Automate Your Shopify Store
Learn about the best ways to automate your e-commerce business and manage your inventory across multiple Shopify stores.
Multiple storesMulti-Store Inventory Management Apps: Enhancing E-Commerce SuccessRunning a network of online stores demands efficient inventory management. Unless you're willing to dedicate hours each day to tracking stock levels, order statuses, and shipping data, a reliable multi-store inventory app is indispensable.
Multi-store inventory apps help you streamline your operations across multiple sales sources and locations, such as marketplaces, e-commerce, retail, and wholesale.
These apps sync with shopping carts and backend systems, ensuring real-time insights into stock levels, order statuses, and sales trends. This blog post explores the significance of these apps and presents a selection of top-notch solutions.
Why Opt for a Multi-Store Inventory App?
Effective inventory management is pivotal for e-commerce businesses seeking strategic growth. By embracing a multi-store inventory app, you gain a competitive edge, effortlessly reaching a broader customer base irrespective of geographical barriers. The advantages are multi-faceted:
Centralized management: Simplify inventory management across all locations with a centralized platform. Uniformity in information reduces complexity and ensures consistency.Real-time insights: Gain real-time visibility into stock levels and sales across your stores. This foresight prevents stockouts and optimizes replenishment.Effortless order fulfillment: Seamlessly fulfill orders with accurate inventory data. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also reduces shipping times and costs.Informed decision-making: Detailed analytics empower businesses to make informed decisions about stock allocation, pricing, and growth strategies.
Best Multi-Store Inventory Apps for Your E-Commerce Business
1. Multi-Store Sync Power
Multi-Store Sync Power acts as a central hub connecting your multiple Shopify stores. Catering to both B2B and B2C domains, its standout features encompass:
Automatic inventory updates across linked storesSimultaneous creation and update of products and collectionsMaintenance of distinct pricing structuresAlerts for missing or incorrect SKUs and barcodes
With detailed analytics, Multi-Store Sync Power equips you to track sales trends and optimize profits.
» Learn more about this handy app in the following Multi-Store Sync Power review
2. Out-of-Stock Police
Out-of-Stock Police excels in real-time inventory control across multiple stores. Its capabilities include:
Custom rules to handle out-of-stock products in collections.Automatic tagging of out-of-stock items.Improved visibility and SEO for out-of-stock products.Alerts for timely reordering based on stock levels.
» Gain an in-depth understanding of this Shopify app in the following Out-of-Stock Police review
3. Bestsellers reSort
Bestsellers reSort offers advanced inventory organization for multi-store management. With its comprehensive set of sorting rules, you can tailor the order of products within collections across various stores. This capability ensures that each store's inventory is optimized to suit its target demographic, boosting sales potential and overall customer satisfaction. You can finely tune each store's inventory presentation for maximum impact by arranging products based on:
RevenueInventorySalesBestsellersViewsCreation or publish date
» Interested in learning more about this app? Read this Bestsellers reSort review
4. Simple Sample Data
Simple Sample Data can help you fully test your development stores before launching them. This includes:
Populating your store in one click with all or some of the features—products with images, orders, customers, smart and custom collectionsChoosing from 3 fully developed sample data themes
By providing accurate dummy data during store creation, you can create a standardized foundation for inventory management practices across multiple stores. This consistency simplifies the process of later implementing inventory management strategies.
» Discover more in this Simple Sample Data review
Other Inventory Management Techniques
While multi-store inventory management offers a tailored approach to optimizing e-commerce strategies, it's equally valuable to consider the merits and limitations of other inventory management methods.
ABC Analysis
This method identifies the most popular and least popular stocks.Safety Stock
An inventory management philosophy that prioritizes safety stock ensures that there is always spare stock reserved in case the business is unable to restock those items.Minimum Order Quantity
To cut costs, a company that relies on minimum order quantity will order small amounts of merchandise from wholesalers in each purchase.Consignment
When using consignment inventory management, a company withholds paying its supplier until a particular product is sold. Until the inventory is sold, that provider also retains ownership of the inventory.
Elevate Efficiency and Witness Business Flourish
As an e-commerce store owner, managing your inventory is crucial to the success of your business. With the increasing competition in the market, it's important to stay ahead of the game by streamlining your operations and improving efficiency. A multi-store inventory app can help you achieve that and take your business to the next level. Overall, a multi-store inventory app is a powerful tool that can help you optimize your operations and improve your bottom line. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, investing in the right inventory management solution can make a world of difference for your e-commerce business.
Multiple storesManaging Multiple Shopify Stores: Challenges, Solutions, and Best PracticesHave you ever wondered how successful e-commerce entrepreneurs effortlessly manage multiple Shopify stores? Curious about the challenges that arise and the ingenious solutions that pave the way for prosperity?
In this blog post, we'll take you on a guided exploration of the world of multiple Shopify stores, offering insights into managing them effectively, overcoming challenges, and thriving in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Should You Have Multiple Shopify Stores?
Shopify, a versatile e-commerce platform, empowers business owners to create and manage multiple online stores. This strategic choice can unlock various opportunities, such as:
1. Global Expansion
Breaking into international markets demands a tailored approach. Running multiple Shopify stores enables you to cater to diverse needs, from language and currency preferences to local product offerings.2. Outlet Creation
Offering discounted products can clear warehouse space and get rid of obsolete stock, but it risks brand devaluation. A secondary Shopify store provides an outlet to target new customers without compromising your brand's value.3. Diverse Segmentation
Running distinct stores allows flexible audience targeting and niche establishment. For instance, if you specialize in women's clothing, separate stores for casual and evening wear cater to diverse customer segments.
5 Common Challenges of Managing Multiple Shopify Stores (+ Solutions)
Businesses operating multiple Shopify stores often encounter several challenges. Let's explore these challenges and discover effective solutions:
1. Managing Orders Across Stores
Issue: Fulfilling orders and processing returns from various storefronts can be complex.Solution: Centralize order management through an integrated system. Consolidate order data, including fulfillment, returns, customer support, and dropshipping processes.
2. Keeping Inventory Updated
Issue: Shopify doesn't automatically update inventory across different stores when a product is sold.Solution: Implement a real-time inventory management system. This ensures consistent stock levels and prevents overselling, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Simplify Multi-Store Inventory Management With Egnition
Effortlessly synchronize inventory, products, and collections across multiple Shopify stores with Egnition's Multi-Store Sync Power.
Two-way sync: Changes in one store automatically update others.Automated inventory updates: Orders, refunds, and cancellations trigger inventory changes.Seamless product management: Easily create and update products.Custom product pricing: Implement distinct pricing rules.
» Gain a more in-depth understanding of this Shopify app in the following Multi-Store Sync Power review
3. SEO Complexity
Issue: Running multiple stores requires doubled efforts for domain development and SEO implementation.Solutions: Monitor popular keywords to tailor content for diverse markets. Crafting location-specific SEO strategies boosts your ranking in various locales.
» Discover how to set up multiple domains under one Shopify account
4. Improving Website Speed
Issue: Slow-loading stores hinder user experience and potentially impact sales.Solution: Boost store performance by adhering to best practices. Minimize code, optimize images, reduce redirects, prioritize mobile optimization, and utilize content delivery networks (CDNs) for improved page speed.
5. Choosing the Right Plan
Issue: Selecting the appropriate Shopify plan for multiple stores can be challenging.Solution: Weigh up the pros and cons of each plan:Separate Shopify Plans for Multiple Stores
Shopify merchants are most familiar with the Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify plans. However, none of them supports multiple Shopify stores on the same account. If you have a Shopify plan, the simplest approach to adding one or two more shops is to keep buying more plans.Multiple Stores on Shopify Plus
If you want to avoid Shopify login issues, opting for a Shopify Plus plan is better. This package is meant for high-volume businesses and starts at $2000/month. With Shopify Plus, you get ten stores. Each extra store costs $250. Once you log in to your Shopify admin, you can navigate between multiple Shopify storefronts associated with the same email address.
Confidently Navigating the World of Multiple Shopify Stores
Managing multiple Shopify stores may seem daunting, but with the right strategies and tools, you can streamline operations and stay ahead. Remember these key points:
Stay organized and focused.Leverage automation tools like Multi‑Store Sync Power.Delegate overwhelming tasks.Maintain open communication and reach out for support when needed.
By adopting these best practices, you'll conquer the challenges of managing multiple Shopify stores and position yourself for sustained success in the e-commerce realm.
» Explore these best practices to help you manage multiple Shopify stores better
Product organizationShopify Product API Guide: Create, Update, & Delete Products Using Shopify APIThe Shopify API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of tools and protocols connecting Shopify to various other applications, services, and websites.
This allows developers to read, create, update, and delete different data types, including products, orders, customers, and inventory. In this Shopify product API guide, we'll look at:
Creating products with Shopify APIAdding and updating product informationDeleting products via Shopify APIUsing Simple Sample Data for testing and developmentBest practices and tips for using Shopify product API
Laying the Foundation for API Success
Before you get started, it's imperative to set up your access to the Shopify API. Here's how:
Navigate to your Shopify admin panel and click on Apps.Select Manage private apps and create a new private app by specifying a name and email.Define the required permissions, focusing on product-related actions.Once created, Shopify generates essential API keys (API key, password, shared secret) that secure your interactions with the API.
1. Creating Products With Shopify API
Once you're all set up, follow these steps to construct API requests to create new products:
1. Choose the appropriate API endpoint
POST /admin/api/2023-07/products.json
2. Set headers for authentication. Include:
"Content-Type: application/json" and "X-Shopify-Access-Token: {access_token}"
3. Create a JSON payload: Shape a product object with details such as title, description, price, and variants.
4. Send the request. Issue a POST request to the chosen endpoint and attach the payload.
5. Handle the API response. Make sure products were created accurately by checking for things like error messages and confirmations.
2. Adding and Updating Product Information
1. To access product data via the Shopify API, issue a GET request to the product endpoint:
https://{store_name}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2023-07/products.json
Extract details like titles, descriptions, prices, and variants from the response.
2. Use PUT or PATCH requests to specific product endpoints to update product information. Make a request payload containing the changes you want, and include it in your API call.
For attributes (title, description, pricing), modify the respective fields in your payload.To handle variants and options, annotate variant details in the product payload's variants field.For metadata and custom fields, check the metafields endpoint. Employ POST, PUT, or PATCH requests for creation or updates.
3. Now, let's put this into a real-world context. For example, to update a product's title, send a PUT request to:
products/{product_id}.json
Accompany the request with a payload bearing the new title. For price changes, engage a PATCH request to refresh variant prices.
4. Use the Bulk Operations API to modify multiple products simultaneously for bulk updates. To consistently synchronize your data, use proper error handling and retries.
3. Deleting Products via Shopify API
Pro tip:
Before you use the Shopify API to delete products, understand the implications and considerations involved. Removing a product impacts several things, like inventory, orders, and customer experiences.
1. To remove products, send a DELETE request to the specific product endpoint, for example:
https://{store_name}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2023-07/products/{product_id}.json
Confirm by including a query parameter:
?confirm=1
2. You'll want to make sure you're handling associated data appropriately. Prioritize inventory adjustments using the Inventory API. For orders, update linked items or transactions. When you manage these connections, you can better help prevent disruptions in order history and customer records.
4. Here are a few tips to prevent accidental deletions:
Use a sandbox environment: Make a test or development store to practice deletions before changing your live store.Implement confirmation steps: Add extra steps or user authentication layers to reduce risk.Backup data: Regularly back up your store data so you can restore any unintended deletions.Keep audit trails: Maintain comprehensive logs of product deletions, which can help identify and resolve errors.
Using Simple Sample Data for Testing and Development
Simple Sample Data can help you test and develop Shopify product API by generating dummy data. By populating your store with test products, collections, orders, and customers, you can validate API interactions before engaging your real data.
Choose from three full themes to thoroughly test the APIGenerate and delete sample data with a single clickPick and choose which sample data you want to test
This way, dummy data benefits you by helping you avoid potential pitfalls in a live environment while accelerating the development process and enhancing overall product quality.
» Learn more about this Shopify app in the following Simple Sample Data review
Best Practices and Tips for Using Shopify Product API
Performance optimization and rate limiting: Balance request frequency to prevent exceeding API call limits. This can help make sure your operations are consistent and efficient.Effective error handling: Interpret status codes to diagnose issues, which will help you debug swiftly and precisely.Rigorously test API calls: This ensures your product management system is resilient while ironing out flaws and fine-tuning functionalities.Be adaptable: Stay vigilant by tracking API changes and version updates. Prioritize proper versioning in your codebase to stay in line with evolving features and safeguard against potential disruptions.
Empowering Product Management With Shopify API
Using the Shopify Product API gives you access to multiple tools and strategies for better, more efficient product management in your Shopify store. You'll have streamlined creation, updates, and deletions, plus robust integration possibilities and unparalleled customization. As a developer or business owner, leverage Shopify API's potential to enhance your product management workflows.
Simple sample dataSample Data Insights: Testing 5 Crucial Aspects of Your Shopify StoreLaunching a successful Shopify store requires meticulous planning and strategic implementation. One powerful tool in an e-commerce merchant's arsenal is sample data.
Sample data allows you to thoroughly test your Shopify store before and after its launch, ensuring optimal performance.
Importance of Testing a Shopify Store Using Sample Data
Sample data mirrors real-world data, enabling you to accurately assess your store's functionality and address potential issues. There are various types of sample data available for testing:
Shopify test productsCustomersOrdersThemes
Pre-Launch Testing
Before your grand opening, pre-launch testing is crucial. In this phase, you can identify and fix critical issues ranging from minor inconveniences for your customers to major performance issues for your entire store. You can simulate user engagement and navigation flows, plus test your ordering process.
Post-Launch Testing
Even when your store is live, your work isn't done. You should continuously test it to ensure no new issues arise after your launch. Post-launch testing will also help you catch any areas where you can improve and capitalize on them as soon as possible. Monitor things like user behavior, order processing, and inventory levels to make better, data-driven choices as you make your daily decisions.
» Learn how to easily create dummy data for your e-commerce store
5 Key Aspects to Test Using Sample Data
1. Website Navigation & User Experience
Smooth and efficient user journeys are vital. Test your store's layout and navigation with sample data to identify and optimize potential bottlenecks. Regular testing, perhaps every quarter, helps you adapt to changing customer preferences.
2. Checkout Process
Ensure a seamless checkout process to reduce cart abandonment. Sample data can help you ensure that the process is smooth and bug-free. For example, you can check if:
Payment gateways are efficient.Order processing works.Shipping options display correctly and appropriately based on the specific customer's options.
Analyzing this testing data allows you to make adjustments to minimize friction during checkout and boost your conversion rates.
3. Inventory Management
Want to avoid out-of-stock situations and backorders, which lead to lost sales and unhappy customers? Sample data can help with that. You can assess:
Inventory levelsStock notificationsProduct availability
When you regularly test your inventory management systems, you'll be better able to anticipate patterns and optimize stock accordingly. This can be especially helpful for seasonal inventory.
» Keep your customers informed by setting up back-in-stock notifications for your Shopify store
4. Shipping & Fulfillment
Issues with shipping and fulfillment can ruin a positive shopping experience in your Shopify store, potentially costing you customers. These aspects are vital to the overall customer journey, extending beyond the purchase. Utilizing sample data allows you to assess:
Shipping cost accuracyEffectiveness of various shipping methodsTimely delivery estimates
Regular evaluations help you maintain shipping competitiveness and ensure prompt order fulfillment.
» Your customers left you with the shipping bill? Here's how to handle return shipping costs
5. Mobile Responsiveness
As mobile devices become integral to daily online shopping, ensuring a seamless mobile experience for your Shopify store is essential. Sample data testing helps evaluate customers' mobile shopping, highlighting potential issues with responsiveness, speed, and usability across devices.
» Struggling with a slow-loading website? Check out these personally tested methods to increase website speed
Harness the Power of Simple Sample Data
While it may seem like a lot of work, there are tools to help, like Egnition's Simple Sample Data. This app offers several benefits to store owners, including:
Generating realistic sample data for development storesCustomizing sample data to suit any e-commerce storeGenerating orders and customers to test user journeys and flowsOne-click data deletion when you're done
» Read the following Simple Sample Data review and gain an in-depth understanding of the app
Analyzing and Interpreting Sample Data Testing Results
Effective analysis of sample data testing results is pivotal in deriving actionable insights for your Shopify store. Follow these key concepts for a meaningful interpretation:
Set Clear Objectives
Define specific testing objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) before conducting tests. This clarity helps you focus on relevant data.Identify Patterns and Trends
Look for consistent patterns and trends across different tests or time periods. Identify reliable insights that can guide decision-making.Data-Driven Decisions
Translate your findings into data-driven decisions. Determine how each insight can lead to improvements in your store's performance.Implement Positive Changes
Transform insights into practical changes, whether they involve minor adjustments or substantial shifts in strategy.
By systematically analyzing and interpreting sample data, you can enhance your store's functionality and customer experience.
Seamless Testing With Sample Data
Testing your Shopify store with quality, meaningful, and relevant sample data can benefit your business. We strongly recommend using dummy data because it replaces actual data so that there are barely any repercussions if anything goes wrong while tests are being done. When you regularly test for elements like website navigation, checkout, inventory management, shipping, and mobile responsiveness, you can be sure that your customers have an optimal user experience with your brand. Be sure to test and optimize regularly and enlist the help of a tool like Simple Sample Data.
InventorySelling Alcohol on Shopify: Decrease COGS With Good Inventory ManagementWhen selling alcohol on Shopify, the goal is always maximizing profitability per sale. One effective strategy involves reducing your production and delivery expenses—also known as the cost of goods sold (COGS). COGS encompasses various factors such as packaging, shipping, labor, and more.
The lower your COGS, the higher your profit margin. And the higher your profit margin, the more money you make from each sale. IHL Services found that the cost of inventory distortion amounted to $1.8 trillion in 2020.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to reduce your COGS with good inventory management.
» Check out these expert tips for managing pipeline inventory
Understanding COGS in the Alcohol Industry
COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) is the direct expenses you incur to produce or purchase goods you sell during a specific period.
COGS can be made up of these expenses:
Wholesale cost: The price you pay to buy alcohol from your suppliers.Packaging and labeling: The cost of materials and labor to package and label your products.Storage and handling: The toll of transporting your products from your warehouse to your customers, either directly or through a third-party service.Licensing and compliance: This is the cost of obtaining and maintaining the necessary permits, licenses, and certifications to sell alcohol online in your target markets.Marketing and advertising: The cost of promoting your products and brand to potential and existing customers using various channels and strategies.
As you can see, COGS can eat up a significant portion of your revenue, so it's crucial to keep it as low as possible. However, how can you do that without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction? The answer lies in good inventory management. Next, we share four proven inventory management strategies that can help you decrease your COGS and boost your profitability.
1. Monitor Stock Levels
As a savvy alcohol seller, it's crucial to keep an eye on your inventory levels. You don't want to have too much or too little booze in your warehouse, as both scenarios can hurt your bottom line.
Overstocking alcohol can increase your carrying costs, such as storage fees, insurance, and taxes—not to mention the risk of spoilage, theft, and obsolescence.Stockouts can cause customer dissatisfaction and lost sales opportunities.
» Consider these techniques to manage overstock and understock in your Shopify store
Using a Shopify App
With Out-of-Stock Police, you can access real-time statistics on your inventory performance, such as turnover rate, sell-through rate, and days of supply. You can also set up automated stock notifications that alert you when a product is low or out of stock, so you can restock in time. It's like having your own inventory police but without the sirens and handcuffs.
» Interested in learning more about this app? Check out the following Out-of-Stock Police review
2. Sort Inventory
Sorting inventory means organizing your products into different categories based on criteria such as profitability, popularity, and expiration dates. This way, you can easily identify which products are slow-moving or close to expiring and take proactive measures to sell them faster. For example, you can create special offers, discounts, or bundles to attract more buyers and clear out your old stock.
Using a Shopify App
Bestsellers reSort lets you create custom sort orders for your products using tags, so you can display them in the most optimal way on your online store. You can also configure the app to sort your products based on various metrics, such as sales, views, ratings, reviews, and more.
» Gain an in-depth understanding of this handy app in this comprehensive Bestsellers reSort review
3. Sync Inventory Across Multiple Stores
For any alcohol seller, overselling across multiple stores is a dreaded scenario. It not only leads to disgruntled customers who want their purchases delivered now, but it can also lead to refunds, restocking fees, and potential penalties from Shopify. The consequences are twofold: increased COGS and reduced profits.
Syncing inventory across multiple Shopify stores addresses these challenges. It streamlines order fulfillment and shipping processes by giving you accurate stock levels for each product across your different stores. As a result, you can efficiently ship products between stores, saving precious time, labor, and transportation costs.
Using a Shopify App
Multi-Store Sync Power lets you sync your inventory in real time with two-way sync functionality. This means any changes made in one store will automatically update across all of your other stores in a snap. You just need to install the app on all your stores, connect them with a few clicks, and choose which products and variants you want to sync. The app will take care of the rest.
» Learn more about this app's features in the following Multi-Store Sync Power review
4. Leverage Data Analytics for Demand Forecasting
Alcohol has a limited shelf life, and improper storage can result in spoilage. Striking the right balance is essential—you want to avoid running out of your products, but you also don't want to overstock them and end up with expired items.
That's why you need to use data analytics to forecast your demand and optimize your inventory levels. Data analytics can help you understand your customer behavior, market trends, and historical sales data. This, in turn, can help you make more accurate predictions about how much alcohol you need to order and when.
Using a Shopify App
Here are some of the benefits of using a Shopify app for inventory forecasting:
Automated data collection: The app can automatically collect data from your Shopify store, including orders, products, customers, and inventory, saving you time and effort.Centralized data storage: The app can store all your data in one place, making it easy to access and analyze.Advanced analytics: The app can use various techniques, such as descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, to provide you with valuable insights and recommendations.Automated & customizable reports: The app can generate reports that show you key metrics, such as sales trends, inventory turnover, stock levels, and reorder points.Forecasting algorithms: The app can use sophisticated algorithms that take into account various factors, such as seasonality, promotions, holidays, and weather, to forecast your future demand.
» Choose Excel over a Shopify app? Use our tips for more efficient inventory forecasting
Additional Tips to Decrease COGS
Negotiate better wholesale prices with suppliersOptimize shipping and handling feesComply with all applicable taxes and licensing requirementsLeverage seasonal promotionsConduct regular inventory audits
Stock Smart, Sell Smarter: Minimize COGS for Maximum Returns
Selling alcohol on Shopify can be a lucrative business, but achieving success relies on effective inventory management. By optimizing your inventory management, you can reduce COGS and improve profit margins. This involves minimizing carrying costs, preventing waste and stockouts, and enhancing inventory turnover.
However, managing alcohol inventory can be challenging. But by using the right Shopify apps, you can streamline the process. These apps offer automation and improved inventory management capabilities, including real-time stock tracking, product reordering, inventory synchronization across various channels, and generation of reports and insights. By leveraging these tools, you can save time, cut costs, and concentrate on growth and providing exceptional customer experiences, ultimately driving higher profitability.
Product organizationDifferences Between Visitors and Sessions Explained: Increase Shopify Store TrafficUnlocking the full potential of your e-commerce store relies on understanding the intricacies of visitors and sessions. These two metrics play a vital role in analyzing your website's performance, attracting more customers, and driving conversions. Below, we discuss how to manage your visitors and sessions strategies to ultimately increase your Shopify store traffic.
Meet the Expert:
Courtney Sharp is a marketing and e-commerce expert. Her marketing agency, Sharp Media Agency, specializes in digital marketing, branding, ads, and social media, with a strong focus on fashion, retail, and beauty commerce.
Visitors and Sessions: Decoding the Jargon
Visitors, also known as unique visitors, are the number of individuals who access your website within a given timeframe. It represents the unique amount of people who visit your store, regardless of how many times they visit.Sessions represent the total number of interactions or visits made by users on your website. A session can include multiple visits from the same visitor. For example, if a repeat customer visits your store a bunch of times, each visit will count as a separate session but only as one unique visitor.
Are You Making the Most of Analyzing Your Shopify Store Traffic?
One common misconception among online retailers is undervaluing the importance of analyzing website traffic. While they have access to this wealth of analytics, they don't take advantage of it. For example, some fail to set up proper analytics tools like Google Analytics, so they miss out on valuable insights.
It's about getting a strong standpoint for your analytics and realizing there's a lot of power within that.
However, investing time and effort in understanding your analytics can provide immense value to your brand. Even small improvements in key metrics can lead to significant growth, especially when you're dealing with high sales volumes.
For example, when you're talking about a hundred thousand sales increasing by just 1%-2%, the additional 1,000-2,000 sales can be massive for a company.
What Types of Key Metrics Should You Consider When Analyzing Your Visitors and Sessions?
Drop-off Rate
It's important to understand where and why visitors leave your website. By identifying common drop-off points, you can optimize those areas to reduce bounce rates and improve conversions.Heatmap Analysis
You can track visitor interactions on your website via heatmap applications like Hotjar. This visual representation helps identify where users click and provides valuable insights into their behavior.Search Metrics
It's crucial to assess the search experience on your website, particularly if you want to enhance organic traffic. Optimizing your products and pages for search engines is essential, as search plays a significant role in driving on-site conversions.Traffic Channels
Analyzing the channels your visitors use to arrive at your site is essential. Setting up proper tracking with tools like Google Tags can help you determine the effectiveness of your social platforms, influencer programs, or affiliate marketing in driving traffic.
Pro Tips to Increase Visitor Conversion RatesOne of the primary concerns for online retailers is getting their visitors to convert more. Make sure you offer a seamless customer experience by:Ensuring your website speed and navigation are optimal.Being transparent about shipping rates.Optimizing your product pages by using engaging visuals.Keeping mobile users in mind.A/B testing to try different methods.
Which Strategies Can You Use to Increase Visitors to Your Shopify Store?
Organic Traffic
Making up 50% of your overall traffic, you can prioritize organic SEO by optimizing your website's pages, products, and images. Focus on building reputable backlinks and establishing a strong online presence to attract organic traffic.Paid Traffic
Depending on your brand's stage and industry, paid traffic can account for 15% of your website's traffic, so it's important to invest in platforms that align with your target audience. Google Ads may work well for certain sectors, while social media advertising can be effective for others. Tailor your paid media strategy to reach the right audience on the right platforms.Community Building
Foster a sense of community around your brand by engaging customers and building relationships. Leverage email marketing, social media, and customer relationship management (CRM) to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Example: Selling Alcohol Directly to CustomersSuppose you operate in the alcohol industry. Most likely, you're going to focus the majority of your paid traffic spend on Google, like Google ads and search ads, because this is where you find the most results for your brand. When people want alcohol delivered, they're not going to TikTok and typing it in. They're going to Google and search, "wine delivered near me."
Which Strategies Can You Use to Increase Sessions to Your Shopify Store?
Improving store sessions requires creating an engaging and interactive user experience. A session should be like a conversation. On the one hand, you should build a brand that brings value to your core customers and communicates a clear brand voice throughout your website. On the other hand, you should encourage users to participate in conversations, interact with your brand, and create a sense of community. By considering both the technical and brand-building aspects, you can optimize store sessions and foster long-term success.
Glossier: Making It About You
Glossier, an online beauty products seller, excels at involving their buyers with their brand. They've centered their community around their brand and repeat this in all their website copy:
Here at Glossier, beauty is about you.
It's where we realized that beauty shouldn't be built in a boardroom—it should be built by you.
We believe in thoughtful design and cultivating conversations. It's at the core of everything we do.
They also feature their customers via videos and images on the website using their products. The captions at the bottom of the imagery include the customer's name and what product they're using. For example, "Shani wears Lip Gloss in Red."
Harnessing the Potential of Visitors and Sessions: Takeaways for Online Retailers
To effectively analyze the performance of your e-commerce store, it's important to understand the difference between visitors and sessions. This knowledge will help you dispel any misconceptions and concentrate on essential metrics, allowing you to get valuable insights to optimize your website's traffic. By implementing strategies to increase visitors and improve store sessions, you can create a more captivating user experience, enhance conversion rates, and cultivate a loyal customer base.
But remember—there's no one solution. Analyzing your traffic and optimizing your online store are ongoing processes that require a balance between technical considerations and brand-building efforts.
MultichannelWriting Follow-Up Emails for Purchase Orders—With TemplatesSending follow-up emails for purchase orders can really irritate clients if you are not doing it in the right way. A gentle, professional nudge is all that's needed. As a business owner, it is your duty to grab each and every opportunity to impress your clients so that you can keep them for life, and this is one of them.
Keep reading to learn how to write a great follow-up email.
Things to Consider Before Writing a Follow-Up Email for Purchase Orders
It is essential to ask yourself these important questions before you send a follow-up email to your clients:
What information do I need to include to add value to my client?
Perhaps links to important information that will tip the sale in your favor or even show your client that you want them to understand the true value of the product.Is it easy to read and understand?
Are you getting to the point and using plain English? The less wordy, the better.Is it professionally designed?
Any communication that you send to your clients must look professional. Even one silly spelling error to a pedantic client will tarnish your brand image.
Tips for Writing a Follow-Up Email for Purchase Orders
Let's look at some important tips for writing your follow-up emails:
Take time to write your subject line
It must catch your client's attention and encourage them to open the email and read it.Get to the point and get personal
Personalize the email as much as you can. Research has shown that people engage more with personalized communication.Be strategic about your timing
You shouldn't overwhelm your client with too many emails sent soon after each other. This can be very frustrating for people who are very busy and don't want their inboxes spammed unnecessarily.Keep the hook in
Keep highlighting the value they will get from your product or service.Keep following up
Just not too often, and each time with a new angle. Don't send the same email over and over.
Follow-Up Email Templates
Now that you are ready to get started let's look at a sample of a follow-up email for a purchase order:
Example 1:Subject line: We're still waiting for your purchase order—[product] is selling out fast! Dear [Name], We are grateful for your interest in purchasing our [product or service]. We will need the purchase order to keep your order aside—we are selling out very fast. Just a gentle reminder that you will be able to enjoy these key benefits: [add product benefits] If you finalize the sale in the next three days, we'll throw in a discounted shipping fee. We hope to hear from you soon. The team at [company name] [contact details]
Example 2:Subject line: Reminder: We need your purchase order to seal this incredible deal! Dear [Name], Thank you for taking a keen interest in buying [product or service]. Here are some of the reasons why you won't be sorry for buying the [product or service]: [add reasons] If you send us your purchase order as soon as possible, you'll get all of this and more! For more information about [product or service], follow these links: [add links for more information] You may also be interested in hearing what other customers are saying about [product or service]: [add some testimonials] We can't wait to hear from you! The team at [company name] [contact details]
» Engage your customers with the best Shopify apps with email templates
Is It Appropriate to Ask for a Purchase Order in an Email?
That's a difficult question to answer because it depends on each individual client. Some will love your ingenuity and the way you prompt them to finalize a sale, while others may get frustrated. What's important to remember is that you are never going to please all your clients. Just make sure they are given the option to unsubscribe, and it should be easy to do. If they have unsubscribed from your emails, it may be worth your while to call or message them.
The bottom line is that a follow-up email's core purpose is to make a sale. The secondary purpose is to build your brand, thus developing customer loyalty and retention. It is critical for all three to work together to boost your bottom line over the short and long term. It's worth putting in the effort to do it right.
Multiple storesHow to Create a Development Store in Shopify—and Why You ShouldLearning how to create a development store in Shopify is one of the most valuable things you can do as a Shopify developer. Development stores are simple free accounts in Shopify where you can experiment with different Shopify apps and themes, explore website functionality, and even set up accounts for clients.
Shopify partners have access to unlimited Shopify development stores, so they can test virtually any theme or app they create with ease.
Here's how you can create a development store in Shopify.
How to Create a Development Store in Shopify
The first thing you'll need to create development stores in Shopify is a Partner account, which impacts the cost of setting up a development store. Partners have complete access to the Shopify development store landscape, as well as other benefits like partner-preferred apps, documentation, and affiliate rewards.
You can create a Shopify Partner account by visiting the Partner Program page and filling out the form provided. You'll need to enter your email address and a few other details.
Once you have your Shopify Partner account, you can create as many development stores as you like. Start by logging in to your Shopify Partner dashboard, then follow these steps:
Click Stores.Choose Add Store.Select Development store as your store type.Give your store a name, URL, and password. You can also enter a purpose for the store.Click Save.
Once your store is created, you can log in to it through the Stores tab in your Shopify Partner account dashboard. Here, you'll be able to start experimenting with your store or practice managing multiple stores. You can edit the password page (though it cannot be removed) and install various themes and apps from the Shopify Store.
To install an app in a Shopify development store, visit the Shopify App Store and click the app you want to add. Enter your store's address and add the password when prompted.
When you create a development store, you can also enable Developer Preview to gain access to new features for Shopify, so you can experiment with them before they're released to merchants. You can also archive your development stores by clicking the name of the store you want to archive in the Stores tab and then clicking Archive.
How to Transfer Ownership of a Development Store
One of the most common reasons to create a development store is to create something for a client. Once you've tested that your store works, you can transfer ownership of the domain to the customer in a few simple steps. Start by logging in to your Partner dashboard, then:
Click Stores.Choose Actions next to the store you want to transfer.Select Transfer ownership.In the Transfer dialog box, choose your client from the list of eligible accounts created for your store.If your client isn't a staff member yet, you can click Add staff account to do so.Click Transfer store.
Benefits of Shopify Development Stores
Shopify development stores allow developers to experiment with store creations in a safe and secure environment. You can use your development store to test the themes and apps you've created yourself or to set up a Shopify store with other apps in the Shopify App Store to see how everything functions. This is a great way to test store functionality for clients.
The biggest benefits of Shopify development stores include the following:
Experimentation
You're free to experiment with all the apps and themes you like in a controlled environment where you can access most of Shopify's Advanced functions.Client Site-Building
You can create an entire store for a client, ensure it works as intended, and share the site with your client without paying for a Shopify external license.Exploring New Features
Enabling the Developer Preview option in Shopify development stores allows you to explore new features in Shopify before they're released.
Features and Limitations of Development Stores
One point to keep in mind is that while Shopify development stores are free to use, they do have some limitations. You will get most of the features included in the Shopify Advanced plan in your development environment. This means you can:
Process unlimited test orders.Assign custom domains to stores.Experiment with apps and themes.Create up to 10 custom apps.Create unlimited, unique products for your store.Explore new features from Shopify.
However, development stores will only allow you to install free apps and partner-approved apps, which may be a significant limitation. You can also only test orders using the Bogus Test Gateway or with the test mode offered by your payment provider. It's not possible to test orders with real transactions. You also won't be able to remove the Shopify store password page.
As such, it's up to you to determine whether investing time in Shopify development stores is worth it or not.
Multiple storesHone Your Shopify Apps With a Development StoreTesting your app before submitting it to Shopify is a best practice that can help you avoid potential headaches down the road. By testing your app on Shopify's development platform, you can ensure that it is functioning properly and meets all the requirements outlined in the Shopify Developer Guidelines.
Additionally, testing your app on Shopify's development platform allows you to collect valuable feedback from other developers who are using the same platform. This feedback can help you improve the functionality and usability of your app.
How to Create a Development Store to Test Your App
Before launching a development store, you'll need to create a Shopify Partner account. After your account is set up, simply:
Log in to your Shopify Partner dashboard.Navigate to Stores > Add store.Within the Store type panel, select Development store.From the Login information panel, enter your new store's name and password.If you'd like, check the Create a non-transferrable store that uses developer preview if you'd like to enable developer preview.From the Store address panel, enter your business address.If you'd prefer, from the Store purpose panel, nominate a reason you are creating a development store.Finish up by clicking Save.
How to Test Shopify Apps in a Developmental Store
Now that your development store is all set up and configured to your liking, let's go ahead and test your budding Shopify app. To do this, simply:
Log back in to your Shopify Partner dashboard.From the dashboard, navigate to Apps.Select the name of your app to head to the App overview page.From this page, in the Test your app panel, navigate to Select store.Select the newly created development store that you wish to test your app in.To finish up, click Install app.
Once Install app is clicked, the platform should take you to the OAuth screen. If it does not, you'll need to check if your app has integrated correctly. To do this, check your app's coding, URLs, and redirects. If you are seeing this problem, head to Shopify's Getting started with OAuth page for more information.
To learn more about Shopify, head over to our multi-store inventory apps guide or check out our how to manage Shopify inventory article.
Tips for Testing Your Shopify App
When you're testing your app, there are a few key things to keep in mind, such as the following:
First, be sure to test on different devices and browsers. This will give you a good idea of how your app looks and performs on different platforms.Next, pay attention to the user experience. Make sure that everything works smoothly and that the user interface is easy to navigate.To finish, note any errors or glitches. These can be anything from small typos to major glitches that cause the app to crash. Be sure to rectify any issues before launching your app.
Does Shopify Have a Test Environment?
Shopify.dev is the official test environment for Shopify merchants that allows developers to test their themes and apps before they are submitted to the Shopify App Store. The environment is also helpful for troubleshooting issues with live stores.
Shopify.dev is a replica of the Shopify platform that includes all the features and functionality of the live store. This way, developers can create test stores, add products, and configure settings just as they would in a live setting.
The environment also includes a built-in theme editor and app editor, allowing developers to preview their changes in real time before submitting them for approval.
The Shopify team regularly updates Shopify.dev with the latest features and changes to the platform. This ensures that developers have access to the most up-to-date information when building their themes and apps.