Best Shopify Marketing Strategies to Increase Your Sales

Did you choose to build an online store on Shopify? That’s great, as the platform is renowned for its ease of use and efficiency. With around 4.80 million websites on this platform, it’s clear you’re in good company. However, just setting up the store isn’t enough to start generating revenue.

Being among millions, your venture requires the right Shopify marketing strategy to succeed. Even more, it should be a clear and documented plan.

In this guide, we’re going to dissect proven Shopify marketing strategies in a very straightforward way—without jargon and complicated solutions. Just plain language peppered with practical examples, we promise.

Whether you’re a newcomer to Shopify or looking to refine your approach, you certainly need this guide to see where you may drive your efforts. We’ll explore Shopify marketing across three critical areas: 

• customer engagement and experience;
• digital marketing and advertising;
• sales and promotions.

We’ll elaborate on how each of these functions as a key component of an effective Shopify store and how they can complement one another to grow your company. The goal? To build such a business where products are flying off the virtual shelves, and the store is buzzing with activity. It can be a reality, so let’s get started.

1. Elevate Engagement: How to Win Customer Hearts?

Shopify is a user-friendly platform, so it’s very popular among smaller brands. At the same time, it’s powerful and versatile, providing robust features for larger stores. Nevertheless, true success requires finesse and expertise. That’s why online merchants will benefit from partnering with a seasoned Shopify eCommerce development company, where a team of specialists can fine-tune the platform for maximum conversions.

One of the main strategies to increase sales revolves around boosting engagement. It includes attracting attention, sparking interest, encouraging users to explore more on the website, and making them come back. Here, the Shopify marketing strategy should incorporate the following aspects.

Pop-Ups

While often underappreciated, they can be a powerful tool. Use them correctly. For example, they should be relevant and timely. Think about using exit-intent pop-ups for visitors leaving your site or displaying them after someone has spent a certain amount of time on a page.

Trigger a pop-up with a discount offer when a person has been on a product page for more than 30 seconds. An exit-intent pop-up may provide a 10% discount in exchange for customers’ email addresses.

The screenshot below demonstrates a pop-up on the Boscia web store. It offers a 20% discount code for the next order if users sign up for emails. The design is clean and brand-cohesive, with Boscia’s products prominently displayed.

Screenshot taken on the official Boscia website

On-Site Notifications

They shouldn’t be intrusive, either. They should bear relevant and useful information, say, alerts about limited-time offers or restocked items customers showed interest in. Another example is price drops on wishlist items.

What do these notifications look like? Imagine a small red dot notification, similar to that on the Cosmoparis website–it’s subtle yet effective in drawing attention.

Screenshot taken on the official Cosmoparis website

Customer Loyalty Program

Do you want to turn a one-time buyer into a lifelong fan? Launch a tiered program, assigning points and rewards for interactions and making purchases. Create a sense of belonging with exclusive deals or early access to new products. The higher customers climb the ranks, the more exclusive benefits they unlock.

Don’t overcomplicate the program. Make it easy to join and diverse in rewards for varied activities like participating in a survey, completing an account, and referring a friend.

Here is a loyalty program tier chart from the Soko Glam website. It outlines the benefits available at different spending levels: Member, VIP, and VIP Premier. The system is clearly laid out, offers progressively better rewards, and adds a sense of exclusivity with unique perks. Well done, Soko Glam!

Screenshot taken on the official Soko Glam website

Live Chat and Chatbot Implementation

Modern consumers expect instant gratification. Live chat and a chatbot feature that are easily accessible on the website and quick to respond can provide such an opportunity. Use tools like Tidio and Live Chat to integrate such features and get insights into user behavior.

Employ automated greetings in live chat and program the chatbot to handle common inquiries. Guide visitors through common processes like tracking orders and personalize the communication based on the customer’s browsing history.

To illustrate what I mean, I include the following screenshot from Contar Market. There, you can see the chatbot introducing itself in a friendly manner. It invites users to either choose from given options or write a message to reach the staff, indicating that the bot is designed for customer service and engagement.

Screenshot taken on the official Contarmarket website

High-Quality Product Page Creation

Product pages are where shoppers become customers. That’s where you need high-quality images, engaging descriptions, and clear calls-to-action (CTAs).

A case in point is Chinti & Parker, a luxury womenswear store. The photos represent both the front and back view. The product description is exhaustive. And there is a link to the “Cream Cashmere Wide-Leg Pants” page, enabling consumers to buy a complete outfit. It’s a smart cross-selling tactic.

Screenshot taken on the official Chinti & Parker website

Allow users to zoom in and see the product from all angles. For example, 360-degree product views and video demonstrations can do this job. Leverage minimalist designs to make browsing hassle-free and include customer reviews and ratings for extra layers of trust and credibility. 

Personalized Product Recommendations

Do you want the products to appear more enticing? You don’t necessarily have to change them somehow. Sometimes, it’s the presentation that may tick all the boxes. For example, consumers should find the goods helpful in their personal lives.

Curate product recommendations that resonate with individual preferences. Suppose a person regularly views or buys skincare products for acne-prone skin. In that case, they may be more likely to purchase gentle cleansers and oil-free moisturizers specifically formulated for sensitive or blemish-prone skin rather than scrubs with harsh particles or heavy creams.

Tip: Use data analytics tools to track visitor behavior and make informed decisions. Display a “Customers who bought this also bought” section on product pages, top-selling products on your homepage, or complementary goods in the shopping cart like in the screenshot from Keus below.

Screenshot taken on the official Keus website

UGC (User-Generated Content) Strategy

Nothing compares to getting feedback from other consumers. They know what works and what doesn’t. They understand how this sweater feels and how long this foundation lasts, resisting sweat and oil. Incorporate user-generated content, like reviews and photos, to provide the best endorsement you can get. That’s what the Gardener’s store does.

Screenshot taken on the official Gardener’s website

Tip: Encourage clients to share their product experiences on social media and tag your store. Offer incentives for reviews and user content. For example, create a photo contest on Instagram where clients post images with your products and include a specific hashtag, getting a chance to win a prize for the best photo. Consider making posts shoppable so that others can proceed to the product page and buy the goods immediately.

2. Digital Marketing Decoded: Get Ready to Dominate Online

Another essential Shopify marketing strategy revolves around making your online store unforgettable. This section will guide you through social media marketing, PPC campaigns, and other influential and innovative approaches.

Social Media Marketing

Leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn can mean a lot for your eCommerce sales. Still, you need not only to post pretty pictures but also to build a community.

How do you engage the audience and convert followers into loyal customers? Tell your brand’s story, educate clients, and integrate social accounts with the Shopify platform. Create a content calendar to keep the audience engaged. Also, it’s critical to preserve a dialog with them in comments or direct messages.

Ellesse does a great job making it as simple to interact with the company as clicking a button. Consumers may choose a better outfit and access the website by tapping the “View Product” button at the bottom of the screen.

Screenshots taken on the official Ellesse Instagram account

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising

Paid ads allow you to quickly appear in front of the target market and drive these people to the store. PPC advertising requires wise investment for ads to show up in strategic online locations. The most notable examples here are Google Ads and Facebook Ads. There, you can target people who are actively searching for your products. 

Google Ads offers options like search, display, or shopping ads. Facebook, in turn, supports a variety of ad formats, including carousels, videos, and photos. 

• Set clear goals regarding what you want to achieve with your PPC campaign— increasing traffic, generating leads, or boosting sales.
• Use relevant and high-performing keywords.
• Ensure the landing page matches the promise and intent of your ad.

Influencer Marketing

Here, you need to find the most popular people among your potential customers. Influencers they follow can become your allies in promoting goods, boosting the brand’s visibility, and increasing reach. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are particularly effective for this strategy. Identify suitable influencers. Look beyond follower count; focus on relevance. An influencer with a smaller, engaged audience that matches your target demographic can bring in more sales.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, create clear guidelines for the blogger. Outline expectations to ensure the brand message is communicated as needed. To measure the success of these partnerships, i.e., the amount of traffic and sales, use tracking links and codes.

Video Marketing

It can take various forms:

• explainer videos and tutorials;
• presentation videos and product showcases;
• behind-the-scenes;
• live streams, and more.

You can integrate user-generated video reviews into the Shopify store with platforms like VideoWise. Remember to customize content for different platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok). Plus, it should encourage viewers to take action (visit your website, subscribe to a newsletter, or check out a product), so include a strong CTA to specify the desired one.

Pro tips:

• Keep videos concise and snappy, as attention spans are short.
• Educate shoppers about the products or industry.
• Embrace live streaming to interact with the audience in real time.

Podcasts

Podcasts are experiencing a renaissance. While they aren’t so widespread among online stores, you can launch one to reach the target audience in a unique way. Apart from hosting a podcast, you can feature yourself in others, share the knowledge, or place an ad within an episode.

Choose a specific topic or niche that suits your business model. For example, a grocery store may discuss health tips, nutrition, and recipe ideas, among others. The bottom line is to provide value to entertain users and encourage them to return.

To promote the show, use social media, the website, and email newsletters. Cross-pollination is also essential. Mention your Shopify store and products in podcast episodes and invite listeners to visit the website.

Retargeting

Users rarely buy upon the first visit. Retargeting aims to re-engage those who’ve left the website after browsing some goods. Install a tracking pixel on the Shopify store to monitor visitor behavior.

Based on this information, you can display the viewed items on other websites, nudging shoppers to conversions. Yet, ads shouldn’t overwhelm them. Set limits on how often they are shown, make them eye-catching and pertinent, and review the performance of the retargeting campaigns.

3. Accelerate Sales with Promotions

Finally, let’s brush up on the most important Shopify marketing strategy—promotions and discounts. Why is it so crucial? Offering seasonal promotions, deals, and upselling/cross-selling opportunities can directly and immediately impact the Shopify store’s bottom line.

There are many more strategies, like search engine optimization or affiliate marketing. They’re indispensable for long-term growth and customer retention, but they may not deliver immediate sales results compared to well-executed promotional campaigns. With that in mind, it’s high time to proceed to the most compelling promotional elements of any Shopify marketing strategy.

Discounts & Gift Cards

People like discounts thanks to the promise of savings, which can appear in various shapes:

• a percentage off;
• a buy-one-get-one deal.
• a limited-time offer.

Forever 21 reduces the price by 30% on the following item and specifies that it’s applicable only for a limited time.

Screenshot taken on the official Forever 21 website

Gift cards, on the other hand, can introduce shoppers to your brand and provide a personalized gifting option. It’s convenient and effective, especially if you offer a “free” product sample as part of a gift card purchase. Shopify allows you to create discount codes and gift cards directly in the admin panel. 

Note: Strike a balance between the desire to boost sales and earn money. Uncontrolled discounts may hurt your bottom line, so consider implementing a “buy one, get one 50% off” option rather than a straight 50% discount on all products. Leverage pop-ups to present discounts to first-time visitors or on a customer’s second visit to your store.

Seasonal Promotions

Dedicating promotions to specific times of the year or holidays brings a new opportunity to inject a bit of excitement into your store. Black Friday, summer discounts, and back-to-school sales are among numerous possibilities to introduce unique and exciting deals.

Check out how the Pipcorn taps into the Valentine’s Day theme in its homepage banner. The promotion is for a “Buy One Get One 50% Off” (BOGO) offer. The sale is time-limited, with a precise end date of February 10th at 11:59 PM, emphasizing urgency for the visitor to take action. 

Screenshot taken on the official Pipcorn website

Besides promotions, refresh your website design with seasonal themes, colors, and messaging. The secret to success? Plan in advance, create buzz on social media, and send targeted email campaigns. Employ countdowns, teasers, and exclusive sneak peeks. Consider what your audience might respond to best: 

• gift guides;
• clearance sale notification; 
• early access, or something else.

Upselling and Cross-Selling

“Would you like an upgrade?” That’s upselling. “How about a matching accessory?” That’s cross-selling. By offering complementary or upgraded products during the shopping journey, you can increase the value of each customer transaction. This technique boosts the average order value and, of course, the overall revenue.

A case in point is Vans. The “Extras” feature embodies an effective upselling strategy. Users can tick the checkbox to add one more product to protect the shoes. By positioning this option just before the “Add to Cart” button, the store places the suggestion at a critical decision-making point for the buyer.

Screenshot taken on the official Vans website

Shopify provides various apps to automate these suggestions, showing shoppers complementary products or upgrades based on their current selections or purchase history. Just be sure not to overdo it—your recommendations should feel helpful, not pushy.

Ecommerce Giveaways

Who would refuse freebies? Giveaways and contests are powerful Shopify marketing strategies to expand your reach and engage with a broader audience.

Do you want to grow the social media presence? Launch an Instagram giveaway and ask entrants to follow your account and tag friends. Do you plan to engage with potential customers over the long term? Use a giveaway to collect their email addresses and increase the subscriber base.

Below are two screenshots of ZitSticka’s Instagram Stories. The first one promises a winner over $1,000 prizes, while the second contains a link to participate. The story announces the giveaway with eye-catching graphics and text, with phrases like “GIVEAWAY” in bright colors to grab attention.

Screenshots taken on the official ZitSticka Instagram account

Among the practical tips on planning and managing giveaways are:

• Choosing prizes that resonate with your audience and align with campaign goals (Are you promoting a new product line? Consider giving away items from that line.).
• Promoting social sharing to appeal to as many users as possible.
• Establishing clear, easy-to-understand rules and a deadline (Transparency is vital to building trust, and a sense of urgency can eliminate hesitation to enroll).
• Collaborating with influencers or other brands (Choose those related to your niche whose followers are likely to be interested in your products or services).
• Engaging participants with special offers or exclusive content to maintain their interest in the brand after the giveaway is over.

To Wrap Up

So, we’ve taken a deep dive into shaping a successful Shopify marketing strategy. What’s next? It depends on you and your audience. Implement the tips mentioned above, ask your potential customers about their expectations, and refine your approach. After all, you sell to a particular segment, so you may better know what brings good results and what doesn’t.

Stay adaptable and learn about new trends. However, be mindful of how they can fit your brand. For instance, if video marketing is the current big thing, think about what goals you may achieve before diving in. Maybe it’s not quite worth the investment in your case.

As you forge ahead with your Shopify marketing endeavors, remember that expertise and specialized knowledge can elevate your strategy from satisfactory to great. For those looking to really boost their online presence, especially through Facebook Ads, consider partnering with experts like Voy Media. At Voy Media, we’re excited to be part of your journey, transforming clicks into orders and browsers into buyers.

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About the Author

Diana Kostogladova

Diana Kostogladova is an SEO expert at Onilab. With over 12 years of experience, she specializes in digital marketing, website optimization, and eCommerce. She adopts a holistic approach in her work and conducts deep research into SEO, personalization, SMM, and other topics before sharing her expertise with a wide audience.