Struggling to get installs for a Shopify app — any advice?

SEO
1

I launched a Shopify app recently, but getting consistent installs has been harder than expected.

I’ve optimized the app listing and reached out to early users, but growth is still slow.

What helped you get your first 100 installs? Any lessons you learned the hard way?

2

Hi @easycomm. Congratulations on your new Shopify App project. I went through a similar process when I launched my first app on the platform.

To put it simply, here’s what I’ve learned for launching a successful Shopify app:

  • Focus on User Intent: Users search for solutions, not brand names. They are likely to search for functional terms like “migrate Magento to Shopify” rather than specific app names. Optimize your app description to clearly state exactly what the app accomplishes.
  • App Naming: Avoid names that are similar to existing Shopify Apps or established entities on Google. Unique names significantly improve visibility on SERPs.
  • Offer Free Options: Users need to verify that the app meets their needs. Offering a Free Demo, Free Trial, or a “Free to Use” tier removes the barrier to entry and encourages users to test the functionality without risk.
  • Community Outreach: Engage with potential customers on communities like Reddit and e-commerce forums. This establishes your presence and signals the app’s existence to both users and search engines.

Hope this helps!

3

Hi @easycomm

Ah, the good old question of how to get the first 100 installs.

Getting the first 100 installs requires doing things that don’t scale, as you cannot rely on the App Store algorithm yet. Instead of waiting for organic traffic, use founder-to-founder outreach. Utilize platforms to get leads, offer free plans for your app, send personal, non-salesy email offering your app as a free fix for their specific problem in exchange for feedback.

Hope this helps!

5

Try user communities like this one and reddit and promote your app for specific use cases.

Getting user reviews will help a lot, so offer custom assistance to your first users and ask for reviews.

6

That’s a very common challenge with new Shopify apps, so you’re definitely not alone.

What usually helps early on is focusing less on scale and more on proof. The first installs tend to come from very targeted outreach rather than organic discovery. I’ve seen the most success when founders personally message store owners who clearly match the app’s use case, offer hands-on onboarding, and turn those early users into strong testimonials and reviews.

Another key lesson is positioning. Many apps fail early not because of features, but because the value isn’t instantly clear. One specific outcome on the listing converts far better than multiple generic benefits.

Finally, feedback loops matter. The first 50–100 installs often come from iterating quickly based on real user friction, even if it means changing parts of the app or pricing model sooner than planned.

Slow growth at this stage usually means you’re still validating distribution, not that the product is weak.