Shopify uses apps to extend the functionality of it’s eCommerce platform. Apps are programs designed by Shopify or third-party developers that can communicate with Shopify’s application programming interface (API) and perform different actions that might not be possible with Shopify’s default settings. Unlike other applications and content management systems (CMSs), Shopify does not allow apps to add files to its core system; the apps must communicate with Shopify through the API keys though there are certain apps that will insert some code inside the theme files.
Keep reading to understand more about Shopify apps and what to consider before adding them to your eCommerce store.
Are Shopify Apps Necessary?
Shopify is basically an eCommerce platform that lets you effortlessly create and manage an online store. Because eCommerce technologies continue to advance along with the needs and expectations of savvy online shoppers, app developers are able to quickly create apps that address functionalities that Shopify’s core features are not able to provide.
For example, let’s say your online store is partnering with a fulfillment service. If that service has a Shopify app available, it’s possible to create a bridge between Shopify and the fulfillment company so that they can communicate and synchronize their data and automate the process with your store.
If your goal is to manage a highly profitable Shopify account, you will likely need to use a variety of apps to reach your revenue targets.
Shopify App Store vs. Private Apps
Shopify currently allows two types of apps to interact with their system: public and private.
Shopify App Store
Public apps are available to all users through the Shopify App Store, which is a marketplace for developers to showcase their apps. Depending on the developers, the cost for each app will be:
- Free
- Free trial
- Freemium
- Paid
However, the majority of apps built by Shopify are available for free and are a good place to start for adding basic but essential features to your site. Some apps are free with caps for a limited number of monthly uses or customers. If the usage grows beyond these caps, you’re then charged for additional services.
Paid apps are charged on a monthly basis. Payments are collected by Shopify at the end of each month. Shopify takes 20 percent of the total app payment as commission for its own services and the rest of the payment is processed to the app developer’s account.
One of the benefits of Shopify hosting an official marketplace is that you can trust that each app meets Shopify’s strict guidelines. Other benefits include being able to read reviews and ratings provided by other Shopify users (which we definitely recommend reading before downloading any app) and a convenient payment process that is only possible by having so many apps centralized in one place.
Shopify’s app marketplace is quite comprehensive and can provide solutions for the majority of eCommerce issues that you will face both due to Shopify’s structural limitations and the ever-changing habits of online consumers. Below are some of the many types of apps currently available in the Shopify App Store.
| Finding products |
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|---|---|
| Places to sell |
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| Store design |
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| Marketing |
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| Sales and conversion |
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| Orders and shipping |
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| Customer support |
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| Finances |
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| Productivity |
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Besides the table above, you can also use apps to improve your site’s:
- Inventory management
- Trust and security
- Reporting
Of all of the apps available through the marketplace, the following categories are considered to be some of the most important when first setting up a Shopify store.
Dropshipping
One of the most popular apps for Shopify is adding dropshipping functionality, which allows you to take orders on behalf of vendors located across the world for a cut of their sales and then have the vendor process and ship the order to the customer.
Metafields
A few fields related to product features are already available in Shopify, but if you want to add more features, you must use a metafields app. There are many apps that can help create fields and some of them are completely free.
Product Filters
Product filters are a core functionality of almost any eCommerce platform. This is not available by default in Shopify, so you must use an app to integrate this functionality.
Sliders
Rarely does an eCommerce platform provide a way to create sliders on the home page or any page of the website without using an app. While many Shopify themes have sliders built in, slider apps are essential for Shopify themes that don’t provide this functionality or have limited slider settings.
Social Media
In today’s modern world, social media is a must if you want to succeed in your online business. There are many apps which will help you automate your social media marketing and other necessary functionality.
Upselling and Cross-selling
Shopify provides very basic cross-sell functionality, so you must use apps from the app store to take full advantage of these features.
Private Shopify Apps
Private Shopify apps are not available on the Shopify App Store as they are built to connect with a single Shopify site based on the store’s needs. There are very few occasions where you will need to develop a private app, since it’s very costly to get one custom developed to meet your requirements.
Most of the time, it’s better to use public apps to enhance your Shopify website. However, if you find that none of the apps available offer the functionality you need, we suggest using Shopify Expert services — a pool of freelance developers and agencies that have been screened by Shopify — to request quotes on building a custom app.
How to Add Shopify Apps to Your Store
Every app works differently, so it needs to be properly configured. The following instructions are specific to public apps available in Shopify’s marketplace. You can add apps to your store by following these steps.
- Find the app on the Shopify App Store.
- Once the app is found, click on the “Add app” button.
- Shopify will prompt you to show you what the app is requesting from your store. You can view the details of each request if interested.
![How_to_Add_Shopify_Apps_to_Your_Store_2[1]](https://shopify-guide.net/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/How_to_Add_Shopify_Apps_to_Your_Store_21-e1595742701340.jpg)
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- Once you click on “Install app”, the installation process will start. Some apps will prompt you to backup your current active theme as they will insert code into your theme files.
- Once everything is done, you can access the app from Shopify’s backend.
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Pros and Cons of Using Shopify Apps
There are many advantages to using Shopify Apps, but it’s important to understand the drawbacks so that there aren’t any unexpected surprises later on.
Shopify App Pros
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- Integrate functionality into your store that is not available in Shopify by default
- Significantly cut down development costs that other eCommerce platforms require
- Instant solutions (building custom functionality can take a long time to code)
- Already tested and reviewed by other Shopify store owners
- No Liquid coding knowledge needed
- Shopify app developers are known to provide reliable support for both free and paid apps
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Shopify App Cons
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- Monthly recurring charges. Almost 90 percent of apps will charge you a monthly recurring fee. Though this amount may be a few dollars, having to pay through the lifetime of your website can add up.
- Theme integration problems. There are many apps that might not work with your chosen Shopify theme. In such cases, you will need to ask the app developer to help you fix the glitch. Depending on the development team, fixing a small glitch may take from a few hours to many days. They also might refuse to help if compatibility problems are persistent.
- If you’re using more than one app, you might come across an issue where apps running together break your Shopify store functionality. In such cases, you will need to troubleshoot the issue and possibly remove one or more apps from your store.
- Some of the apps will insert code inside your theme, breaking your theme code. If you uninstall the app, you might need a developer to find traces of that app code and remove them.
- It’s important to create backups of your theme’s configuration and files before adding an app.
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Build the Perfect eCommerce Store with Shopify Apps
A good Shopify theme is only the beginning of building your online store. Installing core functionality apps and a selection of speciality apps that customize and improve your customers’ shopping experience will help position your store to achieve even greater success. If you’re still at a loss on which apps to consider for your store, we suggest reading through our selection of best Shopify apps that can help you spend less time growing your sales. And if you have any issues with troubleshooting app installation, setup, or functionality, we offer an in-depth guide to troubleshooting in Shopify.
