Shopify Apps: The best apps to boost your sales

Shopify is one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms and offers a simple and affordable way for retailers to get started when setting up an online shop. Shopify apps play a key role in this.

That’s why, in this article, I’ll show you how you can use Shopify apps to further improve your existing online shop, and which apps have the biggest impact on your turnover.

What are Shopify apps?

Shopify apps are extensions for your Shopify shop that allow you to add or enhance specific features. Some of these apps are provided directly by Shopify, whilst others are from third-party providers. The apps can be downloaded from the Shopify App Store. Some of the apps are free, whilst others are paid.

How to install Shopify apps

Installing Shopify apps is quick and easy. Here are the options available.

Installation via the Shopify App Store

To install an app from the App Store, you must first be logged in. Then search for the app you want to use and click on the ‘Add App’ button.

You will then be shown which permissions the app requires. If you agree, you will be redirected to configure the app.

Installation via the app link

If you found the app via the publisher’s website, you can install it via the official link. This will redirect you to the Shopify App Store.

Installing Custom Apps

If you commission Shopify developers to create apps specifically for your Shopify shop, the developer will provide you with a link created specifically for your shop. You’ll be redirected via this link and can then complete the installation.

Almost all apps have an FAQ section if you need help. If the problem is more complex, most apps also have a support service that you can contact.

The 8 best Shopify apps to boost your sales

Shopify comes with all the essential features even without apps, but there are a few more that you should add using the right apps. Otherwise, you’ll be leaving a lot of potential untapped. Here, I’ll introduce you to my favourites so you can get the most out of your shop.

Bear in mind that every app can have a negative impact on your shop’s technical performance. You therefore need to decide each time whether adding an app is really worth it.

However, I can wholeheartedly recommend the 8 apps I’m about to introduce to you, as they integrate some of Shopify’s key features.

Don’t feel like reading? Christian reveals the 8 best Shopify apps in this video.

#1 Email Marketing/Newsletter App

As a Shopify retailer, I would definitely recommend using an app for sending and automating emails. This allows you to build an email list and send out newsletters or emails about marketing campaigns. My two recommendations for this are Klaviyo and Mailchimp. Both offer all the features you’d expect, so it’s simply a matter of personal preference which app you choose.

Click here for: Klaviyo, Mailchimp

Here you’ll find out how to run professional Shopify email marketing campaigns.

#2 Shopify Reviews App

Reviews play a vital role in online shopping. A number of positive reviews build trust with customers, which has an impact on your conversion rate. It is therefore important to collect reviews as quickly as possible. However, this feature is not available without the relevant Shopify app.

My recommendations here are Judge.me and REVIEWS.io. The latter, in particular, offers some unbeatable features, such as Google Shopping integration and the option to upload images with reviews.

To receive as many reviews as possible on a regular basis, you can set up an automated email to remind buyers, after a certain period of time, to leave a review for the product they have purchased. This is easy to set up using both apps.

Click here for: Judge.me, REVIEWS.io

#3 Gorgias as a customer service app

Good customer service can make the difference between a frustrating experience and an exceptional one. Consequently, good customer service can turn a customer into a long-term fan of your brand.

Gorgias helps you maintain top-level customer service. The app brings together all customer enquiries and information about the person making the enquiry. At the same time, you can automate a large proportion of the process using pre-written response templates. This makes it easy to keep track of everything. It saves time and staff resources, and ensures a better customer experience.

Click here for: Gorgias

#4 Appikon Back in Stock

With Appikon Back in Stock, you can notify potential customers by email when your product is back in stock. So if you often find yourself in a situation where your products are sold out, this gives you a chance to bring them back for customers to buy. I’d advise you to integrate this feature on all your product pages so as not to miss out on any opportunities for conversion.

Click here for:Appikon

#5 Returns app – easyReturns

If you want to be among the top retailers in e-commerce, you must do everything you can to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. This includes the returns process. This is often where you can really set yourself apart from less reputable retailers.

With easyReturns, you provide your customers with their own returns platform, which they can use to easily process returns. At the same time, the Shopify app takes care of some of the tedious manual tasks for you, allowing you to focus on more important matters.

Click here for:easyReturns

#6 Customising Shopify Checkout with Checkout Blocks

This feature is available exclusively to merchants on the Shopify Plus plan. With Checkout Blocks, you can customise the checkout process and, for example, add elements that build trust. This helps to ensure that fewer customers abandon their baskets and increases your conversion rate. Our experience shows that you should definitely use A/B testing here to understand what works well and what doesn’t.

Click here for:Checkout Blocks

Here you’ll find out how to customise your Shopify checkout using Checkout Extensibility.

#7 KNO Post-Purchase Surveys

This Shopify app enables you to send post-purchase surveys to buyers, helping you to understand your customers even better. The better you understand your customers, the better you can take the right steps in e-commerce to create an even better customer experience.

You should regularly analyse the data you’ve collected and incorporate it into your marketing efforts. This is the only way you’ll keep improving and achieve long-term growth.

Click here for:KNO Post-Purchase Surveys

#8 Klar Analytics

As a Shopify retailer, you should learn to love data. Data gives you valuable insights into purchasing behaviour and the profitability of your marketing initiatives. Of course, Analytics helps you consolidate all the data you receive into a ‘data warehouse’. This gives you an overview of all your marketing channels at a glance.

Klar Analytics also calculates your running costs, so you can see on a day-to-day basis whether you’re making a profit or not.

Click here for:Klar Analytics

More app recommendations

Depending on your specific needs, there are other apps available to help you with your tasks. Here is a list of other apps that you might find useful.

GDPR Legal Cookie

Whilst it doesn’t boost turnover, it is essential for selling within the European market. GDPR Legal Cookie provides you with legally compliant cookie banners, which have been mandatory on every website since 2019. We use the Shopify app for our customers as it is straightforward and ensures 100% compliance.

Click here for:GDPR Legal Cookie

Here you’ll find out how to set up legally compliant cookie banners in Shopify

Search engine optimisation with Yoast SEO

Search engine optimisation is an important marketing strategy for attracting visitors to your online shop. Shopify already offers a search engine-friendly setup. Yoast SEO gives you even more control over optimisation. Yoast SEO can also be worthwhile for beginners; the app helps you optimise your individual pages for specific keywords by providing suggestions.

Click here for:Yoast SEO

Here you’ll find out everything there is to know about Shopify SEO

Algolia

Algolia is a powerful search and recommendation platform that helps you create lightning-fast and accurate search experiences. It enables custom search functions, filter options and personalised results, making it ideal for e-commerce. Algolia is easy to integrate, flexible and scalable, making it perfect for optimising search results in real time.

Click here for:Algolia on the App Store

Here’s what you’ll find out:Find out more about Algolia

Google & YouTube

The Google & YouTube Shopify app allows you to connect Google services to your Shopify shop. This enables you, for example, to add your products to Google Merchant Centre so that you can benefit from free listings on the Google Shopping network. The app also allows you to run paid adverts on Google channels.

Click here for:Google & YouTube

Shopify POS

Shopify POS is the ideal app for connecting your online shop to your high-street shop. Whether you’re selling at trade fairs, in pop-up shops or in your own shop premises, Shopify POS allows you to manage all your sales from a single place and synchronises stock levels in real time. With additional features such as the integration of customer profiles and discounts, you can create a seamless shopping experience both online and offline. However, you’ll need certain hardware for the integration; you can find out more in our guide.

Click here for: Shopify POS in the App Store

Here you can find out everything about Shopify POS

Stocky

With Stocky, you always have your stock under control. The app provides detailed analytics to help you plan your stock efficiently and reorder in good time. Features such as stock forecasts, reports on best-selling products and reorder suggestions help you avoid overstocking whilst ensuring you never run out of stock. The integration with Shopify POS is particularly handy, as it ensures stock levels are updated in real time. Stocky makes organisation easier and saves you valuable time.

Click here for:Stocky on the App Store

Here you’ll find out everything there is to know about Stocky for Shopify

Conclusion: Shopify apps help you optimise your Shopify shop

Shopify apps give you the chance to tailor your shop to your needs and those of your customers. Some apps are essential for optimising your processes so that you can sell effectively online. However, with so many apps flooding into the App Store every day, it’s often not easy to find the right one for your requirements.

If you’re looking for a feature that goes beyond what the apps I’ve suggested offer, we’d be happy to advise you personally on the options available. If you have a specific problem, we can also solve it with a bespoke app.

Frequently asked questions about Shopify apps

Do I need Shopify apps?

Whether you need Shopify apps depends on your shop’s requirements. Shopify offers a solid set of core features, but apps are useful for adding extra functionality, such as advanced search features, marketing automation or checkout optimisation. If your shop has specific requirements, such as subscriptions or personalised recommendations, apps will allow you to work more flexibly and efficiently.

Why do I need apps for Shopify?

You need Shopify apps to tailor your shop to your specific needs. Apps extend Shopify’s standard features by providing you with tools for email marketing, customer reviews, stock management and SEO. They help you automate processes, improve the shopping experience for customers and boost your sales. They are particularly indispensable for growing shops.

How much do Shopify apps cost?

The cost of Shopify apps varies considerably. Many apps offer a free basic version, whilst premium features are often available as subscriptions, which can cost between €5 and €50 per month. Some high-performance apps, such as automation tools or advanced analytics, cost over €100 a month. There are also one-off fees for certain apps. Bear in mind that the investment is often justified by efficiency gains and higher turnover.

What are the best apps for Shopify?

The best Shopify apps depend on your needs; in this post, I’ve shared eight recommendations to help you boost your sales. These have proved to be the best Shopify apps for our customers.