When smartphones first enabled consumers to buy products directly from their mobile devices, most companies relied on websites that could be accessed through the phone’s built-in browser. But those sites were often clunky and weren’t really created for a mobile-first experience. That’s where ecommerce apps come into play. As the number of people shopping from their phones continues to rise, mobile-first solutions (as opposed to ecommerce websites) have become increasingly important. This guide takes you through the different types of ecommerce apps and lists 13 top Shopify ecommerce apps to help you grow your store.
What is an ecommerce app?
An ecommerce app is a mobile application that makes it possible for app users to browse and buy products directly from their phones. There are also ecommerce apps that integrate with ecommerce platforms and make it easier for business owners to run their online stores.
Types of ecommerce apps
When someone says “ecommerce app,” they could mean one of two things. The first is a designated online market for specific companies. Those come in two forms: business-to-consumer (B2C) and consumer-to-consumer (C2C).
- B2C. Business-to-consumer mobile apps are designated apps for specific businesses. A popular example is the Amazon app, which allows customers to easily shop Amazon’s entire inventory and helps build brand loyalty.
- C2C. Consumer-to-consumer apps allow people to sell directly to each other. A popular example is Poshmark, which facilitates the sale of used clothing and accessories directly between people.
The third type of ecommerce app is business-to-business (B2B), which helps online businesses more easily serve their customers. In other words, these are apps where the business, not the end consumer, is the customer. That’s the type of ecommerce app we’re focusing on here.
13 top Shopify ecommerce apps
- Instafeed
- Shopify Flow
- Pirate Ship
- SEO: Image Optimizer Page Speed
- QuickBooks Online Global
- Linkpop
- Klarna On-Site Messaging
- Spocket - US & EU Dropshipping
- Printify: Print on Demand
- Mailchimp: Email Marketing
- Shoppable Instagram & UGC
- Stage TEN
- Shopify Marketplace Connect
Shopify offers a range of ecommerce apps that make mobile ecommerce seamless for business owners. Here are 13 of the most popular in the Shopify App Store.
1. Instafeed
Instafeed is an official Instagram app that allows you to display shoppable Instagram feeds on your Shopify store. It offers a free version that includes video support, grid or slider layout, and auto-optimized layout, and which is available on all devices and themes. For $5.99 per month, you get everything included in the free version, plus the ability to tag products, create snippets of video called Reels, use more advanced profile features and layouts, and run up to three different feeds.
2. Shopify Flow
Shopify Flow is free to install for Shopify customers on the Shopify, Advanced, or Shopify plans. It allows business owners to build automated workflows, tasks, campaigns, and processes within their stores and apps. The app can also help you with buyer experience, customer management, inventory and merchandising, risk and fraud management, order management, loyalty and retention, and promotions.
3. Pirate Ship
Shipping can take a chunk out of the profits of any online business, but Pirate Ship can help. It’s free to install and all you have to pay is your own shipping costs—with no monthly fee. The app has negotiated with both USPS and UPS for the lowest possible rates, allowing your ecommerce business to collect as much profit as possible.
4. SEO: Image Optimizer Page Speed
SEO: Image Optimizer Page Speed does exactly what its name promises: it optimizes your ecommerce site for search engines, resulting in faster loading speed, better store ranking, and higher conversion. It offers image optimization, ALT tag (alternative text on images for accessibility) optimization, Google structured data, meta tags, site verification, and SEO analysis. Users can choose a free plan, a free 3-day trial, or a paid plan for $34.95 per month.
5. QuickBooks Online Global
QuickBooks Online Global syncs your Shopify store with your QuickBooks Online International account for easier bookkeeping. It is available to businesses that sell outside of the US and helps you track income and expenses, maximize tax deductions, automate invoices, sync inventory and accounting data, and automatically calculate sales. You can sign up to a free plan or its tiered pricing structure, which ranges from $30 per month to $85 per month.
6. Linkpop
Linkpop is Shopify’s own free link in bio tool that helps you turn your social media bio into a storefront by seamlessly integrating with your Shopify store. Don’t have a store yet? Pair Linkpop with Shopify’s Starter Plan, which will allow you to sell through Linkpop for $5 a month.
7. Klarna On-Site Messaging
Klarna On-Site Messaging is a credit alternative that makes it possible for customers to pay over time for their purchases, a process that’s called buy now, pay later, or BNPL. It integrates directly with the Shopify admin dashboard and can be customized for your site.
8. Spocket - US & EU Dropshipping
Spocket helps dropshipping businesses by making it easy to add products from AliExpress directly to their websites. It offers different pricing options, including a free plan that only includes the browsing of its catalog, as well as a Starter plan for $29.99 per month, a Pro plan for $49.99 per month, and an Empire plan for $99.99 per month. The Starter plan is for those getting established, while Pro is for growth and Empire for scaling.
9. Printify: Print on Demand
Printify makes it possible for ecommerce businesses to create customized products that are automatically synced to their ecommerce store. Its cheapest plan is free to install, with product and shipping costs billed only once you make a sale. It offers five online stores, an unlimited number of product designs, a mockup generator, manual order creation, and 24/7 merchant support. For $29 a month, you get all of that plus 10 online stores, a self-serve help desk, and up to 20% off all products.
10. Mailchimp: Email Marketing
Mailchimp offers an email marketing ecommerce app that helps business owners create and automate targeted email campaigns. Its free option allows up to 2,000 contacts and offers email, marketing CRM, a creative assistant, sign-up forms, landing pages, social posting, Facebook ads, Instagram ads, postcards, domains, and other ads. For $11 a month, you get all of that plus email templates, multi-step journeys, custom branding, A/B testing, and 24/7 email and chat support. Mailchimp’s Premium option starts at $299 a month, is for 10,000 contacts, and users benefit from a customer journey builder, send-time optimization, behavioral targeting, custom templates, advanced segmentation, unlimited seats, and role-based access.
11. Shoppable Instagram & UGC
Social proof can give customers more confidence in the quality of your products, making them more likely to buy. With Shoppable Instagram & UGC by Foursixty, user-generated content from Instagrasm can be turned into shoppable galleries that can be added to your online store, email campaigns, and the Shop App.
12. Stage TEN
Live shopping is a great way to engage with your customers in real time at the moment they’re ready to purchase. Stage TEN allows merchants to add live shopping directly to their storefront, giving customers the opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and see a live demonstration of your product in use.
13. Shopify Marketplace Connect
Shopify Marketplace Connect provides a seamless link between your Shopify store and Amazon, enabling you to sync your products, inventory, and orders effortlessly. With the ability to customize your product listings, including shipping rules, refunds, return policies, and promotional pricing, you can ensure your Amazon Marketplace aligns with your business model. Manage all transactions from your Shopify admin dashboard without any additional monthly fees. A must-have for Shopify store owners aiming to expand their reach on Amazon.
Read more
- 11 Top Apps in the Shopify App Store
- Creating an Appetite for Products You Need To Taste
- 5 Sales Strategy Examples for Boosting Revenue
- Pre-Orders Add to Your Bottom Line—How Do They Work?
- How To Sell Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Is Selling on Etsy Worth It? When You Outgrow Etsy
- 6 Of the Best Subscription Ecommerce Platforms for SMBs
- Retail vs. Ecommerce: How Are They Different?
- Website Builder & Website Maker by Shopify
Ecommerce apps FAQ
What is an ecommerce app?
An ecommerce app is a mobile app that either helps consumers shop online or helps businesses provide seamless mobile experiences for their customers.
Why do people use ecommerce apps?
Customers use ecommerce apps because they are convenient and optimized for mobile devices. Businesses use ecommerce apps to reach customers more effectively, build brand loyalty, and create better online shopping experiences.
Why are ecommerce apps important?
Ecommerce apps are important because more and more people are shopping on their mobile phones. While ecommerce websites are accessible by mobile devices, apps are easier to use because they are specifically built for a mobile-first experience.
What are the 3 types of ecommerce?
Ecommerce apps are important because more and more people are shopping on their mobile phones. While ecommerce websites are accessible by mobile devices, apps are easier to use because they are specifically built for a mobile-first experience.
