tools + resources
Our recommendations of software, apps, books, and podcasts to grow your online store.
When it comes to ecommerce, choosing the right tools for your store is essential. From apps that enhance your Shopify site’s functionality to marketing solutions that increase your brand’s reach, there are numerous options available.
These resources are critical for attracting customers and scaling your business, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming.
To help you out, we’ve curated a list of Shopify apps, ecommerce tools, and informative books and podcasts tailored for success. Whether you’re improving your management skills or keeping up with the latest trends, these recommendations will guide you in building a thriving online store.
Tax Software
Avalara® Tax Compliance
Avalara® Tax Compliance automates sales tax management, ensuring businesses remain compliant with constantly evolving tax regulations. It simplifies tax calculations, filing, and reporting, allowing merchants to focus on growing their business with confidence.
Form Builder
Jotform: Free Online Form Builder & Form Creator
Jotform: Free Online Form Builder & Form Creator simplifies the creation of customizable forms for various purposes, including order forms, surveys, and contact forms. It enables businesses to gather valuable data, streamline customer interactions, and enhance their online presence with ease.
Loyalty Programs
Loloyal
Loloyal streamlines loyalty program management and enhances customer engagement. It empowers businesses to create personalized loyalty programs, reward customers for their purchases and interactions, and drive repeat sales through targeted incentives and rewards.
Loyalty Programs
Joy Rewards & Loyalty
Joy Rewards & Loyalty helps businesses build and nurture customer loyalty through rewards programs. It enables merchants to create customizable loyalty programs, incentivize repeat purchases, and foster long-term customer relationships, ultimately driving sales and maximizing customer lifetime value.
Loyalty Programs
Smile.io
Smile simplifies loyalty program creation and management for businesses. It allows merchants to effortlessly reward customers for purchases, referrals, and other interactions, fostering strong brand loyalty and driving sustainable growth.
Shopify App
Accentuate Custom Fields
Accentuate Custom Fields allows sellers to effortlessly add custom fields to their product pages, cart, and checkout. With easy-to-use customization options and seamless integration with Shopify, it enables businesses to collect specific information from customers, tailor their shopping experience, and streamline checkout processes.
Shopify App
Lookbook ‑ Shoppable Galleries
Lookbook ‑ Shoppable Galleries allows merchants to create visually stunning galleries showcasing their products, which customers can shop directly from. It enhances the shopping experience by enabling users to discover and purchase items showcased in curated collections effortlessly.
Shopify App
Blocky: Fraud Country Blocker
Blocky: Fraud Country Blocker protects stores from fraudulent orders by blocking transactions from high-risk countries. It helps merchants mitigate the risk of chargebacks and fraud-related losses by automatically preventing purchases originating from specified regions.
Courses/Membership
Searchie
Searchie is an all-in-one platform that allows you to organize and sell your content. Most frequently used for courses and memberships, Searchie can also be used for private podcasting or to provide content to coaching clients.
Membership
AccessAlly
AccessAlly is a membership site software that helps businesses create efficient and customized online learning platforms. With AccessAlly, entrepreneurs can easily manage their courses, memberships, and affiliate programs all in one place.
Productivity
Notion
Notion is a productivity and organizational tool that allows individuals and teams to create, share, and manage their tasks, notes, projects, and databases all in one place. With its simple and intuitive interface, Notion aims to streamline the process of tracking information and collaborating with others.
Productivity
Basecamp
Basecamp is a web-based project management and collaboration tool that helps teams stay organized and on track. It offers features such as task lists, file sharing, messaging, and scheduling to keep all team members on the same page.
Productivity
Evernote
Evernote is a note-taking application that allows users to create, organize, and share notes using various devices.
Productivity
Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage and file sharing service developed by Google. It allows users to store files in the cloud, access them from any device with an internet connection, and collaborate on documents with others in real-time.
Productivity
Dropbox
Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software. It allows you to store your files in the cloud and access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Application
LastPass
LastPass is a popular password manager that securely stores all of your passwords in one place. With LastPass, you can easily generate unique, strong passwords for each of your online accounts without having to remember them all.
Communication
Slack
Slack is a cloud-based collaboration platform that brings together people, conversations, and tools in one centralized location. This allows teams to communicate efficiently and effectively, making it easier to get work done.
Hosting
SiteGround
SiteGround is a professional web hosting company that provides reliable and customizable solutions for businesses, bloggers, and developers alike.
Membership
Circle
Circle.so is a community platform that allows users to create their own online communities. It offers features such as custom domains, member management, and integration with popular apps like Slack and Zapier.
Refer a Friend
ReferralCandy
ReferralCandy automates and incentivizes customer referrals, driving word-of-mouth marketing and boosting sales. It empowers businesses to create and track referral campaigns, turning satisfied customers into brand advocates and maximizing their reach.
Refer a Friend
RecomSale Affiliate Marketing
RecomSale Affiliate Marketing was designed to supercharge sales through affiliate partnerships. It facilitates the creation, management, and tracking of affiliate marketing campaigns, empowering businesses to expand their reach and drive revenue growth through a network of affiliates.
Shopify App
Spec & Compare
Spec & Compare was designed to enhance the product browsing experience for customers by enabling easy specification comparison. It empowers shoppers to make informed purchasing decisions by effortlessly comparing product features and specifications side by side, ultimately boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
Shopify App
Comparable
Comparable simplifies the process of comparing products across various attributes, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions. It enhances the shopping experience by enabling side-by-side comparison of product specifications, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction and driving sales.
Shopify App
Compareder
Compareder facilitates seamless product comparison for shoppers, aiding them in making well-informed purchasing decisions. Compareder empowers users to conveniently compare product features and specifications side by side, enhancing the shopping experience and driving conversion rates.
Shopify App
Wholesale Hub
Wholesale Hub is tailored for businesses aiming to establish and manage wholesale operations seamlessly. It enables merchants to create exclusive wholesale pricing, streamline ordering processes, and cultivate strong B2B relationships, empowering growth in wholesale segments.
Shopify App
Attentive: SMS + MMS Marketing
Attentive: SMS + MMS Marketing was designed to enhance customer engagement through personalized text and multimedia messaging. It enables direct communication with customers on their mobile devices, driving sales and building stronger connections.
Shopify App
Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS
Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS empowers businesses to create highly targeted email and SMS marketing campaigns. It offers advanced automation, segmentation, and analytics tools to optimize customer communication and drive sales.
Shopify App
Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B
Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B is tailored for businesses looking to offer discounted pricing to wholesale customers. It streamlines the wholesale purchasing process by automatically applying tiered discounts based on customer groups, enhancing efficiency and boosting sales.
Shopify App
Instafeed ‑ Instagram Feed
Instafeed ‑ Instagram Feed effortlessly integrates business’ Instagram content into their stores, creating dynamic and engaging product galleries. With seamless synchronization, it allows merchants to showcase their latest Instagram posts directly on their website, enriching the shopping experience and driving customer engagement.
Shopify App
In Cart Upsell & Cross Sell
In Cart Upsell & Cross Sell empowers merchants to increase their average order value by offering targeted upsell and cross-sell recommendations directly within the shopping cart. It enables businesses to boost sales by suggesting complementary or higher-value products to customers at the crucial point of purchase.
Shopify App
Flexify: Facebook Product Feed
Flexify: Facebook Product Feed optimizes merchants’ Facebook advertising efforts by seamlessly syncing a store’s product catalog with Facebook. With effortless integration, it ensures that Facebook ads always display up-to-date product information, helping to reach the target audience with precision and drive more sales directly from the platform.
CRM
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is a customer relationship management (CRM) software that helps businesses manage their interactions and relationships with customers. It offers features such as email marketing, automation, sales tracking, and customer segmentation.
CRM
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a popular customer relationship management (CRM) software designed specifically for creators, bloggers, and online entrepreneurs. It helps users to manage their email marketing campaigns, build landing pages, and automate their customer communication process.
CRM
MailChimp
MailChimp is a web-based email marketing service that allows businesses to design, send, and track marketing emails. It offers a user-friendly interface, advanced analytics, and integration with other business tools to help companies reach their target audience effectively and efficiently.
Design
Canva
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create professional-quality designs without the need for extensive technical skills. It offers a variety of templates, graphics, and fonts to choose from, making it a popular choice for both individuals and businesses.
Communication
VideoAsk
VideoAsk is a powerful tool that allows businesses to create interactive video experiences with their audience. Through customizable videos, businesses can engage and gather valuable insights from their customers or clients in a more personal way.
CRM
FreshDesk
FreshDesk is a cloud-based customer support platform that helps businesses of all sizes provide excellent customer service. With features like multi-channel support, ticket prioritization, and automation tools, FreshDesk streamlines communication between customers and support teams.
Templates
Boss Contract Society™
Boss Contract Society™ provides done-for-you contract templates for you to use in your business.
Book
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
An instant classic, this revised and updated edition of the phenomenal bestseller dispels the myths about starting your own business. Small business consultant and author Michael E. Gerber, with sharp insight gained from years of experience, points out how common assumptions, expectations, and even technical expertise can get in the way of running a successful business.
Book
Building a StoryBrand 2.0: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
Since the original publication of Building a StoryBrand, over one million business leaders have discovered Donald Miller’s powerful StoryBrand framework, and their businesses are growing. Now, the classic resource for connecting with customers has been fully revised and updated, making it an even more powerful tool to prepare you to engage customers.
Book
Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business
This guide from New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller, is a must-have for any marketing professional or small business owner who wants grow their business. It will teach you how to create and implement a sales funnel that will increase traffic and drive sales.
Podcast
Marketing Made Simple
Every week on Marketing Made Simple, you’ll get practical tips to make your marketing easy and make it work!
Book
Delivering Happiness
Fast-paced and down-to-earth, Delivering Happiness shows how a different kind of corporate culture is a powerful model for achieving success, and concentrating on the happiness of those around you can dramatically increase your own.
Book
Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact
In this Wall Street Journal bestseller, the co-founder and CEO of Delivering Happiness shares an empowering framework for how organizations of every kind can cultivate a culture that can adapt to change, be highly profitable, and support all its people…by building happiness at every level.
Book
The Ultimate Question 2.0 (Revised and Expanded Edition): How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer-Driven World
In the first edition of this landmark book, business loyalty guru Fred Reichheld revealed the question most critical to your company’s future: Would you recommend us to a friend?” By asking customers this question, you identify detractors, who sully your firm’s reputation and readily switch to competitors, and promoters, who generate good profits and true, sustainable growth.
Book
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
The New York Times bestselling authors of Switch and Made to Stick explore why certain brief experiences can jolt us and elevate us and change us—and how we can learn to create such extraordinary moments in our life and work.
Book
10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less
Dan Sullivan, the world’s leading coach for highly successful entrepreneurs, wants you to know that achieving 10X growth is exponentially easier than striving for 2X growth. Most find this idea confusing at first because simply imagining 10X growth causes them to think they need to do 10X more work to achieve it. However, being a 10X entrepreneur is nothing like what most people think.
Book
The Effective Manager: Completely Revised and Updated
A management book written by managers for front-line managers, The Effective Manager, 2nd edition, is a concise, practical, and incisive take on what to do and say to get the best results possible from your co-located or remotely distributed team. The book’s concrete advice will improve your relationships with your team members, increase your chances of being promoted, and generate trust amongst those you lead.
Book
Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself
Mike Michalowicz, the author of Profit First and other small-business bestsellers, offers a straightforward step-by-step path out of this dilemma. In Clockwork, he draws on more than six years of research and real life examples to explain his simple approach to making your business ultra-efficient.
Podcast
Run Like Clockwork: Small Business Operations
The Run Like Clockwork podcast is a series of insightful + topical operations conversations based on the best-selling book, Clockwork, to help small business owners design a business and team that runs itself.
Book
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Entrepreneurship Simplified)
Author of cult classics The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur offers a simple, counterintuitive cash management solution that will help small businesses break out of the doom spiral and achieve instant profitability.
Book
Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored! (Entrepreneurship Simplified)
Many business owners are frustrated because they feel invisible in a crowded marketplace. They know they are better than their competitors, but when they focus on that fact, they get little in return. That’s because, to customers, better is not actually better. Different is better. And those who market differently, win.
Book
What Customers Crave: How to Create Relevant and Memorable Experiences at Every Touchpoint
What Customers Crave examines how the hyper-connected economy is radically changing consumer expectations and reveals what companies need to do to stay on top. The solution rests on two simple questions: What do your customers love? What do they hate? Find the answers, and you’re well on your way to success.
Podcast
The Marketing Book Podcast
Weekly interviews with authors of new marketing and sales books. Named by LinkedIn and Forbes as one of the top marketing and sales podcasts.
Book
Would You Do That to Your Mother?: The "Make Mom Proud" Standard for How to Treat Your Customers
“Make Mom Proud” companies give customers the treatment they desire, and employees the ability to deliver it. They turn “gotcha” moments into “we’ve got your back” moments by rethinking business practices, and they enable employees to be part of the solution to fix customer frustrations.
Book
Perfect Phrases for Customer Service, Second Edition (Perfect Phrases Series)
Perfect Phrases for Customer Service, second edition, provides the language you need for everyday customer service situations–and includes simple, effective techniques that can help you meet even the most demanding customer needs.
Book
The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded
In this updated and expanded version of the international bestseller The First 90 Days, Michael D. Watkins offers proven strategies for conquering the challenges of transitions no matter where you are in your career. Watkins, a noted expert on leadership transitions and adviser to senior leaders in all types of organizations, also addresses today’s increasingly demanding professional landscape, where managers face not only more frequent transitions but also steeper expectations once they step into their new jobs.
Podcast
Moonshots Podcast: Learning Out Loud
The Moonshots Podcast goes behind the scenes of the world’s greatest superstars, thinkers and entrepreneurs to discover the secrets to their success.
Book
How to Wow: 68 Effortless Ways to Make Every Customer Experience Amazing
Full of practical tips, inspiring insights and interviews with a wide range of leaders and entrepreneurs, How to Wow reveals all you need to deliver a world-class customer experience. Covering both the customer and business side of the equation, you’ll learn how to attract new customers, design a leading customer experience and quickly resolve a wide range of problems, plus much more.
Book
The Experience Maker: How to Create Remarkable Experiences That Your Customers Can’t Wait to Share
Named a Top Business Book of 2021 by Forbes, The Experience Maker helps managers and executives focus on customers who are already spending money with their company rather than spending more money on marketing new customers. In The Experience Maker, Dan Gingiss teaches that creating a remarkable experience for customers will ensure they become a company’s best marketers and salespeople.