Shopify apps are the heart and soul of many high-performing eCommerce stores. This isn’t to say that the other factors aren't important. More than anything else, your product must be solid. Your branding and marketing are critical as well. However, many Shopify stores do all of the above well but fail to reach their full revenue potential.
Have you ever wondered how some online stores easily achieve seamless efficiency, managing inventory and customer engagement? The answer often lies in the smart integrations they use. The right apps can elevate your store's performance, from enhanced marketing tools to streamlined inventory management. Not just this, they can also automate mundane tasks, allowing business owners to focus on strategic growth.
Now, if you're eager to delve deeper into these transformative tools and discover the best integrations for your store, you're in the right place. Join us as we unpack the potential of these Shopify apps and set you on a path to eCommerce excellence.
So, are you ready to supercharge your store?
Introduction to Shopify Apps
What are Shopify Apps?
The name Shopify is near-synonymous with eCommerce. In fact, over 2.1 Million users access Shopify on an average day. But what are Shopify apps, and why are they important?
In a nutshell, Shopify apps are third-party tools that are designed to enhance or add new functionalities to your eCommerce store. One can almost think of Shopify apps as the superheroes doing the heavy lifting for your online store. Much like how spices enhance the flavor of your favorite dish, Shopify apps can elevate your eCommerce store’s potential. And like spices, Shopify apps offer a wide and robust selection from which to choose. Over 7,000 apps are currently listed in Shopify’s store.
Why integrate apps into your Shopify store?
Running a successful eCommerce store is already a major challenge. There are already 1,000 items on your plate to worry about and manage. So do you really need to bother with Shopify apps?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Shopify apps play huge roles for eCommerce stores looking to grow their customer base and revenue. Shopify apps can help maximize efficiency and boost customer satisfaction. In a world where every second counts, you will want your eCommerce store to every advantage possible. So, when it comes to business growth, having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference in the world.
Free Apps vs. Paid
Another benefit of the Shopify App Store is that many offerings are free. In fact, it's estimated that more than half the apps in the store have a free plan available.
There are may be some apps that are worth paying for due to their uniqueness or excellence. But it’s worth checking out apps with a free plan available, even if that option is part of a freemium model with paid plans as well.
Key Benefits of Using Shopify Apps
Enhancing store functionality
Each and every store has its own unique needs. Luckily, the Shopify App Store is both diverse and versatile. Take the time to browse among the plethora of Shopify apps. You are bound to find examples that almost seem like they were created especially with you and your eCommerce store in mind. Use these Shopify apps to maximize your store functionality.
Improved customer experience
Customer experience is important for every industry. In recent years, people have realized that eCommerce experience is its own niche with its own challenges and solutions.
Are you looking to offer personalized product recommendations for your eCommerce store? Or perhaps your product offering might benefit from an interactive size guide. With the right apps, any of these possibilities are possible, and the sky's the limit when it comes to enriching your customers' shopping experiences.
Streamlined store management
The logistics of eCommerce store management can be a headache.
Luckily, there’s an app available for nearly every task you might encounter. Whether you’re looking for assistance in managing inventory or a more streamlined way to track shipments, the Shopify App Store has you covered.
With the right tools by your side, managing a store is no longer a headache. In fact, some might even consider it a breeze.
Boosting sales and marketing with Shopify Apps
Enhanced marketing campaigns
Marketing is all about targeting and engagement. Once you identify your target audience, you’ll want to be in constant contact with them. But you’ll also want to foster a positive two-way relationship whereby they feel comfortable engaging with you.
Luckily, the Shopify App Store offers wonderful apps for email marketing tools and social media integrations.
Marketing can be a challenge, but Shopify helps make it simple.
Efficient sales funnel management
Customers are human beings. Perhaps that’s obvious, but far too many companies treat their customers as rote machines.
The reality is that customers don’t always conform to formulas, equations, or patterns. Running a successful eCommerce business means being able to understand your customers' journey and having the flexibility to make improvements on the go.
Another benefit of the Shopify App Store is that many offerings are free. In fact, it's estimated that more than half the apps in the store and you'll be able to maximize the customer experience and boost revenue for your store.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shopify Apps
Understanding your store's needs
It may be tempting to dive in immediately. But before you rush into the Shopify App Store and start installing, it’s important to take a breath. What are you looking for? What does your eCommerce store really need?
Finding the perfect app is much easier when you know what you're looking for, so give your mind time to think and prioritize.
Researching app reviews and ratings
Would you buy a product without reliable reviews? What about a product where the majority of the reviews were negative? Well, the same principle should apply to apps.
Taking a little bit of time to do research now can save a lot of pain later. Dive into the reviews and get a feel for the app’s overall performance. There’s no need to jump to conclusions based on one negative outlier. But, similarly, be wary about trusting a sole golden review. (Who knows? It could be from the creator’s mother). As you read the reviews, watch for any patterns in the comments.
Also, this is a good time to note that review matters for your own store as well. Judge.me is a wonderful app for collecting and managing customer reviews. And yes, it’s available in the Shopify App Store.
Checking compatibility and support
You might have one of the greatest Shopify apps in the world. It might be an eCommerce game-changer with the coolest name and prettiest logo. The reviews and ratings might be all-around stellar. But none of that will matter unless the app integrates seamlessly with your store.
In checking out reviews, pay special attention to comments about app compatibility. Also, keep an eye out for comments about customer support, both positive and negative. And this is one area where it’s worth the time to fact-check. Is the help screen really as easily displayed and user-friendly as the commenter suggested? An extra 15 seconds of research could save hours of frustrated time later.
In short, prioritize Shopify apps that are committed to excellent customer support. You never know when you’ll experience a hiccup and in those times, it can be a lifesaver.
Integrating Apps: Step-by-Step Guide
Installing from the Shopify App Store
As we’ve noted above, Shopify's own app store is a treasure trove with a huge selection to service the needs of your eCommerce store.
Once you’ve identified the apps you want, the final step will be to install them. Fortunately, the Shopify App Store has also made this part quite user-friendly.
In many cases, installing the app will be as simple as following these steps:
1) Log in.
2) Find the app you wish to install.
3) Click on the app.
4) On the app listing page, click “Add app.”
5) Click “Install app” on your Shopify admin page.
Some apps will have a specific installation guide, which one should pay attention to, but the above steps should suffice for many offerings in the Shopify App Store.
Custom integrations
Custom app integrations might be an adequate solution for those apps with special requirements.
In that case, you’ll want to obtain the app directly from the developer before installing the app (as noted in Step 5 above).
We recommend always consulting with your IT professionals before installing custom apps to ensure a smooth integration. That one small step can save a lot of issues later.
Conclusion
Shopify apps can be an eCommerce store’s best friend. Harnessing the power of Shopify apps can catapult your store to new heights.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that it's not just about adding apps; it's about adding the right apps.
So, are you ready to elevate your store's game? If so, there’s no time to start like the present.
