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In today’s email we’re going to talk about:

Let’s go! 🔥

Shopify app store now showing features above apps

For some keywords, Shopify now show their in-house feature.

It is not an app but it’s a feature from Shopify. They want to show merchants features that already exist within Shopify just in case they’re looking for an app that does exactly what Shopify can do

It’s not a good thing for app developers but it’s a good one for merchants.

Let’s see how this evolves!

Shopify Improving BFS Submission

That’s good news!

Shopify heard us and knows that the BFS process is complicated.

800 apps in total have that badge but they want more so here is what they’re gonna do:

If you don’t have it yet, maybe it’s a good time to start it, perhaps it will be easier than it was for us!

Infographic for new apps

I love infographics because I feel like it’s easier to remember something.

I just made one about launching on the app store. So save it!

Tell me if you want more:

Shopify App Growth Blueprint: Breaking a plateau and unlocking growth

Ever looked at your MRR chart and thought, “Why the heck isn’t this going anywhere?” You’re not alone. Most Shopify apps hit a plateau at some point where new installs and churn basically cancel each other out, resulting in zero growth. It feels like running in place. Not cool.

But here’s the truth: a plateau doesn’t mean it’s game over. It’s more like your app’s way of sending an SOS signal telling you it’s time to step back, figure out what’s broken, and fix it. Let’s dive in.

Why Plateaus Happen

In simplest terms:
Churn = Acquisition.
You’re losing as many users as you’re gaining. It might be for a bunch of reasons: outdated onboarding, neglected marketing channels, or you’re simply not keeping up with merchant needs.

The fix? Either reduce your churn, increase your acquisition, or do both. Let’s talk about how.

Talk to Your Power Users

Listen, if you take only one thing from this article, it should be this: stop guessing what your users want and ask them. Your power users (those folks who rave about your app, constantly upgrade, or share feedback) are an untapped goldmine of insights.

Pro Tip: If everyone complains about a clunky setup flow, guess what’s next on your to-do list?

Optimize Your App Flow

Let’s be real: features and app flows we designed six months ago can feel ancient in Shopify time. Merchants expect snappy, intuitive experiences. So if your setup still looks like the dashboard I had for WideBundle in 2020, that’s your red flag.

Onboarding Overhaul
Make sure your first time user experience is butter smooth. Are there too many steps? Are your instructions outdated? Simplify it.

Email and Notification Check
When was the last time you updated those onboarding or follow up emails? Are you still referencing “Summer 2022 Promo” anywhere? Time for a refresh.

In-App Guidance
Tooltips, quickstart guides, maybe even a little progress bar. Anything that helps users see real results in the first day (or hour) will reduce churn.

When (And How) to Explore New Audiences

Don’t chase new audiences just because you’re stuck. Only do this after you’ve tackled the obvious fixes. If your core user base is dropping off because your flow stinks, adding more users won’t magically fix that. You’ll just bleed them out the other side.

But once you’ve nailed your core experience and your current users are happy, consider tapping into a fresh audience or niche. For example, if your app helps fashion stores with product bundling, maybe you can expand those bundling features for electronics or subscription based businesses. Just make sure you don’t spread yourself too thin. Only jump if you can truly offer value to that new market.

Check Everything You’ve Already Done

Look, building an app is an ongoing process, not a set it and forget it affair. Stuff you set up a year ago can be hopelessly out of date. Here’s a quick checklist:

Manage Churn and Boost Acquisition

Since plateau = churn equals acquisition, you can break it down into two main levers:

And hey, if you can do both at once, awesome.

Quick Example

Let’s say you have an app that helps merchants optimize their storefront layout. You’ve been hovering at 5K MRR for months. You do some detective work:

This is how you chip away at your plateau.

Your 5 Step Action Plan

Final Thoughts

A plateau is not a death sentence for your Shopify app. It’s just a sign that something needs to change. The fastest way to figure out what is by having real conversations with your best users and optimizing your app’s user journey. Only after you nail that should you look to branch out to new audiences or double down on marketing.

And remember, if you’re only bringing in new users without fixing the leaky bucket, you’ll just end up right back where you started, stuck in that plateau. So fix the flow, update your messaging, and keep your finger on the pulse of what merchants actually want. That’s how you break free and start climbing again. Good luck out there!

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See you in the next email!

Mat 😁