Promoting Your New Shopify Store: Dos & Don’ts

Summary:

• Effective Shopify store promotion requires a mix of strong brand identity, SEO optimization, and diversified marketing strategies.
• Engaging visuals and social proof (like customer testimonials) add credibility and attract customers. The design of your store is the first thing people will notice when they visit, and many potential customers skip right to reviews when they’re considering a purchase.
• Content marketing and social media offer platforms for ongoing engagement and awareness, while email marketing allows for targeted communication. Make sure to post high-value content and establish a consistent schedule.
• Collaborations with influencers and regular analytics monitoring provide additional channels for growth and optimization. Make sure to approach influencers in your niche!
• Avoid overly aggressive sales tactics, delayed replies to customers, and neglecting mobile user experience, as these can harm your store's reputation. For help, consider reaching out to professional Shopify experts—RS Creativ can help you identify your current opportunities and create a plan to move your store forward.

Promoting your new Shopify store effectively is the best way to keep it growing and selling. A well-executed strategy can elevate your brand and attract more customers—but that means knowing which tactics work and which ones don’t.

Growing a Shopify store takes a combination of strategic planning, customer focus, and data-driven decision-making. Below is a list of dos and don’ts to help you succeed, based on our experiences helping Shopify merchants achieve meaningful growth in a wide variety of industries.

Dos for Effective Shopify Store Promotion

Develop a Clear & Cohesive Brand Identity

Creating a strong brand identity helps differentiate your store from others that sell similar products. Here’s what you can do:

• Conduct Market Research: Analyze your audience and competitors to create a unique value proposition. What makes your business different from others, and why should people come to you?

If you’re not sure, consider going to a third party—our Purple™ process is a more in-depth take on standard marketing audits that can help you understand how you’re currently positioned and where to go next.

• Solicit and Leverage Social Proof: Use customer testimonials and user-generated content to build trust. Encourage reviews and reward feedback!
• Invest in Awesome Visuals: High-resolution images help convey your brand's quality and professionalism, while a clean and user-friendly layout makes your store easier to navigate and will lower your bounce rate. Reach out to RS Creativ for professional support creating a Shopify store that pops—it’s what we do, and we’re happy to help.

Spend Time on SEO Best Practices

SEO is integral for online visibility. Try the following:

• Optimize Product Pages for Search Engines: Use relevant keywords and meta descriptions throughout your site—but especially on product pages, since these are the parts of your store where conversions (i.e. sales) happen.
• Use High-Quality Images: Optimize image alt texts and use high-quality images to improve search rankings.
• Create Unique Product Descriptions: Custom product descriptions can enrich keyword density and provide value to your customers.

See Also: 4 Shopify SEO Strategies that Will Get You Noticed

Engage in Content Marketing

Relevant, actionable content keeps your audience engaged and informed. Use these tips to help your content draw people to your store and make your brand resonate with them:

• Focus on Value for Users: Start a blog if you haven’t already, and focus on providing actionable insights, how-to guides, and in-depth product reviews related to your niche.
• Audit & Update: Regularly revisit and update your older content to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and optimized for SEO. This maintains your site's credibility and search engine rankings.

Leverage Social Media Platforms

Social media is a powerful tool for brand awareness and customer interaction, so make the most of it! Here are some tips you can try right now:

• Run Targeted Ads: Use Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms to run targeted ad campaigns.
• Develop a Posting Schedule: Make relevant posts on a regular basis and engage with your audience when they comment on it or share it.

Use Email Marketing Effectively

Email marketing is about more than just sending newsletters; it’s about establishing a line of communication that provides real value to your audience.

• Build an Email List: Use enticing sign-up incentives like exclusive discount codes to encourage customers to join your email list.
• Retargeting Campaigns: Implement automated email sequences that trigger based on user behavior, such as visiting a product page but not making a purchase, to nudge them back towards conversion.

Collaborate with Influencers & Partners

Working with influencers can give your Shopify store more visibility and credibility, but it's crucial to pick the right partners and plan effectively.

• Choose the Right Influencers: Partner with individuals who have an audience that matches your target customers. Their endorsement will come across as more genuine and be more impactful.
• Define Clear Campaign Objectives: Before you start, know what you want to achieve—whether it's increased website traffic, brand awareness, or sales conversions. Share these objectives with the influencer to ensure a focused and effective campaign.
• Reach Out Effectively: Draft a personalized outreach message or email that clearly outlines the mutual benefits of the partnership. Provide context on why you think they're a good fit for your brand and what you can offer in return.

Monitor Analytics & Adjust Your Strategy

Understanding your analytics is crucial for any business—but even more so in the ever-changing landscape of online retail.

• Choose Your KPIs: Choose KPIs that align with your business goals, whether that's overall traffic, conversion rate, or newsletter signups. Make sure they are realistic, measurable, and directly related to your business objectives.
• Collect Data: Use Shopify’s analytics or integrate Google Analytics to monitor these KPIs consistently.
• Run A/B Tests: Implement controlled experiments comparing two versions of a page against each other to determine which performs better in specific tasks like increasing click-through rates or improving shopping cart abandonment rates.

Don’ts for Shopify Store Promotion

Don't Use Overly Aggressive Sales Tactics

While it's natural to want to push your products, coming on too strong can turn people away. Balance is key.

• Avoid the Hard-Sell: Nobody likes to feel hounded to buy something. Make your sales content educational and inspiring.
• Keep Your Pricing Transparent: Hidden fees or unclear pricing strategies can lead to mistrust. Be upfront about all costs.

Don't Neglect Customer Engagement

Customer service is an extension of your brand. A poor experience can hurt your reputation and sales.

• Never Leave ‘Em Hanging: Prompt replies and a transparent return policy are essential for customer satisfaction.
• Solicit Feedback Proactively: Don't just wait for customers to come to you with their feedback; actively ask for reviews or opinions to show you value their input.

Don't Overpost on Social Media

Maintaining an active presence on social media is important, but bombarding your followers with too many posts can have a counterproductive effect.

• Quality Over Quantity: Instead of posting frequently, focus on delivering high-quality, engaging content.
• Timely Responses: When you do post, make sure to engage with comments and questions promptly to foster community and show that your brand listens to its audience.

Don't Forget Mobile Users

With the growing trend of mobile shopping, optimizing your store for mobile users is no longer optional—it's a necessity.

• Streamline Checkout: Minimize the steps in the checkout process, especially for mobile users who may be navigating on a smaller screen.
• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your website is optimized for mobile users, as a poor mobile experience can drive potential customers away.

Avoid Using Low-Quality Visuals

Visuals convey your brand's aesthetic and quality. Poor visuals can compromise these aspects and turn off potential customers.

• Invest in High-Resolution Images: Grainy or pixelated images can create a poor impression.
• Consistency is Key: Make sure that the visuals across all platforms are consistent in style and quality to maintain a cohesive brand image.

Don't Overlook User-Generated Content

Customers trust other customers. Ignoring the power of user-generated content can mean missed opportunities for authentic endorsement.

• Encourage Reviews: Create easy avenues for customers to leave reviews, which serve as invaluable social proof.
• Feature Customer Posts: If customers post positive experiences or uses of your product, ask for permission to feature these on your own social media or website.

Don’t Focus on Just One Marketing Channel

Putting all your eggs in one basket is risky. A diversified marketing approach is crucial for long-term sustainability.

• Diversify Your Approach: Use a balanced mix of SEO, social media, email marketing, and paid advertising to reach your audience through multiple touchpoints.
• Track and Tweak: Constantly monitor the performance of different channels and be prepared to shift your focus and resources if something isn't working.

Promoting your Shopify store effectively is a constant balancing act between following the right strategies and avoiding the wrong ones. It’s not rocket science, but it can require a lot of research and a significant amount of your time to stay up-to-date with best practices and avoid getting left behind as the landscape changes.

RS Creativ can help. We have the experience to help you make informed decisions, track your results, and continually refine your strategy for long-term success. Contact us now to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help your store reach new audiences—and new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions about Promoting Your Shopify Store

What tools should I use to conduct market research for my Shopify store?

We recommend using a combination of:

• Online survey tools like SurveyMonkey.
• Keyword research platforms like Google Keyword Planner.
• Competitor analysis tools like SEMrush.
• Social listening tools like BuzzSumo.

What are some tips for designing my Shopify store’s layout?

• Focus on a clean, intuitive design that aligns with your brand identity.
• Make sure to have a clear call-to-action on key pages.
• Use high-quality photos and other images.
• Use a responsive design that works well on both desktop and mobile.
• Keep the site easily navigable with a straightforward menu, easily accessible product search, and quick checkout options.

How do I create content for my store that will rank higher on search engines?

• Always consider the user’s intent when creating content—what problem are they searching for a solution to, and how can you provide it to them as efficiently as possible?
• Incorporate carefully researched keywords naturally into your product descriptions, blog posts, and meta descriptions.
• Make sure to also use alternative text for images.
• Secure high-quality backlinks from sites with topical authority.
• Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant.

How often should I post on my Shopify store’s social media accounts?

The frequency can vary depending on the platform and your audience, but a general rule is at least 3-5 times per week for platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Twitter may require more frequent posting due to the fast-paced nature of the platform. The key is consistent, quality content that engages your audience—don’t post for no reason!

What tools can I use for A/B testing different pages on my store?

You can use tools like Optimizely, Convert, or Google Optimize for A/B testing your Shopify store. These tools allow you to experiment with different layouts, calls-to-action, and content to see what drives better results.

How much does it cost to work with RS Creativ?

All of our clients start by going through the Purple™ process. We perform over 30 hours of deep research into your brand, as well as an analysis of your competitors and thorough audits of your store’s UX, product catalogue, and content. By the end, you’ll know exactly where you stand and what you need to do to keep growing your business.

This package costs $5,000 and is completely refundable—plus, if you decide to keep working with us to action our recommendations once the PURPLE process is complete, we apply what you’ve already paid against the cost of your complete growth package.