The Shopify App Store has an app for almost everything. That's its strength and its danger. Every app you add can affect your store's speed, your monthly costs and how easy your store is to manage.
Start with what's built in
Before installing an app, check whether Shopify or your theme already does it. Shopify has built in many features over the years, like discounts, basic email marketing and product reviews in some themes, that used to require apps.
Questions to ask before installing any app
Do I actually need this now? Install apps to solve today's problems, not to prepare for problems you might have one day.
What does it really cost? Many apps start free and move to paid plans as you grow, sometimes based on orders or revenue. Check the pricing tiers, not just the starting price.
Does it slow down my store? Apps that add things to your storefront, like pop-ups, widgets and badges, can add loading time. Check your store's speed before and after installing.
Is it built for my market? Some apps assume US addresses, currencies or couriers. For South African stores, check ZAR support and local integrations.
Is it well supported? Look at recent reviews, how the developer responds to problems, and when it was last updated.
Clean up regularly
Every few months, go through your installed apps:
- Uninstall apps you no longer use
- Check whether leftover code remains in your theme after uninstalling (some apps leave scripts behind)
- Review whether two apps are doing overlapping jobs
When a custom app makes more sense
If you're stacking several apps to make one workflow work, or paying for an app where you only use one small feature, a simple custom app built around your process can be cheaper and faster in the long run.
Apps we build
We build apps for the problems South African stores keep running into, starting with SmartShip ZA for accurate courier rates at checkout. We also build private apps for individual merchants.
The bottom line
Use built-in features first, install apps for real current needs, watch the true costs and your store's speed, and clean up regularly.
Not sure which apps you need? Ask us for free advice.