The Ultimate Guide to the Best Shopify Apps for Boosting Sales (UK Edition)

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Running a successful Shopify store in the UK isn’t just about having great products. It’s about utilising the right tools—specifically, apps—to help you maximise conversions, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. The good news? Shopify has an extensive app store offering everything from marketing boosters to powerful analytics, all designed to take your store to the next level. In this guide, we’ll explore the top Shopify apps for boosting sales and how they can benefit your UK-based business.

1. Conversion-Boosting Apps

When it comes to e-commerce, conversions are king. These apps are designed to help turn your store visitors into paying customers:

Klaviyo: One of the best email marketing tools available, Klaviyo helps you automate campaigns for personalised abandoned cart reminders, follow-up emails, and more. Abandoned carts are a pain point for every online store, but with Klaviyo, you can recover 10–20% of those lost sales. This app also lets you segment customers for targeted marketing, boosting engagement and, ultimately, sales.

Privy: Known for its powerful pop-up features, Privy helps you capture email addresses, reduce bounce rates, and convert visitors into buyers. By creating urgency with tools like countdown timers and exit-intent pop-ups, Privy can reduce your cart abandonment rate by up to 15%.

Zipify OCU (One-Click Upsell): This app enables you to offer upsells and cross-sells during the checkout process. Customers can add additional items to their cart with just one click, which can increase your average order value by up to 20%. The app is easy to install and works seamlessly with Shopify’s native checkout​.

2. Marketing and Advertising Apps

Driving traffic to your store is just as important as converting it, and these apps are designed to help you do just that:

Omnisend: This app integrates email, SMS, and web push notifications to create cohesive multi-channel marketing campaigns. For UK businesses, Omnisend can help you stay compliant with local data laws while boosting your reach. You can easily target specific customer groups and drive repeat purchases with automated campaigns. Plans start at £15 per month, making it an affordable option for growing businesses.

Google Channel: Free to install, Google Channel allows you to sync your Shopify products with Google Merchant Center. You can also list your products for free on Google Shopping, helping you reach a wider audience at no cost. Additionally, you can run paid campaigns to boost your visibility. This app is a must-have for any UK store looking to tap into Google’s vast advertising ecosystem​.

PushOwl: Web push notifications are a fantastic way to recover lost sales. PushOwl lets you send timely alerts to customers about abandoned carts, restocked items, and ongoing sales. It’s an excellent tool for keeping your audience engaged, especially during peak shopping periods like Black Friday or seasonal promotions​.

3. Customer Experience Enhancers

A great customer experience often means the difference between a one-time buyer and a loyal customer. Here are the best apps to improve customer satisfaction:

Yotpo: Reviews build trust, and Yotpo makes it easy to collect and display customer reviews. This app allows users to submit product photos and reviews directly on your store, and you can showcase these reviews across your website and social channels. According to data, social proof like this can increase conversion rates by up to 30%, making Yotpo a critical tool for boosting sales.

Gorgias: Offering multi-channel customer support, Gorgias helps you centralise all your communication channels, from email to live chat to social media. With faster response times and better ticket management, Gorgias improves customer satisfaction, leading to more sales and repeat business. Pricing starts at £60 per month, making it ideal for stores that prioritise customer support​.

Tidio: If live chat is what you need, Tidio is your go-to app. It allows real-time chat with customers, which can quickly resolve queries, ease purchasing decisions, and ultimately reduce cart abandonment. Real-time assistance has been shown to increase conversion rates by up to 15%, especially for mobile shoppers​.

4. Apps to Increase Average Order Value (AOV)

Encouraging customers to spend more per transaction can have a significant impact on your bottom line. These apps are designed to help you boost AOV:

Bundler: This app allows you to create product bundles and offer discounts to encourage customers to purchase more. Bundles are an easy way to increase AOV, and Bundler makes it simple to create mix-and-match offers. Studies show that offering bundled products can increase your average order value by as much as 30%​.

Bold Upsell: Upselling is one of the quickest ways to increase AOV. Bold Upsell suggests relevant additional products to customers right before they complete their purchase, increasing the likelihood that they’ll add more to their cart. With a conversion rate of around 10–20% for upsell offers, Bold Upsell can significantly boost your revenue.

5. Shipping and Fulfilment Solutions

Fast and reliable shipping is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Here are some top shipping apps for UK stores:

Royal Mail Click & Drop: This app integrates directly with Shopify, making it easier to handle all your shipping needs within the UK. It offers shipping label creation, tracking, and automated customer notifications.

ShipStation: For stores that handle a higher volume of orders, ShipStation is a must. It helps automate shipping processes, manage carriers, and streamline fulfilment. By reducing manual tasks, ShipStation improves efficiency and reduces errors, making it an ideal solution for growing businesses.

6. Payment and Checkout Optimisation

E-commerce websites are increasingly benefiting from AI technologies:

Shop Pay: Free to install, Shop Pay speeds up the checkout process by allowing customers to complete purchases with just one click. This results in faster conversions, with some stores reporting a doubling of conversion rates after enabling Shop Pay​.

Klarna: Offering customers the option to “Buy Now, Pay Later,” Klarna has become a favourite among UK shoppers. It’s a great way to increase cart sizes while reducing cart abandonment, as customers are more likely to complete their purchase when they don’t have to pay upfront​.

Key Takeaways

Identify Your Needs: Every store has different needs, so the best apps for you will depend on your goals. Whether it’s boosting conversions, improving customer experience, or increasing AOV, there’s an app that can help.

Free vs. Paid Apps: Many free apps can be highly effective, but paid apps often offer more advanced features that can save you time and money in the long run. Evaluate your store’s needs and invest wisely​.

Focus on Core Areas: Don’t overwhelm your store with too many apps. Stick to the essentials, like Klaviyo for email marketing, Google Channel for traffic, and Yotpo for reviews​.

FAQs

Do I need to use paid apps to see results?

Not necessarily. Many free apps like Privy and Google Channel can drive significant improvements. However, paid apps like Gorgias or Bold Upsell offer advanced features that can further enhance your store’s performance.

Start by identifying your store’s pain points—whether that’s increasing traffic, improving customer experience, or reducing cart abandonment. Choose apps that directly address these challenges.

For quick wins, look at apps like Zipify OCU for upsells or Yotpo for social proof. These can make an immediate impact on your sales.