18 Powerful Strategies on How to Increase Sales on Shopify

Are your marketing efforts not yielding the expected results? It’s time to rethink your approach.

Millions of merchants worldwide sell their products on Shopify, a platform known for its user-friendly interface and robust e-commerce features. However, merely having a Shopify store is insufficient in a marketplace teeming with competition. To succeed and consistently increase sales, you need strategies that set you apart.

Last year, in 2023, the Shopify revenue was $7.06B, a 26.07% increase from 2022. To achieve the same or even greater growth, Shopify store owners must adopt innovative strategies and continuously refine their approach. 

To help you with that, we’ve compiled 18 proven strategies to help you stand out in a crowded market and drive significant sales growth. These strategies elevate your Shopify store’s performance and ensure sustained success in the ever-evolving e-commerce business.

Hey, Shopify store owners, once you’ve rated your existing sales performance, let us know what’s the major challenge disrupting your sales targets. 

Remember, all these exercises we are doing here will help you recognize the pattern that needs your attention the most.

Now Let’s See What’s Stopping Your Shopify Store Closing More Deals

To boost your Shopify sales, it’s crucial to identify the areas hindering your store’s performance. These will clarify where to focus your efforts and help tailor the strategies to meet your needs.

1. Complex store navigation

Complexities can create chaos. If your customers find it challenging to browse and locate products in your store, they will likely leave without purchasing. Simplify your store’s navigation by organizing products into clear categories and providing a smooth search function. 

2. Unclear niche and target Audience

Do more with less. Instead of attempting to cater to the broad requirements of a large customer base, focusing on a specific niche and well-defined target audience can streamline your marketing efforts and resonate more deeply with potential customers.

3. Lack of mobile optimization

With most online shoppers using mobile devices, a store that isn’t optimized for mobile can miss out on significant sales. Ensure your store is responsive, with fast load times and a seamless mobile experience. 

4. Insufficient store branding

Your brand’s identity, vision, and mission should be evident and compelling. A store lacking clear branding or a defined mission can struggle to build a loyal customer base. Clearly articulate what your brand stands for and how it makes a difference, building a deeper bond with your customer.

5. Absence of blog content

Engaging blog content can attract and retain customers by providing valuable information and boosting your SEO. If your store lacks a blog, you’re missing an opportunity to connect with potential buyers and drive traffic. Start a blog to share insights, product tips, and stories that align with your brand and engage your audience.

6. Few promotional offers

Promotions and special offers can be powerful incentives for customers to purchase. If your store rarely offers discounts or deals, you might miss out on attracting cost-conscious shoppers. Implementing strategic promotions, like seasonal sales or bundle offers, can spur buying activity and increase conversions.

How to Increase Sales on Shopify?

Increasing sales on your Shopify store requires strategic planning and practical execution. It is not just ideation but also implementing the right strategies that can significantly elevate your store’s performance. 

Here’s how you can drive more sales and grow your Shopify business:

1. Mobile-first design and responsiveness

We live in an age where smartphones have become an extension of our lives. So, it is essential to ensure that your Shopify store is designed with a “mobile-first” approach. 

Think of a scenario where a potential customer visits your website via their smartphone. With a mobile-first design, the images are crisp, the buttons are user-friendly, and the overall layout is smooth and intuitive. Navigating your online store feels like a breeze.

Now, imagine what happens if we flip the script. What if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, and this same potential customer is struggling to view your offerings, wrestling with tiny buttons, and feeling frustrated? 

This scenario highlights the importance of mobile-first design. According to Statista’s Market Insights, mobile e-commerce sales will reach $2.2 trillion in 2023, accounting for 60% of all e-commerce sales worldwide. To harness this massive market, your store must be mobile-responsive.

2. High-quality product images

Think about the last time you made an online purchase. Did you rely heavily on the images to make your decision? Chances are, you did.

High-quality product images work as a virtual showcase for your product. They help new customers see what they’re buying, check all the details properly, and visualize whether the product fits their requirements or not. Clear, well-lit, and detailed images make a significant difference. Thus, investing in high-quality product images is an investment in sales.

3. Clear and compelling product descriptions

Let’s say you want to shop for a new pair of sneakers. You came across two listings. One listing has a vague description of the sneakers, while the other one paints a vivid picture of comfort, style, and durability.

Which one are you more likely to choose? The answer is evident.

A compelling description does the work of a salesperson. It persuades prospective customers to make a purchase. It highlights the unique selling points, benefits, and solutions the product offers. So, a clear and enticing product description can make all the difference in sealing the deal.

4. Streamlined navigation

What would you like: walking in a well-organized store where you can find all your needed products easily or in a disorganized one with items scattered all over? Obviously, the organized one. 

Similarly, in the digital realm, your website’s navigation is the key to an enjoyable shopping experience. A well-structured menu and search functionality can guide customers to their desired products with ease.

User-friendly website navigation ensures that customers can easily explore your online store, find products of interest, and smoothly progress through the purchase journey.

5. Personalization for shoppers

Think about the Netflix homepage. It’s different for every user, offering personalized recommendations based on their viewing history. It’s quite helpful for the user, right?  

Now, think that your online store too can recognize a customer’s past purchases, preferences, and behavior to tailor product recommendations accordingly. This level of personalization can significantly increase your chances of making a sale and increase customer retention too.

In fact, 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when offered a personalized experience. So, focus on personalization to create a shopping experience that feels unique for each customer. 

6. Advanced email marketing campaigns

Email marketing is like a direct line of communication with your customers. It allows you to connect with your audience in a personalized and cost-effective way.

Email marketing campaigns are not just about sending typical newsletters. Now, advanced email marketing campaigns target specific customer groups with tailored content and offers. For instance, you can send personalized product recommendations, abandoned cart reminders, or exclusive discounts.

7. Harnessing the power of search engine optimization and content marketing

Let’s say you want to purchase a particular product in a new city. What would you do? 

You’ll simply pull out your phone and search for it. Then, the store that appears at the top of the search results is the one you’re likely to visit. This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play.

SEO is the process of optimizing your Shopify store’s website to rank higher in the results of search engines. By strategically using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and optimizing your website’s structure, you can improve your search engine rankings.

8. Leveraging social media to increase sales

You need to understand that your potential customers are not only searching for products on your Shopify store. They are also scrolling through their social media feeds. 

Social media platforms have become powerful sales channels, and leveraging them effectively can significantly impact and increase sales on Shopify. In fact,  54% of social media users use the platform to research products, and 71% of users are more inclined to purchase products or services after seeing recommendations on social media.

9. Paid advertising: Targeting the right audience

Imagine you have the perfect advertisement for your products, but it’s displayed to an audience who has no interest in what you’re offering. Paid advertising, when used effectively, ensures that your message reaches the right audience.

Paid ads platforms like Google Ads and social media ads allow you to target specific demographics, interests, and online behaviors. 

10. Utilizing SMS marketing for customer engagement

SMS marketing allows direct communication with customers via their smartphones. Let’s consider a scenario in which a shopper abandons their cart. Then, they receive a text message with a time-limited discount to encourage them to complete the purchase. That’s the power of SMS marketing.

It’s just as vital as email marketing, with SMS boasting open rates as high as 98%, often within 90 seconds of receipt. You can also use web push notifications for a similar effect, reaching customers who’ve opted in without using personal information.

11. Building trust with social proof and user-generated content

Building trust is something that will make your virtual storefront go a long way. But how do you gain the trust of your customers? Let us take a simple example to understand this.

Imagine a potential customer stumbles upon your store. What they see is a collection of positive reviews, ratings, and real-life photos from happy customers. This is the magic of social proof and user-generated content.

So, to make sales go up, all you have to do is:

• Display genuine feedback from satisfied buyers 
• Showcase user-generated photos of your products in action
• Highlight endorsements from influencers or industry experts 

12. Effective upselling and cross-selling techniques

Does it ever happen to you when you go to a fast-food restaurant and order a burger? The cashier asks, “Would you like to make it a meal with fries and a drink for just a little extra?” This is upselling in action.

Upselling involves encouraging customers to buy a higher-end or more feature-rich product than the one they originally intended to purchase.

On the other hand, cross-selling is the art of suggesting the perfect side dish to complement the main course. Cross-selling is about suggesting related or complementary products that enhance their current purchase. For example, if someone is buying a smartphone, you might recommend phone accessories like cases or screen protectors.

This way by recommending complementary items or highlighting the benefits of a higher-tier product, you can boost your average order value while offering value to your customers.

13. Creating customer loyalty programs

When an existing customer has made several purchases from your store and has been a loyal patron for a while, rewarding their loyalty is a good practice. It is also essential for nurturing long-term relationships. This is where a customer loyalty program comes into play.

A well-crafted loyalty program includes

• Offering incentives,
• Providing discounts, or 
• Giving exclusive access to customers who return to your store repeatedly. 

14. Implementing chatbots and live chat for excellent customer support

Customer support can make or break a sale. What if a shopper is considering a purchase and has a question, but they don’t want to wait for an email response? In such a case, live chat or a chatbot can provide immediate assistance.

These tools are like having a knowledgeable sales associate available 24/7. They can answer questions, provide guidance, and help customers make informed decisions. This exercise ultimately boosts your sales when they are answered immediately.

15. Conducting A/B testing for improved conversions

Improving your Shopify store is an ongoing journey, and A/B testing is your compass for navigating that path. 

In A/B testing, you create two versions of a web page or marketing campaign. Then, you test them with real users to determine which one results in higher conversions. With A/B testing, you can test various elements of your product pages, from headlines and images to button colors and product descriptions.

This data-driven approach allows you to continuously refine your store, optimize for higher conversions, and enhance the overall shopping experience.

16. Offer free shipping to boost sales

Does this ever happen to you? You’re shopping online, and you reach the checkout page. The total cost is just a bit too high, mainly due to shipping cost. Suddenly, you’re hesitant to complete the purchase.

This is a common scenario. In fact, 66% of American customers expect free shipping when shopping online. Offering free shipping, even for orders above a certain amount, can be a powerful incentive for customers to complete their purchases.

17. Streamline deliveries for enhanced customer satisfaction

Whenever a customer places an order, he expects a smooth and timely delivery process. Any hiccups along the way could lead to disappointment and potentially impact future purchases.

So, it’s advisable to integrate a valuable tool, like Upper, into your Shopify store to streamline your delivery management process. Upper’s Shopify route optimization app is designed to streamline the entire order-to-delivery process. It allows you to effortlessly manage routes, orders, and deliveries, ensuring that your customers receive their orders promptly and without any hitches.

The app not only enhances your approach to delivery management but also improves the shopping experience by delivering orders with speed and efficiency.

18. Multi-channel retail and brand awareness to expand beyond Shopify

Imagine seeing the same brand name pop up across various platforms and marketplaces. It becomes a familiar presence, and you start associating it with trust and reliability. This is the power of brand awareness through multiple platforms.

Presence on multiple channels reinforces your brand’s credibility. You can consider platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon, or Instagram and Facebook Marketplace, to complement your Shopify store. Customers are more likely to buy from brands they recognize and trust, making this strategy essential for long-term success.

An Immediate Solution to Excel Shopify Sales Revenue

In today’s e-commerce-driven era, efficient logistics and timely deliveries can make or break your Shopify store’s sales performance. However, with manual ways of handling Shopify orders, you may find yourself overwhelmed, leading to delays and dissatisfied customers. 

This is where smart solutions like Upper’s route optimization and delivery management software come into play. This powerful integration is designed to streamline your delivery processes, boost customer satisfaction, and ultimately, drive higher sales revenue.

Here’s why you should integrate your Shopify store with Upper:

1. Automate and optimize your order 

Instead of juggling multiple spreadsheets and dealing with constant headaches, imagine a seamless system that automates your delivery process. Upper’s integration with Shopify allows you to manage routes, track orders in real-time, and ensure that your customers receive their products promptly. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also frees up your time to focus on growing your business.

2. Increase efficiency and reduce costs

Manual route planning is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. With Upper, you can reduce delivery times and cut down on fuel costs by optimizing your routes. Efficient deliveries mean happier customers and repeat business, which directly translates into increased sales.

3. Enhance customer experience

Timely and accurate deliveries play a crucial role in building trust with your customers. Upper’s features, such as real-time tracking and adaptive customer notifications, keep your customers informed every step of the way. A positive delivery experience can lead to positive reviews and effective word-of-mouth referrals, further boosting your sales.

4. Instant, automated order syncing

Eliminate the need of Experience the power of real-time data with Upper’s automated order syncing. Orders from your Shopify store are instantly updated, eliminating any risk of discrepancies.

5. Digital proof of delivery

Capture and store digital proof of delivery with photos and customer signatures. Upper ensures every delivery is documented and verifiable.

6. Comprehensive business insights

Gain a complete overview of your business performance with detailed reports. Upper’s analytics provide deep insights into your delivery operations and financial metrics.

Conclusion

When it comes to online stores, boosting sales on Shopify stores is a goal shared by many. We’ve explored 18 proven strategies that can make a significant difference in your journey to becoming a successful e-commerce business. 

Remember, it’s not about implementing all 18 at once, but rather finding the right combination that suits your unique business. The key lies in adaptation, persistence, and a commitment to providing the best possible shopping experience for your customers. 

Also, approaching the right tools that can either assist your existing workflows or drive you towards better is essential. One practical example shared above is integrating your store with Upper. Operations can be automated, streamlined, and simplified, letting you focus on strategic growth and customer engagement. Start your free trial now.