You may not know that Shopify has its own app store featuring apps from numerous developers, as well as some of their own. These apps are designed to add functionality to your online Shopify site. By 2022, Shopify had more than 6000 apps in its store. We take a look at the types of apps available to help you decide which ones you need.
Front-end Apps
Another name for front-end apps is the interface of an app. This can be seen by the user and can be used to facilitate interaction. The user’s view will be of an image, text or button, etc., or a menu used for navigation. Interaction occurs by clicking on the visible item. Front-end apps have many uses, such as to upsell or cross-sell products. They also add to the look of your website.
Front-end apps have one big downside. They slow your site down. When loading a page, your site must access the developer’s server. If the latter is slow, it causes your site to be slow. And the more front-end apps you have, the greater your chances of it becoming really slow, which can cause users to leave your website. Because of this issue, experts suggest limiting your front-end apps to five or fewer in number.
Back-end Apps
Back-end apps do not have an impact on how fast pages load as they do not need to connect to servers elsewhere. Thus, you can have as many as you need to get the functionality you want. Some sources recommend having around 20 back-end apps. Examples of back-end app uses include integrating with other software, apps to handle the import and export of stock, apps that provide reports on how users interact with your website, and apps that integrate with social media sites, such as a Shopify Google feed app.
Managing Shopify Apps
As your business expands, you may find you need new apps to manage it more efficiently. However, instead of just adding new apps continuously, you also need to monitor the ones you have. After all, you are paying for most or all of them.
New apps are constantly being released. Some of these will do what an existing app has been doing far better and at a lower price. In such cases, you need to install the better-performing app. But don’t forget to delete the one that has become obsolete. You may also find that you no longer use a particular app or need its functionality anymore. Thus, you are paying for something you don’t need. These should likewise be removed.
It is recommended that you conduct an audit of your website apps every quarter. Shopify sends its customers an itemized invoice that lists all the apps you are paying for. Make sure you know what each app is being used for. Determine if it is necessary and helpful to keep it and that functionality has not been duplicated.
Shopify apps offer greater functionality, and every site needs the right ones.
