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Shopify App Store 101: All You Need To Know

July 26, 2024

Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

CEO Avada Commerce

In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to explore the world of Shopify, where the possibilities are as vast as the digital landscape itself.)

How many apps are in Shopify App Store?

The Shopify App Store hosts over 8,000 apps designed to solve various pain points you might encounter in your ecommerce journey.

Now, the number sounds overwhelming, but don’t panic. Want to optimize your product pages? There’s an app for that.

Need help with managing customer reviews? Yes, there’s an app for that too.

Each of these apps serves a unique purpose and has the potential to help you streamline your business, enhance customer experience, or skyrocket your sales. Among the thousands of apps in the Shopify App Store, you’ll find tools to amp up your SEO game, automate your email marketing campaigns, facilitate smooth shipping and delivery, manage your inventory more efficiently, and so much more.

How to Navigate the Shopify App Store

Navigating the vast ocean of the Shopify App Store might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s turn that apprehension into excitement as we explore how to sail through the Shopify App Store effectively!

How to find the Shopify App Store from the main Shopify website

Let’s start with the basics: how to reach the Shopify App Store from the main Shopify website. It’s as straightforward as it can get:

Visit the official Shopify website: www.shopify.com
Look for the “App Store” option in the main navigation menu.

Click on it, and voila! You’re now in the realm of thousands of apps waiting to bolster your business.

How to locate specific types of apps within the store

Click the “Apps by category” button on the main App Store page.
A dropdown will appear, revealing a list of categories like Finding products, Selling products, Orders and shipping, Store design, Marketing and conversation, and Store management. Each of these categories hosts a variety of apps dedicated to that particular aspect of e-commerce.

Click on the category that aligns with what you’re looking for. You’ll then see a list of apps within that category.

Browse through, check out the reviews, and pick the best one that suits your needs.

How to use the search function effectively

For more specific requirements, the search function can be your best friend. How to make the most of it:

Find the search bar at the top of the Shopify App Store page.
Type in the name of the app you’re looking for, or enter relevant keywords.

For example, if you’re looking for an app to help with SEO, type “SEO.”

Hit enter, and you’ll be presented with a list of apps related to your search term.

Key Features of the Shopify App Store

Overview of the App Store Interface

The Shopify App Store interface is intuitive, easy to navigate, and geared toward helping you find exactly what you need. Here’s a brief run-down:

Home Page: The moment you enter the App Store, you’ll see a clean and simple homepage. It highlights featured apps, popular categories, and curated collections. If you’re starting out or exploring, this is a great place to discover new tools for your store.
Search Bar: You’ll find a prominent search bar at the top. Simply type in the name of the app you’re looking for or a relevant keyword. The store will then show you a list of related apps, allowing you to find what you need in seconds.
Apps by category: Next to the search bar, you’ll find a section dedicated to different app categories like ‘Store Design,’ Marketing and conversion,’ ‘Selling products,’ and more. Clicking on a category will lead you to a page with related apps. This is especially useful if you want tools to enhance a specific business area.
Popular with merchants across Shopify: This section showcases apps that are currently popular or trending among Shopify store owners.
User Ratings: Each app has a user rating displayed, with 5 stars being the highest. Based on user reviews, these ratings can help you assess the app’s effectiveness.
Free and Paid Tags: Apps are labeled as ‘Free’ or ‘Paid,’ helping you quickly determine whether an app fits within your budget.

Explanation of app categories

Marketing and conversion: This category is filled with apps designed to help you attract more customers and promote your products. You’ll find apps for email marketing, loyalty programs, retargeting campaigns, and more.
Selling products: Here, you’ll discover apps that can help boost your sales and conversion rates. These include tools for upselling, cross-selling, implementing discounts, and optimizing your checkout process.
Store Design: Apps in this category help you customize and enhance your store’s look and feel. You can find tools for building landing pages, tweaking product displays, or creating unique store themes.
Orders and Shipping: These apps streamline your store’s order management and shipping processes. Think automated shipping labels, tracking solutions, and order fulfillment automation.

Pros and Cons of Using Free vs. Paid Shopify Apps

Free apps

Pros

No Financial Investment: Free apps allow you to enhance your store’s functionality without spending a penny. This can be especially helpful for new or aspiring Shopify store owners working with a tight budget.
Good for Trial: If you’re unsure about the effectiveness of a specific type of app, free apps provide an opportunity to test the waters without any financial risk.

Cons

Limited Features: While free apps can provide proper functionality, they often come with limited features compared to their paid counterparts.
Less Support: Free apps may not always provide the same level of customer support as paid apps, which can be a downside if you run into issues or need assistance.
Potentially More Advertisements: Some free apps may offset their costs through ads, which could potentially impact your customers’ user experience.

Paid apps

Pros

Higher Quality: Typically, paid apps offer a higher level of quality, whether in terms of functionality, interface, or user experience.
Better Support: Since you’re paying for the app, the developers often provide better and more timely customer support.
Exclusive Features: Paid apps often come with exclusive features unavailable in free versions, giving established store owners an edge over competitors.

Cons

Cost: The most apparent downside to paid apps is the cost, which can add up if you use several paid apps on your store.
Cost-Benefit Analysis Required: While paid apps offer more features, it’s crucial to determine whether the cost of the app justifies the value it adds to your business.
Potential Overdependence: Over-relying on paid apps could lead to high running costs, which new and aspiring Shopify store owners may find challenging to maintain.

	Free apps	Paid apps
Pros	No Financial Investment Good for Trial	Higher Quality Better Support Exclusive Features
Cons	Limited Features Less Support Potentially More Advertisements	Cost Cost-Benefit Analysis Required Potential Overdependence

Top FREE Apps Every Shopify Store Needs

Product Reviews (by Shopify)

Why we picked it

First off, it’s developed by Shopify itself, ensuring seamless integration with your store. But beyond that, we picked “Product Reviews” due to its profound impact on customer purchase decisions. An efficient tool to manage and showcase product reviews becomes necessary in an age where online shoppers rely heavily on peer reviews before purchasing. This app collects and manages your product reviews and helps build trust among potential customers – a critical factor in driving conversions.

Key features

Product Reviews offers a suite of features that make managing and leveraging customer reviews a breeze:

Easy Review Collection: The app facilitates a simple and quick process for your customers to leave reviews. Thus it encourages more customer feedback.
Review Display Customization: The app allows you to customize how the reviews look on your site, ensuring they align with your brand’s aesthetics.
SEO-Boosting Capabilities: The reviews are displayed in a way that search engines can pick them up. This helps enhance your SEO ranking and drives organic traffic to your store.
Import and Export Reviews: With this feature, you can easily move your reviews between different platforms, making it a versatile tool for store owners who operate on multiple platforms.

Related article: Top 25 Best Shopify Product Reviews Apps in 2023

Stamped.io

Why we picked it

Stamped.io caught our eye due to its multifaceted approach to gathering and utilizing customer-generated content. The platform understands the significance of social proof in today’s e-commerce landscape. Hence it aims to bring all aspects of it – be it reviews, ratings, photos, or Q&A, into one integrated dashboard. If you’re aiming to boost your social proof, improve your SEO, or increase conversions, Stamped.io should be a part of your toolkit.

Key features

Stamped.io offers a plethora of features designed to convert your customers into your brand promoters:

Multichannel Review Request: Send review requests via email, SMS, or Facebook Messenger, expanding your reach and improving the chances of garnering reviews.
Visual Reviews with Photos & Videos: Customers can upload their photos and videos along with their reviews, adding authenticity and significantly influencing purchase decisions.
Smart Product Recommendations: The platform uses AI to recommend related products in review requests, turning your review solicitation into a marketing opportunity.
In-depth Analytics: Stamped.io provides comprehensive analytics so that you can gain valuable insights into your customer reviews and ratings.

Yotpo Reviews

Why we picked it

Yotpo Reviews found its place in our selection because of its exceptional approach to amplifying customer advocacy. This app not only focuses on reviews but also engages customers through a variety of interactive tools. In other words, if you’re looking to transform your passive customers into active participants, Yotpo Reviews should undoubtedly be on your radar.

Key features

Yotpo Reviews brings together a suite of features that can help skyrocket your customer engagement:

Review Request Emails: Automated, customizable emails make it effortless to request reviews from customers after a purchase.
Customer Photos: Enhance authenticity by encouraging your customers to share photos of their purchases. It’s a fact – shoppers love to see real-life use of products!
Social Integration: Share your reviews on your social media platforms, providing additional exposure and further engaging your social audience.
On-site Widgets: Display reviews and ratings across your site with customizable widgets, boosting customer trust and conversion rates.

PageFly

Why we picked it

PageFly earns its spot in our selection because, let’s face it, an appealing store is a successful store. If you fancy designing your online store with ease, flexibility, and all the creative freedom you could ask for, PageFly is the app for you.

Key features

Here are a few reasons why PageFly can become your go-to page builder:

Drag & Drop Builder: PageFly’s easy-to-use interface makes creating stunning pages a walk in the park.
Wide Range of Templates: Choose from an array of customizable templates that cater to various industries and page types.
Responsive Design: With PageFly, you ensure your store looks great on all devices, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

UpPromote

Why we pick it

We’ve picked UpPromote as it’s a complete, easy referral & affiliate program app. UpPromote is the top recommended affiliate and referral marketing on Shopify. It has earned the trust of leading brands and experts, delivering a substantial boost in revenue. With UpPromote, you can count on a complete, easy-to-use affiliate program that’s highly valued by merchants around the world. They aim to empower businesses with cutting-edge tools and strategies to enhance your Shopify experience.

Key Features

UpPromote brings compelling features to boost customer loyalty and build a robust referral & rewards program to incentivize collabs with customers:

Customize everything matching your brand: affiliate link, form, affiliate portal
Create rewards & discounts with customer referral program for repeat purchases
Seamlessly track referral orders via affiliate links, coupons, connected emails
Motivate affiliates with powerful options: bonuses, gifts, store credit and MLM
Automate your affiliate program process: PayPal auto-pay, Auto-tier Commission

Where to download this app:

Flexible Recurring Billing: With PayWhirl, you can easily set up and manage recurring billing cycles, ranging from weekly to monthly or any schedule that suits your business.
Subscription Management: PayWhirl allows your customers to manage their own subscriptions, taking the hassle out of your hands.
Integrated Payment Gateway: The app supports multiple payment gateways, ensuring a smooth and secure checkout process for your customers.

Discover: Must-have Free & Paid Shopify Apps for Every Store Owners

How to Install and Uninstall Apps from Shopify App Store

Step-by-step guide for installation

To kick things off, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on installing apps:

Visit the Shopify App Store: You can access this by logging in to your Shopify admin dashboard, clicking on the “App Store” tab, or directly visiting the Shopify App Store’s webpage.
Find Your Desired App: Use the search function or browse through the app categories to find the app you wish to install. Once you find it, click on the app to learn more about its features, pricing, and reviews.
Click ‘Add App’: If the app fits your needs, click the ‘Add app’ button. You’ll be asked to log in to your Shopify account if you haven’t done so already.
Grant Permission: You’ll be redirected to a page outlining the permissions the app requires to function properly. Review these carefully, and if you agree, click on ‘Install App.’
Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Each app might have its unique setup process, so follow the instructions provided. Some apps may require you to configure settings or add information.
Check Your Installation: Once installed, the app will appear in your Shopify admin dashboard’s ‘Apps’ section. You can manage your app settings from here.

Step-by-step guide for uninstallation

Log into Your Shopify Admin Dashboard: Log into your Shopify admin dashboard.
Navigate to Apps and sales channels: From your Shopify admin, click Settings to reach Apps and sales channels.
Identify the App: Scan through your installed apps and identify the one you wish to uninstall.
Click ‘Delete’: Next to each app, you’ll find a trash can icon or ‘Delete’ button. Click on this to initiate the uninstallation process.
Confirm Uninstallation: A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm the uninstallation. This is to ensure you don’t uninstall an app by accident. Click ‘Uninstall’ to proceed.
Provide Feedback (Optional): Upon uninstallation, Shopify might ask you for feedback on why you’re uninstalling the app. This step is optional but can help app developers improve their products.

And voila! You’ve successfully uninstalled an app from your Shopify store.

Tips on handling app issues and getting support

Even the best apps may encounter hiccups, and knowing how to troubleshoot and where to seek help is key to maintaining a seamless e-commerce operation. Here are some tips:

Consult the App’s FAQ or Help Documentation: Many common issues and their solutions are typically covered in the app’s FAQ or help documents. These can often be found on the app’s page in the Shopify App Store or within the app itself.
Contact the App Developer: If you can’t find a solution in the FAQs, the next step is to reach out to the app developer directly. Their contact information can usually be found in the “Support” section of the app’s page in the Shopify App Store. Be as detailed as possible about the issue you’re experiencing to get the most efficient assistance.
Use Shopify’s Help Center: Shopify’s Help Center is an extensive resource where you can find articles, tutorials, and community discussions that can assist with troubleshooting app issues.
Contact Shopify Support: If you’ve tried the above steps and still can’t resolve the issue, contact Shopify Support. They’re available 24/7 and can assist with general issues related to the Shopify platform.

Developing and Selling Apps on Shopify App Store

Introduction to Shopify’s developer program

Shopify’s Developer Program offers resources to create, test, and sell apps on the Shopify App Store. By becoming a part of this program, you gain access to Shopify’s extensive APIs, development tools, comprehensive documentation, and a community of fellow developers.

For established Shopify store owners, developing an app can be a brilliant way to customize your store further or even offer solutions to issues.
For the new Shopify store owners, creating an app can be an excellent way to add a new revenue stream to your budding business.
For aspiring Shopify store owners, this could be your first step into the Shopify ecosystem, even before you launch your store!

Benefits and challenges of app development

As with any venture, developing apps for the Shopify App Store presents both opportunities and hurdles.

Benefits of App Development

Potential for High Revenue: With thousands of Shopify stores worldwide, a popular app can become a significant source of income.
Access to a Global Market: The Shopify App Store is accessible to store owners worldwide, giving your app a global reach.
Developer Support from Shopify: Shopify provides ample support to developers through resources, tools, and assistance to ensure seamless app development.

Challenges of App Development

High Competition: With thousands of apps available, standing out from the crowd can be tough. Your app needs to offer unique and high-value features.
Maintaining Compatibility: Shopify regularly updates its platform. As a developer, you need to ensure your app remains compatible with these changes.
Customer Support: Providing robust customer support can be demanding but is critical for app success.

Steps to list an app on the store

Register as a Shopify Partner: To list an app on the Shopify App Store, you first need to join the Shopify Partner Program. The process is straightforward and can be completed here.
Create an App in your Partner Dashboard: After you’ve signed up as a partner, you can create a new app within your Partner Dashboard. Here, you’ll input crucial details about your app like its name, description, and pricing.
Develop your App: Utilize the Shopify APIs and development tools provided to create your app. Be sure to test thoroughly to ensure compatibility with Shopify. This is where you might develop a draft app for testing and refinement purposes.
Submit your App for Review: Once your app is ready, you can submit it for review via the Partner Dashboard. Shopify’s team will check your app against their review guidelines.
List your App: If your app is approved, congratulations! You can now list it on the Shopify App Store. Make sure your app’s listing page is as enticing and informative as possible to attract potential users.

Promoting your app and gathering reviews

Create a Compelling App Listing: Make your app’s listing engaging and informative. Include high-quality images and a detailed description, clearly highlighting the value your app brings to potential users.
Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reach potential customers. Consider paid advertising for a larger reach.
Write Blog Posts: Use a blog to provide valuable content related to your app. You could offer tips, how-to guides, or case studies that show your app in action.
Gather Reviews: Encourage your users to leave reviews on your app listing. Positive reviews increase your credibility and improve your app store visibility.
Provide Excellent Customer Support: Providing quick and efficient support not only improves user experience but also increases the chances of users leaving positive reviews.
Network with Shopify Store Owners: Participate in Shopify’s community forums and events to build relationships with potential users.

With its myriad apps, The Shopify App Store is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Thanks for joining us in this comprehensive exploration of the Shopify App Store. Happy selling!

Sam Nguyen

Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.