Key Takeaways

Shopify handles basic SEO automatically, but rankings require ongoing manual optimization of your product pages, collection pages, and blog content.

Technical SEO comes first: submit your sitemap, audit for duplicate content, and fix 404 errors before anything else.

Collection pages are one of the most underused SEO assets on Shopify. Add unique descriptive copy to each one and target broad category keywords.

Optimizing for Google’s AI Overviews requires clear, direct-answer content, FAQ schema markup, and question-based subheadings.

Content marketing compounds over time. Stores with active, well-structured blogs typically generate significantly more organic traffic than those without one.

Shopify SEO is how your store shows up when someone searches for what you sell, without paying for every click.

In 2026, that’s harder than it used to be. Google’s AI Overviews now appear above organic results for a growing share of ecommerce queries. Paid ad costs keep rising. And stores relying on thin product descriptions and basic keyword targeting are steadily losing ground to competitors who invest in real content depth and technical credibility.

The stores winning in organic search right now are not doing anything exotic. They have clean site structures, optimized product and collection pages, and a content strategy built around what their customers are actually searching for.

This guide walks you through all of it in eight steps, in the order that matters. Every section includes specific, actionable steps you can implement without a developer.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

How to Improve SEO on Shopify

Follow the seven steps below to grow your Shopify store’s organic traffic in 2026. Each step builds on the last, so work through them in order if you’re starting fresh.

Step 0: Set Up Technical SEO for Shopify

Technical SEO is the foundation everything else is built on. Before you touch keywords, content, or link building, you need to confirm that Google can actually find, crawl, and index your store correctly. If it can’t, no amount of optimization will move the needle.

Here are the core technical tasks to complete before moving forward.

How Do I Submit My Shopify Sitemap to Google?

Shopify automatically generates a sitemap at yourstore.com/sitemap.xml. This file gives Google a map of every important page on your site, including products, collections, blog posts, and standard pages.

To submit it:

1. Set up Google Search Console and verify your domain.
2. In the left menu, click Sitemaps.
3. Enter sitemap.xml and click Submit.

Pro Tip: After adding or deleting products or collections, check that your sitemap reflects those changes. An outdated sitemap can slow down how quickly Google discovers new pages.

How Do I Control What Google Crawls on My Shopify Store?

Your robots.txt file tells search engine bots which pages they can and cannot crawl. Shopify gives you access to customize this file, which is useful for blocking low-value pages from being indexed.

Common things to block include:

• Internal site search result pages (e.g., /search?q=...)
• Checkout and account pages
• Duplicate filtered URLs generated by collection sorting

You can edit your robots.txt by creating a robots.txt.liquid template in your theme. Shopify’s official guidance is here.

What Are Canonical Tags and Why Do Shopify Stores Need Them?

A canonical tag tells search engines which version of a page is the authoritative one. Shopify adds canonical tags automatically to product and collection pages, but that doesn’t mean you’re fully protected from duplicate content issues.

The most common culprit: product variant URLs. When a customer selects a different color or size, Shopify often generates a new URL for that variant.

Example: yourstore.com/products/white-sneakers?variant=12345 should point back to yourstore.com/products/white-sneakers as the canonical URL.

Use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console or a tool like Ahrefs to check whether variant URLs are being indexed separately. If they are, you’re splitting your SEO authority across duplicate pages.

How Should I Handle 404 Errors on My Shopify Store?

A 404 error occurs when a page no longer exists. This happens most often when you delete a product or change a URL. Left unresolved, broken links hurt both user experience and your site’s crawl efficiency.

Fix 404 errors in two ways:

• 301 Redirect: Use Shopify’s built-in URL Redirects tool (Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects) to send visitors and search engines from the old URL to the most relevant live page.
• Custom 404 Page: Build a helpful 404 page with navigation links, a search bar, and your bestsellers. This keeps users on the site instead of bouncing.

Audit for broken links regularly using Google Search Console’s Pages report or a tool like Screaming Frog.

How Do I Optimize My Shopify Store for AI Overviews and Generative Search?

Search in 2026 looks different than it did two years ago. Google’s AI Overviews now appear above organic results for a large share of informational and commercial queries, including searches like “how to optimize a Shopify product page” and “best Shopify SEO tips.”

When Google’s AI summarizes an answer, it pulls from pages that are authoritative, clearly structured, and directly responsive to the search query. Your store and its blog content can be cited in those summaries, but only if you’re set up for it. This practice is called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

Write direct-answer definitions at the top of key sections. AI models extract concise, clear answers to questions. If a user searches “what is a canonical tag in Shopify,” Google’s AI will pull from the page that answers it most directly.

Instead of:

“Now let’s talk about canonical tags, which are something a lot of store owners overlook…”

Write:

“A canonical tag tells search engines which version of a page is the official one, preventing duplicate content from splitting your SEO authority.”

That second version is extractable. The first one is not.

Add FAQ sections with schema markup. FAQ sections mirror how people search in 2026: as questions. Add a relevant FAQ block to every major blog post and collection page, and implement FAQ schema markup (JSON-LD) so Google can extract and display those answers in rich results and AI summaries.

{
 "@context": "https://schema.org",
 "@type": "FAQPage",
 "mainEntity": [{
 "@type": "Question",
 "name": "How do I improve SEO on Shopify?",
 "acceptedAnswer": {
 "@type": "Answer",
 "text": "Improve Shopify SEO by optimizing title tags and meta descriptions, improving site speed, submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console, building backlinks, and publishing high-quality blog content that targets your customers' search queries."
 }
 }]
}

Be the source, not a summary. AI Overviews consistently cite pages with original, specific information. Generic advice rarely gets pulled. Include real numbers, concrete examples, and specific step-by-step instructions.

✅ Quick GEO Checklist:

• [ ] Every major blog post opens with a direct-answer sentence for its primary topic
• [ ] FAQ sections are present on key posts and collection pages
• [ ] FAQ schema markup (JSON-LD) is implemented sitewide
• [ ] Key subheadings are phrased as questions where appropriate
• [ ] Content includes specific data, real examples, and concrete details

Step 1: Optimize Your Shopify Site Structure

Site structure determines how easily both shoppers and search engines can navigate your store. A logical structure keeps visitors moving toward a purchase, reduces bounce rate, and ensures Google can crawl every important page efficiently.

What Does a Good Shopify Site Structure Look Like?

The goal is a flat structure: every page should be reachable within three clicks from your homepage. The deeper a page is buried, the less SEO authority it receives and the harder it is for customers to find it.

The two most common structures that work well for Shopify stores:

For simpler stores: Homepage → Collection Pages → Product Pages

For larger stores: Homepage → Collection Pages → Sub-Collection Pages → Product Pages

Avoid creating more subcategory layers than you need. Every additional level dilutes crawl efficiency and makes navigation harder.

Which Pages Does Every Shopify Store Need?

Beyond your product and collection pages, every Shopify store needs these supporting pages to establish credibility with both visitors and search engines:

A search bar won’t directly improve your rankings, but it keeps visitors on your site longer when they can’t immediately find what they’re looking for, and that behavioral signal matters.

How Should I Use Internal Links Across My Site Structure?

Internal links are how you distribute SEO authority across your store. Your most valuable pages (bestselling products, top collections, key blog posts) should have the most internal links pointing to them.

Practical rules to follow:

• Link from blog posts directly to relevant product and collection pages using descriptive anchor text
• Link between related collections (“You might also like: Women’s Trail Running Shoes”)
• Make sure every collection page links to its key sub-collections and vice versa
• Avoid orphan pages: every page should have at least one internal link pointing to it

✅ Site Structure Checklist:

• [ ] Every product page is reachable within 3 clicks from the homepage
• [ ] About, Contact, FAQ, and Shipping pages are live and linked in the navigation
• [ ] A site search bar is present on all pages
• [ ] High-value pages have multiple internal links pointing to them
• [ ] No orphan pages exist in your store

Step 2: Improve the User Experience

Google treats user experience as a ranking signal, and for good reason. If visitors land on your store and immediately leave, that behavioral data tells Google your page didn’t satisfy the query. Better UX means longer sessions, lower bounce rates, and higher rankings over time.

How Do I Speed Up My Shopify Store?

Page speed is one of the most impactful and most overlooked areas of Shopify SEO. A one-second delay in load time can reduce conversions by up to 7%. Slow stores don’t just frustrate shoppers; they rank lower.

The most effective speed improvements for Shopify stores:

• Use a lightweight, performance-optimized theme (see theme recommendations below)
• Compress and resize images before uploading (or use an image optimizer app)
• Remove apps you no longer actively use; every installed app adds JavaScript to your pages
• Avoid autoplay videos and large image sliders above the fold
• Lazy-load images and non-critical sections so they only load as the user scrolls

Use Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools) to get a scored report on your current performance and specific recommendations for improvement.

Which Shopify Theme Is Best for SEO?

Your theme affects speed, mobile rendering, and Core Web Vitals scores. All modern Shopify themes are responsive, but performance varies significantly between them.

Pro Tip: Test any theme on mobile before committing. Use Shopify’s theme preview tool to check layouts across device sizes before publishing.

What Are Core Web Vitals and Why Do They Matter for Shopify?

Core Web Vitals are Google’s three key metrics for measuring page experience. They directly influence rankings, particularly in competitive categories.

To improve Core Web Vitals on Shopify:

• Optimize and compress hero images (the LCP element is usually your hero image)
• Avoid loading large third-party scripts (chat widgets, review apps) before the page is interactive
• Set explicit width and height attributes on images to prevent layout shift
• Use the Booster SEO and Image Optimizer app for automated image compression

How Do I Make My Shopify Store Mobile-Friendly?

Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means the mobile version of your store is the primary version Google evaluates for rankings. If your mobile experience is broken or slow, your rankings will reflect it regardless of how good your desktop site is.

Design your store for thumb-first navigation:

• Sticky “Add to Cart” buttons that stay visible while scrolling
• Font sizes of 16px or larger for body text
• Tap targets (buttons, links) at least 48px tall
• No full-screen popups on mobile; Google penalizes these as intrusive interstitials

✅ UX and Speed Checklist:

• [ ] PageSpeed score is above 70 on mobile (check PageSpeed Insights)
• [ ] LCP is under 2.5 seconds
• [ ] CLS score is under 0.1
• [ ] Hero images are compressed and sized appropriately
• [ ] Unused apps have been removed
• [ ] Store is tested and functional on iOS and Android

Step 3: Research the Right Target Keywords

Keywords tell you what your customers are searching for and which pages you need to create or optimize to show up when they search. Without keyword research, you’re guessing.

How Do I Find the Right Keywords for My Shopify Store?

Start by building a list of the main topics your customers care about, then expand from there using research tools and your own store data.

Step 1: Brainstorm seed keywords. Think like a customer. If you sell sustainable yoga mats, your seed keywords might be: yoga mat, eco yoga mat, non-toxic yoga mat, best yoga mat for hot yoga.

Step 2: Expand using free sources:

• Type each seed keyword into Google and study the autocomplete suggestions
• Scroll to the “People Also Ask” section on the results page; these are questions your customers are actively asking
• Check the “Related Searches” at the bottom of the Google results page
• Browse relevant subreddits and product review forums to see how real customers describe your products

Step 3: Validate and prioritize using tools. Once you have a list, use a keyword tool to check search volume and competition. Good options: SEMrush, Ahrefs, or the free version of Google Keyword Planner.

What Types of Keywords Should a Shopify Store Target?

Different pages on your store should target different types of keywords based on where that page sits in the buying journey.

Your product and collection pages should primarily target transactional and commercial keywords. Your blog should primarily target informational and commercial keywords that bring in top-of-funnel traffic and link equity.

How Do I Find Keywords for My Collection Pages?

Collection pages are one of the most underused SEO assets in Shopify stores. They can rank for broad, high-volume category keywords that individual product pages can’t compete for.

For each collection, identify the broadest keyword a customer would use to describe that category. Then check:

• Search volume (is there meaningful demand?)
• Current ranking position (where does your collection page currently rank, if at all?)
• Competitor collection pages (what keywords are they targeting in their title tags and H1s?)

✅ Keyword Research Checklist:

• [ ] Seed keyword list covers all major product categories
• [ ] Keywords are mapped by intent to the correct page type
• [ ] Each collection page has a target keyword with meaningful search volume
• [ ] Each top product page has a primary and secondary keyword assigned
• [ ] Long-tail keywords are captured in product descriptions and FAQ sections

Step 4: Optimize Your Shopify Product and Collection Pages

Your product and collection pages carry the strongest commercial intent of any pages on your store. Optimizing them correctly is where keyword research turns into actual traffic and revenue.

How Do I Optimize Title Tags for Shopify Product and Collection Pages?

Your title tag is the most important on-page SEO element. It appears in search results as the blue clickable headline and carries significant weight in Google’s ranking algorithm.

A reliable formula for collection page title tags: Primary Keyword | Shop [Category Name] | Store Name

Example: “Eco Yoga Mats | Shop Sustainable Yoga Mats | The Yoga Co.”

For product page title tags: Product Name + Key Descriptor | Store Name

Example: “Cork Non-Slip Yoga Mat, 6mm | The Yoga Co.”

Keep title tags under 60 characters to avoid truncation in search results.

How Do I Write Meta Descriptions That Drive Clicks?

A meta description doesn’t directly affect rankings, but it significantly affects click-through rate. A compelling meta description can increase your organic traffic without changing your position.

Write meta descriptions that:

• Include your primary keyword naturally
• Communicate a clear benefit or unique selling point
• Include a soft call to action (“Shop now,” “Free shipping on orders over $50”)
• Stay under 155 characters

Example: “Our cork yoga mats are non-slip, non-toxic, and built for daily practice. Free shipping on orders over $50. Shop now.”

How Do I Optimize Shopify Collection Pages for SEO?

Collection pages are often treated as simple product grids, but they’re actually powerful SEO assets. A well-optimized collection page can rank for broad category keywords that drive high volumes of commercial traffic.

To optimize each collection page:

• Write 150 to 300 words of unique descriptive copy either above or below the product grid. This gives Google context about what the collection covers and helps you rank for related terms.
• Use the collection’s primary keyword in the H1, the first sentence of the description, and the meta title.
• Link to related collections within the description (e.g., a “Women’s Running Shoes” collection should link to “Running Accessories” and “Trail Running Shoes”).
• Use descriptive, keyword-relevant URLs (e.g., /collections/eco-yoga-mats rather than /collections/collection-1).

How Do I Write Product Descriptions That Rank and Convert?

Every product description should do two jobs: give Google enough original content to understand and rank the page, and give the customer enough information to feel confident buying.

Avoid copying manufacturer descriptions. Duplicate content across hundreds of stores dilutes your ability to rank.

Instead, write descriptions that cover:

• What the product is and what makes it distinctive
• Who it’s for and what problem it solves
• Key specifications: materials, dimensions, variants, care instructions
• Answers to the most common pre-purchase questions

Use your primary product keyword in the first 100 words, in at least one subheading, and in the image alt text. Avoid forcing keywords in awkwardly; they should read naturally.

What Schema Markup Should Shopify Product Pages Have?

Structured data helps Google understand your product pages and display rich results, including star ratings, price, and availability directly in the search results. This significantly improves click-through rates.

Every product page should have Product schema that includes:

• Product name
• Description
• Price and currency
• Availability (in stock, out of stock)
• Reviews and aggregate rating (if you have reviews)

You can implement Product schema via JSON-LD added directly to your theme, or through apps like Smart SEO or Schema Plus for SEO. Use Google’s Rich Results Test to verify your markup is working correctly.

✅ Product and Collection Page Checklist:

• [ ] Every top product page has a unique title tag under 60 characters
• [ ] Every top product page has a unique meta description under 155 characters
• [ ] No product descriptions are copied from supplier or manufacturer sites
• [ ] Each collection page has 150 to 300 words of unique descriptive copy
• [ ] Product schema markup is implemented and verified in Google’s Rich Results Test
• [ ] Image alt text describes the image and includes the relevant keyword
• [ ] “Out of stock” product pages redirect or include a relevant CTA rather than returning a 404

Step 5: Build Links to Your Shopify Store

Backlinks are votes of confidence from other websites. They remain one of Google’s strongest ranking signals. A Shopify store with high-quality links from relevant, authoritative sites will consistently outrank an otherwise equivalent store that has none.

How Do I Build Backlinks to a Shopify Store?

1. Supplier and manufacturer link requests. If you sell products from established brands, those brands often maintain a list of authorized retailers on their website. Email your sales rep and ask if they’ll link to your store from their retailer directory. This is one of the easiest backlinks to earn.

2. Unlinked brand mentions. Search for your brand name using tools like Mention or Google Alerts. When someone mentions your store without linking to it, send a brief, friendly email asking if they’d add a link. The success rate is high because the content already exists.

3. Broken link building. Find pages in your niche that link to products or resources that no longer exist. Use Ahrefs or Check My Links to identify broken links on relevant sites, then reach out to offer your page as a replacement. Both parties benefit: they fix a broken link, you earn a backlink.

4. Product reviews and gift guides. Reach out to bloggers and content creators in your niche and offer to send products for review or inclusion in a roundup. Links from “best yoga mats” or “top eco-friendly home products” guides carry strong authority and drive relevant referral traffic.

5. Create linkable assets. Some content earns links naturally because it’s uniquely useful. Examples include: original industry data or surveys, free tools or calculators, comprehensive size or fit guides, and visual infographics. Promote these assets to journalists and bloggers in your space.

6. HARO and journalist query platforms. Platforms like Qwoted and Connectively connect journalists with expert sources. Respond to queries relevant to your product category and you can earn high-authority links from media publications.

✅ Link Building Checklist:

• [ ] All major suppliers have been contacted about retailer listing links
• [ ] Brand mention alerts are set up (Mention or Google Alerts)
• [ ] At least one linkable asset is published and being promoted
• [ ] 5 to 10 product review or gift guide opportunities have been identified
• [ ] Outreach tracking is in place (a simple spreadsheet works)

Step 6: Rank Higher With Strategic Content Marketing

Product pages alone won’t build long-term organic authority. In 2026, the Shopify stores that dominate search are the ones that publish consistent, high-quality content that answers their customers’ questions across every stage of the buying journey.

What Is a Topic Cluster and Why Does It Matter for Shopify SEO?

A topic cluster is a group of interlinked pages that collectively cover a subject in depth. The structure signals to Google that your site is an authoritative source on that topic, not just a store that happens to have a blog.

A topic cluster has three components:

1. A pillar page: A comprehensive guide targeting a broad, high-volume keyword.
2. Cluster content: 6 to 10 supporting blog posts that cover related subtopics in depth.
3. Internal links: Every cluster post links back to the pillar page, and the pillar page links out to every cluster post.

Example for a store selling running shoes:

This structure tells Google that your site owns the topic of running shoes, not just one page about it.

How Do I Map Content to Search Intent?

Not all content serves the same purpose. A customer who searches “what is heel drop” is at a very different stage of the buying journey than someone who searches “buy zero-drop trail running shoes.” Your content strategy needs to serve both.

Cover all four intent types in your content plan and link each post to the relevant product or collection page.

How Do I Link Blog Content to Product Pages the Right Way?

Most Shopify stores treat their blog as a separate silo from their products. This is a missed opportunity. Every blog post should serve as a traffic funnel that pushes readers toward relevant products.

In practice:

• Contextually link to relevant product or collection pages within the body of every blog post
• Use descriptive anchor text that tells readers (and Google) what they’ll find: “our breathable trail running shoes” rather than “click here”
• Add a “Shop the Products” or “Featured in This Post” section with direct product links at the end of each blog post
• Make sure your pillar pages link to your top collection pages for that topic

✅ Content Marketing Checklist:

• [ ] At least one topic cluster is planned and in progress
• [ ] A content calendar maps posts to keyword intent (informational, commercial, transactional)
• [ ] Every published blog post contextually links to at least one product or collection page
• [ ] Pillar pages and cluster posts are interlinked bidirectionally
• [ ] FAQ sections with schema markup are present on all major blog posts

Step 7: Use the Best Shopify SEO Apps and Tools

The right tools will save you time, surface issues you’d miss manually, and help you maintain your SEO improvements as your store scales. Here are the five tools that deliver the most value for Shopify store owners.

1. Google Search Console — Free

Google Search Console is the single most important free tool for Shopify SEO. It shows you exactly how Google sees your store, which queries drive impressions and clicks, which pages are indexed, and which have errors.

Use it to:

• Monitor your sitemap and indexing status
• Identify pages with declining impressions or click-through rates
• Spot manual actions or Core Web Vitals issues
• Find keyword opportunities (queries where you rank on page 2 but could break into page 1)

Start here before any paid tool.

2. Smart SEO — From $4.99/month

Smart SEO automates the most time-consuming parts of on-page optimization for Shopify stores. Instead of manually editing meta tags and alt text for hundreds of products, Smart SEO generates them using templates you define, saving hours of work.

Key features:

• Automatic meta tag generation for products, collections, blogs, and articles
• Automatic image alt tag generation
• JSON-LD structured data (schema markup) delivered to Google
• Sitemap and broken link monitoring

Best for: Stores with large product catalogs where manual optimization isn’t scalable.

3. Booster SEO and Image Optimizer

Images are usually the largest files on a Shopify product page and the most common cause of slow load times and poor LCP scores. Booster SEO compresses and optimizes your images automatically, with no coding required.

Key features:

• Automatic image compression without visible quality loss
• Alt tag optimization
• Broken link detection
• Google image search optimization

Best for: Any store with a significant product image library.

4. Plugin SEO

Plugin SEO runs automatic audits of your store and emails you when it finds issues with page titles, headings, meta descriptions, speed, content structure, or broken links. Think of it as an always-on SEO monitor that catches problems before they affect your rankings.

Key features:

• Automated, ongoing site audits
• Multilingual support
• Email alerts when new issues are detected
• Actionable fix recommendations for each issue

Best for: Store owners who want ongoing SEO monitoring without having to run manual audits.

5. SEMrush

SEMrush is the most powerful competitive research tool available for Shopify store owners. Use it to find out which keywords your competitors rank for, which pages drive the most of their organic traffic, and where they have content or backlink gaps you can exploit.

Key features:

• Competitor keyword and traffic analysis
• Keyword research with volume, difficulty, and intent data
• Site audit with prioritized issue list
• Backlink analysis and link building opportunity finder
• Position tracking for your target keywords

Best for: Stores in competitive niches where understanding and outranking competitors is the primary growth lever.

✅ Tools Checklist:

• [ ] Google Search Console is set up and verified
• [ ] Sitemap has been submitted and confirmed as indexed
• [ ] An image optimization app is installed and running
• [ ] Keyword positions are being tracked for top target keywords
• [ ] A site audit has been run and priority issues are in the backlog

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Shopify Store with OptinMonster

While optimizing your Shopify store for search engines is a crucial step towards achieving online success, it’s just the beginning. 

As highlighted in the article, SEO practices can drive organic traffic to your store, but converting that traffic into loyal customers is where the real challenge lies. This is where OptinMonster comes into play.

OptinMonster is not just about driving traffic; it’s about optimizing that traffic for maximum conversions.

With its state-of-the-art lead generation tools, you can create targeted campaigns that resonate with your audience, ensuring that visitors not only stay on your site longer but also take desired actions, be it signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.

Moreover, OptinMonster’s lead verification system ensures that you’re capturing genuine leads, reducing bounce rates, and enhancing your store’s credibility. 

By integrating OptinMonster with your Shopify store, you’re not only improving your SEO but also ensuring that every visitor counts.

In conclusion, while SEO lays the foundation for your online visibility, tools like OptinMonster help you build on that foundation, turning visibility into profitability. 

So, if you’re serious about maximizing your Shopify store’s potential, it’s time to harness the power of OptinMonster. Elevate your e-commerce game and watch your sales skyrocket!

Shopify SEO FAQs

	Platform	Best For	Starting Price	Standout Feature	Biggest Tradeoff
	Wix	Beginners, small stores	$16/mo	AI-powered setup + 900+ templates	Limited backend flexibility
	Squarespace	Creators, service providers	$23/mo	Built-in booking + email tools	Fewer integrations
	BigCommerce	Scaling & B2B businesses	$29.95/mo	No transaction fees, native multichannel	Learning curve, pricing auto-upgrades
4	WooCommerce	WordPress users, developers	Free (core)	Unlimited flexibility + plugin ecosystem	Requires maintenance + tech knowledge
5	Adobe Commerce	Large enterprises	~$22k/year	Enterprise-grade custom workflows	High cost + dev team required
6	Square Online	Brick-and-mortar + POS sync	Free	Easy POS + online store integration	Limited design/customization
7	Hostinger Builder	Budget-conscious solopreneurs	$2.99/mo	AI tools + Woo compatibility on a budget	Light on advanced features

Looking for a Shopify alternative in 2026? You’re not alone.

Whether you’re frustrated with Shopify’s rising costs, limited design flexibility, or reliance on third-party apps, there are now powerful competitors that offer more control, better pricing, and smarter features often without the learning curve.

We’ve personally tested dozens of eCommerce platforms over the past year launching test stores, migrating existing sites, and building client funnels to find the best Shopify alternatives for real-world business needs.

Let’s explore the 7 best Shopify alternatives that actually deliver, whether you’re launching your first online store or scaling into B2B or enterprise territory.

Bonus: Every platform here works seamlessly with OptinMonster, so you can grow your email list and boost sales no matter which one you choose.

How We Chose the Best Shopify Alternatives

At OptinMonster, we work with thousands of eCommerce businesses across all kinds of platforms, from solopreneurs just getting started to enterprise teams managing complex operations.

To create this list of Shopify alternatives, we used a combination of first-hand experience, industry research, and platform testing. Here’s what we considered:

• Ease of use: How beginner-friendly is the platform for setup and daily management?
• Pricing transparency: Does the platform offer good value for money, without hidden fees?
• Feature depth: Are advanced eCommerce tools like subscriptions, digital downloads, or multi-channel selling included?
• Scalability: Can the platform grow with your business, or will you hit a ceiling?
• Integrations: Does it work well with lead generation tools like OptinMonster?
• Reputation & support: Is the platform actively maintained, trusted by real businesses, and backed by good support?

We also looked closely at platform updates in 2025–2026, checking for new AI features, updated pricing, and changes in how each builder positions itself in the market.

None of the platforms in this post paid to be featured. Our recommendations are based solely on what we believe will best serve our readers in 2026 and beyond.

Best Shopify Alternatives – Detailed Review

1. Wix

Best for: Beginners and small businesses who want full design flexibility with minimal tech skills.

I recently tested Wix’s AI Site Generator while building a mock storefront for a side-hustle idea and honestly, it was one of the fastest setups I’ve ever experienced on an eCommerce platform. Within minutes, I had a branded layout, product pages, and a functioning cart. No plugins, no code, no guesswork.

Wix has evolved far beyond a basic website builder. In 2026, it’s one of the most user-friendly eCommerce solutions thanks to over 900 templates, AI-driven design tools, and a robust app marketplace. Whether you’re selling physical products, digital downloads, or subscriptions, Wix gets you online fast.

What we liked when using it:

• The drag-and-drop editor is super intuitive — perfect for non-designers.
• Global payment support + multi-currency was surprisingly easy to configure.
• Built-in marketing integrations (like email and SEO settings) felt more native than plugin-based setups.

Things we ran into:

• Larger product catalogs start to feel cramped in Wix’s backend.
• Access to advanced eCommerce features like subscriptions or multi-currency is locked behind premium plans.
• Backend customization is limited compared to WooCommerce or BigCommerce.

Compared to Shopify: Wix is easier to use and more affordable for small stores. It’s better for design freedom but lacks Shopify’s advanced inventory tools and app ecosystem.

Pricing (2026 Plans):

• Business Basic – $16/mo: Online payments + core eCommerce
• Business Unlimited – $27/mo: Multi-currency, subscriptions, advanced analytics
• Business VIP – $59/mo: Priority support, loyalty tools, and more

Wix is ideal if you want to go from idea to online store in under an hour, without writing a single line of code. For founders validating a new product or solo sellers, it’s a no-brainer starter platform.

2. Squarespace

Best for: Creatives, coaches, and service-based businesses selling digital products or subscriptions.

We recently helped a design client set up a Squarespace store to sell digital templates and coaching sessions. What stood out immediately was how streamlined the experience felt, from adding products to setting up Member Areas for client-only downloads. The visual quality of the site was top-tier, and everything “just worked” out of the box.

Squarespace isn’t just a portfolio site anymore. In 2026, it’s evolved into a full-featured platform with native tools for appointment scheduling, digital product delivery, email marketing, and even subscription management. It’s a solid choice if your business blends content, services, and commerce.

Why we’d recommend it (from real use):

• Templates look like they were made by a designer — and editing them doesn’t break anything.
• Built-in email campaigns and Member Areas are perfect for creators monetizing their audience.
• The backend UI is probably the most intuitive of any platform on this list.

What to keep in mind:

• There’s no free plan, and add-ons like Member Areas can raise your monthly cost.
• You won’t get the same level of plugin flexibility or third-party integrations as you would with WooCommerce or BigCommerce.
• Larger eCommerce catalogs may feel restricted by Squarespace’s layout system.

Compared to Shopify: Squarespace is ideal for service-based businesses and digital sellers, while Shopify is more powerful for physical product stores with complex inventory.

Pricing (2026 Plans):

• Business – $23/mo: Basic eCommerce (includes transaction fees)
• Commerce Basic – $27/mo: No fees, label printing, and better analytics
• Commerce Advanced – $49/mo: Subscriptions, abandoned cart, advanced discounts

Squarespace is perfect if your brand is part storefront, part content hub, and part service business. It’s especially strong for creators who want design polish without technical complexity.

3. BigCommerce

Best for: Scaling businesses and enterprise-level sellers who need robust features and flexibility.

We ran a client migration from Shopify to BigCommerce last year for a B2B retailer managing over 2,000 SKUs and the difference in backend power was clear. BigCommerce doesn’t rely heavily on third-party apps to deliver essential functionality. Features like customer segmentation, custom pricing tiers, and multi-storefront support are built-in, not bolted on.

In 2026, BigCommerce has doubled down on scalability, with advanced tools like B2B Edition, composable commerce architecture, and multi-channel integrations baked into the platform. It’s a great fit if you’re outgrowing beginner platforms or need serious backend performance without building custom stacks from scratch.

From our experience using it:

• The native multichannel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook) setup was smoother than expected.
• Product and customer management tools scale beautifully — even for large catalogs.
• Unlike many competitors, there are no transaction fees on any plan.

Challenges we noticed:

• The UI isn’t as sleek or beginner-friendly as Squarespace or Wix.
• Fewer themes and limited design flexibility unless you bring in a developer or use Page Builder heavily.
• Automatic plan upgrades based on sales thresholds can be a surprise if your store suddenly takes off.

Compared to Shopify: BigCommerce matches Shopify in features but includes many advanced tools (like multi-channel selling and B2B support) out of the box — no need for third-party apps.

Pricing (2026 Plans):

• Standard – $29.95/mo: All core selling features, no transaction fees
• Plus – $79.95/mo: Abandoned cart recovery, customer groups
• Pro – $299.95/mo: Google Shopping, faceted search, custom SSL
• Enterprise – Custom pricing: Dedicated support, SLA, API enhancements, B2B suite

BigCommerce is ideal for growth-focused businesses, especially if you’re managing high SKU volume, selling across channels, or building out a headless or B2B storefront. It’s built for scale, not side hustles.

4. WooCommerce

Best for: WordPress users and developers who want full control and flexibility.

As a content team that regularly tests lead gen workflows on WooCommerce, we’ve built dozens of stores using it and the biggest draw is still freedom. Whether you’re building a minimalist merch site or a complex subscription box business, WooCommerce lets you control every element: checkout flow, design, product pages, email automation, and more.

In 2026, WooCommerce has leveled up with tools like Woo Express (its hosted version) and Woo AI, which brings smart automation, product recommendations, and order insights directly into the dashboard. And because it’s built on WordPress, it’s still the best solution if your business is content-heavy.

Why we still reach for WooCommerce:

• The ecosystem is unmatched — from SEO to payments, there’s a plugin for everything.
• Woo AI tools like product recs and analytics make the backend smarter without needing custom code.
• Woo Express helps users skip the headache of finding hosting or configuring basics.

Where things get tricky:

• Without technical knowledge or a dev partner, scaling can be intimidating.
• Managing updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress itself requires maintenance.
• You’ll need to budget for extensions — many essential features aren’t included in the free core.

Compared to Shopify: WooCommerce offers more customization and control at a lower cost, but it requires more technical skill and WordPress knowledge to set up and maintain.

Pricing (2026 Snapshot):

• WooCommerce Plugin – Free
• Hosting – $10–30+/month for quality managed hosting
• Woo Express:
  • Essential – $39/month (Stripe/PayPal + bundled hosting/themes)
  • Performance – $70/month (adds Woo AI, analytics, more storage)

WooCommerce is the clear choice for anyone who loves WordPress and wants a completely customizable store. If you want total design and backend freedom and don’t mind getting under the hood, it’s unbeatable.

5. Adobe Commerce (Magento)

Best for: Large enterprises with complex catalogs, custom workflows, and in-house dev teams.

We worked with a client in the B2B medical supply space that migrated to Adobe Commerce from a patchwork of WooCommerce and custom tools and while the setup was intense, the payoff was massive. With Adobe Commerce, they gained a unified platform capable of handling bulk pricing rules, custom quoting workflows, and real-time ERP syncs without duct tape.

In 2026, Adobe Commerce is essentially Magento on enterprise steroids. It offers deep B2B capabilities, AI personalization through Adobe Sensei GenAI, and full integration with the Adobe Experience Cloud (think analytics, content, and marketing all in one ecosystem). This isn’t just eCommerce, it’s a commerce engine for brands that are already scaling globally or operating across complex channels.

What we’ve seen firsthand:

• The ability to build composable commerce where you pick and integrate only what you need — gives unparalleled flexibility.
• AI-powered personalization and buyer segmentation is native, not an add-on.
• Headless capabilities and PWA Studio make performance and UX feel modern and fast.

What to seriously consider:

• It’s not beginner-friendly. Implementation can easily take months and requires skilled developers or a dedicated agency.
• Total cost of ownership is high — licensing, hosting, maintenance, and integrations add up.
• For small-to-midsize stores, it’s overkill.

Compared to Shopify: Adobe Commerce is far more flexible and scalable than Shopify, but it’s also more expensive and requires dedicated development resources.

Pricing (2026 Estimate):

• Adobe Commerce Cloud – Custom pricing (typically starts at ~$22,000/year)
• Open Source Magento – Still available for free but lacks premium support, AI, and enterprise features
• Add-ons – Hosting, security, development, and integrations may push annual costs into the six-figure range for large stores

Adobe Commerce is the Ferrari of eCommerce platforms, powerful, fast, and customizable down to the engine. But like a Ferrari, it needs a pro behind the wheel. If your team is building for scale, speed, and full-stack integration, this is the platform that delivers.

6. Square Online

Best for: Brick-and-mortar businesses that want to easily sell online, too.

We recently helped a local bakery client launch a Square Online store in under a day, synced directly to their POS. No complicated setup, no juggling multiple systems. They were taking online orders and managing in-store inventory in one dashboard by the end of the afternoon.

That’s the magic of Square Online in 2026. It’s built for real-world businesses that want to unify offline and online sales without hiring a developer. It’s especially powerful if you’re already using Square for in-person transactions, the eCommerce layer just slides right into place.

What worked well when we used it:

• The POS-to-online store sync is almost instant — no double entry for inventory or orders.
• Built-in payment processing (including Afterpay, Apple Pay) saves time and fees.
• AI product recommendations and abandoned cart tools are now available even on mid-tier plans.

Things to be aware of:

• Design options are more rigid than platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
• Content marketing features (blog, SEO control) are fairly limited.
• Free plan includes Square branding and slightly higher transaction fees.

Compared to Shopify: Square Online is better for local businesses and in-person sales integration. Shopify has more advanced eCommerce features, but Square wins on simplicity and cost (including a free plan).

Pricing (2026 Plans):

• Free – Basic store with POS sync and branding
• Plus – $29/month: Branding removed, more tools for shipping, SEO, and analytics
• Premium – $79/month: Lower processing fees, advanced shipping, more automation

Square Online is perfect if you run a physical store and want to expand online without reinventing your workflow. It’s not the flashiest platform but it’s fast, dependable, and built for businesses that actually sell things, not just test ideas.

7. Hostinger Website Builder

Best for: Budget-conscious entrepreneurs launching their first store with the help of AI.

We recently tested Hostinger’s revamped builder to spin up a basic merch store for a personal project and for under $4/month, the results were shockingly good. The AI tools helped us auto-generate product descriptions, lay out pages, and even predict click heatmaps, no plugins required.

Hostinger has quietly become one of the most powerful Shopify alternatives for scrappy founders who want speed, affordability, and built-in AI. In 2026, their builder supports eCommerce, multilingual sites, WooCommerce integration, and marketing tools all running on LiteSpeed servers known for fast page loads.

What stood out in our test build:

• The AI tools aren’t gimmicks, they actually saved time and made solid content suggestions.
• Pre-built templates looked clean on both desktop and mobile.
• Includes free SSL, domain, and email — something most platforms charge extra for.

What you’re trading off:

• App ecosystem is minimal — you won’t find dozens of third-party integrations.
• Not designed for complex catalogs, subscriptions, or B2B needs.
• Some eCommerce settings (like tax rules, abandoned cart workflows) are more limited than in Shopify or BigCommerce.

Compared to Shopify: Hostinger is much more affordable and beginner-friendly, but lacks Shopify’s ecosystem and scalability. Great for simple stores or testing product ideas.

Pricing (2026 Plans):

• Premium Plan – $2.99/month: Includes online store features, AI tools, email, SSL
• Business Plan – ~$3.99/month: Adds more storage, WooCommerce compatibility, marketing integrations

Hostinger is a no-brainer for solopreneurs, freelancers, and side hustlers who want to launch quickly without committing to a $30+/month platform. It’s not Shopify but that’s exactly the point.

How to Choose the Right Shopify Alternative for Your Business

With so many great platforms available in 2026, choosing the right Shopify alternative really comes down to your specific needs. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

1. What Type of Business Are You Running?

2. How Much Customization Do You Need?

• Low customization, easy setup: Wix, Squarespace, Hostinger
• Moderate flexibility: BigCommerce, Square Online
• Full control / open-source: WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce

3. What’s Your Budget?

• Free to low-cost: Hostinger, Square Online (free plan)
• Mid-tier: Wix, Squarespace, WooCommerce (self-hosted)
• Premium / enterprise: BigCommerce Pro+, Adobe Commerce

4. Do You Need Global or Omnichannel Support?

• Sell on Amazon, eBay, TikTok: BigCommerce
• Global payments + currencies: Wix, WooCommerce
• Local POS + online: Square Online

Shopify vs Top eCommerce Alternatives: Which One Wins?

Use this chart to quickly match your business type and goals with the right platform — then dive into the full reviews above for details.

Summary:

• Choose Shopify if you need a robust, mid-to-enterprise level store with lots of app integrations and don’t mind paying extra for features.
• Choose an alternative if you want lower costs, easier setup, better design flexibility, or specialized features like services, subscriptions, or in-person selling.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your business is just a matter of examining your goals. And, no matter the platform you choose, you can depend on OptinMonster to convert interested visitors to customers. Get started with OptinMonster today!

FAQs About Shopify Alternatives

This comprehensive guide compiles 35+ of the most important affiliate marketing statistics for 2026, backed by authoritative research from Forrester, Statista, Rakuten, and leading industry sources. You’ll discover market projections, platform performance data, income expectations, emerging trends, and actionable insights to inform your affiliate marketing decisions.

Industry Growth & Market Size Statistics

1. Global Affiliate Marketing Value Exceeds $20 Billion

According to Astute Analytica, the global affiliate marketing industry reached a valuation of over $20 billion in 2024. This represents significant growth from previous years and demonstrates the increasing reliance of businesses on performance-based marketing strategies.

What This Means: The affiliate marketing industry is no longer a niche strategy but a mainstream revenue channel for both established brands and digital-first companies. This market size validates affiliate marketing as a viable career path and business model.

2. Market Projected to Reach $31-40 Billion by 2031

Industry projections from Astute Analytica and Publift suggest the global affiliate marketing market will nearly double over the next 5-7 years, reaching between $31 billion and $40 billion by 2031.

What This Means: Early movers in emerging affiliate niches and platforms have significant growth opportunity ahead. The market expansion indicates more brands will adopt affiliate programs, creating more partnership opportunities.

3. Industry Growing at 8-10% CAGR

The affiliate marketing industry is experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-10%, significantly outpacing many traditional advertising channels. This steady growth has been consistent since 2015 and shows no signs of slowing.

What This Means: Unlike volatile marketing trends, affiliate marketing offers sustainable, predictable growth. This makes it attractive for long-term business planning and career development.

4. US Affiliate Spending to Reach $16 Billion by 2028

In the United States alone, affiliate marketing spending is projected to approach $16 billion by 2028. North America currently accounts for over 40% of global affiliate marketing revenue, making it the largest regional market.

What This Means: The US market remains the most lucrative for affiliate marketers, though competition is also highest. Focusing on underserved niches or regional markets within the US can provide competitive advantages.

5. Over 80% of Brands Use Affiliate Marketing Programs

Research by Rakuten and Forrester reveals that 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers now utilize affiliate marketing programs. This widespread adoption indicates that affiliate marketing has become a standard component of digital marketing strategies.

What This Means: With such high adoption rates, affiliate marketers have abundant partnership opportunities across virtually every industry. However, standing out among other affiliates requires differentiation through content quality, audience trust, or unique positioning.

6. Affiliate Marketing Drives 16% of US E-Commerce Sales

Affiliate marketing accounts for 16% of all e-commerce sales in the United States and Canada, making it one of the most significant drivers of online revenue. This contribution rivals other major marketing channels like paid search and email marketing.

What This Means: E-commerce brands that aren’t leveraging affiliate partnerships are missing out on significant revenue. For affiliates, this statistic validates the effectiveness of product-focused content and review sites.

Platform Performance & Traffic Statistics

7. Amazon Associates Commands 46.11% Market Share

Amazon Associates remains the dominant affiliate program globally, holding 46.11% of the affiliate marketing market share. The next largest networks—Rakuten (7.78%), Awin (6.68%), ShareASale (6.46%), and CJ Affiliate (6.24%)—collectively control less than 30% of the market.

What This Means: Amazon’s dominance offers ease of entry and product variety, but commission rates (typically 1-10%) are lower than specialized affiliate programs. Successful affiliates often use Amazon as one component of a diversified monetization strategy.

8. Mobile Devices Account for 50-62% of Affiliate Traffic

Mobile traffic now represents 50-62% of all affiliate-driven visits, depending on niche and audience. This mobile-first reality has fundamentally changed how affiliates must design their content and optimize conversion paths.

What This Means: Affiliate sites that aren’t mobile-optimized are losing over half their potential conversions. Fast load times, responsive design, and mobile-friendly CTAs are no longer optional—they’re essential for success.

9. SEO Remains Top Traffic Source for 69% of Affiliates

Despite the rise of social media, search engine optimization remains the primary traffic source for 69% of affiliate marketers. Social media follows at 67%, blogging at 65%, and paid advertising (PPC) at 34%.

What This Means: Long-term affiliate success still relies heavily on ranking in search results. While social media can provide quick wins, sustainable affiliate businesses invest in SEO for consistent, compounding traffic growth.

10. TikTok Affiliate Links See 5.2% Engagement Rate

TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse for affiliate marketing, with affiliate links achieving a 5.2% engagement rate—160% higher than comparable content on Instagram. TikTok creators with 50,000 or fewer followers see engagement rates as high as 30.1%, which is 1,570% higher than similar-sized influencers on Instagram.

What This Means: Short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts are becoming essential channels for affiliate marketers, especially those targeting younger demographics. Authentic, entertaining product demonstrations consistently outperform traditional review content.

11. Social Commerce Revenue to Exceed $1 Trillion by 2028

Social commerce—the integration of e-commerce directly into social media platforms—is projected to generate over $1 trillion in revenue by 2028. This includes in-app purchases on Instagram, TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, and Pinterest Shopping.

What This Means: The line between social media and e-commerce is disappearing. Affiliates who master shoppable content and platform-native commerce features will capture a larger share of impulse purchases and social-driven sales.

12. Email Marketing Delivers $36 ROI per $1 Spent

Email remains one of the highest-ROI channels for affiliate marketing, generating an average return of $36 for every dollar spent. Behavior-based automated email sequences perform even better, with 8 times more opens than bulk emails.

What This Means: Building an email list should be a priority for every affiliate marketer. The ability to directly reach interested subscribers creates a sustainable, algorithm-independent traffic source that typically converts 2-3x higher than cold traffic.

Platform Performance Comparison

Note: Engagement rates vary significantly based on niche, audience quality, and content type. These are industry averages.

Niche & Industry Statistics

13. Health & Wellness Is the Most Profitable Niche

The health and wellness industry represents a $6.32 trillion global market, making it the most lucrative niche for affiliate marketers. Within this sector, the fitness segment alone is projected to reach $6.73 billion by 2027, growing at 9.61% annually. Commission rates in this niche typically range from 3% to 20%.

What This Means: The broad appeal of health and wellness creates opportunities across multiple sub-niches: supplements, fitness equipment, meal planning, workout programs, and wellness apps. However, competition is fierce and regulatory compliance (especially for health claims) is critical.

14. SaaS Products Offer 20-70% Commission Rates

Software as a Service (SaaS) affiliate programs offer some of the highest commission rates in the industry, ranging from 20% to 70% depending on the product and pricing tier. Many SaaS programs also offer recurring commissions, providing ongoing income from a single referral.

What This Means: SaaS affiliates can build substantial recurring income streams. A single referral to a $99/month product at 30% commission generates $29.70 monthly—potentially for years. The challenge is that SaaS requires more sophisticated selling through tutorials, comparisons, and demonstrations.

15. Retail Dominates Affiliate Spend at 48%

Retail accounts for 48% of total affiliate marketing spending in major markets like the UK. Following retail, telecommunications contributes 19%, travel and hospitality 13%, and finance/banking 8% of affiliate revenue.

What This Means: While retail offers the most opportunities, the high concentration also means intense competition. Affiliates might find better success in underserved categories like telecommunications or finance, where higher customer lifetime values support more generous commissions.

Top Affiliate Marketing Niches Comparison

Income & Earnings Statistics

16. Average Affiliate Marketer Salary: $56,141 Annually

According to PayScale data from December 2025, affiliate marketers in the United States earn an average base salary of $56,141 per year. This figure varies significantly based on experience, niche selection, traffic levels, and business model.

What This Means: This average includes both part-time and full-time affiliate marketers. Top performers earn $100K+, while many beginners earn little to nothing in their first 6-12 months. Median income is likely closer to $35K-40K, with the average pulled upward by high earners.

17. Businesses Earn $6.50-$15 per $1 Spent on Affiliate Marketing

From the business perspective, affiliate marketing delivers exceptional ROI. Companies typically earn between $6.50 and $15 for every dollar spent on affiliate commissions and program management. Some email-driven campaigns report ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) as high as 14:1, demonstrating affiliate marketing’s profit potential.

What This Means: This high ROI explains why over 80% of brands now use affiliate programs. For affiliates, it validates that you’re providing genuine value—brands wouldn’t pay these commissions if the economics didn’t work.

18. Top Fitness Affiliates Earn $7,000+ Monthly

Within the fitness niche specifically, successful affiliate marketers report monthly earnings exceeding $7,000. This comes from promoting a mix of fitness equipment, supplements, workout programs, and training certifications with commission rates between 3% and 20%.

What This Means: Niche specialization can significantly boost earnings. While general product affiliates may struggle with 1-3% Amazon commissions, niche-focused affiliates access premium programs with higher rates and more engaged audiences willing to purchase.

19. Bluehost Paid Over $5M in Commissions Annually

Web hosting company Bluehost reportedly pays over $5 million annually to its affiliate partners. Individual affiliates can earn $65-$130 per sale, making web hosting one of the most lucrative affiliate niches for tech-focused content creators.

What This Means: High-ticket affiliate programs can be game-changers for monetization. A single Bluehost sale provides more commission than dozens of Amazon purchases. However, these require more sophisticated selling through tutorials, comparisons, and trust-building.

20. Affiliates Aged 35-44 Comprise 32% of the Industry

The largest demographic in affiliate marketing is the 35-44 age group, representing 32% of all affiliate marketers. This age group also tends to have the highest success rate, likely due to a combination of professional experience, established networks, and financial resources to invest in their businesses. The 25-34 age group follows at 24%, while those 45-54 represent only 10%.

What This Means: Affiliate marketing success often correlates with professional maturity. The 35-44 demographic brings industry expertise, audience understanding, and patience for long-term strategy—all critical for building sustainable affiliate income.

Consumer Behavior & Trust Statistics

21. 88% of Consumers Purchase Based on Influencer Recommendations

According to Nielsen’s Trust in Advertising research, 88% of consumers have made purchase decisions based on influencer recommendations. This represents a fundamental shift in how purchasing decisions are made, with trusted individuals often carrying more weight than traditional advertising.

What This Means: Building trust and authority in your niche is essential for affiliate success. Audiences don’t just want product links—they want genuine recommendations from sources they trust. This is why personal branding and authentic content consistently outperform generic affiliate sites.

22. 9 in 10 Consumers Trust Online Reviews

90% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions. This makes review content one of the most effective formats for affiliate marketing, whether through written reviews, video demonstrations, or comparison articles.

What This Means: Comprehensive, honest review content is your competitive advantage. Affiliates who invest time in thorough product testing, balanced pros/cons analysis, and real user experiences build credibility that translates directly to higher conversion rates.

23. User-Generated Content Trusted by 92% of Consumers

User-generated content (UGC)—customer reviews, testimonials, unboxing videos, and social media posts—is trusted by 92% of consumers, significantly more than traditional advertising. Marketing campaigns featuring UGC see a 29% increase in web conversions compared to campaigns without it.

What This Means: Encouraging and showcasing customer experiences amplifies your affiliate marketing effectiveness. Real stories from real people create social proof that polished marketing can’t replicate. Consider building community features or customer showcase sections into your content strategy.

24. 41% of Gen Z Trust Influencer Products Over Traditional Ads

Among Gen Z consumers specifically, 41% report trusting products endorsed by influencers more than traditional advertising. This trust extends to micro-influencers and niche content creators, not just celebrity endorsements. Additionally, 40% of consumers overall have purchased products directly after seeing an influencer post.

What This Means: Younger demographics particularly value authentic, personal recommendations. If your target audience skews younger, influencer-style content (first-person experiences, behind-the-scenes, transparent partnerships) will likely outperform formal review formats.

Technology & Emerging Trends

25. AI Marketing Market Valued at $20.45B, Growing 25% Annually

The AI in marketing sector reached $20.45 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 25% CAGR through 2030. For affiliate marketers, this means increased access to AI-powered tools for content creation, analytics, personalization, and fraud detection.

What This Means: AI tools are becoming essential for competitive affiliate marketing. From AI-generated product descriptions and SEO optimization to predictive analytics and automated email sequences, affiliates who leverage AI can scale their operations significantly. However, maintaining authentic human perspective remains crucial for trust.

26. 81% of Consumers Prefer Personalized Experiences

81% of consumers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences tailored to their preferences and behavior. AI-powered personalization is making this level of customization accessible to affiliate marketers through dynamic content, personalized product recommendations, and behavioral email triggers.

What This Means: Generic affiliate content is losing effectiveness. Successful affiliates are implementing personalization through segmented email lists, dynamic landing pages, and tailored product recommendations based on user behavior and preferences.

27. Affiliate Fraud Accounts for 17% of Traffic, $3.4B in Losses

In 2022, fraudulent clicks represented 17% of all affiliate traffic, resulting in approximately $3.4 billion in losses for advertisers. Common fraud types include click fraud, cookie stuffing, and bot-generated fake conversions. AI-powered fraud detection tools are becoming essential for protecting both advertisers and legitimate affiliates.

What This Means: Legitimate affiliates should expect increased scrutiny and verification requirements from affiliate programs. Building transparent relationships with merchants, maintaining detailed traffic logs, and using fraud prevention tools protects your reputation and ensures you receive proper commission attribution.

28. 93% of Marketers Prioritize First-Party Data

With third-party cookies being phased out, 93% of marketers now consider first-party data collection more important than ever. This shift is forcing affiliate marketers to build owned audiences through email lists, community platforms, and direct customer relationships rather than relying solely on paid traffic or third-party platforms.

What This Means: Email list building and community development are no longer optional—they’re survival strategies. Affiliates who own their audience data will weather privacy regulation changes and platform algorithm updates far better than those dependent on rental traffic.

29. Search Interest in ‘Affiliate Marketing’ Doubled Since 2016

Google Trends data shows search interest in the term ‘affiliate marketing’ has more than doubled since 2016, with a significant surge from 2020 onward. Interest peaked at 100 (the highest possible score) in July 2023, likely driven by increased online business activity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

What This Means: Rising interest brings both opportunity and competition. More people entering affiliate marketing means more tools, education, and innovation in the space. However, it also means established niches become more competitive, rewarding affiliates who can differentiate through specialized expertise or unique audience access.

30. Programmatic Advertising Accounts for 72% of Digital Display Ads

Programmatic advertising now represents 72% of all digital display advertising. This automated, AI-driven ad buying is increasingly being integrated with affiliate marketing strategies, allowing more precise targeting and real-time optimization of affiliate promotions.

What This Means: The line between affiliate marketing and programmatic advertising is blurring. Affiliates who understand how to leverage programmatic platforms for audience targeting and retargeting can significantly improve conversion rates, especially for higher-priced products requiring multiple touchpoints.

31. 21% of Affiliates Report Best ROI from Short-Form Video

21% of affiliate marketers now identify TikTok and YouTube Shorts as their highest ROI channels. Short-form video’s authentic, entertaining format aligns perfectly with how younger audiences discover and evaluate products, making it one of the fastest-growing affiliate marketing channels.

What This Means: If you’re not experimenting with short-form video, you’re missing significant opportunity—especially for products targeting Gen Z and younger Millennials. The barrier to entry is low, and authentic product demonstrations often outperform highly produced content.

Payment Models & Operational Statistics

32. 99% of Programs Use Cost-Per-Action (CPA) Payment Model

The overwhelming majority—99%—of affiliate programs use the CPA (Cost Per Action) payment model, where affiliates earn commission only when a specific action occurs, typically a sale. Other payment models like CPC (Cost Per Click) and CPL (Cost Per Lead) exist but are far less common in mainstream affiliate marketing.

What This Means: Your income directly correlates with your ability to drive actual sales or conversions, not just traffic. This makes conversion rate optimization, audience targeting, and trust-building absolutely critical. Traffic volume matters less than traffic quality and relevance.

33. Only 7% of Marketing Managers Make Affiliate a Top Priority

Despite affiliate marketing’s proven ROI, only 7% of marketing managers rank it as their top budget priority, according to Forrester’s 2024 report. However, this is changing as more companies recognize the value of performance-based marketing, with 50%+ of UK brands planning to increase affiliate investments in 2026.

What This Means: Affiliate marketing is still growing into its potential. For affiliates, this represents opportunity—many brands are expanding their programs and actively recruiting quality partners. Positioning yourself as a professional, data-driven affiliate can open doors to premium partnerships.

34. 83% of Brands Recruit Affiliates Through Network Dashboards

83% of affiliate recruiters discover new partners through affiliate network dashboards like ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, Rakuten, and Awin. This makes having well-optimized profiles on major networks essential for being discovered by brands seeking affiliates.

What This Means: Your affiliate network profiles are your business storefront. Complete profiles with detailed audience demographics, traffic statistics, and content examples significantly increase your chances of being recruited for premium programs with higher commissions.

Regional Growth & Emerging Markets

35. Latin America E-Commerce Growing at 20% CAGR

Latin America’s e-commerce market is projected to grow at an estimated 20% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2027, creating significant opportunities for affiliate marketers. This growth is driven by increasing internet penetration, mobile adoption, and a growing middle class.

What This Means: Early movers in emerging markets can establish authority before competition intensifies. Affiliates who speak Spanish/Portuguese or understand regional nuances have particular advantage in these high-growth markets.

36. Asia-Pacific to Account for 40% of Global Retail by 2028

The Asia-Pacific region is set to account for 40% of global retail sales by 2028, up from 37% in 2023. This represents the fastest-growing market for affiliate marketing globally, with particular strength in mobile commerce and social shopping platforms.

What This Means: Western-focused affiliates should consider how to access or understand Asian markets, either directly or through partnerships. The sheer market size and digital adoption rates make this region impossible to ignore for long-term growth.

37. UK Affiliate Spending Increased 17% Year-Over-Year

Affiliate marketing expenditure in the United Kingdom increased by 17% from 2022 to 2023, with over 50% of brands planning to boost their affiliate investments in 2026. The UK represents one of the most mature and sophisticated affiliate markets globally.

What This Means: Established markets like the UK offer stability and sophisticated infrastructure but require professional execution. Success in mature markets depends on specialization, audience quality, and demonstrable ROI for merchant partners.

Key Takeaways & Action Steps

The affiliate marketing landscape in 2026 is defined by robust growth, technological innovation, and evolving consumer expectations. Based on these 37+ statistics, here are the most critical insights:

Top 5 Strategic Takeaways

1. The industry is growing steadily at 8-10% annually with projections to reach $31-40 billion by 2031. This validates affiliate marketing as a long-term career and business opportunity, not a passing trend.
2. Platform diversification is essential. While SEO remains important (69% of affiliates), emerging platforms like TikTok (5.2% engagement) and the shift to social commerce ($1T by 2028) require multi-channel strategies.
3. Niche selection dramatically impacts earnings. Health/wellness ($6.32T market) and SaaS (20-70% commissions) offer premium opportunities, while competitive niches require sophisticated differentiation.
4. Trust and authenticity drive conversions. With 88% of consumers purchasing based on influencer recommendations and 92% trusting UGC, building genuine audience relationships matters more than ever.
5. Technology adoption is becoming non-negotiable. AI tools ($20.45B market), mobile optimization (50-62% of traffic), and first-party data strategies (93% prioritize this) separate successful affiliates from struggling ones.

Next Steps for Aspiring & Established Affiliates

For Beginners:

• Choose a specific niche based on both profitability data and genuine interest
• Start building your email list from day one (93% prioritize first-party data)
• Focus on one primary traffic source (SEO or social) rather than spreading thin
• Set realistic income expectations: average is $56K annually, but most earn less in year one

For Established Affiliates:

• Experiment with short-form video (21% report best ROI from TikTok/YouTube Shorts)
• Diversify beyond Amazon (46% market share but low commissions) into specialized programs
• Implement AI-powered personalization tools (81% of consumers prefer personalized experiences)
• Consider expanding into emerging markets (Latin America 20% CAGR, Asia-Pacific 40% of retail)

The Future of Affiliate Marketing

The affiliate marketing industry stands at an inflection point. While the fundamentals—trust-based recommendations driving purchase decisions—remain unchanged, the mechanics are evolving rapidly. AI is automating operational tasks while raising expectations for personalization. Privacy regulations are forcing a return to owned audiences and direct relationships. Social commerce is creating new conversion pathways that bypass traditional websites entirely.

Success in this environment requires balancing timeless principles (audience trust, genuine value, quality content) with emerging capabilities (AI tools, short-form video, social commerce, programmatic targeting). The affiliates who thrive will be those who build sustainable businesses grounded in authentic audience relationships while staying agile enough to adopt new technologies and platforms as they emerge.

The data is clear: affiliate marketing is growing, professionalizing, and offering unprecedented opportunities for those willing to approach it strategically. Whether you’re just starting or scaling an established operation, these statistics should inform—but not dictate—your strategy. Test, measure, iterate, and build the affiliate business that aligns with your goals, strengths, and market opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Research Citations

This article synthesizes data from the following authoritative sources:

• Astute Analytica – Global Affiliate Marketing Market Research
• Forrester Research – Affiliate Marketing Industry Reports
• Rakuten Advertising – State of Affiliate Marketing
• Statista – E-commerce and Affiliate Marketing Statistics
• Nielsen – Trust in Advertising Research
• PayScale – Affiliate Marketer Salary Data (December 2025)
• Google Trends – Search Interest Data
• Influencer Marketing Hub – Industry Benchmarks
• Publift – Affiliate Marketing Statistics and Trends
• Business of Apps – Social Commerce Research
• eMarketer – Digital Advertising Trends

All statistics were verified and cross-referenced across multiple sources where possible to ensure accuracy. Market projections represent consensus estimates from leading research firms.

In this article, I’ll discuss the importance of thank you pages and explain how to create them. I’ll also share 8 thank you page examples that you can draw inspiration from.

Why Every Business Needs a Thank You Page

A thank you page does more than just confirm an order or action. It’s a vital touchpoint in the customer journey that can enhance user experience, build trust, and even boost sales. Here are several reasons why every business should use a thank you page:

• First Impressions: The thank you page sets the tone for future interactions, creating a positive experience that can increase customer loyalty.
• Building Trust: A personalized thank you page reassures users that their action was successful and appreciated, which creates trust and credibility.
• Upselling and Cross Selling: Include personalized recommendations for related products or services. This tactic can increase your average order value (AOV).
• Encouraging Engagement: Use the thank you page to ask customers to follow your brand on social media, join your community, or participate in other offers.
• Customer Retention: A well-crafted thank you page can reinforce the customer’s decision to buy, reducing buyer’s remorse and increasing the likelihood of repeat business.
• Survey and Feedback Collection: Ask for customer feedback with a quick survey, helping you gather valuable insights to improve your website and products.
• Nurturing Leads: Keep the relationship going by offering additional content, guides, or special deals. Doing so will help you nurture new leads through your sales funnel.

How to Create a Thank You Page (2 Methods)

There are 2 different ways you can create a successful thank you page:

• Build a thank you page with SeedProd (for WordPress)
• Create a thank you popup with OptinMonster (for any site)

1. Build a Thank You Page With SeedProd (for WordPress)

SeedProd is our #1 choice for WordPress page builders. It has a specific focus on building specialized landing pages such as thank you pages. However, you can also use it to build your entire website.

SeedProd has 350+ pre-made page templates, including several thank you page templates:

SeedProd also has an easy drag-and-drop builder, so you can customize any template in just a few minutes.

You can customize your thank you page to generate leads and boost conversions with pre-built blocks like contact forms, giveaways, countdown timers, social profiles, and much more.

Sign up for SeedProd and make custom thank you pages in minutes!

2. Create a Thank You Popup With OptinMonster (for Any Site)

On the other hand, if you don’t want to create a separate landing page, you can create a thank you popup with OptinMonster.

By default, most of our 700+ templates include 3 views:

• Yes/No View: Ask visitors a simple yes/no question such as “Do you want to save 30% off today’s purchase?”
• Optin View: Ask visitors to submit an email address, feedback, and/or other information.
• Success View: Confirm that the submission was successful and offer next steps.

The Success View is essentially the popup version of a thank you page, and you can optimize it in many of the same ways.

For example, here’s what the Success View looks like for our Birthday Discount popup template:

This Success View does 3 important things:

• Thanks the visitor for subscribing to your email list.
• Provides the promised discount code.
• Includes a large call-to-action (CTA) button to start shopping.

No matter which template you choose, you can add any elements you want in our easy drag-and-drop builder:

Here are just a few of the types of blocks you can add to your popups:

• Text fields informing users of next steps (such as checking their email to confirm their subscription)
• Embedded videos
• Countdown timers
• Buttons linking to product pages, customer support, and more
• Social media links
• ChatBots
• and more

Plus, OptinMonster offers robust targeting and triggering rules, so you can show your messages to the right people at exactly the right time. Try OptinMonster today, with our 14-day money-back guarantee!

3 Essential Elements of a Thank You Page

Some thank you pages are seen by new email subscribers, and others are seen by new or returning customers. However, every thank you page must have these 3 essential elements.

1. A confirmation message
2. A clear call to action
3. Specific instructions on what to do next

If any one of these key ingredients is missing, then your thank you page will fall short.

1. Confirmation Message

For a good user experience, and to serve its primary function, your thank you page must include a confirmation that the user’s action was successful.

You need to actually spell it out for them. Otherwise, you’ll risk leaving them confused or disoriented.

A simple, “Thank you for subscribing!” or “Your order is complete!” will do just fine. Just make sure the user knows what has happened, as well as what they should expect to happen next, if necessary.

Unfortunately, this is where most thank you pages stop. If you want to stop leaving money on the table, you’ll need to get your users to take another action right away. Which brings us to the next thank you page element.

2. Call to Action (CTA)

Now that you’ve confirmed their successful action, it’s time to take your thank you page to the next level by adding in a call to action (CTA).

A very clear CTA will move your users to take the next step in your sales process.

This is the part where most thank you pages fall short, but adding this one thing to your thank you page will make the world of difference in terms of your conversions and sales.

Your CTA could be as simple as a button to download the lead magnet your subscriber just signed up for.

Or, it could be more complex, like offering a coupon code and encouraging users to start shopping. You can see that in this thank you page example created with SeedProd:

So what other CTAs can you include? Here are some great thank you page call to action examples:

• Ask them to whitelist your email address
• Ask them to share on social media
• Ask them to register for a webinar or event
• Ask them to purchase a related product
• Ask them to create an account
• Ask them to fill out a survey

3. Specific Instructions

The 3rd element to put on your thank you page is specific instructions on exactly what to do next.

You already have a call to action that gives users the next step. But to get users to actually take you up on it, you should be specific about what they should do and how.

For example, many email newsletters require a double opt-in. That’s when someone has to complete 2 steps before they’re added to your email marketing list:

1. They have to sign up for your email list on your website.
2. They have to click a confirmation link in an email you send them.

If you use a double opt-in, you must make that clear in your thank you page. That way, users know that they have 1 more step to complete.

For example, your thank you message can say:

“Thank you for signing up! To start receiving our weekly newsletter, you must click the confirmation link in the email we just sent you. Check your inbox now!”

That single sentence includes all 3 essential thank you page elements: a thank you, specific instructions, and a CTA to check their email.

Now that you know the 3 essential elements, let’s look at some thank you page examples.

These 8 thank you pages are highly effective at moving new subscribers and customers further along your sales funnel.

I’ve divided the examples into 2 categories: thank you pages that appear after an optin and after a purchase.

After-Optin Thank You Page Examples

When someone successfully opts into your email list, you can use your thank you page to accomplish 1 of 3 main goals:

1. Drive more traffic to your optin by encouraging sharing
2. Begin to nurture leads
3. Acquire customers right away

Here are some examples of after-optin thank you pages:

Thank You Page Example #1: Social Sharing

Did you know that your thank you page can actually drive more optins?

When you use your thank you page to drive more traffic to your optin form, you can increase your signups. For example, users saw this thank you popup when they signed up for a live webinar, which was used as a lead magnet to get more email subscribers.

The Success View of this popup encourages new subscribers to invite friends to also sign up. There are 2 CTA buttons to share the signup form on social media.

As the subscribers’ friends sign up for the webinar, they’ll also see this thank you page that encourages them to share the signup form, as well. This creates a powerful snowball effect that can help you grow your email list and webinar attendance quickly.

You can even include an extra incentive for them to share. RafflePress is the best giveaway plugin for WordPress, and you can use it easily add a giveaway to your thank you page.

This is a fun and effective way to incentivize new subscribers to share your optin page.

With the verified bonus actions, you can reward users with extra giveaway entries for sharing your page.

Many users will be more than willing to share your optin page for a better chance of winning an awesome prize.

Thank You Page Example #2: Related Blog Content

You can also use your thank you page to begin the lead nurturing process right away.

After all, why wait? The more you can increase your touch points with a lead, the more likely they will become a customer.

One way to nurture new subscribers is to recommending posts on your blog that are related to the lead magnet they just signed up for. This will keep them reading and browsing your site for longer.

Here’s a thank you page example where Salesforce included extra resources to explore:

Thank You Page Example #3: Webinar Promotion

You can also nurture your leads by asking them to register for a webinar or an event. Your new subscriber has just shown a high level of interest in your content, so your thank you page is the perfect time to promote your webinar.

Here’s an example of a webinar registration thank you page from Wisita.

Thank You Page Example #4: Community Building

Another way to start nurturing leads right off the bat is by asking them to participate in your community. By bringing new leads into your community and social platforms, you’ll be able to have more of a dialog with them.

In this example, the thank you message includes a call to action to “like us on Facebook”.

Thank You Page Example #5: The Tripwire

After someone opts in with their email address, you can monetize your thank you page to immediately turn that new lead into a customer. Here’s how to monetize your thank you page:

First, you’ll need to have a low-dollar offer, or a “tripwire.” A tripwire is an offer that is a complete no-brainer. It usually falls in the ballpark of $1-$20, depending on the regular price of your products.

Even though it’s priced so low, the tripwire offer still requires someone to pull out their wallet and become a paying customer. This is important because the first sale is the hardest. But when someone has bought from you once, it’s much easier to get them to buy from you again.

Digital Marketer has a great thank you page example with a tripwire. Their success message says that your lead magnet is on the way, and while you’re waiting for it to arrive, you should check out this other offer.

Once you click on the “I’ll take a look” button, you’ll be taken directly to the sales page with a $7 tripwire offer.

Now that we’ve seen some thank you page examples that are shown after an email optin, let’s look at some examples of thank you pages that are shown after the user completes a purchase.

After-Sale Thank You Page Examples

When someone completes a purchase, the goals for your thank you page are going to be a bit different. Your 2 main goals are usually to:

1. Maximize customer value
2. Increase customer retention

Here are some examples of after-sale thank you pages…

Thank You Page Example #6: The Value Maximizer

If your thank you page’s goal is to increase your customer’s value, you can offer a cross-sell or an up-sell.

Here’s an example of how Amazon does it. After you check out with this acoustic guitar, you’ll see some additional options to add a 4-year warranty or add some guitar lessons.

For more ideas to increase customer value, check out our post on increasing your sales funnel conversion rate.

Thank You Page Example #7: Account Creation

If your goal for your thank you page is to increase customer retention, you could ask them to create an account with you.

The thank you page is the ideal time to ask someone to create an account. If you require an account before the purchase, the speed bump might stop the sale. Once the customer has reached the order confirmation page, they’ve already decided that they trust your brand enough to buy.

Crate and Barrel asks you to create an account on their thank you page by suggesting that you “save your information for next time.” This is a great way to word it because it presents the ask as a benefit to the user.

Also note the blue “Take our 1 Minute Survey” button. Including a survey on your thank you page is a great way to gather market research and further improve your sales process!

Thank You Page Example #8: Social Proof

Another way to increase customer retention is to reinforce the decision to buy. When you show the customer that they’ve made a smart purchase, your thank you page helps to eliminate buyer’s remorse. It can also increase the chances of a customer returning to make another purchase.

You can do this by including customer testimonials or even case studies on your thank you page. Any kind of social proof will help new customers to feel good about their decision to buy.

For more ideas like this one, check out our complete guide to social proof.

How OptinMonster Can Enhance Your Thank You Page:

• Design Templates: Choose from a variety of professionally designed templates tailored for thank you pages.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different designs and messages to see what resonates most with your audience.
• Seamless Integration: Connect with popular email marketing platforms to personalize the user experience further.
• In-depth Analytics: Understand user behavior on your thank you page to continually refine and improve.

With its intuitive design templates, robust A/B testing capabilities, and in-depth analytics, OptinMonster empowers you to create thank you pages that not only express gratitude but also drive action.

Whether you’re looking to upsell, gather feedback, or deepen the connection with your audience, OptinMonster is the partner you need. Elevate your post-conversion strategy with OptinMonster and watch your digital relationships flourish.

Get started with OptinMonster today.

Related Resources:

• How to Write the Perfect Welcome Email Series (Nail Your First 5 Emails)
• Checkout Optimization: 20 Best Wayt to Recover Lost Sales
• How to Win More Sales With Out-of-Stock Pages

Rank	Shopify Model	Best For	Why This Works	Key Advantage
	Start a Shopify eCommerce Store	Entrepreneurs & brands	Shopify remains the most flexible way to sell physical and digital products globally	Full ownership and long-term scalability
	Sell Digital Products	Creators & educators	Digital products have low overhead and high margins	No inventory, instant delivery
	Single-Product Shopify Funnels	Solopreneurs	Focused offers convert better than broad catalogs	Simple setup, easier optimization
4	Subscription + Membership Stores	Coaches & communities	Recurring revenue creates predictable income	Stable monthly cash flow
5	Build a Shopify App or Theme	Developers	Shopify’s app ecosystem keeps growing	High earning potential per client
6	Buy or Acquire a Shopify Store	Investors	Skip the setup phase and start with existing revenue	Faster path to profitability
7	AI-Generated Products (Digital & POD)	Creators & side hustlers	AI lowers the barrier to product creation	Speed and experimentation
8	TikTok Shop + Shopify Integration	Social-first sellers	In-app shopping reduces buying friction	Access to high-intent mobile traffic
9	User-Generated Content & Creator Collabs	DTC brands	Trust-driven sales outperform ads	Authentic social proof
10	Freelancing Services for Shopify Merchants	Service providers	Shopify merchants constantly need help	Low startup cost, skill-based income

Are you looking for new ways to expand your revenue? If that’s true, in this blog, we’ll share actionable tips on how you can make money on Shopify.

Every year, thousands of eCommerce stores are launched globally. Thanks to the growing popularity of online shopping, Shopify has emerged as a market leader in the global eCommerce industry.

Shopify owns 32% of the eCommerce platform market, making it among the top 5 eCommerce platforms in the world. Brands like Allbirds, Gymshark, and Kylie Cosmetics rake in over $200 million in yearly revenue through their Shopify eCommerce stores.

But setting up an eCommerce store is one of the many ways to make money on Shopify. If you have special skills like photography, social media marketing, or copywriting, there are plenty of other ways for you to monetize your skills to make money with Shopify.

Over the years, Shopify has grown so big that it now has a ton of opportunities for new entrepreneurs to make money online. If you’ve been looking for new business ideas to make money online with Shopify, we’ve all the answers for you.

In this post, we’ll cover how to make money on Shopify in one of the following ways:

Start a Shopify eCommerce Store

Hands down, launching an online store with Shopify is the #1 way to make money. And it’s easier than you think. It’s not a fluke that Shopify tripled the number of stores that were launched on its platform during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Shopify makes it really easy for first-time entrepreneurs to create a website and launch their brand-new eCommerce outlet. The platform has all the right tools in place to help you:

• List new products
• Add images to a gallery
• Optimize your product pages for search
• Add vendors
• Track inventory

Shopify’s ease of use in building a new eCommerce site is what has enabled more than 1 million businesses to use Shopify as their choice of eCommerce platform across 175 countries. And if you make the most of the right set of plugins available in the Shopify App Store, you can target the right buyers and generate more leads for your online business.

However, it does cost some money to build and maintain a Shopify store online. Here are a few things that you would need to consider in terms of investment:

• Shopify monthly subscription fee
• Domain name and hosting
• Website design
• Products
• Marketing and advertising
• Transaction fees

But if you keep checking all the right boxes and grow your Shopify store profitable, you can be among the top 100 Shopify businesses that earn more than $1 million in sales revenue every year.

Pro-tip: To grow your Shopify business, you will need a reliable way to engage website visitors and convert them into buyers. Use OptinMonster. Make use of the best Shopify apps to improve your lead generation, enhance social proof, start email marketing, and do a lot more.

Buy an Existing Shopify Store

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of starting a Shopify store from the ground up, that’s perfectly fine. You can always acquire an existing Shopify store and make profits from it. There are quite a few websites on the Internet that let interested buyers connect with the right Shopify owners who want to sell off their online stores.

Studies estimate that there are between 12–24 million eCommerce stores globally, many of them in Shopify. If you can find the right sellers eager to sell their Shopify stores, you can choose from a wide variety of online stores on the platform.

Until 2022, Shopify had its own Exchange Marketplace that facilitated eCommerce store buying and selling. Unfortunately, they closed down the marketplace after 5 years of operations.

You can still use 3rd party websites like Flippa or Empire Flippers that bridge the gap between Shopify store owners with buyers who want to start a Shopify business.

These 3rd party websites have a large number of website flippers who specialize in building a website, making it profitable, marketing it, and selling it at a higher margin. If you have past expertise in building small business websites, ranking them on search results, or buying and selling businesses, you can also consider doing website flipping as a Shopify business.

A word of advice: Always do the due diligence to validate the following information before buying a running Shopify store:

• The store’s market value
• Reasons for selling
• Monetization channels
• Non-compete clauses
• Other legal standings

We recommend you also thoroughly review their CRM data, ongoing marketing campaigns, and integrations and request a transfer of ownership during the sales negotiation.

Build a Shopify Dropshipping Business

In recent years, dropshipping has emerged as one of the easiest ways for aspiring entrepreneurs to make money online. Unlike other forms of eCommerce ventures, dropshipping doesn’t require you to buy, store, or even ship products yourself.

In Shopify, dropshippers only represent 7.77% of the business landscape. This means the majority of buyers prefer to own the inventory management and ship the products directly from a physical location that they control instead of relying on middleman vendors.

In other words, it’s not as competitive to become a dropshipper in Shopify as opening an eCommerce store. You can run a successful dropshipping business on Shopify sitting at home, out of your laptop, without ever seeing or touching the products you’re selling.

You just have to build a robust Shopify store, market your products well, and develop reliable logistics with the manufacturers. Isn’t that neat?

There are many other advantages of starting a dropshipping business, be it on Shopify or WordPress:

• You don’t have to make a hefty investment upfront since dropshipping doesn’t require you to handle inventory, storage, or shipment.
• You don’t have to pay a manufacturer or a vendor anything until you sell the products.
• You can scale your business by expanding your partnerships with new manufacturers without stressing over investment, inventory, and logistics.

You can mint money on Shopify if you are good at maintaining your store’s online presence, facilitating order placing and online transactions, and outsourcing the product inventory and handling to 3rd-party vendors or manufacturers.

Become a Shopify Affiliate Marketer

Many eCommerce businesses use affiliate marketing to market their platforms, and products, to new audiences. In return for spreading the word, the marketers receive a payout for every sale they enable through their affiliate network.

Shopify has an affiliate program for aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, content creators, and social media influencers. Affiliates can spread the word about Shopify stores and earn money in return. It’s free to join the affiliate marketing program, but Shopify does have specific criteria for who qualifies as an affiliate marketer.

For instance, here are some of the prerequisites that you must meet to qualify as a Shopify affiliate marketer:

• You must run your own active blog or affiliate website
• You must have built an audience relevant to Shopify businesses
• You must create original content like courses, blogs, videos, or guides
• You must have experience in commerce, entrepreneurship, or Shopify.

The program is essentially a commission-based program for you to monetize your audience and help Shopify grow its empire. There’s no limit to how much commission you can earn through the program, or the maximum number of Shopify merchants you can refer to.

Officially, Shopify doesn’t reveal how much it pays for each referral. Going by the testimonials of Shopify affiliates in our network, we know that Shopify pays about $150 for each qualified referral. That means for every person who signs up for a paid plan on Shopify through your affiliate tracking code, you will earn a fixed commission of $150.

Pro-tip: Want to get started with affiliate marketing? Here are some more resources to help you delve deeper into the world of affiliate marketing:

• Beginners Guide: Affiliate Marketing Tips & Tools (That WORK)
• 18 Affiliate Marketing Statistics All Marketers Must Know
• 15 Best Affiliate Marketing Tools to Drive More Revenue
• Earnings Per Click: How to Win Big at Affiliate Marketing
• 15 Affiliate Marketing Tips to Increase Your Income
• OptinMonster Affiliate Program

Be a Shopify Expert

Do you have experience building or growing eCommerce stores in the past? Or maybe you have prior experience related to Shopify. If you possess relevant skills in growing businesses online, you can certainly monetize your expertise to make money with Shopify.

Until recently, Shopify had an Experts Marketplace where you can find experienced professionals, agencies, and freelancers who offer services that are sought-after by Shopify merchants. In October 2023, Shopify announced the rebranding of Experts Marketplace to Shopify Partners.

The services that you can find (or sell) under the Shopify Partners Directory include, but are not limited to:

• Marketing and sales services
• Services related to helping merchants set up their stores
• Website development and troubleshooting
• Copywriting
• User experience (UX) design and branding

If you can offer any of those services, you can apply to Shopify Partners Directory as a service provider.

In case you’re wondering, Shopify is replacing the Experts Marketplace with the partners portal for a good reason. With the new improvements in its experts marketplace, Shopify now makes it easier for 3rd party experts to:

• Be more discoverable to Shopify merchants looking for specific expertise.
• Keep 100% of the profit. Shopify won’t take a 10% cut like it did for Experts Marketplace.
• Connect with Shopify store owners through a lead form in the Partners page directory.
• Communicate and invoice clients outside the Shopify ecosystem.

Start a Fashion Brand

Shopify is a lucrative place for people interested in creating their own online fashion brand. Most of the eCommerce brands that are most profitable in the Shopify platform are fashion, clothing, or accessories brands. Brands like Allbirds, Bombas, and Kith make upwards of $100 million in yearly revenue through their fashion-related Shopify stores.

Shopify has a global presence, a baked-in ads network to market your products, its home-grown fulfillment network, and many other opportunities to help you grow your business.

You can take advantage of print-on-demand dropshipping brands like Trendsi, Printful, and CJdropshipping to outsource the manufacturing, design, and shipping of the products to simplify your business growth.

To be fair, these do incur additional costs. Expect to pay from $0.50 to $5.00 per click for each Shopify ad that you publish. Similarly, Printiful or CJdropshipping come with their own set of costs.

But these investments are worth the money until you master the skills of being profitable on Shopify and find cost-effective alternatives to grow your business.

Setting up athlete wear and fashion brand accessories has also gained traction in Shopify in recent years. If you can partner with the right vendor and relentlessly market your products to the right audience, you can build a profitable fashion brand on Shopify either on your own or with the help of 3rd party dropshipping vendors.

Offer Product Photography Services to Shopify Businesses

Product photography is one of the most in-demand services in the eCommerce industry, and not just limited to Shopify businesses. And its growing demand is justified, given that 83% of online buyers consider product images to be an important factor in their purchase decision.

Between managing their vendor relationship to finding new avenues to market their products, most Shopify merchants have a hectic schedule. The majority of store owners don’t have enough time or the necessary skills required to take photographs of their products, a critical aspect in making their products attractive to buyers.

Even if they are dropshippers with enough time on their hands, eCommerce store owners aren’t really interested in taking product photographs themselves when they know that the end result isn’t going to be as good as that from expert photographers.

If you are an experienced photographer, you can apply to join the Shopify Partners Directory and sell your expert services to interested Shopify merchants. On average, product photographers can charge from $100 – $300 per hour or $10-$20 per photo.

More seasoned photographers can negotiate the price up and charge as high as $3000 per day, depending on the client’s requirements and budget. Given that a typical Shopify store has hundreds of products on its website, that’s an impressive amount of money in return for your expertise.

Build a Shopify App or Theme

If you thought that building apps, themes, or templates were only limited to WordPress sites, you’ll be pleased to know that Shopify also offers similar attractive opportunities on its platform.

Given its exponential growth in the last 17 years and the ever-expanding number of stores in its platform, Shopify has a massive demand for developers who can build apps or design new website themes.

Consider this: The average Shopify merchant has 6 apps installed on their online store. And with hundreds of new stores opening in Shopify every year, there are plenty of opportunities for app developers to find clients who need technical support in setting up new apps. Similarly, the growing number of apps on Shopify also means Shopify merchants will encounter a diverse set of technical challenges while growing their businesses and will want to hire experts to troubleshoot their problems.

There’s never been a better time to build apps and themes for Shopify stores. The good news is, Shopify has all the tools and helpful content in place to help you succeed in building cool apps.

You can get familiar with Polaris, Shopify’s open-source design system for 3rd-party developers, to start developing apps that integrate with Shopify stores. Or you can join Shopify’s developer community to learn about its APIs, SDKs, and other tools for building storefronts, custom flows, and integrations.

You can make anywhere between $38 and $61 per hour as a Shopify developer. The rate depends on many factors like your experience, the client’s budget, the complexity of a project, and your negotiation skills.

Monetize Your Social Media Following

In recent years, online shopping has emerged as a big winner than in-store shopping because buyers find eCommerce more convenient, more personalized, and cost-efficient. More and more buyers today prefer to shop online and get recommendations from social media before making a buying decision. In fact, 74% of buyers rely on social media networks to make purchase decisions.

If you already have a sizable audience on social media sites like Facebook, you can monetize that to your advantage. Shopify’s Starter plan offers you a way to share Shopify products on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media channels for people to buy.

The plan costs $20 a month and lets you create special links that you can add to your social media bio to drive buyers to Shopify stores.

Offer Freelancing Services

If you’re already a freelancer who is looking for an additional source of income, offering your freelancing services to Shopify merchants can be a great match! Fast-growing Shopify stores are always on the lookout for professionals who can help them write product descriptions, design their web store, or rank in search engines.

And don’t worry, you don’t have to have prior Shopify experience to match with clients. You can always find short- and long-term client projects in the Shopify Partner directory if you have transferable skills like writing, designing, development, or search engine optimization (SEO).

Shopify has its own SEO workings built-in within the platform to help store owners drive more visibility to their business. From improving the user experience to running high-intent content marketing campaigns, there’s a lot you can do to increase traffic to a Shopify site and generate more revenue.

Sell Print-On-Demand Products

Previously, we discussed how you can build a store or dropshipping business on Shopify by partnering with print-on-demand vendors like Printful and Trendsi. If you aren’t interested in running your own Shopify store, you can always reach across the table and become a print-on-demand vendor.

Print-on-demand products are really popular among Shopify stores, especially the dropshippers. And just like in dropshipping, you don’t really have to stock up on products beforehand. Like the name implies, you have to start manufacturing (or supplying) products only after you start generating demand for certain products.

This makes it really easy for you to calculate the exact cost of your inventory and scale the product line as per the demand.

Shopify offers support for 3rd party print-on-demand vendors to integrate with the platform and be listed in its App Store.

If you’re seriously considering building, or expanding, your print-on-demand business in the Shopify platform, here are some product categories that have a growing need for 3rd-party suppliers:

• Mugs
• T-shirts
• Jewelry
• Accessories
• Phone cases
• Wall art
• Water bottles
• Towels
• Books

As an aside, here’s a tutorial on how to build a print-on-demand shop online in WordPress. Although the blog is specific to WordPress websites, a lot of tips apply for beginners who want to start a print-on-demand business in Shopify as well.

Set Up an Online Storefront for a Local Business

If you already have a profitable business offline, you can create a Shopify storefront for it and grow your business potential beyond the geographical limitations. This is extremely useful for businesses that are going through tough competition (like grocery stores or clothing businesses) or seeing a decline in demand (like handicraft shops or bookshops).

Offline businesses are suffering because they can’t reach people from many touchpoints, offer buyers the same level of personalization like online businesses, and adjust their sail like an eCommerce store can.

With a Shopify storefront, you can expand the reach of your local businesses to a bigger geography. You can use SEO to rank higher in search engines, use tools like Google Business Profile to make your store more discoverable, or use advanced geo-location targeting tools to drive more footfalls to your offline store.

Local brands like Vegan Supply, WIRTH Hats, and Caffe La Tana have expanded their reach beyond their geographical locations by opening up their Shopify storefronts and marketing themselves to customers globally.

Pro-tip: People drop off from the websites they are browsing all the time. Use an exit intent popup for your Shopify store to prevent people from abandoning your website and engage them with enticing offers to increase sales.

Crossrope, an online fitness brand, used a Yes/No campaign to recapture 7.65% of traffic that was lost to abandoned checkouts on their website.

Sell Digital Products

Fashionable clothes and kitchenware are not the only products that are profitable in Shopify. If you are a prolific content creator, you can monetize your skills to earn steady revenue from Shopify. The content you can create includes digital products such as:

• Ebooks
• Online courses
• AI-generated portraits
• Printables like calendars and stickers
• Original music for download
• Games

Basically, it can be any digital product that buyers can download to use. You can use Shopify’s Digital Downloads app to upload your original digital product to your online store and share a link to download with people when they buy the product.

Of late, a lot of digital creators are bullish on selling non-fungible tokens or NFTs (blockchain-based digital products that can’t be replicated) on Shopify. Like other physical products, you have the full discretion to set the cost of a digital product on Shopify and sell as many of them as you would like.

P. S. — Want more ideas on what sells on Shopify? Here’s a great list of the best digital products that you can sell online, with real-world examples.

Want to know what’s working right now? Check out the latest Shopify monetization trends for 2026.

TikTok Shop + Shopify Integration

TikTok has quickly become one of the most powerful product discovery platforms for eCommerce, and Shopify makes it easy for merchants to sell directly inside the TikTok app. Instead of sending users through multiple steps, TikTok Shop allows buyers to browse, review, and purchase products without leaving the platform.

This creates a low-friction buying experience, especially for mobile shoppers who prefer short-form video content over traditional product pages. Shopify merchants can sync their product catalog with TikTok, manage inventory from one dashboard, and track performance across both platforms.

For sellers who understand trends, creator marketing, and short-form video, TikTok Shop paired with Shopify offers a fast-moving but highly scalable way to generate sales in 2026.

AI-Generated Products (Digital & POD)

AI tools have lowered the barrier to entry for creating sellable products on Shopify. Even without design or writing experience, creators can now produce digital downloads, print-on-demand designs, and visual assets at scale.

Popular AI-powered product categories include planners, workbooks, wall art, templates, and branded merchandise. These products work especially well because they require little to no inventory and can be refined quickly based on customer feedback.

That said, long-term success comes from curation and differentiation. Merchants who combine AI-generated assets with real-world insights, niche expertise, or bundled value tend to outperform those relying on generic outputs alone.

Subscription + Membership Stores

Subscription-based businesses continue to grow because customers value convenience and ongoing access. Shopify now supports recurring payments natively, making it easier than ever to launch membership programs or subscription products.

Merchants use this model to offer curated product boxes, premium content libraries, online communities, or ongoing coaching programs. Predictable monthly revenue also makes it easier to plan inventory, marketing, and long-term growth.

When paired with strong onboarding and email follow-ups, subscription and membership stores can become one of the most stable and profitable Shopify business models in 2026.

UGC & Creator Collabs

User-generated content (UGC) and creator partnerships have become essential trust signals for online shoppers. Customers are more likely to buy when they see real people using, reviewing, and recommending products.

Shopify merchants can collaborate with micro-influencers, brand advocates, and existing customers to create authentic content that fuels social media, product pages, and email campaigns. These collaborations often cost less than traditional advertising while producing higher engagement.

In 2026, brands that successfully turn customers into promoters gain a compounding advantage through referrals, repeat purchases, and long-term brand loyalty.

Single-Product Shopify Funnels

Single-product stores focus on selling one core offer through a dedicated landing page and optimized checkout flow. Instead of overwhelming visitors with multiple choices, this approach centers the entire experience around a single problem and solution.

These funnels often perform well when combined with upsells, limited-time bonuses, and email capture. By testing headlines, offers, and messaging, merchants can steadily improve conversion rates without increasing traffic.

For Shopify sellers who value simplicity and speed, single-product funnels remain one of the most effective ways to generate revenue in 2026.

Want to implement these strategies with high-converting popups, quizzes, or countdown timers?
Try OptinMonster — the #1 conversion tool for Shopify marketers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Money on Shopify

1. Can you really make money with Shopify in 2026?

Yes — and more people are doing it than ever. With tools like TikTok Shop, AI-generated products, and native subscriptions, Shopify has become a go-to platform for creators, solopreneurs, and eCommerce brands. Your success depends on choosing the right monetization model and building an audience through consistent marketing.

2. What’s the easiest way to start making money on Shopify?

The easiest low-risk option is starting a print-on-demand store or selling a single digital product (like a guide or template). You don’t need inventory or upfront investment. Pair it with lead generation tools like OptinMonster to grow an email list that converts.

3. How much money can a beginner make on Shopify?

Beginner earnings vary. Some sellers make a few hundred dollars/month in their first 90 days, while others scale to 5-figure months within a year. Success depends on:

• Product-market fit
• Traffic quality
• Conversion strategy (popups, email, bundles)

4. What tools do I need to make money on Shopify in 2026?

Here are essential tools for success:

• OptinMonster: Convert traffic into subscribers and buyers
• Klaviyo or Omnisend: Email marketing
• Shogun or Zipify: Build landing pages and funnels
• Printify or POD partners: For on-demand fulfillment
• TikTok Channel App: Sell on TikTok Shop

5. How can I drive traffic to my Shopify store for free?

Start with content marketing, SEO blogs, TikTok videos, Pinterest pins, and niche communities (like Reddit or Facebook Groups). Use OptinMonster to capture that traffic before it bounces and nurture leads through email.

Next Steps: Making Money with Shopify Needs Action

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a marketer, a developer, a photographer, or a content creator, Shopify provides opportunities for everyone to leverage their skills and expertise to generate income on its platform.

If you enjoyed this article, we recommend you read through other resources related to growing your business on Shopify:

• Shopify Conversion Optimization: More Sales From Your Current Traffic
• Best Shopify Apps To Increase Sales: Free & Paid
• Shopify SEO: 7 Steps to Rank Your Store #1

And if you’re serious about your Shopify store, growing your email list, and increasing conversions, try OptinMonster risk-free with our 14-day money-back guarantee.

Written by Farjad A.
Farjad is a SaaS content strategist and SEO lead working with OptinMonster to help marketers grow faster through data-backed content and proven conversion tools. With deep experience in eCommerce and lead gen, he specializes in turning blogs into scalable growth channels.

Follow Farjad on LinkedIn

Best WordPress Plugin Stack for Business Sites

If you’re building or optimizing a business WordPress site and don’t want to overcomplicate things, this core plugin stack covers most needs:

OptinMonster – Lead generation and conversion optimization
All in One SEO – On-page SEO and search visibility
MonsterInsights – Analytics and performance tracking
WPForms – Contact forms and lead capture
WP Rocket – Site speed and performance optimization

This combination gives you a solid foundation for growth without installing unnecessary plugins or slowing down your site.

I’ve been in the WordPress business long enough to know this: your plugin choices matter more than most people realize.

It’s easy to get caught up in features or install too many tools. I’ve done it. I’ve also seen what happens when you get the right stack in place, traffic grows, conversions improve, and things just work better.

That’s why I put together this list of the best WordPress plugins I actually use and trust.

I’ve tested hundreds of WordPress plugins across our own brands, from small blogs to business sites that serve millions of visitors. These are the tools that stayed. The ones I trust to grow our email lists, speed up our sites, improve SEO, and track what’s working.

These plugins are best suited for serious WordPress business websites, including blogs, ecommerce stores, and agency projects.

Quick Look: My Top 10 Best WordPress Plugins for Business

I ranked these WordPress plugins based on overall impact on growth, reliability, and usefulness for business sites

#	Plugin	Best For	Pricing	Free Version
1	OptinMonster	Lead generation & conversions	$9/month	(Lite)
2	All in One SEO	SEO optimization	$49.60/year
3	MonsterInsights	Analytics tracking	$99.50/year
4	WPForms	Form building	$49.50/year
5	SeedProd	Landing pages	$39.50/year	(Lite)
6	PushEngage	Push notifications	Varies
7	RafflePress	Giveaways & contests	$39.50/year
8	WP Simple Pay	Stripe payments	$49.50/year
9	Easy Digital Downloads	Digital product sales	Varies	(Free core)
10	AffiliateWP	Affiliate programs	$149/year

Review – Best WordPress Plugins for Business

1. OptinMonster: Best Lead Generation Plugin

OptinMonster is the premium WordPress plugin for growing your email list, leads, and sales. Whether you want to convert abandoning visitors into customers, increase pageviews, increase conversions, then OptinMonster is your go-to plugin.

Update: OptinMonster introduced a new AI-powered tool that improves your campaign copy. It gives real-time suggestions for headlines, button text, and layouts based on what you’re trying to achieve. This makes it easier to build a high-converting offer without hiring a designer or copywriter.

Our drag and drop builder, Exit-Intent ® technology, and precise targeting are truly hard to beat.

No matter what type of online business you run, OptinMonster has a solution for you.

Key OptinMonster Features

• 6 Opt-in Campaign Types: Match your campaign type to your goals with popup, floating bar, slide-in, inline, fullscreen, and gamified
• Campaign Triggers: Show your campaigns at the right time with Exit-Intent® Technology, Scroll Trigger, MonsterLinks, Inactivity Sensor, Timed Display Control, Campaign Scheduling, and other triggers
• Targeted Campaigns: Find the right audience for your campaigns with Referrer Detection, Page-Level Targeting, OnSite Follow Up Campaigns®, OnSite Retargeting®, Geo-Location Targeting, Cookie Retargeting, Device-Based Retargeting, and AdBlock Detection
• Drag & Drop Builder: Have your optin form ready in minutes with our easy to use builder
• Seamless Integrations: Connect your campaigns with the marketing and sales tools you’re already using, like Mailchimp or Hubspot

This WordPress plugin also provides award-winning support via email and, for many, chat. There are lots of tutorials to help you get started and supercharge your list-building.

Why You’ll Love OptinMonster

Like AIOSEO, OptinMonster is user-friendly but full of powerful features. You can get started right away, then refine your campaigns as your business grows.

OptinMonster comes with more WordPress-specific targeting rules than any other plugin. This lets you show campaigns to the right people. And it’s not just one of the best tools for WordPress lead generation, it works on other sites like Shopify and Squarespace as well!

Ready to get started? Click below to start your risk-free OptinMonster account!

Get Started With OptinMonster Today!

You can also find a lite version of OptinMonster on WordPress.org. The pro version starts at $9/month.

2. All in One SEO (AIOSEO): Best SEO Plugin

When I launch a new site, one of the first things I do is install All in One SEO. It helps us set up titles, meta descriptions, and schema without feeling overwhelmed. Everything you need to get indexed and start ranking is built in and easy to access.

We’ve used this plugin on everything from personal blogs to large content sites.

Update: AIOSEO added a new writing assistant that gives live feedback as you draft posts. It suggests ways to improve clarity, structure, and even trust signals based on current SEO best practices.

One feature I keep coming back to is the link assistant. It helps us find smart internal linking opportunities without needing to open every post. AIOSEO also handles things like redirects and rich snippet types without slowing down the editor.

If you’re looking for something that helps you optimize content as you create it and keeps up with Google’s changes, this is the one I count on.

I appreciate that AIOSEO is both powerful and easy to use.

It has an automated setup wizard to help you choose SEO settings for your business. But you still get customized, actionable suggestions for each page. The TruSEO score updates in real time as you make changes so you can immediately see results.

Active installs: 3M+
Free version available
Price: $49.60/year
Alternative: Yoast SEO

3. MonsterInsights: Best Analytics Plugin

Google Analytics has a lot of good data but it’s not always easy to find what matters. That’s why I use MonsterInsights. It shows us what’s working right inside WordPress and it doesn’t make us dig through five menus to find it.

I use it to track form conversions, button clicks, email signups, and purchases. It shows real-time data and historical reports, and I don’t need to add code anywhere. It also works well with WooCommerce, which is helpful for seeing revenue without logging into a separate tool.

Update: They added a feature called Conversations AI. You can ask questions in plain language like “which blog post brought in the most sales last week” and it gives you a clear answer. This has been helpful for us when we need quick insights without running custom reports.

If you want a quick way to see how your site is doing without extra setup, this is what we use on our own projects.

Active installs: 3M+
Free version available
Price: $99.50/year

4. WPForms: Best Contact Form Plugin

When I need a contact form, a payment form, or even a quick survey, I use WPForms. It’s simple to set up and everything just works the way you expect it to. You don’t need to know code and you don’t have to follow a tutorial just to collect emails.

We’ve used it for donation forms, quote requests, event signups, and user feedback. The builder is easy to work with and the forms look good without custom styling. I also like that it connects with Stripe and PayPal right out of the box.

Update: They released an AI-powered form builder that builds forms based on plain language prompts. You just describe what you need, like a speaker registration form with conditional logic, and it creates the structure automatically. I tested it across a few client projects and it saved a lot of time.

If you’re working on a WordPress site and you need a form that won’t break anything, this is what I recommend.

Active installs: 6M+
Free version available
Price: $49.50/year

5. SeedProd: Best Landing Page Builder

Sometimes you just need to launch. Maybe it’s a new product page. Maybe it’s a quick lead magnet. Maybe it’s a waitlist for something you haven’t built yet. When I need to move fast and still make it look good, I use SeedProd.

We’ve used it for all kinds of pages across our own brands. It loads fast, works with any theme, and doesn’t take hours to set up. You get clean layouts and everything is focused on conversions. No fluff, no unnecessary settings.

Update: They added an AI builder that can create page sections and full layouts based on a short description. You tell it what kind of page you need and it builds something solid right away. We’ve used this when we’re low on time and just need something that looks professional and gets the job done.

SeedProd also comes with templates for webinars, thank-you pages, product launches, and coming soon pages. You can edit anything with the visual builder and connect it to your email service without touching code.

If you want to publish something that looks polished and performs well without starting from scratch, this is the builder I keep going back to.

Active installs: 1M+
Free version available

6. PushEngage: Best Push Notification Tool

Most people visit your site once and never come back. That’s just how it is unless you give them a reason to return. PushEngage gives us that second chance. It sends browser notifications after someone has left the site so you can stay in front of them without needing their email.

We’ve used it for flash sales, new blog post alerts, and abandoned cart reminders. What makes it useful is that the notifications go straight to their device, even if your site isn’t open. That makes it feel more direct and more immediate than email sometimes.

Update: They recently rolled out a writing assistant that helps you craft better notification copy. We’ve tested it on a few campaigns and it’s helpful when you’re staring at a blank screen. It suggests phrasing based on your goal, which cuts down on trial and error.

You can schedule campaigns, segment by interest, and track clicks just like an email tool. The setup is straightforward and doesn’t require a developer, and you can even automate drip-style sequences. If you’re not ready for complex retargeting, this is a good step forward.

Active installs: 10K+
Free version available

7. RafflePress: Best Giveaway Plugin for WordPress

Giveaways can bring in traffic, but they only move the needle if they’re set up with the right goal. RafflePress gives you the tools to run a giveaway that doesn’t just look good but actually helps you grow your list, increase engagement, or promote something new.

We’ve used it for launch promotions, lead magnets, and seasonal contests. You can choose how people enter email signup, social share, referral and each option adds more visibility or value. It also takes care of tracking and fraud control behind the scenes so you don’t have to manage it all manually.

One feature I rely on is the viral sharing system. It rewards people for bringing in more participants, which turns a small campaign into something bigger. You set the reward structure and the plugin handles the rest.

Update: They added more control over how entries are filtered and how winners are selected. I used it during a holiday campaign and the built-in tools saved hours compared to using spreadsheets and manual validation.

Active installs: 200K+
Free version available

8. WP Simple Pay: Best Stripe Payments Plugin

Not every site needs a shopping cart. Sometimes you just want to accept a payment and keep things moving. WP Simple Pay does exactly that. It’s what I use when we’re selling a single service, offering a one-time consultation, or collecting donations.

It connects directly to Stripe and lets you build payment forms that fit right into your site. You don’t need WooCommerce, and you don’t need to manage a product catalog. You just create a form, choose the amount or let the user enter one, and publish it.

We’ve used it on landing pages and in lead-gen funnels where I didn’t want to send people through a multi-step checkout. The process is quick and works well on mobile, which matters more than most people think.

Update: Their latest update added support for things like payment plans and subscription options. I tested it on a digital workshop page, and it worked without needing to adjust much at all.

Active installs: 20K+
Free version available

9. Easy Digital Downloads: Best Digital Store Plugin

If you’re selling something digital like an eBook, a template, or software, you don’t need a full eCommerce suite. You just need a way to let people buy, download, and get a receipt. That’s exactly what Easy Digital Downloads is built for.

We’ve used it for everything from selling PDFs to handling SaaS-style licensing and recurring payments. The checkout is clean and works well out of the box. You can add discount codes, track sales, and see customer histories without having to build anything custom.

What makes it stand out is how well it handles file protection and versioning. If you need to update your product later, you just upload the new version and EDD handles the delivery for future customers. No extra emails or manual fixes.

Update: They recently added a few improvements that help with faster setup. One of them is a new product page layout that includes license tiers and recurring billing support without needing add-ons.

Active installs: 60K+
Free version available

10. AffiliateWP: Best Affiliate Program Plugin

Running an affiliate program sounds simple until you try to manage one. You need to track referrals, pay commissions, and make sure people aren’t gaming the system. I use AffiliateWP when I want a setup that gives us all of that without adding more work.

We’ve used it on product sites, membership communities, and even small niche blogs. It lets you approve affiliates manually or automatically, and you can decide exactly how much to pay and when. Once it’s running, the system mostly takes care of itself.

What I like is that it doesn’t rely on third-party networks. You control everything, the terms, the branding, and the payouts. It also shows each affiliate their own dashboard so they can see their links, clicks, and earnings without emailing you every week.

Update: They recently made a few changes to the way tracking works that make it easier to catch duplicate or fake referrals. That’s something we’ve had issues with on other platforms, but here it’s been solid.

Active installs: 30K+
Free version: No
Alternative: EasyAffiliate

11. MemberPress: Best Membership & LMS Plugin

Setting up a membership site can get complicated fast. You start with a few protected pages, then you want to add a course, then you need drip content, and before you know it, you’re stuck juggling five different tools. MemberPress solves that by giving you everything in one place.

We’ve used it to build paid communities, sell online courses, and manage private content libraries. It handles recurring payments, user access, and progress tracking without needing extra plugins or custom development. The interface is simple enough for beginners but has the control you need when things grow.

Update: In the latest version, they added a tool that helps you build courses faster. You can use it to generate lessons and even quizzes just by describing what you want to teach. I tried it for a quick workshop setup and got the entire thing live within an hour.

Some things I rely on with MemberPress include the built-in reporting, the ability to create different membership levels, and the integration with payment tools like Stripe and PayPal. If you want to create a premium experience behind a login, this is the one to start with.

Active installs: 100K+
Free version: No

12. WP Rocket: Best Caching Plugin

Nobody wants to deal with caching settings or Google PageSpeed warnings. That’s why I use WP Rocket. You install it, activate it, and right away you see pages loading faster. There’s no maze of options and no need to be a developer to make it work.

We’ve used it on both content-heavy blogs and busy eCommerce sites. It handles caching, lazy loading, database cleanup, and script deferral behind the scenes. That means your visitors get faster load times and Google gets better speed scores.

Update: WP Rocket added a smart preload feature that automatically prioritizes your most visited pages. I ran it on one of our highest-traffic blogs and saw a noticeable drop in bounce rate.

It works well with other optimization tools too. If you’re serious about performance and want a tool that helps without getting in the way, this is the one I recommend.

Active installs: 3M+
Free version: No

13. Constant Contact: Best Email Marketing Plugin

When a client needs email marketing that just works, I often start with Constant Contact. It’s easy to set up, delivers consistently, and doesn’t overwhelm you with features you’ll never use.

We’ve used it for everything from welcome sequences to event follow-ups. The email builder is clean and the templates actually save time. If you’ve ever opened a blank email editor and didn’t know where to start, this solves that.

Update: They introduced an AI content assistant that helps you write emails faster. It suggests subject lines, body copy, and layout options based on your goal. I tested it on a simple promo sequence and got usable drafts in minutes.

It also connects smoothly with WPForms and OptinMonster, so new leads flow right into your lists. If you want something dependable that doesn’t require a full-time marketer to manage, Constant Contact gets the job done.

Active installs: 500K+ (via integrations)
Free version: No (Free trial available)

There you have it! These are the best plugins for WordPress that I’ve found and even use on our own websites.

Unlock Your WordPress Business Website’s Full Potential with OptinMonster

In conclusion, when it comes to enhancing the functionality and performance of your WordPress website, the right plugins can make all the difference. Throughout this blog, we’ve explored some of the best WordPress plugins available, each catering to specific needs and goals.

However, if you’re looking for a versatile and powerful plugin that covers various aspects of website optimization, lead generation, and conversion, OptinMonster stands out as a top choice.

OptinMonster doesn’t just help you collect email addresses; it empowers you to create engaging pop-ups, personalized campaigns, and smart targeting options to maximize your conversions.

Whether you’re a blogger, ecommerce store owner, or business website operator, OptinMonster can help you boost your online presence, grow your subscriber list, and ultimately increase your revenue.

Its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, including A/B testing, analytics, and integration with popular email marketing platforms, make it a must-have for anyone serious about their online success.

Plus, its commitment to continuous improvement means you’ll always have access to the latest strategies and technologies for optimizing your website’s performance.

Don’t just take my word for it; have a look at the following case studies and explore the success stories of our customers to see the impact and results they’ve achieved recently with OptinMonster:

• How Aish.com Gets 10X More Subscribers Using Targeted Optins
• How Nick Gray Increased Conversions by up to 1000% With Smart Opt-in Popups
• How PodBike Gets 18.22% More Email Subscribers with GeoTargeting
• How Human Food Bar Gets 1800+ Signups Per Month With OptinMonster

If you’re ready to start generating more leads, sign up for OptinMonster, the premium lead generation plugin for WordPress.

FAQ

Looking for something that wasn’t on this list? You’re in luck! We’re serious about finding the most useful plugins for every situation. Check out our other showcases:

• Best WordPress Plugins for Gamification
• Best WordPress Plugins for Email
• Best WordPress Plugins for Related Posts
• Best WordPress Plugins for Redirect
• Best WordPress Plugins for Search
• Best WooCommerce Sales Popup Plugins
• Best WordPress Plugins for Theme
• Best WooCommerce Themes

In this article, we share 25+ powerful stats for 2026, covering everything from what causes FOMO to how to drive sales with FOMO marketing.

We’ve pulled together FOMO-related stats to show you the true power of this marketing tactic.

Let’s start by looking at which group of people experiences FOMO the most.

Who Experiences FOMO?

According to the research, there’s one particular generation that experiences FOMO the most. And, they’re also the most likely to create FOMO in others as well.

Can you guess which generation it is?

That’s right, millennials!

People often mix up millennials with teenagers. But millennials are actually 23-38 years old and they spend money.

Millennials spend more per year on groceries, gas, restaurants, their cell phone, hobbies, electronics, and clothing.

In fact, 60% of millennials spend more than $4 on a single coffee and 69% of millennials buy clothes for reasons beyond basic necessity.

Now that you know millennials are big-spenders, let’s find out how FOMO affects them.

• Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) of millennials experience FOMO, the most of any age group.
• Millennials are the most likely to purposely try to create FOMO among their peers, with 33% saying they have done so compared to 12% of those in other age groups.
• Those with household incomes above $75,000 a year were not only the most likely to experience FOMO but also the most likely to share their experiences on social media with the intent of creating the sensation in others.

What Are the Effects of FOMO?

FOMO is a real feeling. So, it has real effects too. These statistics show how FOMO makes people feel and what actions the feeling causes them to take.

• Most of the emotions that were experienced with FOMO seem negative: 39% reported feeling envious, 30% said they felt jealous and 21% said they felt sad or disappointed, with only 29% reporting feeling happiness.
• However, the same report shows that millennials are adopting more positive views of envy and jealousy, using them as motivating factors for taking positive action, like making a purchase or scheduling a trip.
• 60% of millennial consumers said they make a reactive purchase after experiencing FOMO, most often within 24 hours.
• In a FOMO study, nearly half of Millennials surveyed attend live events so they have something to share online.
• 40% of millennials overspend or go into debt to keep up with their friends

FOMO on Social Media

Because FOMO started out as a social media thing, let’s go over some social media-specific FOMO statistics.

• 56% of people are afraid of missing out on events, news and important status updates if they are away from social networks.
• Facebook is the most common FOMO contributor (72%), followed by Instagram (14%), Twitter (11%), and Pinterest (8%).
• About 51% of people visit or log on more frequently to social networks than they did just two years ago.
• About 27% of people head to social media right when they wake up.
• The big things that create FOMO among millennials are travel (59%), parties and events (56%) and food (29%).

Those are the basics of FOMO statistics, you’ve got ‘em down. Now, let’s take a look at some FOMO statistics that can help you increase sales with FOMO marketing.

Online Reviews and FOMO

Did you know that FOMO can be created with online reviews? When a consumer sees that others are having a great time using your product/service, they’ll want to buy it for themselves too.

It’s just one of the ways your business can use FOMO to generate more sales.

Here are some FOMO and online review stats.

• Studies show 92% of online consumers look at a product review prior to making a purchase.
• Product reviews are 12X more trusted than product descriptions and sales copy from manufacturers.
• Customers could spend 31% more at a business with great reviews.
• Positive reviews encourage 68% of consumers to use a local business.
• 41% of consumers will be tempted to purchase a product with as few as 1 to 4 reviews.

Create FOMO with User Generated Content

User-generated content is another effective way to use FOMO in your marketing strategy. User-generated content (UGC) is any form of content, like images or videos, that have been posted by users on online platforms like social media sites.

Similar to online reviews, when a user sees a photo posted by a friend on social media that features a cool new product, they’ll want to get it for themselves.

Take a look at these user-generated content and FOMO statistics to find out just how effective this strategy is.

• Millennials spend 18 hours per day with media, and 30% of that time is spent looking at user-generated media.
• 85% of consumers find visual UGC more influential than brand photos or videos.
• 48% of customers say that UGC is a great way to discover new products.
• 84% of millennials report that user-generated content has some influence on what they buy.
• Companies that incorporated UGC into their websites see an 18% increase in revenue.

Check out how ColorPop incorporated UGC on their website in the example below:

When their website visitors see the amazing makeup looks people just like them are creating using ColorPop products, they won’t want to miss out on trying it for themselves.

User-generated content acts as social proof by showing that people are actually buying and using your products. But you can also display social proof on your website by using a social proof tool like TrustPulse.

TrustPulse is a social proof notification app that displays real-time activity on your website. It shows your website visitors notifications every time someone signs up for your email list, registers for a demo, makes a purchase, and more. And that builds trust and creates FOMO.

The best part? TrustPulse can increase conversions by up to 15%!

Use Scarcity and Urgency for FOMO Marketing

Like we mentioned, the meaning of FOMO is the fear of missing out, and one thing shoppers hate missing out on is a good deal. That’s why many marketers use scarcity and urgency to create FOMO.

If a shopper knows a deal isn’t going to last long or there are only a few items left, they’ll be sure to take action before it’s too late.

Here’s an example from Amazon.

They show that the sale for the scarf ends in just over 1 hour and that 97% of the item has already been claimed, making it urgent for users to act immediately if they want this great deal.

Take a look at these statistics about using scarcity and urgency for FOMO marketing:

• When items are scarce, they’re often perceived as more valuable.
• Under perceived scarcity conditions consumers exhibit buying behaviors like urgency to buy.
• Countdown timers and limited-time offers create a sense of consequence and fear of missing out. The presence of the timer alone created an 8.6% lift in conversions.

That’s a wrap! Now you understand the true power of FOMO.

With these FOMO statistics, you can master the art of FOMO marketing so that your leads and customers won’t want to miss out on anything you’re offering.

Sources (aka, “Everything We Went Through so You Didn’t Have To”):

Mashable | Adweek | Bizrate Insights | Econsultancy | Strategy | Credit Karma | Business2Community | Hosting Tribunal | CrowdRiff | Stackla | Telescope | Skift | Annex Cloud | Taylor and Francis Online | Forbes

In this article, we’ll go over the best (and most essential) BigCommerce apps to help boost your eCommerce earnings and convert more customers.

1. Constant Contact

Having an email list is crucial for any eCommerce store. At the core level, it lets you contact your customers (and potential customers) over and over again. You can send them information about new inventory, a big upcoming sale, or even blog posts and news articles about your company.

With Constant Contact, you can create any kind of email you wish with an easy drag and drop builder. They also have pre-made templates if you don’t have time to design the emails yourself. And, you can set up automated emails so you never forget to reach out.

Key Features:

• Award-winning customer support
• Tools, resources, and advice for beginners from real experts
• 100+ easily customizable email templates optimized for mobile
• Real-time reporting and analytics so you know what emails work best
• Collect email addresses from your store, Facebook, through mobile, or wherever you want
• An intuitive dashboard that makes it easy to organize your email list

The integration of Constant Contact with BigCommerce is free. However, Constant Contact offers 2 plans:

• Email: from $20/month
• Email Plus: from $45/month

Each of these plans offers a lot of features, however, as you can imagine the Email Plus plan offers the most. Extra features include A/B testing, automated messages by behavior, dynamic content, and more.

2. OptinMonster

If you want to get an email list going, you’re going to need a BigCommerce app to help you capture those emails in the first place.

Creating optins that both look nice and are high converting can take a ton of time. That’s where a tool like OptinMonster comes in.

Key Features:

• Easy to use drag and drop interface to create beautiful campaigns
• Reporting and statistics to keep your performance on-track
• Real-time event tracking for purchases, demo registrations, email signups, and more
• Exit-intent technology to trigger an optin when the customer is about to leave
• Variety of popups including fullscreen welcome mats and countdown timers
• A/B testing so you can use the best-performing campaign

OptinMonster’s features help eCommerce businesses reduce cart abandonment, grow their email lists, and help with onsite retargeting.

OptinMonster connects with all the best email marketing services and is the perfect combination for building a customer and pre-customer database.

Integration between OptinMonster and BigCommerce is free. OptinMonster has 4 plans to choose from. The Basic Plan costs $19/month, and the most advanced plan costs $99/month.

3. PushEngage

Want a way to reach your customers any time, anywhere? PushEngage is the easiest way to add browser push notifications for your BigCommerce store.

You can nudge customers to return to abandoned carts, announce new products, or even send a series of prescheduled messages to turn casual browsers into loyal customers.

Key Features:

• Customizable optin messages
• Flexible notification styling
• Personalization with location, language, time zone, and other details
• Segmentation based on browsing activity, device type, location, and more
• Advanced analytics for data-driven decision-making

PushEngage has a free plan for up to 30 campaigns with limited features. Paid plans with unlimited campaigns and full features start at just $9/month.

4. TrustPulse

Like Yotpo, TrustPulse is an app to implement social proof into your online store. Reviews are a great way to comfort the user and help with the buying decision, but sometimes it takes a little bit more to convince them. That’s where TrustPulse shines.

Key Features:

• Show a live stream of any real-time event
• Show how many people are taking action within a given period of time
• Advanced targeting rules and timing control to show notifications to the right people at the right time
• Analytics to see which page is doing best

Sometimes little things can create such a big difference. BigCommerce said adding small details like real-time site activity can boost conversions by 40%-80%.

Trustpulse definitely offers the details that go a long way in increasing sales.

Integrating TrustPulse with BigCommerce is free. TrustPulse plans are extremely affordable (starting at $4/month) and all offer 14-day free trials. They even have a free plan if you get 500 sessions per month or less.

5. LiveChat

How many times have you sent a message to a company’s support account only to never get a response? Frustrating, right? That’s why your site’s visitors will appreciate a live chat option to get their questions answered quickly.

LiveChat is not only a quick way to help customers on your website, but it also boosts conversion rates. In fact, visitors who engage in a live chat with you are 6.3 times more likely to finish their purchase.

Related ContentLive Chat Best Practices: How to Streamline Customer Service

Being instantly available to answer your customers’ questions is crucial, especially when it’s so easy to hit the back button and go to a competitor.

As an eCommerce site owner, the majority of questions you get will be questions shoppers are asking to help them decide if they want to buy from you. So, the sooner you can answer them, while they’re still in the buying stage, the more likely they’ll end up buying on the spot.

Key Features:

• See what customers are typing, even if they never click send
• Transfer chats between agents when necessary
• Block rude visitors with the visitor banning feature
• Be in the know with delivery statuses
• Filesharing

LiveChat has a recurring fee of $20/month and no upfront fees. You can also use the free trial to see if you like it before paying.

And, if you’re looking for a live chat solution that’s a bit simpler, Telegram Live Chat by Elfsight might do the trick. Or, check out our list of the best live chat tools.

6. Omnisend

If you’d like a one-stop shop to drive sales across channels, Omnisend is the solution for you. Customers are unlikely to only use one messaging channel, but Omnisend lets you combine email, SMS, and push notifications into a single workflow.

Omnisend comes with tons of pre-built omnichannel workflows for

• Welcoming new subscribers
• Abandoned products and carts
• Order and shipping confirmation
• Cross-sells

It also has a selection of built-in signup forms to collect contacts from your online store visitors. Of course, if you’re already using OptinMonster for list-building, you can connect that to Omnisend as well.

Key Features:

• Omnichannel automations using email, SMS, and web push
• Popups and signup forms
• Automatic audience sync
• eCommerce-tailored audience segmentation
• Revenue attribution and other advanced analytics

Omnisend integrates with BigCommerce for free, along with over 100 other apps. You can get started with their full-featured free plan and reach up to 250 contacts, or upgrade to a paid plan for more contacts starting at $16/month.

7. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is the preferred accounting software for most entrepreneurs and eCommerce site owners.

Bookkeeping is a task that either takes a tedious amount of time to do yourself or costs a lot of money to have someone do it for you.

Instead of hiring a daily or weekly bookkeeper, you can integrate the Quickbooks app with your BigCommerce store, let it run in the background, and send all the data to your accountant during tax season.

Key Features:

• Manage sales and income in QuickBooks by creating invoices to track sales by customer
• QuickBooks automatically keeps track of your bills and expenses by connecting your bank and credit card accounts
• Access to reports like profit and loss report, balance sheet report, and statement of cash flows
• QuickBooks has its own payroll function that can automatically calculate and run payroll as often as you need it
• Automatic tracking and updating of delivery as you enter transactions
• Management of accounting and taxes
• Take online payments
• Capture expense receipts with just a picture

Quickbooks Online is fast to install and set up. If you use QuickBooks Online with Quickbooks Payments, you’ll also be able to connect your business bank accounts and credit cards to sync up with the software.

The QuickBooks app is free to integrate. Quickbooks Online plans vary from $15/month for the Simple Start Plan up to $31/month for the Plus Plan.

8. Yotpo Reviews

Social proof is a hugely influential factor in buyer’s decisions. All businesses need to include some social proof tactics in their marketing strategy to build brand awareness, drive more traffic, and boost sales.

One of the best forms of social proof is customer reviews. Did you know that 92% of people look for recommendations from other customers before buying a product?

Key Features:

• Commenting to create an engaged community
• Community Q&A
• Reliable support system for those just starting out
• Marketing features including social media ads, review generation, retention, marketing, and SEO functionalities
• Customer reviews can be generated easily from any device using in-mail forms
• Algorithms to show the right products to the right people

Yotpo offers a free package, but the premium package includes a lot of essential features like user-generated photos, social curation, coupons, and community Q&A. Pricing is based on your monthly traffic volume, products, and domains.

9. ShipStation

It’s essential for eCommerce stores to have a sound shipping system to get orders out to customers as reliably and as quickly as possible.

ShipStation is a leading web-based shipping software that helps your eCommerce store do precisely that.

Key Features:

• Custom branding on packing slips, shipping labels, and shipping confirmation emails
• Discounted rates on couriers like USPS, FedEx, and DHL
• Features like automation, batch printing, cloud-based and mobile shipping, dashboards and interfaces
• Automatic order retrieval from multiple shipping channels
• Custom email confirmations and tracking information

And, exclusively for BigCommerce merchants, you’ll receive up to 50 shipments per month for free, which includes a free USPS postage account with hugely discounted rates. Any international users on this free account will have access to Royal Mail, Canada Post, Australia Post, and other couriers.

ShipStation plans start at $9/month.

10. Facebook Ads Extension

Advertising on Facebook opens your business up to a platform with billions of users and it’s one of the easiest ways to reach a large number of people almost instantly. Even if you’re not converting people right away, it’s a great way to create brand awareness.

Using the Facebook Ads Extension helps your business get existing customers to come back to your site, find new customers, and increase sales for your online store. If you set up the Facebook pixel, you can use Facebook retargeting to further optimize your ads, and really fine-tune your audience. In turn, you’ll see higher conversions and lower ad spend.

Key Features:

• Connect your product catalog to Facebook to create dynamic ads with product listings
• Extensive reporting feature for the full scope of sales and revenue from Facebook Ads
• Remarket your audience by showing them ads after they’ve visited your site

This BigCommerce App has no upfront costs.

11. Optimizely

Does changing the color of your “buy here” button make people click it more often? Will the new redesign make it easier for people to reach the checkout page? Should you change the call to action from “Buy Now” to “Finish Purchase” or leave it as is?

Without an A/B testing tool like Optimizely, any changes to your site are a shot in the dark.

Optimizely is a great BigCommerce app that lets eCommerce owners test out different hypotheses and make concrete conversion rate optimization decisions. When you implement different ideas, you’re able to see the results that the change brings.

But Optimizely is more than just a platform for experimentation. It’s also a user experience optimization tool.

Key Features:

• A/B testing
• Detailed analytics with performance and conversion metrics for each test
• Personalized campaigns
• Advanced program management

Testing out different ideas and seeing what works best is in your customers’ best interests. Nobody likes getting confused and frustrated about how to navigate a website.

Using Optimizely can help you discover the clearest and most straightforward path to get people from where they are to where they need to be.

Plans and pricing are customized to match your company’s needs. Contact them directly for a quote.

12. Price Lists Import & Export

Price Lists Import & Export lets you offer different pricing levels by customer type. For example, you might decide to show retail pricing to regular visitors but bulk pricing to larger vendors.

If you already use price lists, you’ll know that editing the entire file line by line can take a ton of time.

Key Features:

• Allows you to make bulk edits to your pricing lists
• Make new price lists quickly with a template download

Price Lists Import & Export is a simple tool that not everyone using BigCommerce needs. However, it’s a huge time saver for store owners offering variable pricing on their websites.

The app download is free.

Looking for other ideas to optimize your eCommerce site? We’ve created an ultimate eCommerce optimization guide just for you!

In the end, the apps you choose to use on your BigCommerce site depend on who your audience is, what kind of eCommerce business you have, and what kind of apps you’re already using.

These BigCommerce apps can be enormously helpful with converting more customers, saving you time, and possibly even saving you money (since you won’t be hiring outside developers).

Did you enjoy this article? You may also like this one on how to create a BigCommerce popup to boost sales.

Using OptinMonster on your BigCommerce store can help you jumpstart your business while you’re deciding what other apps and tools you want to use. Get started with OptinMonster today!

Want more marketing tips, resource lists, and guides? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

And while most of us are busy spending money on Amazon, a lot of people have learned how to make money on Amazon. Today, we’re going to show you exactly how you can join them.

More specifically, we’ll take a look at:

• How to choose, verify, and sell products on Amazon
• How to create an Amazon listing
• How to make money on Amazon without selling
• How to use your website to drive conversions through Amazon

How to Make Money on Amazon by Selling Products

When we talk about making money on Amazon through selling products, people tend to fall into two categories:

1. Those who have an established business with a product to sell
2. Those who are starting from scratch

If you have an established business with a product ready to sell, you’re at an advantage because you won’t need to spend time researching manufacturers. However, you may still want to verify that Amazon is the right place to sell your product by doing some market research (which we’ll cover shortly).

If you are starting from scratch, you’re wondering, “What about me? How do I start an Amazon business?” Well, you have the advantage of optimizing your product research and knowing what will, or won’t, be a good investment for your Amazon storefront.

You’ll likely want to work with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) which can handle all the details like packing, shipping, customer service, and more. As you can imagine, that service comes with its own fees which you’ll need to take into account.

Whether or not you already have a product, you’ll need a website to drive traffic and boost conversions. Don’t worry, we’ll cover that at the end of the article.

For this section, though, let’s explore what makes a good product to sell on Amazon. Here are three questions you should ask yourself when verifying whether or not your product will make money on Amazon.

1. Is there a demand for the product?

As every online merchant knows, it’s pointless to manufacture and sell something that nobody is asking for. Henry Ford’s famous quote, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses” is an example of the exception, not the rule.

If you’re starting from scratch, a great place to begin your research is the Amazon Best Sellers page. Here you’ll find ideas in each category for products that are in high demand.

If you already have a product in mind, however, you’ll want to look through similar items already on Amazon and check their “Best Sellers Rank” (BSR) which can be found on any item description.

So, for example, if you were selling pens, you’d look at your competition (in this case, the popular pen brand BIC):

Then you’d scroll down to see BICs Best Sellers Rank:

This number will tell you the product’s overall position in a specific category. But don’t be fooled. Even if the BSR for a similar product to yours seems high, it may still be doing well when compared with the number of products in the category at large.

In this example, the BIC pen is ranked #3,710 in the category “Office Products.” However, the total amount of items for sale in “Office Products” is over 50,000, so these BIC pens rank comparatively well in the overall category.

2. What’s the price point/profit margin?

When it comes to calculating your costs of production, shipping, and Amazon expenses, the bottom line will be asking yourself the following question:

Is it profitable to sell on Amazon?

For some retailers, selling on Amazon makes sense; for others, not so much. It really depends on your product which is why it’s better to answer this question sooner rather than later.

While every online merchant will need to answer this for themselves, here are a couple of helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Be realistic about your product’s price. Most sales on Amazon take place from organic searches on page one. Overpriced items are rarely seen by potential customers so make sure you’re pricing items to be competitive but profitable.
• Be realistic about the cost of production. How much money (and time) are you spending to manufacture your product? If you’re seeing $1000/week in revenue from Amazon, but it’s costing $600/week and 60 hours of your time to get everything accomplished, you’re looking at roughly $6.50 an hour.

The problem is that a lot of people forget about hidden costs when selling on Amazon which may include:

As you can imagine, all these little expenses can add up quickly. Stay organized, track what you’re spending (both financially and with your time) and make sure you’ve priced your item in a way that makes the whole operation worth it to you.

3. How’s the competition doing?

As you’re looking through your competition’s BSR and product listings, be realistic about how well you can compete with them. Consider the following questions as a helpful guideline:

Is your main competition a large brand like Nike or Sony? If so, they’ll be hard to compete with on price, quality, and range of products.

Does your competitor’s product have any negative reviews? If so, would your product solve or fix the problem the unhappy customer had?

As mentioned, does your competitor’s BSR indicate a high or low demand? If it shows a high demand, great! If not, you may want to investigate a little more.

Once you’ve verified that you have a good product to sell, you’ll simply need to create an account on Amazon Seller Central and add your product.

NoteIn this post, we don’t get into how to get your products manufactured. If you have an idea for a product and want it produced in bulk, a popular site is Alibaba. There you can create, customize, and order products to sell on Amazon.

How to Add an Amazon Listing

First, create an account on Amazon Seller Central. At this point, you’ll be asked some basic information such as business address, telephone number (for verification), credit card information (for the $39.99/month fee), and passport information to confirm your identity.

Once your account is created, you just need to make a product listing. To do that, visit the Dashboard of your Amazon Seller Central page, click on Inventory and Add a Product.

Image Source

Then you can click Create a new product listing.

Now you’ll choose a category for your product:

And finally, you’ll need to fill out some basic information or Vital Info which includes the product’s name, manufacturer, brand name, and other specifics related to your product:

Quick TipYou should also add high-quality images and keywords to help your product rank higher.

Once you’re satisfied with your product’s description, you’re ready to start selling! At the end of this article, we’ll discuss how to use your website to drive sales and conversions.

But before that, let’s take a look at a technique for making money on Amazon that doesn’t require coming up with a physical product to sell.

How to Make Money on Amazon Without Selling a Product

If you’re not someone who wants to deal with manufacturers, shipping problems, or large Amazon fees, don’t worry. You can still make money on Amazon without selling anything.

How? With Amazon’s Affiliate program. Here’s how it works:

First, you’ll need to start a blog or launch a mobile app. For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume you want to keep it simple and start your own blog. If you’re totally new to this, no worries! WPBeginner has an excellent guide to help you start a blog right here.

Then, you need to choose a niche for the content of your blog. Just like when choosing a product, you’ll want to do some market research at this step, but you’ll also want to be sure you’re choosing a topic you love because (spoiler alert) you’ll be doing a fair amount of writing on that topic.

Once you’ve settled on the content of your blog, you’ve reached the hard part: building up your audience and email list. Fortunately, OptinMonster can help you with that.

With OptinMonster, you can create popups, landing pages, and hello bars to create leads and grow your email list.

You should be focused on two things at this point: increasing traffic to your site and building a solid email list with engaged users (meaning you want them to actually open the emails you’re sending). We’ll be talking more about this in a minute.

Once you’ve got a decent amount of traffic visiting your blog, you’re ready to sign up to become an affiliate associate with Amazon.

Boost Traffic25 Proven Strategies to Increase Your Blog’s Traffic by 1064%

The program is 100% free to join (which can be a huge incentive for people not comfortable with Seller Central’s $39.99/month fee). It’s also a very simple, three-step process.

Here’s how it works:

First, you need to join the Amazon Affiliate Program (also known as “Amazon Associates”). You’ll be prompted to hook up your current Amazon account or create a new one.

Amazon will show your name and address to confirm this is the correct information for payment. If not, you can always change your address:

Then, you’ll need to add the websites that you want to enroll in the Affiliate Program:

Next, you’ll build out your profile with some basic questions about your website including an Associate’s Store ID, a brief description of what your store is about, and topics that best describe your content:

Now comes the fun part: looking at traffic and how you plan to monetize your blog.

You’ll choose the methods you use to drive traffic and talk about how many visitors you currently have. If you don’t have many visitors yet and aren’t currently making any revenue from your site, don’t worry! You won’t be penalized at this point.

Then just confirm your profile and you’ll be ready to start getting links to make money on Amazon without selling anything!

But keep in mind that you only have 180 days (or 6 months) to be successful.

If you haven’t made any money through Amazon’s Affiliate Program by that time, your account will be closed. That’s why it’s important to build your site and email list before enrolling in Amazon’s Affiliate program.

Now it’s time to add a product link!

Keep in mind that creating revenue with Amazon’s Affiliate Program can be done in many ways (far too many to cover here). Today, we’ll just be looking at Product Linking.

First, on Amazon Associate’s homepage, go to Product Links under the menu header Product Linking.

Once here, you can search for products that would match the content of your blog. In this example, we’ll get a link for “pens.”

After clicking Get Link, you’ll be taken to a page where you can customize the link for your content. You can choose between text and image, text only, and image only.

You may then customize the link to fit your needs and see a live preview of how it will appear on your site.

Finally, you will have access to the HTML for the link which you can insert into your website:

And that’s it! Once you’ve added the HTML to your website, you’ll be ready to start earning commissions on products purchased from that specific link. Which brings up another important question:

Can you make money with Amazon Affiliate?

It’s a great question with, unfortunately, a not-so-simple answer. In short, yes. But how much money you can make on Amazon Affiliate depends on a few things.

For starters, you earn commission depending on the type of product you’re linking to.

What are the best products to sell on Amazon? Well, Luxury Beauty items will get a 10% commission. Video games, on the other hand, will only get you a 1% commission.

Here’s a chart to help you see what you can earn by product and category:

This is why it’s so important to do research before launching your business. You want to make sure you’re linking to items from your website that will earn a high enough commission to make this entire process worth your time and energy.

How to Drive Amazon Conversions Using OptinMonster

When it comes to making money on Amazon, you’ll need a website with decent traffic whether you’re selling a physical product or working with affiliate links. However, more than anything else, your biggest savior will be a robust email list.

OptinMonster has many features designed to help you grow your email list. From custom forms to strategically timed optins to A/B testing capabilities, OptinMonster can help you convert casual readers into a loyal, engaged audience.

And it’s simple.

So simple, in fact, that you can create a lead-generating optin in under 5 minutes! Here’s just one example of what you can do with OptinMonster in a matter of minutes:

Grabs attention, doesn’t it? Check out our optin gallery for more inspiration.

Once you’ve grown your email list, you’ll have tons of warm leads to advertise your products on Amazon or to share content with affiliate links inside. With some hard work, a bit of patience, and the right tools, you’ll be on your way to making money on Amazon in no time.

If you’re interested in setting up your own affiliate program, we got you covered. Take a look at our guide to starting an affiliate program.

Did you find this article helpful? Feel free to share it. Also, you can always reach us on Facebook or Twitter. We love hearing from readers!

Still not signed up for OptinMonster? Why not? Join us today!

The best way to do this is by using a small business credit monitoring service!

This article talks about small business credit monitoring services and why you need one. We also go into a few of our favorites and factors to consider when choosing the right service for you.

What’s a Small Business Credit Score?

Small business credit scores are like personal credit scores for businesses. They help people decide whether to give money to a company.

Just as personal credit scores have a “big three” when it comes to credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, all of which inform FICO), business credit scores have a “big three.” These are Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Equifax, and Experian. To get a full idea of your business credit score, you should monitor all three.

Other business credit score services exist, but they’re used far less often. If you’re considering getting a loan, talk to your lender about what they use before applying.

A few differences between personal and business credit scores are:

Note: This information applies to US-based businesses working within the States. Business credit score needs and availability may vary by country. One resource for companies that need to monitor international partners is Experian’s International Business Reports and Resources. Be sure to research your business’ credit monitoring needs if you go global.

All small business credit monitoring companies’ reports look different. However, here is an example from Equifax to give you an idea of what to expect:

Do I Need Small Business Credit Monitoring?

A small business credit monitoring service lets you know when your business credit report changes.

You need a small business credit monitoring service to watch your score and stop problems. If you don’t use a business credit monitoring service, you won’t receive alerts when things go sideways.

The best credit monitoring services for small businesses alert you to many issues. But, almost all can stop two major problems:

1. Incorrect Small Business Credit Score Information

Credit agencies use information from third parties to create your business credit score. This information may be outdated or wrong. Small business credit monitoring services can help you fix hiccups like these.

2. Small Business Fraud and Identity Theft

The news reports on hackers stealing people’s identities or using their money. But did you know companies can also face fraud and business identity theft?

After another company’s emails were hacked, Syed Balkhi, OptinMonster’s co-founder, lost nearly $1.4 million. It took weeks and the help of the Department of Homeland Security to fix the issue.

He says, “most people aren’t this lucky,” as he got most of his money back. Ensuring you and any companies you work with have good, secure credit can help keep you safe.

Small business credit monitoring services look for fraud and help fix the problem. Many services offer this as part of their packages, but some have fraud protection as an add-on.

Top 7 Small Business Credit Monitoring Services

There are dozens of small business credit monitoring services. These 7 are our favorites because of their customer reviews, cost, customer service, or a combination of those. They’re in no particular order.

1. Identity Guard

Identity Guard offers individual and business identity theft protection. They offer two business credit monitoring services:

• Breach Response Value: $1 million in identity theft insurance, breach alerts, dark web monitoring, and more; $36 per code per year
• Breach Response Total: Same as above, plus monitoring of bank accounts and major business credit bureaus; $120 per code per year

Identity Guard’s employee benefits program makes them stand out. They partnered with Aura to provide identity theft protection to employees. This partnership could be valuable, as worker identity theft can cost companies up to approximately $1.6 million.

2. Aura

Speaking of Aura, in addition to their business partnership program, the company offers individual and family fraud and identity theft protection. If your employer can’t provide identity theft protection as a benefit, it’s worth looking into yourself.

With Aura, you can choose between three different plans:

• Basic: Online account, personal information, SSN, and identity monitoring, $1 million insurance, lost wallet remediation, and device and network protection; $10 individual or $17 family per month, billed annually
• Total: Basic plus financial fraud protection (including credit monitoring); $20 individual or $29 family per month, billed annually
• Ultimate: Total plus home title, address, criminal, court, 401k, and investment monitoring, one annual credit report, and white-glove resolution; $30 individual or $39 family per month, billed annually

Approximately one-third of Americans have their identities stolen at some point, and it can take weeks, months, or years to resolve–if it ever resolves at all.

3. Nav

Nav offers personal and small business credit score monitoring with 24/7 alerts.

They watch the Intelliscore Plus from Experian, FICO® LiquidCredit® Small Business Scoring Service, and Equifax Delinquency Risk Score.

They can also help you figure out financing options you may qualify for.

In other words, they’re very thorough.

You can get a free business credit report, but you need to pay if you want monitoring and not just a report.

4. Credit Suite

Credit Suite takes small business credit monitoring a step further. Not only do they track your credit as other companies do, but they also support you and your business credit in other ways.

Do you need help establishing credit, finding money, or understanding finances? Credit Suite’s program has all this and more.

Their core program runs $2,997 for a single payment or $597 per month over seven months.

5. Dun & Bradstreet CreditMonitor 

D&B’s business credit monitoring service may be a wise choice, as this is one of the “big three” business credit score companies. It only monitors D&B scores.

You may select from three D&B business credit monitoring services:

1. Credit Signal ®: Four scores and ratings for two weeks; shows business credit inquiries and changes to scores and ratings; free
2. CreditSignal® Plus: Shows five scores and ratings as many times as you want; includes credit inquiries, changes, and events; $15/month
3. CreditMonitor: Unlimited ratings and scores; has the above plus dark web monitoring and industry comparisons; $39/month

6. Experian Business Credit AdvantageSM

Experian is another “big three” small business credit reporting group. Like D&B, it only tracks its own credit scores.

You can choose from four options:

• CreditScore Report: A basic summary, score, and risk rating; charges per report
• ProfilePlus Report: Detailed credit report and history; charges per report
• Valuation Report: Determines your business value and performance indicators; charges per report
• Business Credit Advantage: All the above plus lets you dispute issues; has an annual fee

You may choose to run a report on other businesses as an add-on.

7. Equifax Business Credit Monitor for Small Business

Equifax Business Credit Monitor for Small Business tracks customers’, partners’, and vendors’ Equifax scores. This is the last of the “big three” companies.

By “customers,” we mean other businesses you work with. You would use this to make sure this customer is a safe bet for your company. For example, you could see if they have a solid history of paying their debts before working with them, or watch out for red flags as your partnership continues.

This service provides detailed messages about credit activity and as many credit reports as you want.

You could also add bankruptcy, derogatory marks (e.g., late payments), new inquiry, and Equifax score drop alerts.

Which Business Credit Monitoring Service Is Best for My Small Company?

There isn’t a single best small business credit monitoring service for every company. But, you can ask yourself some questions while deciding:

• Why do I want to watch my small business credit?
• How many bureaus do I want to watch?
• Do I need perks beyond monitoring, like online workshops?
• How much can I afford to spend?

Small Business Credit Monitoring FAQs

How do I check my small business credit score?

You can buy reports from Experian, D&B, and Equifax if you don’t use small business credit monitoring.

Why is my small business credit score important?

An excellent small business credit score can help you get business loans, credit cards, and other funding. A poor or nonexistent credit score may mean using your personal money on your business.

Why should I use small business credit monitoring?

Monitoring your small business credit score lets you know what potential lenders see. It also lets you handle problems as they arise rather than trying to do damage control.

Small Business Credit Monitoring: A Must-Have

You need the best small business credit monitoring service to stay safe.

Knowing about fraud immediately is essential. But, things aren’t always so dramatic. A mistake on a small business credit score report can also cause headaches.

Above, we suggested six of the best small business credit monitoring services. However, it’s important to research options to see what fits your company’s needs.

If you’re visiting our site, you probably want to learn how to improve your business. That’s what OptinMonster is all about–we want to help you convert your site’s visitors into customers! Stay awhile, explore our site, and see how we can help you achieve your goals.