Which apps should every shopify store install?

As an experienced SEO strategist and content writer, I’ve seen countless Shopify stores launch with big dreams. But here’s a common pitfall: many merchants underestimate the power of the right apps. Your Shopify store is like a high-performance vehicle; it comes with a great engine, but without the right add-ons, it won’t win the race.

Navigating the vast ocean of apps in the Shopify App Store can feel overwhelming. With thousands of options promising to boost sales, streamline operations, and enhance customer experience, how do you know which apps should every Shopify store install?

Let’s dive into the must-have apps that will help your Shopify store not just survive, but truly succeed.

Why Your Shopify Store Needs Apps

Before we look at specific apps, let’s understand why these digital helpers are non-negotiable for modern e-commerce. Today’s online shoppers expect more than just a product; they demand a smooth, personalized, and engaging shopping journey. In fact, research shows that 90% of customers consider a company’s experience as important as its products or services.

Shopify apps act as force multipliers for your business, allowing you to:

• Automate Tedious Tasks: Free up your time from manual routines like inventory updates or sending review requests, so you can focus on growth.
• Enhance Customer Experience: Deliver a personalized journey, from browsing to post-purchase, making customers feel valued and understood.
• Boost Sales and Conversions: Implement strategies like upselling, cross-selling, and loyalty programs to increase average order value and repeat purchases.
• Build Trust and Credibility: Showcase social proof, provide transparent shipping, and offer excellent support to win over new buyers.
• Stay Ahead of the Competition: In a crowded market, strategic apps can differentiate your brand and adapt quickly to new trends.

Investing in the right apps isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for creating a well-oiled selling machine that keeps customers coming back.

7 Essential Shopify Apps Every Store Should Consider

After careful consideration and drawing from my experience with various e-commerce businesses, these are the apps that consistently deliver value and address critical aspects of running a successful Shopify store.

1. For Stunning Store Design & Landing Pages: PageFly Advanced Page Builder

Your store’s appearance and user experience are paramount. Shopify’s default themes are good, but to truly stand out and convert visitors into buyers, you often need more control over your page layouts.

Why it’s essential: A well-designed product page or landing page can significantly impact conversion rates. PageFly offers a powerful drag-and-drop editor that allows you to create custom pages without any coding knowledge. From captivating product pages to high-converting sales funnels, it gives you the flexibility to design exactly what you envision.

Key Features:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
• Access to 100+ pre-designed, responsive templates
• Deep customization options for all page types (product, landing, home, blog)
• Integrates seamlessly with many other popular Shopify apps
• Built-in analytics to track page performance
• Ratings: 4.9/5 ⭐ (highly rated)
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start from $24/month.

2. For Building Trust & Social Proof: Judge.me Product Reviews

Online reviews are the new word-of-mouth. Shoppers trust their peers more than brand advertising. A staggering 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their purchase decisions.

Why it’s essential: Judge.me helps you effortlessly collect and display authentic customer reviews, photos, and videos. This social proof builds credibility, reduces buyer hesitation, and can significantly boost your sales. The app automates review request emails, making the process seamless for both you and your customers.

Key Features:

• Automatic review request emails (post-purchase)
• Display star ratings and testimonials across your store
• Supports user-generated photos and videos
• Share reviews on social media
• Integration with Google Shopping for rich snippets
• Ratings: 5/5 (one of the highest-rated apps)
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plan starts from $15/month.

3. For Personalized Marketing & Customer Retention: Klaviyo Email & SMS Marketing

Email and SMS marketing remain some of the most powerful and cost-effective channels for driving sales and nurturing customer relationships.

Why it’s essential: Klaviyo is a marketing powerhouse that helps you create highly personalized email and SMS campaigns. It goes beyond basic newsletters, allowing you to segment your audience based on their behavior (e.g., browsing history, purchase frequency) and automate flows like welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, and post-purchase follow-ups. Given that e-commerce stores have an average cart abandonment rate of 70.19%, a robust abandoned cart automation is crucial.

Key Features:

• Seamless setup and user-friendly interface
• Advanced segmentation capabilities
• Visual email builder with customizable templates
• Automated flows for various customer journeys
• Powerful analytics and responsive customer support
• Ratings: 4.6/5
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month and scale based on contacts and email/SMS volume.

4. For Boosting Average Order Value: Upsell.com ReConvert Bundles

Getting a customer to make a purchase is great, but getting them to buy more is even better. Upselling and cross-selling are proven strategies to increase your average order value (AOV) without incurring additional acquisition costs.

Why it’s essential: Upsell.com (ReConvert) helps you optimize your post-purchase experience by adding upsell and cross-sell offers directly to your thank-you page. This is a prime moment when customers are feeling positive about their purchase and are more open to adding complementary items or upgrades. It’s a “set it and forget it” solution that can significantly grow your revenue.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop thank-you page builder
• One-click upsells and cross-sells
• Personalized product recommendations
• Add countdown timers, post-purchase surveys, and reorder buttons
• Analytics to track performance
• Ratings: 4.8/5
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start from $4.99/month, scaling with order volume.

5. For Preorders and Back in Stock Alerts: STOQ

Running out of stock doesn’t have to mean losing customers. Preorders and back in stock alerts help you secure sales early and bring shoppers back the moment products are available.

Why it’s essential: STOQ lets you create waitlists with Preorder or Notify Me buttons, sell preorders and backorders with deposits or partial payments, and automatically send back in stock alerts via email or SMS. With powerful integrations, analytics, and full customization backed by 24/7 support, it helps you capture demand and revenue effortlessly.

Key Features:

• Add preorder or notify me widget to your out of stock products in minutes
• Customize preorder button, restock alerts to match your brand, with 24*7 help
• Send back in stock email/SMS alerts to waitlist when you restock automatically
• Set up preorder, presales, back orders, deposit or partial payment orders
• B2B preorders, sync mailing list w/ Klaviyo, connect markets, locations etc.
• Ratings: 5/5
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start from $10/month.

6. For Customer Loyalty & Retention: Smile Loyalty Program Rewards

Happy customers are repeat customers, and repeat customers form the backbone of a sustainable business. Building loyalty programs fosters a strong connection with your audience.

Why it’s essential: Smile makes it easy to create custom loyalty, referral, and VIP programs for your store. It incentivizes purchases, social shares, and referrals, turning satisfied customers into powerful brand advocates. This proactive approach to retention is far more cost-effective than constantly acquiring new customers.

Key Features:

• Fully customizable loyalty programs (points, referrals, VIP tiers)
• Variety of earning actions (purchases, sign-ups, birthdays, social shares)
• Flexible reward options (discounts, free shipping)
• Dedicated customer panel for easy rewards tracking
• Integrates with other marketing tools
• Ratings: 4.9/5
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start from $15/month.

7. For Social Media Integration & Sales: Mintt‑Instafeed Instagram Feed

Social media isn’t just for engagement; it’s a powerful sales channel. Showcasing your brand’s lifestyle and products directly from platforms like Instagram can significantly drive traffic and conversions.

Why it’s essential: Mintt‑Instafeed Instagram Feed allows you to seamlessly integrate your Instagram feed directly into your Shopify store. This creates a visually appealing and dynamic display of user-generated content and brand imagery, turning your social presence into a shoppable experience. It’s a lightweight app that won’t slow down your site, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Key Features:

• Display your Instagram feed on your Shopify store
• Fully customizable layout and design
• Supports shoppable tags on posts
• Connects multiple Instagram accounts
• Mobile-responsive and lightweight
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plan starts from $8/month.
• Ratings: 4.9/5

How to Choose the Right Apps for Your Store

While these apps are highly recommended, remember that every store is unique. Here’s a quick guide to making the best choices for your business:

1. Identify Your Needs: What specific problems are you trying to solve? (e.g., “I need more reviews,” “My shipping is inefficient,” “I want to increase average order value.”)
2. Start Small: Don’t overload your store with too many apps at once. Install one or two, learn them, and see their impact.
3. Check Reviews and Ratings: Look at apps with high average ratings and a significant number of reviews. Pay attention to recent feedback.
4. Consider Free Trials: Many excellent paid apps offer free trials. Use them to test functionality and ensure the app meets your specific requirements.
5. Evaluate Customer Support: Good support can save you hours of frustration. Look for apps known for their responsive and helpful customer service.
6. Monitor Store Performance: Some apps can impact your store’s loading speed. Keep an eye on your site speed metrics after installing new apps.

FAQs: Answering Your Top Shopify App Questions

How many apps are too many for a Shopify store?

There’s no magic number, but quality over quantity is key. A good rule of thumb is to only install apps that solve a specific problem or add clear value. Too many apps, especially poorly coded ones, can slow down your store, create conflicts, and complicate management. Aim for essential tools that work well together.

Are free Shopify apps good enough, or do I need paid ones?

Many free Shopify apps offer excellent core functionality, especially for new stores or those on a tight budget. Shopify itself offers several useful free apps. However, paid apps often provide more advanced features, better customization, dedicated support, and higher limits that can be crucial for scaling businesses. It’s best to start with free plans and upgrade as your needs grow.

How do I know if an app will slow down my Shopify store?

Before installing, check app reviews for mentions of performance issues. After installation, monitor your store’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Shopify’s own analytics. If you notice a significant drop in speed, investigate which app might be the culprit. Choosing “Built for Shopify” apps can also help, as these meet Shopify’s highest standards for performance and integration.

What are the most important categories of apps for a new Shopify store?

For a new store, focus on apps that help with:

Store Management: Simple shipping tools and order organization. These categories lay a strong foundation for growth.

Conversion Optimization: Apps for product reviews, pop-ups, and email collection.

Marketing: Basic email marketing and social media integration.

Can I remove an app if I don’t like it?

Yes, you can remove apps at any time from your Shopify admin panel. Navigate to “Apps” and uninstall the app. It’s good practice to delete any leftover code or data that the app might have left behind, though many reputable apps handle this cleanly upon uninstallation. Always make a backup of your theme before installing or uninstalling apps that make significant code changes.