How to choose shopify backup app?
Shopify Apps, add-on programs that extend Shopify sites’ capabilities are some of the keys to achieving a successful Shopify store.
Shopify apps allow store owners to alter their websites significantly, allowing them to run their business in a different way and interact with purchasers in a variety of ways.
However, Shopify apps are really simple to install and remove. There is a little financial risk because many applications provide free trials.
The extra code that the majority of Shopify apps add to the site’s theme is where the true danger lies.
It might be as simple as a single line of code to significant modifications to a theme. Even if the App is uninstalled, fragments of code may linger in the theme, posing potential landmines.
Humanitarian Bakery, a well-known bakery business, installed a shopify app that displayed a pop-up alert when customers placed a hot beverage order after hours.
They discovered that they couldn’t set up the pop-up, so they uninstalled it.
They arrived the next morning, and there were no online sales after being used to hundreds of early morning orders.
It took a day to figure out what was wrong. It turns out that the removed program left a submit function linked to the “Add To Cart” button, which affected another app.
Two significant lessons were learned for a fraction of the cost of a day of online sales:
1) have a Shopify backup app like Goshuu Backup App in place to get your store back up and running, and 2) Before you install an app, make sure to thoroughly evaluate it.
It’s all too easy to be lured by a quick and inexpensive remedy.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider When Choosing a Shopify Backup App
The good news is that all of the information you’ll need to make wise app selections can be discovered in the Shopify App Store.
The app’s cost, app description, reviews, and support documentation are all clues as to what you can expect from it.
- App Pricing
- Product Description
- App Reviews
- Support From the App Developer
App Pricing
The majority of Shopify businesses have modest budgets to work with.
This frequently causes people to think, “what can I get for free?” rather than “how much do I have?”Don’t get me wrong, there are great free backup apps out there.
However, the most important thing to consider when selecting an app is “does it solve my problem while also reducing additional work?” Be forthright with yourself.
How much are you prepared to pay for improved productivity, enhanced usability, superior reporting, or whatever else you want to achieve.
Setting a budget ahead of time increases the number of Shopify apps that you can choose from.
If an app that is free serves your needs as well as one that costs money, fantastic! In the long term, choosing an app just because it’s free might end up costing you more money and time.
Take, for example, one of my friends who manages a non-profit organization that uses a free forms app. It’s a great app, but the data it provides is useless.
Every month, they have to input the data into various systems.This is the first thing that gets put on hold when they are running low on personnel.
As a result, their client database is outdated, their marketing is less effective, and sales are lost.
Every Shopify store owner has to learn how to resist the allure of a free app at some point.
Product Description
First and foremost, it’s vital to recognize that the Shopify app store’s product description, video, and screenshots are primarily marketing tools.
They’re intended to pique your interest in their goods and are merely pieces of the puzzle. Remember, you’re not looking for a fantastic marketer; rather, you’re looking for someone who can code better.
For example, a customer installed a filtering app that claimed to support metafields.
They tried to use all of their custom data, but were unable to do so because they didn’t know how to utilize their metafields option.
They contacted the app developer and discovered that metafield integration was an additional $150 charge. This application was overpromised and underdelivered.
However, a sticky button app they obtained had far more capabilities than it claimed.
They were able to replace three other apps with it, saving them time and money. This app is underpromised and overdelivers.
So, if the description isn’t sufficient to adequately portray the software, how do we figure out what’s lacking? Customer reviews are crucial. They provide extra information and context that can help you make better decisions for your business.
App Reviews
If you know how to read product reviews, they provide the most hints. The more evaluations there are, the more clues they reveal.
Of course, consumer reviews are marketing instrument as well, but the consumer has a role in the message.
Sure, an app with a strong support team will actively request reviews, but this suggests they’re sure they’ll receive positive feedback. It’s a motivator for everyone to do their best.
1 and 2-star reviews
Read reviews with a caution, but don’t devote too much time to figuring out why the one-star review was issued in the first place.
These are usually a mix of genuine worries and straightforward retaliation. The curtain-cladding is illuminating and entertaining, but it’s not always informative.
Instead, consider how the developer has responded. This is the most obvious indication of how you will be treated by this developer if you have a problem.
Is there any reaction? Are they defensive? Do they apologize and explain how they addressed the problem?
Read the actual review and developer comments carefully for two-star reviews.
A two-star reviewer is someone who has a genuine issue, but also has the cognitive ability to recognize the good and bad aspects of something.
Search for common patterns that run throughout many complaints, such as a function not working, and then I look to see how long the complaint persists after it is fixed. Time is the key here.
We all grow and progress as enterprises and people over time. I am hoping that the app developer will take advantage of the review comments to enhance the app and the service.
This tells me the developer is a long-term Shopify app store player rather than someone who posts unpatched apps for a quick profit.
3-star reviews
Honestly, let’s only skim three-star reviews. Three-star reviews are frequently brief yet to the point.
The shop owner liked the app, but it didn’t cater to their specific needs.
Three-star reviews are most beneficial to application developers who can use the data to enhance their app store descriptions in order to better align customer expectations.
4 and 5-star reviews
You shouldn’t be concerned about customer service by the time you read four and five-star reviews.
When it comes to customer support, most people who give a four or five-star review are satisfied enough with the service to submit one in the first place.
However, if you’re looking for elements that aren’t mentioned in the app description, this is where you can discover them.
When I’m looking for a new app, I generally have a specific issue in mind.
Since the app’s description can’t address all potential uses, four and five-star reviews are a good source for discovering people who use it in the manner I want to.
Furthermore, it’s going to take time for you to feel that difference. You want new and improved features to emerge gradually.
This implies the software will develop with you, paying for itself many times over in terms of time and money.
Support From the App Developer
After reading consumer opinions, go to the support section right away. This section contains the developer’s FAQ, website, phone number, privacy policy, email address, and support link.
However, Shopify only requests that you accept the Shopify Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. If there is a comprehensive FAQ, it might be the ticket to understanding an app.
This course shows you the ins and outs of app development without advertising. It exposes unadvertised features, the intricacy of resolving an app problem, and provides assurance that you can handle many issues on your own.
Some developers post support information on their website instead of an FAQ. The developer’s website usually provides a hint as to who the developer is.
Are they a one-man company who operates out of their basement? Is it a large firm with a variety of services? Why did Shopify’s developers create apps? Of course, a flashy website is easily ignored.
If a developer is prepared to invest time and money in their site and brand, they are likely to put the same amount of effort into their applications.
So, back to the basement developer. Don’t be scared of little developers if you’ve done your homework and thoroughly reviewed their product.
Some of my favorite Shopify applications were brand-new when I started using them. It provided me the chance to collaborate on new features and usability enhancements.
As a result, these applications are nearly perfect for our clients. The long-term benefit is worth it if you find a committed developer and are willing to be patient as they build their app up.
You’ve gone through the description, reviews, and support documents for this program, and you’re sure it’s right for you. What now?
Installing the Backup App and Getting the Most from It
Installing an app, as I previously said, is almost too simple. It’s critical to know what happens after you’ve chosen the “Add App” option.
When you install the App, you must allow it to access your website.
Even if you don’t want to do anything at first, it’s still worth reading all of these. I’m sure this is why most people just hit the install button and keep going. In most situations, you give the program access to your orders, theme files, product data, and other elements of your business.
Before you continue, it’s a good idea to make a backup of your Shopify files. Backups like Goshu Backup App allow you to turn back the clock and roll back your site to a point before you installed an undesirable app.
Apps often request access to sensitive customer data, such as payment data and transaction history.
These records contain information that you promised to keep private. Furthermore, apps frequently ask for access to client records, which is something you promise to protect.
While all Shopify applications have a privacy policy posted, the majority of them are based on a template provided by Shopify.
You should already have faith in the developer because of your research by this time. If you don’t, take a step back and ask yourself why not.
If you choose a monthly subscription, for example, you will pick a payment plan that will become active after the free trial expires. This information is crucial.
Variable rates are determined by a variety of criteria, including the number of consumers, orders, and even their own system of credits.
Before you continue, understand the costs you’re agreeing to so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises later on.
What’s Next
Is your program now operational, or is it still pending? Some applications need developer intervention. Hopefully, you aren’t shocked by this news.
This should have been caught during your app evaluation. If it wasn’t, remember to mention when reviewing the software later that the program requires manual installation.
The app helps other store owners. There’s nothing more frustrating than attempting to address a pressing issue only to be delayed while the application is downloaded.
Now that your program is up and running, you may begin exploring it. You’ve done your homework and have joined the clan.
Even after performing all of this effort, an app may not meet your needs. It’s time to get rid of the application.
When it’s time to get rid of an app, go over the app’s documentation first. The most effective Shopify apps will offer a thorough, step-by-step tutorial on how to uninstall the program.
Remove the numerous lines of code we spoke about before. If you can’t find an uninstall tutorial, contact the developer and inquire.
This is another chance to figure out why the app isn’t working for you.
However, if you remove the app, be sure to state your reasons in the pop-up comments box.
Conclusion
Shopify’s App Store Bug Bounty program provides a competitive advantage for developers by helping them understand and improve their apps. As a result, the entire Shopify community benefits from a stronger app.
Finally, leave reviews for all of the applications you use, as well as any that need to be updated, and make sure you update any bad reviews. Don’t be hesitant about word count. Fill out the form below with all of your thoughts about the app.
Share what you enjoy and dislike about it, as well as any features you utilize and interactions with the developer. You help to make the Shopify App Store and community better by participating in the process.
In case something goes wrong while installing new applications, it’s always a good idea to have a solid backup strategy in place.
Goshu Backup & Restore for Shopify automatically backs up your store’s data and allows you to restore anything from a single product to your entire theme.
