I started my clothing brand at 15, and one year later, I’ve crossed over $300,000 in sales while still in high school. People always ask me how I scaled so fast, and honestly? The right Shopify apps made a huge difference.
I’m not talking about random apps that look good on paper. These are the exact seven apps I use daily that helped generate over $150,000 in additional revenue. Let me break down each one and show you exactly how they work.
Key Apps That Drive Real Results
Here are the game-changing apps that transformed my business:
- Frequently Bought Together - Increases average order value through strategic product bundling
- Notify Back in Stock - Captures lost sales when items are out of stock
- Essential Shipping Bar - Motivates customers to reach free shipping thresholds
- Insta Feed - Showcases your Instagram directly on your website
- Postscript SMS Marketing - Drives massive sales through text campaigns
- ParcelPanel Order Tracking - Provides professional order tracking for customers
- Sales and Stock Counter - Creates urgency that converts browsers into buyers
The Apps That Actually Move the Needle
Frequently Bought Together
This widget appears at the bottom of your product pages, and it’s a conversion machine. Here’s how it works: when someone wants to buy one hoodie for $58, they scroll down and see a bundle offer - that same hoodie plus a $25 beanie for only $20 (discounted from $25).
Instead of one $58 sale, you’re getting $78. The app makes it super easy too - customers can select sizes and add everything to the cart from one widget.
(I wish more brands used this because everyone loves a good discount, and it’s way easier than buying items separately)
Notify Back in Stock
If you keep your website open 24/7 like I do, this app is essential. When customers find an item they want but it’s sold out, instead of just leaving disappointed, they can click “notify when back in stock.”
I made $80,000 in August alone by keeping my site open continuously. Think about it - without this app, every out-of-stock visitor is a lost customer. With it, they’re added to a targeted list of people who already want to buy.
Essential Shipping Bar
This creates a progress bar showing how close customers are to free shipping. On my site, free shipping kicks in at $80. So when someone adds a $58 hoodie to the cart, they see “You’re only $22 away from free shipping!”
Check this out - instead of buying one hoodie for $58 plus shipping costs, customers often add another item to hit that $80 threshold. My average order value jumped significantly after implementing this.
| Order Type | Before App | After App | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Item | $58 + shipping | $80 (free shipping) | +$22 revenue |
| Customer Satisfaction | Lower (paying shipping) | Higher (free shipping) | Win-win |
Insta Feed
This displays your Instagram posts directly on your website. I learned how important this is when a friend told me he bought from a clothing brand, but never knew they had an Instagram. When their items sold out, he had no way to know about restocks because their social media wasn’t visible anywhere.
The app creates a clean feed at the bottom of your site where customers can see your latest posts, behind-the-scenes content, and styling inspiration. More people discover your Instagram, follow you, and stay connected to your brand.
Postscript SMS Marketing
This is the big one. I’ve made over six figures just from text message marketing. Think about those texts you get from clothing brands saying “We just dropped!” - that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Here’s my strategy: I get people to sign up for SMS through pop-ups offering 10% off or early access to drops. Then, when I launch new products, I text my list first.
For my last beanie drop, my SMS list generated over $22,000 in the first hour before the website was even open to the public. I gave SMS subscribers the password to shop one hour early, and they went crazy.
SMS vs Email Performance:
- SMS consistently outperforms email marketing
- Higher open rates and immediate action
- Direct line to customers’ phones
- Essential for drop-based brands
ParcelPanel Order Tracking
This adds a professional order tracking system to your website. Customers can enter their order number or email to see exactly where their package is.
Beyond looking professional, this saves you tons of time. Instead of answering “Where’s my order?” emails all day, customers can check themselves. I added a “Track Order” link in my footer, and customer service emails dropped significantly.
Sales and Stock Counter
This creates urgency by showing limited stock numbers on product pages. When someone is looking at a beanie and sees “Only 6 left in stock,” it pushes them to buy immediately instead of waiting.
The psychology is simple - nobody wants to miss out on something they want. Whether it shows real stock numbers or creates urgency through lower numbers, it definitely increases conversions.
The Real Impact of These Apps
I’m not exaggerating when I say these apps helped generate over $150,000 in additional revenue. Here’s the breakdown:
- Postscript SMS: Over $100,000 directly attributed to text campaigns
- Frequently Bought Together: Increased AOV by roughly 30%
- Essential Shipping Bar: Converted single purchases into multi-item orders
- Other apps: Improved conversion rates and customer experience
Smart Implementation Tips
Start with the essentials: If you’re just getting started, prioritize SMS marketing and the shipping bar. These give you the biggest immediate impact.
Don’t overload: Install apps gradually and test their impact. Too many apps can slow down your site.
Customize everything: These apps work best when they match your brand’s look and feel. Spend time on the setup.
Track your results: Monitor how each app affects your conversion rates and average order value.
Getting Started
Most of these apps offer free trials, and some have free tiers. The paid ones typically cost $10-30 per month, but they pay for themselves quickly through increased sales.
If you’re running a clothing brand without SMS marketing, you’re literally leaving money on the table. Start there, then add the others based on your specific needs.
Remember - I went from zero to over $300,000 in sales using these exact tools. They’re not magic, but they definitely work when you implement them properly.
FAQ
Which app had the biggest impact on your sales?
Postscript SMS marketing by far. I’ve generated over six figures just from text campaigns alone. It’s the most direct way to reach customers who are already interested in your products.
Do I need all these apps if I’m just starting out?
No, start with SMS marketing and the shipping bar. These give you the biggest bang for your buck. Add others as your business grows and you identify specific needs.
How much do these apps cost monthly?
Most range from free to $30 per month. Postscript can get more expensive as your SMS list grows, but it pays for itself through the sales it generates.
Will these apps slow down my website?
Not significantly if you choose quality apps and don’t overload your site. I use all seven, and my site speed is still good. Focus on mobile optimization since most customers shop on their phones.
How long before I see results from these apps?
SMS marketing and the shipping bar showed results within days. Others, like the Instagram feed and stock counter, provide gradual improvements over time. The key is proper setup and giving them time to work.