Shopify App Benefits for Beginners: Why Your Store Needs One

By Gaurav Parvadiya | Last Updated On July 11th, 2025

More than 70% of all e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices today (Statista, 2024). If your Shopify store isn’t optimized for mobile-first behavior, you’re already behind.

But here’s the catch: mobile web alone doesn’t cut it anymore. Shoppers expect lightning-fast load times, frictionless checkouts, and a personalized experience that feels like it was built just for them. And that’s exactly where a Shopify store app shines.

You might be a beginner, just dipping your toes into Shopify. The idea to convert a Shopify store to an app might feel like a mammoth task to achieve. You might assume that it is something only big brands do. But the reality is shifting, fast. Thanks to no-code tools and ready-to-integrate platforms, apps are now accessible, affordable, and easy to manage – even if you’re a one-person team.

This blog is your guide to why mobile apps matter, why use the Shopify mobile app, how they work with Shopify, and how you – a beginner – can use them to compete smarter and grow faster. Here’s the beginner’s guide to Shopify apps.

What Is a Shopify App? (Beginner-Friendly Definition)

Before starting with the Shopify app benefits for beginners, let’s first discuss the Shopify app itself. 

There are two types of Shopify apps you’ll hear about. 

  1. The first Shopify store app is nothing but a plugin app. These are tools you install inside your Shopify dashboard to do things like email marketing, reviews, SEO, and analytics. Think of them like browser extensions for your store.

  2. Then, there are Shopify mobile apps  the kind your customers install on their phones. These are branded versions of your store that live in the App Store or Google Play. They offer a much smoother, app-native shopping experience and help you build loyalty, speed, and conversion.

A mobile app isn’t just a smaller version of your website. This beginner’s guide to Shopify apps will expose a lot more things about it. It’s a retention channel. It’s a sales engine. The Shopify store app is a space you fully control, unlike Instagram or email inboxes, where algorithms or spam filters decide who sees your offer.

And now, with platforms like Twinr, you can convert your Shopify store into a fully functional mobile app without writing a single line of code.

Let’s proceed further, starting with the Shopify app benefits for beginners

Top 7 Benefits of Having a Shopify Mobile App for Beginners

1. Faster Checkout Experience

The fewer clicks, the more conversions. That’s the rule.

Shopify mobile apps streamline checkout by storing login and payment details natively. Customers don’t need to re-enter info every time, they just tap and go.

This one-tap checkout experience removes friction, especially on mobile, where typing is cumbersome. Research shows that reducing checkout steps can boost conversions by up to 35% (Baymard Institute, 2023).

Unlike mobile web, apps don’t rely on browser sessions. Everything is faster, smoother, and more secure. It gives a clear view of the question, “Why use the Shopify mobile app?”

2. Higher Customer Retention

Here’s the truth: Acquiring customers is expensive. Keeping them is where profits come from.

Mobile apps naturally encourage repeat visits. Users see your Shopify store app icon daily. You’re always just one tap away – no email, no browser, no distraction.

According to AppsFlyer, app users are twice as likely to return compared to mobile web visitors. And brands with retention strategies baked into their apps, like loyalty rewards or reminders, see up to 3x higher customer lifetime value.

3. Personalized Push Notifications

Push notifications aren’t just reminders, they’re powerful sales triggers.

Unlike email (which has an average open rate of ~20%), push notifications can see open rates as high as 60–70% (Airship, 2023). They’re real-time, direct, and behavior-driven.

Want to recover abandoned carts? Launch a flash sale? Offer restock alerts? Push does it instantly, and apps let you segment by behavior, geography, or order history for even smarter outreach.

Push is your owned channel. You don’t pay per click. You don’t compete with 100 other brands in an inbox. You go straight to the screen.

4. App-Only Promotions & Discounts

Mobile apps let you run exclusive offers, and that creates a sense of urgency.

“Unlock 15% off in the app only.” “Free gift with app orders.” These aren’t just gimmicks. They drive more installs, higher engagement, and larger carts.

App-only deals work particularly well during launches, holiday campaigns, and loyalty unlocks. Plus, you can automate them using no-code platforms, triggering offers based on cart size, customer tier, or order history.

5. Offline Accessibility and Branding

Here’s something mobile web can’t do: keep your brand visible, even offline.

A mobile app puts your logo on your customer’s home screen. That builds familiarity and subconscious recall. You’re not competing in a browser tab,  you’re now part of their phone. That’s one of the major Shopify app benefits for beginners.

Apps also store some data offline, allowing users to browse collections or saved items even without the internet,  a small but powerful feature in many regions.

6. Improved Customer Loyalty (via app-based rewards)

A well-executed loyalty program can increase repeat purchases by up to 25% (Smile.io, 2023).

With a Shopify mobile app, you can bring loyalty into the core experience. Show users how close they are to their next reward. Let them earn points, unlock tiers, and redeem perks – all visually, without digging through emails or links.

When customers feel rewarded in real-time, they spend more. And they return.

7. Increased Average Order Value (AOV)

Apps are better at product discovery.

You can use in-app banners, modals, and “frequently bought together” tools to nudge users into bundles, upsells, or unlocks. A customer who came for one item might leave with three, and not feel pushed.

A study from Tapcart showed that merchants using mobile apps saw up to 30% higher AOV compared to mobile web.

Apps also enable better merchandising, like swiping through lookbooks, creating build-your-own kits, and showing smart recommendations based on browsing.

Read More: Shopify Store App Features Customers Expect in 2025

What Real Brands Are Seeing (With Beginner Examples)

You don’t need to be a multi-million-dollar brand to benefit from a Shopify app. In fact, small and mid-sized businesses often see the biggest improvements because they move faster, experiment more, and are closer to their customers.

Take Kind Karma Co., a small Canadian jewelry brand. After launching their mobile app, they saw a 28% increase in repeat purchases within the first 60 days. Their founder mentioned that being on a user’s home screen created daily visibility, something email or Instagram couldn’t do consistently.

Another example is Dollskill, which used app-only drops and push notifications to drive hype around new arrivals. Their mobile app users had a 50% higher conversion rate compared to mobile web users. (Source: Tapcart Benchmarks)

Even local businesses benefit. A boutique pet supply store in Texas used its app to send reorder reminders for pet food. That simple change led to a 22% increase in customer lifetime value (CLTV) over three months.

The takeaway? Apps aren’t just for the “big guys.” They’re tools that level the playing field, and make your store look polished, personal, and professional.

Common Myths Beginners Have About Shopify Apps

A lot of first-time founders and small store owners hesitate to launch a Shopify store app because of misconceptions. Let’s break down a few:

1- It’s too expensive

Not anymore. With no-code platforms like Twinr, you can build and launch your Shopify app in days. You can easily convert a Shopify store to an app for a fraction of the cost of hiring a developer. It’s now a marketing investment, not a tech expense.

2- I need a developer or technical team

Wrong. Modern tools have removed that barrier. You don’t need to know a single line of code. Just connect your store, choose your layout, and drag-and-drop your features. It’s as easy as editing a Canva template. You’ll also be provided with a beginner’s guide to Shopify apps, which makes your task easier. 

3- My store is too small to need an app

If you have customers who shop more than once, run regular offers, or care about repeat business, you’re ready. Apps aren’t just about scale; they’re about retention. And retention is how small stores grow.

4- I already have a responsive mobile site

That’s great, but not the same. A mobile site still relies on browsers and often lacks personalization, speed, and push notifications. An app lives on your customer’s home screen and creates an entirely owned channel. So, leverage the Shopify app benefits for beginners today and get going!

Read More: Signs You Need A Mobile App For Your Shopify Store

How to Create a Shopify App Without Any Tech Skills

Building a Shopify app sounds intimidating, until you realize how no-code tools flip the script. With platforms like Twinr, creating an app is as beginner-friendly as starting your Shopify store.

Start by connecting your Shopify store to Twinr. The platform automatically pulls in your products, categories, and design elements. From there, you use a visual editor to customize your app’s look and feel. Don’t worry! There is no code, no complicated menus.

Want to add app-only discounts? Just toggle the feature. Need push notifications for restocks or drops? Schedule them from a clean dashboard. Loyalty perks? Built-in.

Twinr syncs your inventory, pricing, and order data in real time, so you’re never managing two systems. Your app becomes a natural extension of your store, but with better performance and engagement.

The best part? You can publish your app to the App Store and Google Play within days. You don’t need a developer, a tech cofounder, or weeks of learning curves. Just a store, an idea, and the willingness to grow.

Beginner Checklist: Am I Ready for a Shopify App?

Still wondering why use Shopify mobile app? Run through this quick list, if you say “yes” to at least three, you’re ready to explore mobile.

1-  Do I get most of my traffic from mobile?
If 70%+ of your visitors come from phones (which is common), then an app will give them a faster, smoother buying experience.

2- Do I run time-sensitive offers or product drops?
Apps are perfect for flash sales, early access, and seasonal launches — especially when paired with push notifications.

3- Do I want higher retention and better LTV?
An app creates a direct relationship with your customer. It helps you stay top-of-mind and builds longer-term loyalty. That’s one of the best Shopify app benefits for beginners.

4- Is repeat business important for me?
If you sell products people buy monthly (e.g., skincare, food, accessories), apps can automate reorders and increase frequency.

5- Am I looking to stand out from competitors?
Having your own app boosts your brand’s credibility. It tells customers you’re serious, professional, and easy to buy from.

If these sound like your goals, it’s time to seriously consider taking the next step.

Final Thought: Apps Aren’t Just for Big Brands Anymore

The mobile revolution didn’t stop at mobile websites. In 2025, owning an app is like having your own digital storefront. It’s always open, always visible, always ready to convert. And that is the answer to “why use Shopify mobile app?”

For beginners, the idea of launching a mobile app might feel like a leap. But the tools today are designed specifically for you – the small store, the solopreneur, the brand in growth mode. Moreover, you’ll have the beginner’s guide to Shopify apps with you. 

Apps aren’t about flashy tech. They’re about connection. The ability to build stronger relationships with your best customers. To give them a place that feels like your brand, not just another tab in a crowded browser.

You don’t need thousands of dollars, a dev team, or months of planning. You just need the willingness to start.

And when you do, you’ll realize: your app isn’t a luxury – it’s your growth engine.

Gaurav Parvadiya

Gaurav is the founder and CEO of Twinr, a tech entrepreneur with a decade of experience and a passion for SaaS. With a Master's degree in Computer Science, he specializes in no-code development, driving innovation in the mobile app industry. When he's not busy growing the company, you'll find him writing about tech, growth, software development, e-commerce, and occasionally sneaking in a game of badminton.