On April 26, Apple launched an updated version of iOS and iPadOS, with a feature that gets consumer's attention worldwide: App Tracking Transparency. Simply put, this feature allows Apple users to deny data tracking from applications on their devices, preventing them from sending the data back to its server. Learn more about ATT in more detail at Impact of Apple's App Tracking Transparency on Advertisers.
This controversial update has forced marketers and advertisers to change their approach because the targeting accuracy and marketing performance have drastically dwindled. One way out of this is to shift to an organic or inbound marketing approach to retain user data in their hands. A tool that will help on this is Shopify, an eCommerce platform that lets you collect and utilize consented user data.
Let's get to know Shopify to adapt to the upcoming age of user privacy.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create online stores and sell their products or services online. It provides a wide range of tools and features that make it easy for businesses to set up and manage an online store, including customizable website templates, a user-friendly interface, payment processing capabilities, inventory management tools, shipping integrations, and more.
With Shopify, businesses can create a fully functional online store without the need for technical skills or extensive knowledge of web development. The platform offers a variety of plans and pricing options to suit businesses of all sizes and budgets, from small startups to large enterprises.
Shopify has become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, with over 1.7 million businesses using the platform to sell their products and services online. Its popularity is due in part to its ease of use, flexibility, and scalability, making it a top choice for businesses looking to expand their online presence and grow their sales.
Main Features In Shopify
1. Build attractive and easy to use online store
Shopify is a cookie-cutter platform designed for creating online stores with beautiful themes that will make your online shop more appealing to your target customers.
2. Connecting Online and Offline
Shopify offers Point of Sale services to help businesses collect customer data and help manage both online and offline end of storage simultaneously.
3. Put 'Buy' button right under product images
You can add the 'buy' or 'add to cart' button right where customers will mostly click when they decide they want to buy the product.
4. Connect to other channels
You can link your Shopify product page to external sites or social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, or even other online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay to widen your sales channel even further.
5. Write blog, manage SEO and social media to bring in potential customers
You can do content marketing on Shopify or promote your business on social media and link back to your online store.
6. Create online campaign via Shopify
Shopify offers various marketing campaign options like Email Marketing, Google Ads, and Facebook Ads right on your store page.
7. Backend Dashboard
The dashboard offers customer insights and various other data on the backend. It also provides sales data and campaign feedback to help you analyze and familiarize yourself with customer behaviour.
8. Offer variety of payment options and SKU management system
Customers can purchase in one click, and they can choose to pay by credit cards or local payment services or other dozens of Third-party payment systems. Shopify also provides a centralized storage system that tracks and trace customer purchase order and all relevant history.
How It Can Help With the Data Issue
The ATT update from Apple has had a significant impact on the amount of data that can be transferred to third-party platforms, particularly Facebook. As a result, digital marketing is entering a new transitional phase, and marketers will have to adapt to cope with the reduced amount of data at their disposal, which will impact the accuracy and effectiveness of their campaigns.
To address this challenge, one potential solution is to establish your own customer data storehouse. By creating an online store through platforms like Shopify, you can collect valuable customer data directly from anyone who visits your website, circumventing the need for third-party platforms that were previously relied upon by most marketers.
In this way, you can gain more control over the data you collect and utilize it more efficiently and effectively to drive your marketing efforts. By utilizing your own data, you can also gain a deeper understanding of your customers, their behaviors, and preferences, and tailor your marketing strategies accordingly, resulting in better-targeted campaigns, more effective customer engagement, and ultimately, greater business success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does Shopify do?
Shopify is a subscription-based software that allows anyone to set up an online store and sell their products. If you're looking for a way to quickly launch your dream business and start selling to your customers wherever they are, then look no further.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Shopify is one of the easiest ways that helps beginners and small business owners to set up and run their business online. Anyone with no prior experience or coding knowledge can create an online store fairly easily.
Is Shopify good for e-commerce?
Overall, if you run a large business, Shopify is one of the best e-commerce platforms on the market because it will help people build their own online shop with hundreds of built-in features and tons of apps.
What are some disadvantages of Shopify?
Some users who are concerned with content marketing are turned away by poor blogging capabilities. Content marketing is important because it can boost organic traffic, educate customers, enhance social proof, and grow brands. While Shopify has a blogging feature, it is extremely basic compared to other platforms in the market.
Can you start Shopify with no money?
Shopify is one of many platforms that you can use to start a dropshipping business, with no money investment at all. None of them is completely and forever free. However, you can get started on any of them for free.
Can you get rich with Shopify?
In some cases, you don't have to sell anything in order to make money on Shopify. You can earn money for every successful referral you make to the platform. The more sellers you can bring into the fold, the more you will earn.
Who owns Shopify?
The e-commerce platform was quietly acquired by Amazon in January. Amazon previously operated a service similar to Shopify, called Amazon Webstore, that allowed small businesses to run online stores built on Amazon's technology.
Fancy Your Own Shopify Website?
If your brand needs professional hands to help create an eCommerce website to drive sales, our team at Sphere Agency is here to help you design and develop a one-stop online store that provides you with customer data and insights. See our Shopify Development Service and contact us today!