide.
Part 1: The Lead Capture Tab and Scenarios
In the Lead Capture tab you write a prompt that tells the AI when to capture a lead. That prompt is the trigger. When the conversation matches it (e.g. the user asks for a discount, asks to join the newsletter, or asks something you cannot answer), the AI opens a visual form so the visitor can enter their details. You choose which fields that form captures for this scenario: Name, Email, Phone, and any custom options you add.
Make your prompt detailed and at least 50 words so the AI knows exactly when to open the form. Short lines like "When they want a discount" are too vague. A stronger prompt lists specific conditions: e.g. "Trigger when the user asks for a discount, asks to join the newsletter, asks for a deal or coupon code, or asks a question you cannot answer - then open the lead capture form." Below we give full prompt examples for each scenario.
| Scenario | Trigger (prompt tells AI when to open form) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter + discount | User asks for a discount, to join the newsletter, for a deal/coupon, or asks something you cannot answer - then open the lead form | Code sent by email, added to list |
| Book a call | User asks about bulk, wholesale, B2B, or custom orders - then open the lead form to collect contact for a callback | Calendly link or CRM entry, sales notified |
| VIP early access | Repeat visitor or high-value customer - then open the lead form for VIP signup | VIP segment, exclusive preview, SMS |
| Restock / waitlist | User asks when something is back in stock or wants to be notified - then open the lead form | Back-in-stock email, waitlist segment |
| Human follow-up | User asks to speak to someone or the AI cannot answer - then open the lead form so the team can follow up | Support ticket, CRM lead, callback |
Part 2: Choosing and Adding Custom Fields
You decide which fields to capture: email and name are standard; you can add custom fields (e.g. company name, product interest, budget range) so you can segment and qualify leads before they hit your CRM or email tool. Chat Squeeze supports standard fields plus custom text fields only; all values are sent to your webhook.
In the Lead Capture tab you choose which fields to capture and add any custom text fields you need. All captured data is sent in the webhook payload so your automation can branch (e.g. route by budget or product interest in Make.com or Zapier).
| Field type | Example | Ecommerce use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (text) | Email, name | Newsletter, CRM, personalization |
| Custom fields (text) | Company name, product interest, budget range | Segment and qualify in your automation (e.g. CRM, email tool) |
Part 3: Integration Tab and Webhook Setup
A webhook is a URL that receives data in real time when an event occurs - in this case, when a lead is captured. Chat Squeeze sends the captured fields (email, name, and any custom fields) to that URL as a POST request. You get the URL from Make.com, Zapier, or n8n by creating a scenario that starts with "Webhook" or "Catch Hook", then paste it into the Integration tab in Chat Squeeze. After that, every new lead triggers your automation.
Map the incoming fields in your automation tool to your actions (e.g. create Mailchimp subscriber, send email with discount code, create HubSpot contact). If the webhook fails, Chat Squeeze can retry; check your tool's logs for delivery status. For how Chat Squeeze stays in sync with your catalog so the AI can recommend and capture in context, see our Tidio vs Chat Squeeze comparison on real-time sync.
| Platform | Ease of use | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Make.com | Visual, flexible | Complex multi-step flows, cost-effective |
| Zapier | Templates, quick start | Pre-built app connections, speed |
| n8n | Self-host or cloud, dev-friendly | Full control, custom logic |
Part 4: Real-World Automation Scenarios
The prompt you paste in the Lead Capture tab is the trigger: it tells the AI when to open the lead capture form. When the conversation matches that prompt, a visual form opens with the fields you configured (name, email, phone, custom). Below, each scenario has a detailed prompt (trigger) example you can copy, plus the fields to capture and automation ideas.
Scenario 1: Newsletter Signup with Discount Code
Prompt (trigger - paste in Lead Capture):
Trigger when the user asks for a discount, asks to join the newsletter, asks for a deal or coupon code, or asks a question you cannot answer. Then open the lead capture form so we can send them an exclusive offer (e.g. 15% off) by email and add them to the list. Do not open the form for simple product or policy questions that you can answer.
Fields to capture: Email, first name. Automation: Generate or select discount code, send email with code, add contact to your email list, trigger welcome sequence.
Scenario 2: Book a Sales Call
Prompt (trigger - paste in Lead Capture):
Trigger when the user asks about bulk orders, wholesale pricing, B2B, custom orders, or wants to talk to sales or get a callback. Then open the lead capture form to collect their email, phone, and company details so we can book a call or send a Calendly link. Do not open for single-product or general shipping questions.
Fields to capture: Email, phone, company name (custom), preferred time (custom). Automation: Create CRM lead, send Calendly link or invite, notify sales via Slack/email.
Scenario 3: VIP Early Access
Prompt (trigger - paste in Lead Capture):
Trigger when you detect a repeat visitor or a high-value customer (e.g. they mention a past order, or they are viewing high-ticket or multiple products). Then open the lead capture form to sign them up for VIP early access, exclusive previews, or member-only sales. Ask for email and optional product interest so we can segment them.
Fields to capture: Email, product interest (custom text). Automation: Add to VIP segment, send welcome + exclusive preview, optional SMS reminder.
Scenario 4: Restock / Back-in-Stock Waitlist
Prompt (trigger - paste in Lead Capture):
Trigger when the user asks if a product is in stock, when it will be back in stock, or says they want to be notified when it is available again. Then open the lead capture form to collect their email and the product name or SKU they are interested in so we can send them a back-in-stock alert. Do not open for products that are currently in stock.
Fields to capture: Email, product name or SKU (custom text). Automation: Add to waitlist segment, send back-in-stock email when inventory updates, optional discount for returning buyers.
Scenario 5: Human Follow-Up (When You Cannot Answer)
Prompt (trigger - paste in Lead Capture):
Trigger when the user asks to speak to a person, wants a callback, or asks a question you cannot answer from the knowledge base or catalog. Then open the lead capture form to collect their name, email, and optionally phone and a short description of what they need so the team can follow up. Do not open for questions you can answer yourself.
Fields to capture: Email, name, phone (optional), what they need help with (custom text). Automation: Create support ticket or CRM lead, notify team via Slack/email, send confirmation that someone will follow up.
Part 5: Advanced Patterns and Troubleshooting
Use conditional logic in your automation: if "budget" is over $5K, route to enterprise sales; if "product interest" is a specific category, add to a segment and send a tailored sequence. You can chain steps - lead capture to email verification to SMS to calendar - and enrich data (e.g. Clearbit) before writing to your CRM. For ROI context on why this stacks up, read our benefits of AI agents for Shopify in 2026.
If the webhook does not fire, check the URL in the Integration tab, test the hook in your tool, and confirm field names match. Watch for duplicate leads (same email in short time) and add deduplication in your automation if needed. Keep prompts clear and at least 50 words, test each scenario, and respect privacy (GDPR/CCPA) in your flows.
| Pattern | Complexity | ROI example |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional routing | Low | High-value leads to sales, rest to nurture |
| Multi-step (email + SMS + calendar) | Medium | Higher show-up and close rates |
| Enrich then CRM | Medium | Better qualification, fewer wasted calls |
Verdict: One Playbook, Thousands of Automations
Lead capture plus a single webhook turns every chat into a revenue workflow. Configure scenarios and 50+ word prompts in the Lead Capture tab, choose your fields (including custom ones), paste your Make.com, Zapier, or n8n URL in the Integration tab, and you can run newsletter signups, discount delivery, call booking, VIP programs, restock waitlists, and human follow-up without manual follow-up. Chat Squeeze gives you the capture and the sync; your automation platform does the rest.
For a complete guide to setting up your AI agent, see our Complete Guide to Shopify AI Agents. To learn about the benefits of AI agents and how they compare to chatbots, check out our Benefits of Shopify AI Agents in 2026.
Ready to turn chat into revenue? Install Chat Squeeze from the Shopify App Store - free Playground available.
Quick Answers
- How do I set up lead capture with Chat Squeeze?
- In the Lead Capture tab, write a prompt that tells the AI when to capture a lead (the prompt is the trigger). When the conversation matches it, a visual form opens. Choose which fields the form captures (name, email, phone, custom options), then paste your Make.com or Zapier webhook URL in the Integration tab. When a lead is submitted, Chat Squeeze sends the data to your webhook to run your automation.
- What platforms can I connect to Chat Squeeze for automations?
- Chat Squeeze supports webhooks to Make.com, Zapier, n8n, and any custom HTTP endpoint. You paste your webhook URL in the Integration tab and map the captured fields. From there you can send emails, add contacts to CRM, book calls, send discount codes, and run thousands of automations.
- Why should my AI prompt be at least 50 words for lead capture?
- The prompt is the trigger: it tells the AI when to open the lead form. A detailed prompt (50+ words) lists specific conditions (e.g. user asks for a discount, joins newsletter, or asks something you cannot answer) so the AI knows exactly when to show the form. Short prompts are too vague and can open the form at the wrong time or miss leads.
- Can I add custom fields to my lead capture form?
- Yes. Beyond standard fields like email and name, you can add custom fields (e.g. company size, budget range, product interest) from the Lead Capture tab. These fields are sent to your webhook so you can segment leads, qualify prospects, and trigger different automations based on the data.