9 Strategies to Increase Traffic on Shopify

Picture this.

You’ve launched your Shopify store, meticulously selected the best products, and crafted an aesthetically pleasing storefront.

Now you’re waiting for the flood of customers to come pouring in.

Crickets…

A day passes. A week. Then a month. The traffic is barely trickling in.

Your Shopify store looks like a ghost town rather than the bustling marketplace you envisioned it to be.

The fact is, Shopify gets a whopping 84.2 million visitors each month. But how do you get a piece of that pie?

This is where strategies to increase traffic on Shopify come into play. Increasing traffic is not just about drawing more visitors to your store but converting them into loyal customers who will keep coming back for more.

In this blog post, we will delve deep into actionable tactics for attracting customers to your Shopify store. These include promoting on social media, launching customer loyalty programs, and advertising through Google Shopping Ads.

How Shopify Stores Drive Traffic

Shopify is a popular platform for entrepreneurs to create their digital stores. However, creating an online store isn’t enough — you need to attract customers and drive traffic to your Shopify store.

A study of 60,000 Shopify stores found that the top six traffic sources were organic, direct, Facebook ads, Google ads, Instagram ads, and Pinterest ads.

Source: Sixads

Organic search refers to visitors who find your website through search engines like Google or Bing without clicking on any paid advertisements.
Direct traffic comes from users typing in your URL directly into their browser or accessing it via bookmarks.

While these are the top sources of traffic for many businesses using Shopify stores, they may not be bringing in as many sales conversions as expected. It’s important to note that investing more money into these sources doesn’t necessarily guarantee more sales.

Most Effective Ways to Drive Sales to Your Shopify Store

To convert traffic into sales in your store, you should focus primarily on these five things:

Social media marketing: Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram provide excellent opportunities for driving targeted traffic back to your site.
Email marketing campaigns: By building a loyal customer base, you can send targeted email promotions and newsletters that encourage repeat business.
Search engine optimization: Optimizing your website for search engines is critical to driving organic traffic to your Shopify store. This includes optimizing product pages, meta descriptions, titles, and other elements of the site’s structure.
Paid ads: Paid advertising through platforms such as Google AdWords or Facebook Ads can help increase visibility and drive traffic back to your Shopify store. However, it’s important to carefully monitor ad spend so that you don’t overspend without seeing results.
Influencer marketing: Influencer marketing programs are becoming increasingly popular with brands looking for ways to reach wider audiences. Work with influencers who align well with your target audience.

The strategies mentioned above are just some examples of how you can attract customers and drive traffic back to your Shopify store. It’s important not to focus on just one strategy but rather use multiple tactics together to maximize success rates and nab a slice of Shopify’s 84.2 million visitors.

Source: Similarweb

Attracting Customers to Your Shopify Store: 9 Strategies to Increase Traffic on Shopify

If you own a Shopify store, then driving traffic is one of the most important things that you should focus on. Without visitors, your store won’t generate sales and revenue. Fortunately, leveraging several strategies to increase traffic on Shopify can help attract potential customers and increase sales.

Here are the top nine.

1. Optimize Your Store

How do you make sure potential customers find your Shopify store? By optimizing it for search engines!

To start optimizing your Shopify store, begin with keyword research. Keyword research involves identifying the words or phrases people use when searching for products similar to yours. By including these keywords in your product descriptions and other content on your site, you can improve the chances of appearing in relevant search results.

Once you have identified a list of relevant keywords, incorporate them into:

Product titles
Meta descriptions
Image alt tags
URLs

Once you’ve identified relevant keywords for each product page on your website, it’s time to optimize those pages (you can even optimize your collection pages on Shopify — read our guide for optimizing collections).

Here are some tips:

Write descriptive titles: Use descriptive titles that include target keywords so shoppers know exactly what they’re looking at.
Create unique product descriptions: Avoid using manufacturer-provided copy and instead write unique product descriptions optimized with target keywords.
Optimize images: Use descriptive file names containing target keyphrases along with an ALT tag description which includes targeted long-tail variations of primary keyphrases.
Improve page load speeds: A fast-loading website means a better user experience, which will keep users engaged and result in higher conversion rates.
Make it mobile-friendly: More than half of all internet traffic comes from mobile devices! If someone visits your site on their phone only to find products that aren’t loading properly, they’ll likely leave quickly without making any purchases.

2. Create Blog Content

One effective way to drive organic traffic to your Shopify store is by creating blog content such as product guides, how-to articles, or videos. By providing quality advice for customers through your blog content, you can build a good reputation and rank higher in Google search results.

You could also incorporate quizzes into your blog posts relevant to the products or services offered at your shop. For instance, if you sell skincare products, create a quiz that helps customers identify their skin type based on personality test questions and recommend suitable products accordingly.

When it comes to content creation, video is king. According to a survey conducted by Wyzowl, 96% of marketing professionals worldwide named video as an “important part” of their strategy. Furthermore, 89% of consumers say watching a video has convinced them to buy a product or service.

people convinced to buy product/service by watching video

Source: Wyzowl

Not only does video increase conversions, but it also keeps potential customers engaged on your website for longer periods. In fact, people will spend 88% more time on a website with video content than one without it.

3. Get on Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for driving traffic to your Shopify store. With billions of active users on various social media platforms, you have the opportunity to reach a large audience and attract potential customers.

To capture the attention of your target audience on social media, it’s essential to create engaging content that resonates with them. Post product pictures regularly with concise and direct captions. Use related keywords in your posts that will help improve their search engine rankings.

You can also attach website links to all uploads so interested viewers can easily access your online store. This way, they can learn more about what you offer and potentially make purchases from you.

One key aspect of successfully boosting website traffic via social media is being active on the platform(s) where your target audience spends most of their time. Engage with your followers by answering questions and responding quickly when they send messages or comments. If there are delays in responding, visitors may move ahead without waiting for an answer which could result in losing out on potential customers who might be interested in what you offer.

Incorporating influencer marketing campaigns into your social media efforts is another way to drive traffic to your Shopify store and increase sales. Influencers are individuals who have a significant following on social media and their endorsements can be powerful in persuading potential customers to purchase products.

Organizing contests or giveaways on social media is also an effective strategy for increasing engagement levels while also creating brand awareness. Running promotional campaigns such as discount sales during holidays helps keep people engaged with your brand, which could lead to higher conversion rates.

4. Market to Your Email List

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to drive traffic to your Shopify store, email marketing is a tried-and-tested method. By sending regular emails to your customers, you can keep them informed about new products, exclusive deals, and promotions.

One of the biggest benefits of email marketing is that it allows you to communicate with your customers directly. Unlike social media or search engine optimization (SEO), where algorithms determine who sees your content, email gives you complete control over who receives your message.

In addition to being highly targeted, email marketing also offers an impressive return on investment (ROI). According to a study by Campaign Monitor, every dollar spent on email generates an average ROI of $44. That’s because emails have high open rates and click-through rates compared to other digital channels like display advertising.

5. Purchase Ad Space

Paid advertising through Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or Instagram Ads allows you to get immediate visibility and attract potential customers who may not have found your store otherwise.

One such option is running a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign on Google Ads. With PPC, you set a maximum bid for each click on your ad and only pay when someone clicks on it. This means that if nobody clicks on the ad, then there’s no cost involved.

A well-targeted and well-written PPC campaign can immediately bring traffic to your Shopify store. However, keep in mind that the amount you pay per visitor is determined by both competition from other advertisers and the platform itself -even though you control how much money overall goes into the campaign.

Social media platforms are also great places to advertise because they offer highly targeted audiences based on demographics such as age range or interests. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are some of the most popular social networks used for paid advertising today.

To create successful ads on these platforms, focus on creating visually appealing content with persuasive copywriting that appeals directly to potential customers’ needs or desires. Be creative! Successful advertising campaigns need that extra appeal factor to capture shoppers’ attention amidst all of their online distractions.

Here are some helpful tips:

Conduct different tests across multiple channels before committing resources to determine which platform works best for you.
Select relevant keywords carefully so as not to waste your budget targeting people who aren’t interested in your products.
Target your ads to specific audiences based on demographics or interests.
Retarget previous site visitors with customized messages that remind them of what they liked about your store.

6. Partner With Like-Minded Stores

If you’re struggling to attract new customers to your Shopify store, it may be time to consider partnering with other like-minded stores. Collaborating with other businesses can help you reach new audiences that might not have found you otherwise.

The first step in finding a partner is identifying similar brands that share your values and target audience. Look for businesses that offer complementary products or services, but aren’t direct competitors.

Once you’ve identified a few potential partners, reach out and suggest collaborating on a joint marketing campaign. Together, you can run a contest, guest post on each other’s blogs, run email campaigns, or tag each other on social media shoutouts.

A successful partnership has several benefits beyond just increased traffic numbers. It helps expand your reach and attract new customers, increase brand awareness through cross-promotion, and build a loyal customer base by offering rewards or discounts for customers of your partnered store.

7. Drive More Sales from Multi-Channel Selling

If you’re looking for ways to increase traffic to your Shopify store, multi-channel selling is an effective strategy that can help you reach a wider audience and drive more sales. By expanding your presence across multiple sales channels such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, you can attract new customers who may not have found your store otherwise.

One of the main advantages of multi-channel selling is that it allows you to tap into existing marketplaces with large numbers of visitors. For example, Amazon has over 300 million active users worldwide while Etsy has over 81 million buyers. By listing your products on these platforms in addition to your own Shopify store, you can leverage their traffic and potentially gain access to a larger customer base.

In addition to increasing visibility and attracting new customers, multi-channel selling also helps diversify revenue streams. If one channel experiences a dip in sales or traffic due to algorithm changes or other factors beyond your control, having other channels available ensures that there are still opportunities for growth and income.

Tips for successful multi-channel selling:

Familiarize yourself with each platform: Before listing your products on any marketplace platform, research its policies regarding fees (both upfront and commission-based), shipping requirements, and expectations from sellers.
Synchronize inventory management: Ensure all stock levels remain consistent across all channels to avoid creating confusion when buyers see different information about product availability.
Create unique listings: Tailor each listing according to the specific requirements and guidelines of each marketplace without compromising brand identity, which will help improve SEO rankings.
Maintain excellent customer service standards: It’s important to respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries, reviews, or complaints across all channels. This helps build trust and loyalty among customers, which is crucial for any e-commerce business.

Screenshot from Neil Patel

8. Master Your Customer Referral Program

A customer referral program is a powerful marketing tool that can help you attract new customers to your Shopify store. It involves direct word-of-mouth marketing where people share their positive experiences with your products with family and friends, generating new leads that are highly likely to convert.

A well-executed referral program not only drives traffic but also increases sales and develops a loyal customer base.

Here are a few tips on how to master your customer referral program:

Incentivize referrals: Offer rewards or discounts for both the referrer and the referred person when they make a purchase on your site.
Promote it: Make sure customers know about your referral program by promoting it through email campaigns, social media posts, or pop-ups on your website.
Simplify the process: Make it easy for customers to refer others by providing clear instructions and simple forms or links.

A successful customer referral program requires continuous improvement. Analyze the results of your referral program using tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working and what needs tweaking. Consider testing different incentives or promotional strategies to find out which ones resonate best with your target audience.

9. Promote Local

E-commerce businesses tend to focus on online marketing strategies while taking local marketing for granted.

There are several reasons why you should consider incorporating local marketing into your overall strategy:

Increase brand awareness: By promoting your business locally, you can increase visibility among potential customers who may not have heard of your brand before.
Create a loyal customer base: Building relationships with customers in the community can lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
Drive organic traffic: When people see your products at a local market or receive a flyer in their mailbox, they may visit your website without being prompted by an ad or social media post.

If you’re interested in promoting your Shopify products in your local community, here are some ideas to get started:

Showcase Your Products at Local Markets or Events

If there’s a popular farmers’ market or craft fair in your area that attracts large crowds, consider setting up a booth to showcase some of the items from your Shopify store. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to new customers and generate interest in what you have to offer. Make sure you bring plenty of business cards or flyers so people know where they can find more information about purchasing from you online!

Distribute Flyers Locally

You could distribute flyers door-to-door around the neighborhood offering discounts if they purchase from them. It will attract more sales because it’s localized which will make the customers feel more connected to the business.

Partner with Local Influencers

Identify influencers in your area who have a following that aligns with your target audience. You could offer them free products or a commission for any sales generated through their unique affiliate link. This can be an effective way to reach new customers and build credibility within the community.

Local marketing doesn’t have to replace your current online efforts — it should complement them. By incorporating some of these tactics, you can expand your reach beyond just digital channels and connect with potential customers in real life!

Conclusion

Driving traffic to your Shopify store can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and techniques in place, it’s definitely achievable. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to increasing traffic on your website. It’s important to experiment with different methods and find what works best for you.

A key factor in driving traffic to your Shopify store is consistency. This means consistently producing high-quality content, regularly engaging with potential customers through social media platforms, and constantly optimizing your site for search engines.

By using a combination of tools and techniques, you can effectively drive traffic to your Shopify store and increase sales. Remember that it takes time and effort to see results, but with patience and persistence, you’ll be able to build a loyal customer base over time.

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