How to choose the best Shopify apps for ecommerce brands

Thanks to its colossal ecosystem of partners, resources, and 7,000-plus apps, Shopify is one of the best platforms for ecommerce brands that want to grow. No matter your industry, target customer, or business size, creating a strong marketing and CX tech stack made up of comprehensive and powerful Shopify apps is the key to attracting, engaging, converting, and retaining customers.

But where do you begin? Which are the best Shopify apps for ecommerce? How can you leverage all that Shopify offers to make your brand stand out from the crowd?

To choose the best Shopify apps for an ecommerce business, you first need to know the specific qualities and features to look for. Let's explore five powerful tools that can transform your operations and drive growth.

Quick tips on evaluating Shopify apps

Having the right integrations can make a huge difference in building your Shopify brand, which is why you should do your due diligence when browsing the Shopify App Store.

A strong tech stack balances functionality, reliability, and value. When evaluating potential apps, consider the following:

Feature overlap with existing tools: avoid paying twice for the same capabilities and ensure your apps complement rather than conflict.
Shopify Plus Certification status: certified apps meet strict performance and security standards, reducing implementation risks
Pricing structure and trial options: understand total costs and test functionality before committing.
Customer support quality: reliable support is crucial for resolving issues that could impact your store
Integration requirements: assess technical complexity and resource needs for implementation

Building your essential Shopify tech stack

Multi-channel customer service: Gladly

For Shopify merchants, customer service directly impacts revenue. Poor experiences lead to abandoned carts, lost repeat purchases, and decreased customer lifetime value. Gladly addresses these challenges as a Shopify Plus Certified App Partner, transforming customer service into a revenue driver.

Key features include:

Personalized customer profiles: Agents get instant access to customer lifetime value, buying preferences, and real-time order history from Shopify in a unified view, allowing more meaningful conversations that drive sales.
Efficient operations: Agents can handle refunds, cancellations, discount codes, and order updates directly within Gladly, eliminating system-switching. For global brands, Gladly supports multiple Shopify instances across regions while maintaining a single customer view.
AI-powered support: Gladly's AI automates common requests across digital channels, handling tasks like processing returns and issuing refunds without agent intervention, while working seamlessly with Shopify's backend.

Advanced features include:

Real-time chat support on critical pages, allowing customers to get immediate help during checkout or after purchase
People Match®, which uses Shopify data points like spending history and cart value to connect customers with the most suitable agents
Insight Builder for tracking the direct revenue impact of customer service interactions through Shopify sales data

Brands using Gladly’s AI-powered Customer Service Platform see powerful results:

10% average increase in contact-center-generated revenue
20% average increase in customer service agent efficiency
20% average increase in customer service agent capacity

Completing your tech stack

To build a comprehensive ecommerce ecosystem, consider these additional Shopify Plus Certified App Partners:

For cross-channel marketing campaigns and personalized advertising: AdRoll

AdRoll transforms marketing strategies with AI-powered cross-channel campaigns. Key features include predictive audience targeting, automated ad creation, and performance analytics that integrate seamlessly with Shopify's data.

For customer reviews, user-generated content, and loyalty programs: Yotpo

Yotpo’s platform helps convert browsers to buyers by showcasing authentic customer experiences directly on product pages.

For conversion-optimized pop-ups and displays: Privy

Privy specializes in conversion optimization with targeted pop-ups and displays. Their tools capture email subscribers, reduce cart abandonment, and create urgency through well-timed promotions.

For smarter staffing and visibility into support operations: Assembled

Assembled optimizes support operations with AI-driven staffing predictions and real-time performance dashboards. Their platform helps maintain service quality while controlling costs.

For affiliate and ambassador program management: Refersion

Refersion manages affiliate marketing programs with automated tracking, payouts, and performance analytics. They help scale word-of-mouth marketing through satisfied customers and influencers.

Transform your customer experience in 2025

Ready to see how Gladly can help you drive more revenue through exceptional customer service? Join leading Shopify brands that are already seeing dramatic improvements in efficiency, revenue, and customer satisfaction.

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