Low Installs After Switching to Free Trial – Seeking Feedback on Possible Technical or Marketing Gap

Shopify Apps
1

Hi everyone,

I recently switched my Shopify Request a quote app from a paid-only model to a free trial in order to encourage more installs. The app provides features like AI lead quality scoring, quote-to-order conversion, BI dashboard, and customer chat – mainly focused on helping merchants better manage quote requests.

However, even after offering a free trial and running Shopify App Store PPC campaigns, I’m still not seeing the expected increase in installs or engagement. It’s been difficult to identify whether the issue is technical (e.g., listing optimization, app performance) or more related to marketing/discovery.

A few questions I’m hoping to get input on:

  • Could the earlier paid-only model have impacted my app’s ranking or visibility even after switching to free trial?

  • Are there known technical factors (e.g., metadata, listing structure, reviews, etc.) that might hinder discovery on the App Store?

  • Has anyone had success with third-party marketing channels (outside of Shopify PPC) for re-engaging past users or reaching new ones?

  • Any tips on what early indicators I should track to troubleshoot app store performance?

I’m open to constructive feedback and insights from other developers or partners who’ve faced similar challenges. If this isn’t the right category for this question, I apologize and would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

2

@SetuBridge_Apps there’s plenty of posts seeking stuff like that in the app subforum, seek out customers stop hoping ads will fix adoption.

There is a RSS feed system for search figure out your trigger words, or just outright burn your lifetime in providing free support in your niche hoping for community visibility(expect like 1:1000 return rate).

Fix sig to be actual link 2~3 lines promotional.

If you have installs do actual outreach to customers or your a coffin maker building in the dark; you don’t need it your not gonna use it you can’t even see it in the way that matters because it is not for you.

Fix your pitch or offerings, actually differentiate, your chasing marketing voodoo with only a buzzword fest to describe which is a big fat smell of something that cannot compete. Not one mention of actual quality of the app itself or use case , or better show-dont-tell it actually solving a problem etc etc.

Also there’s things like services to improve apps out there to research.

3

Thanks for the detailed response – I genuinely appreciate the tough love and insights.

You’re absolutely right that relying solely on ads isn’t a sustainable adoption strategy, and your point about “building in the dark” definitely hit home. I agree that showcasing actual use cases, clear differentiation, and solving merchant pain points visibly is more powerful than feature-list buzzwords.

I’ll take your advice on:

  • Revisiting my listing and pitch to focus more on problem-solving impact rather than just feature names.

  • Updating my signature to better direct traffic (solid tip).

  • Digging deeper into the subforums and RSS feed strategy for more relevant community engagement.

  • Prioritizing customer outreach over passive hope from paid installs.

Also, thanks for the reality check on the 1:1000 return rate—it’s a tough ratio, but fair to keep in mind when managing expectations and planning efforts.

If you have any resources or examples of how others have “shown rather than told” with success, I’d love to explore and learn more from that as well.

Appreciate the no-BS response.