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“I’ve set up my Shopify store, but what should I do next to increase sales?”
“I’m swamped with daily tasks and can’t find time for essential marketing…”
Many Shopify store owners face these challenges. I myself, when I first ventured into the e-commerce world, spent every day grappling with stagnant sales and overwhelming operational tasks.
However, a “turning point” arrived. It was the strategic implementation of Shopify apps.
Shopify’s greatest appeal lies in its ability to freely extend store functionalities with a vast array of apps. By installing the right apps, you can dramatically boost your store’s sales and automate tedious tasks, as if you’ve hired a brilliant marketer or a sharp assistant.
In this article, based on the latest information for 2025, I, who have tested over 100 apps, will meticulously select and introduce the “truly useful” Shopify apps that I can wholeheartedly declare are “absolute must-haves!”
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll find the specific apps to solve your store’s challenges and take the first step towards increasing sales, thinking, “I’ll try this for free first!”
- 3 Ironclad Rules to Avoid Failure When Installing Shopify Apps
- 【Sales Boost Focused】7 Must-Have Apps That Deliver Immediate Results
- Featured Highlight: ① ReConvert Upsell & Cross Sell
- 【Operations Optimization】8 Time-Saving Apps to Automate Tedious Tasks
- Essential for Japanese Stores! ⑧ Shipping Manager
- 【Boost Customer Acquisition】8 Aggressive Apps to Attract New Customers
- 【Enhance Customer Experience】8 Hospitality Apps to Create Fans
- Conclusion: Apps Are Your Store’s “Best Partners” for Success
3 Ironclad Rules to Avoid Failure When Installing Shopify Apps
Blindly installing apps will only lead to escalating monthly fees without results. First, let’s grasp the “3 Ironclad Rules” to avoid mistakes when choosing apps.
1. Clearly Define Your Purpose: “What Am I Installing This For?”
Instead of a vague goal like “I want to increase sales,” set specific problems and goals. For example, “I want to improve my abandoned cart rate to boost sales by 5%” or “I want to cut customer inquiry response time in half.”
2. Check Reviews and Update Frequency: Is the App Reliable?
Always check the reviews on the Shopify App Store (especially Japanese reviews). Also, be cautious of apps with old last update dates, as they might not be compatible with the latest Shopify specifications.
3. Fully Utilize the Free Trial Period: Try It Out First!
Most paid apps offer a free trial period. Don’t immediately subscribe to a paid plan. Instead, try it out for free first to carefully check its compatibility with your store and its usability. This is key to success.
With these three ironclad rules in mind, let’s dive into recommended apps by purpose.
【Sales Boost Focused】7 Must-Have Apps That Deliver Immediate Results
These apps are immediate assets that directly increase your store’s sales. If your main goal is “I want to boost sales!”, start by trying these.
| Purpose | App Name | Features | Free Trial / Plan |
| Upsell/Cross-sell | ① ReConvert Upsell & Cross Sell | Displays related products and exclusive offers on the thank-you page. A classic app for dramatically boosting average order value. | 30 days |
| Reviews | ② Judge.me Product Reviews | Reliable review functionality. Significantly improves purchase rates with photo reviews and Q&A features. | Unlimited Free Plan |
| Abandoned Cart | ③ Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS | Automatically sends emails and SMS at optimal times to abandoned cart customers. Recovers customers and prevents lost sales. | Free Plan |
| Subscriptions | ④ Recharge Subscriptions | Easily adds subscription (recurring purchase) functionality. Helps build a stable revenue base. | Inquiry required |
| Gifts/eGifts | ⑤ Gift Box – All in one | Stimulates purchase intent with various gift strategies, including free gifts and BOGO (Buy One Get One Free). | 14 days |
| Pre-orders | ⑥ Pre-Order Now WOD | Enables pre-orders for out-of-stock or new products. Prevents lost sales opportunities and visualizes demand. | 14 days |
| Pop-ups | ⑦ Privy – Pop Ups, Email, & SMS | Displays pop-ups to encourage coupon distribution and newsletter sign-ups. Improves exit rates and acquires leads. | Free Plan |
Featured Highlight: ① ReConvert Upsell & Cross Sell
ReConvert is a powerful tool that gives customers that final push to add “just one more item.” It lets you suggest related products or offer a coupon for their next purchase on the purchase confirmation page, where customers’ buying intent is at its highest.
In fact, one of my clients’ stores saw their average order value jump by 18% just by implementing ReConvert. Setting it up is incredibly easy with drag-and-drop functionality. There’s simply no reason not to install this app—it’s truly a “must-have.”
If you’re thinking, “Does it really work?”, I encourage you to experience its power firsthand with a 30-day free trial.
【Operations Optimization】8 Time-Saving Apps to Automate Tedious Tasks
These apps free you from repetitive daily chores, allowing you to focus on work that only you can do, such as marketing and product planning.
| Purpose | App Name | Features | Free Trial / Plan |
| Shipping Operations | ⑧ Shipping Manager | One-click generation of shipping labels and packing slips for multiple Japanese shipping carriers. Essential for Japanese stores. | 14 days |
| Order Management | ⑨ Order Printer Pro | Fully customize and bulk print invoices, packing slips, and picking slips. | 14 days |
| SEO Optimization | ⑩ SEO Manager | Automatically detects and suggests fixes for SEO issues. Easy to implement SEO measures without specialized knowledge. | 7 days |
| Customer Management | ⑪ HubSpot: CRM & Marketing | Automatically collects and manages customer information. Integrates email marketing and chat features. | Free Plan |
| Data Backup | ⑫ Rewind Backups | Automatically backs up all your store’s data. Provides peace of mind in case of unexpected issues. | 7 days |
| Document Output | ⑬ (Blank – App not specified) | No app specified in original text for this category. | |
| Integration | ⑭ Zapier | Connects Shopify with various web services (Gmail, Slack, etc.) to automate a wide range of tasks. | 14 days |
| Translation | ⑮ Weglot Translate | Easily makes your store multilingual. The first step towards selling internationally (cross-border e-commerce). | 10 days |
Essential for Japanese Stores! ⑧ Shipping Manager
Shipping Manager dramatically streamlines cumbersome shipping operations, from issuing shipping labels for major Japanese carriers like Yamato Transport, Sagawa Express, and Japan Post, to sending completion notifications. It’s packed with convenient features like bulk CSV registration and automatic tracking number updates.
There are cases where stores that “spent an hour creating shipping labels every day” managed to reduce their work time to just 10 minutes with this app. It truly is a “savior” app, deeply understanding Japanese business practices.
【Boost Customer Acquisition】8 Aggressive Apps to Attract New Customers
No matter how great a store you build, it’s meaningless if no customers visit. From SEO measures to social media integration and content marketing, here are apps to help you attract new customers.
| Purpose | App Name | Features | Free Trial / Plan |
| Overall SEO | ⑯ Booster SEO & Image Optimizer | An all-in-one app that automatically handles basic SEO settings and image optimization. | Free Plan |
| Blog Enhancement | ⑰ Bloggle: Blog SEO & AI Writer | Streamlines blog article creation with AI writing features. Accelerates content marketing. | 10 days |
| Instagram Integration | ⑱ Instafeed – Instagram Feed | Embeds Instagram posts into your store, enhancing brand aesthetic and increasing Browse time. | Free Plan |
| LINE Integration | ⑲ CRM PLUS on LINE | Integrates with LINE Official Account. Nurtures customers with segmented and drip campaigns. | 30 days |
| Ad Integration | ⑳ TikTok | Manages TikTok ad campaigns and performance measurement directly within Shopify. Ideal for reaching younger demographics. | Free |
| Points | ㉑ EasyPoints | A highly functional points app tailored to Japanese business practices. Improves repeat purchase rates. | 30 days |
| Affiliate Marketing | ㉒ Affiliatly Affiliate Marketing | Builds your own affiliate program. Lets influencers and fans promote your products. | 90 days |
| Social Login | ㉓ Oeasy – Social Login | Enables easy login and registration with LINE or Google accounts. Prevents cart abandonment and improves CVR. | 7 days |
【Enhance Customer Experience】8 Hospitality Apps to Create Fans
An excellent customer experience drives repeat purchases and word-of-mouth. These apps embody the spirit of hospitality to turn customers into “fans.”
| Purpose | App Name | Features | Free Trial / Plan |
| Chatbot | ㉔ Shopify Inbox | Official free chat tool. Instantly resolves questions with real-time customer service. | Free |
| FAQ Page | ㉕ HelpCenter FAQ Chat Helpdesk | Easily creates a user-friendly FAQ page. Reduces inquiry volume and improves customer satisfaction. | 14 days |
| Size Recommendation | ㉖ Virtusize | Resolves online sizing concerns by comparing with purchase history and existing clothes. (For apparel) | 14 days |
| Product Search | ㉗ Searchanise Smart Search | Advanced search functionality. Displays suggestions even while typing, helping customers easily find desired products. | 14 days |
| Store Design | ㉘ PageFly Landing Page Builder | Creates attractive landing pages and product pages without coding. | Free Plan |
| Form Creation | ㉙ Form Builder with File Upload | Easily creates highly customizable forms for surveys, inquiries, and more. | Free Plan |
| Membership Tiers | ㉚ VIP | Sets membership tiers based on purchase amount. Nurtures valuable customers and maximizes LTV (Lifetime Value). | 7 days |
| Delivery Date/Time | ㉛ Order Delivery Date | Allows customers to specify preferred delivery dates and times on the cart screen. Directly leads to increased customer satisfaction. | 14 days |
Conclusion: Apps Are Your Store’s “Best Partners” for Success
This time, I’ve carefully selected and introduced Shopify apps that directly contribute to increasing sales and optimizing operations.
Did you find any apps that pique your interest?
It’s no exaggeration to say that the success of your Shopify store operations depends on how cleverly you utilize apps. All the apps introduced here have proven track records in stores worldwide.
However, the most important thing is to actually try them out in your own store.
Fortunately, most apps offer a free trial period. There’s absolutely no risk.
First, choose one app that seems like it will solve your store’s most pressing challenge right now. Then, sign up for its free trial and experience its effects for yourself.