Hey there, Shopify store owners! Selecting the right Shopify apps for your store can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but don't worry. I'm here to give you some top - not - so - serious - but - actually - really - useful tips to make this process a whole lot easier and maybe even a bit of fun.
1. Know Your Store's Needs (Or at Least Pretend You Do)
Before you start randomly clicking on every shiny app in the Shopify app store, take a step back. What does your store actually need? Are you selling handmade jewelry and need an app to showcase your products in a super - fancy, glittery way? Or are you running an online bookstore and need something to manage inventory like a pro? If you're not sure, just close your eyes and imagine your ideal store. What features are missing? That's where your app search should start.
Let's say you have a clothing store. You might need an app that can handle different sizes and colors easily. You don't want an app that's designed for food delivery, right? It would be like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. And we all know how that ends - with a lot of frustration and a broken peg (or in this case, a messed - up store).
2. Read the Reviews (But Don't Believe Everything)
Reviews are like the Yelp of the Shopify app world. They can be super helpful, but also a bit of a minefield. Some people will leave a one - star review because they couldn't figure out how to use the app in 5 seconds flat. Others will give a five - star review just because they like the color of the app's logo. So, read between the lines.
If there are a ton of reviews saying the app crashes all the time, that's probably a bad sign. But if there are a few negative reviews among a sea of positive ones, and those negative reviews seem to be from people who just didn't understand the app's features, you might be okay. It's like when you're looking for a new restaurant. If one person says the food was too spicy but everyone else is raving about it, you might still want to give it a try.
Also, look for reviews from stores similar to yours. If a fellow clothing store owner says an app revolutionized their inventory management, that's a good sign for you. But if a tech gadget store owner loves an app that's not really relevant to your clothing biz, you can probably ignore it.
3. Check the Pricing (Because We're Not Made of Money)
Shopify apps come in all shapes and sizes when it comes to pricing. Some are free (yay!), some have a monthly fee, and some are even pay - once - and - use - forever (if such a thing exists in the digital world). Don't be lured in by the flashy features of an expensive app if you can't afford it. It's like buying a Ferrari when you can only afford a used Kia.
But also, don't go for the cheapest option just because it's cheap. A free app that doesn't do what you need it to do is just as useless as an overpriced app that has too many bells and whistles. Calculate how much value an app will bring to your store. If an app that costs $20 a month can increase your sales by $100 a month, it might be a good investment. But if it only adds a few extra clicks to your checkout process and costs $50 a month, run away!
And don't forget to check for hidden fees. Some apps will sucker you in with a low monthly price and then hit you with extra charges for things like additional users or extra features. It's like ordering a cheap meal at a restaurant and then getting charged for every side dish and utensil.
4. Trial and Error (But Not Too Much Error)
Most Shopify apps offer a free trial period. This is your chance to play around with the app and see if it's really a good fit for your store. But don't just install every app with a free trial and then forget about them. That's like collecting a bunch of stray cats and then not feeding them.
Set aside some time during the trial period to really test the app. Try out all of its features, see how it integrates with your existing store setup, and check if it actually improves anything. If it's an app for customer service, send some test messages and see how quickly and accurately it responds. If it's an inventory management app, add and remove some products and see if the numbers match up.
And if the app is a total disaster during the trial, don't be afraid to uninstall it. There's no shame in admitting that an app isn't for you. It's better to cut your losses early than to keep a bad app around and have it wreak havoc on your store.
5. Compatibility is Key (Or Else It's a Mess)
Your Shopify store is like a well - oiled machine, and you don't want to throw a wrench in it by installing an app that doesn't play well with others. Make sure the app you're considering is compatible with your current theme, other apps you have installed, and the version of Shopify you're using.
If you have a really old - school theme and an app is designed for the latest and greatest Shopify features, it might not work. It's like trying to get an iPhone 13 app to work on an iPhone 4. Ain't gonna happen. And if you have multiple apps that are supposed to work together but they start fighting like cats and dogs, your store will be the battlefield.
Check the app's documentation or contact the developer if you're not sure about compatibility. It's better to be safe than sorry. You don't want to wake up one morning to find your store looking like a Picasso painting gone wrong because of an incompatible app.
6. Look for Good Customer Support (Because You'll Need It)
Even the best - designed apps can have glitches or issues that you'll need help with. That's why good customer support is a must. When you're looking at an app, check if they have a support team that actually responds to inquiries. You don't want to be left in the lurch when something goes wrong.
Some apps will have a live chat feature, which is great. Others might only offer email support, which is okay as long as they respond in a timely manner. If an app has a bunch of unanswered support requests on their website or social media, that's a red flag. It's like calling a plumber and they never show up. You're just left with a leaky pipe (or in this case, a broken app).
Also, check if the customer support team is knowledgeable. You don't want to be getting advice from someone who doesn't know the first thing about Shopify apps. It's like asking a cat how to fix your car. Not very helpful.
7. Don't Follow the Herd (Unless the Herd is Right)
Just because everyone and their mother is using a particular Shopify app doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Maybe they all have different needs than you do. It's like when everyone was wearing those really ugly Ugg boots a few years ago. Just because it was a trend didn't mean it was a good look for everyone.
On the other hand, if a lot of successful stores in your niche are using an app and raving about it, it might be worth checking out. But still, do your own research. Don't just blindly follow the crowd. You might find an under - the - radar app that works even better for your store.
For example, if all the big - name clothing stores are using App A for their marketing, but you find App B that has some unique features tailored specifically for your small - scale clothing store, you might be better off with App B. It's all about finding what works for you, not what works for everyone else.
8. Update Frequency (New and Improved or Just a Mess?)
An app that is regularly updated is usually a good sign. It means the developers are actively working on improving it, fixing bugs, and adding new features. But beware of apps that are updated too often. It could mean they have a lot of issues that need constant fixing, or they're just changing things for the sake of changing things.
If an app hasn't been updated in years, it might be a dinosaur in the digital world. It could be missing out on important compatibility updates or new Shopify features. It's like using an old - fashioned typewriter in a world of laptops. It might work, but it's not very efficient.
Check the app's update history. If it has a consistent pattern of updates that seem to be adding value, that's a plus. But if the updates are sporadic and seem to be causing more problems than they're solving, you might want to look elsewhere.
9. Consider the Learning Curve (Because Time is Money)
Some Shopify apps are so complicated that it takes a degree in rocket science to figure them out. If you're not a tech - wizard, you might want to avoid these. You don't want to spend hours and hours trying to learn how to use an app when you could be focusing on growing your store.
On the other hand, an app that's too simple might not have all the features you need. It's a delicate balance. Look for an app with an interface that makes sense and has some decent documentation or tutorials. If an app can't even explain how to use it in a simple way, it's probably not worth your time.
For example, if you're a busy store owner and you install an inventory management app that has a million different settings and no clear instructions, you'll be pulling your hair out in no time. But if you find an app that has a clean interface and easy - to - follow steps, you'll be up and running in no time flat.
10. Test for Mobile - Friendliness (Because Everyone's on Their Phones)
These days, a huge chunk of your customers are likely shopping on their mobile devices. So, if an app doesn't work well on mobile, it's a big no - no. It's like having a store that only has a front door and no side or back doors. You're shutting out a lot of potential customers.
During the trial period, test the app on your phone and tablet. Make sure all the buttons are easy to click, the images load quickly, and the overall user experience is smooth. If an app looks like a jumbled mess on mobile, it's time to move on. You don't want your customers to have to struggle to use an app when they're trying to buy something from your store.
There you have it, folks! Ten top tips for selecting the right Shopify apps for your store. Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to having a store full of apps that actually help your business grow, rather than causing chaos. Good luck!