Shopify App Visibility Issues After Model Shift – What Am I Missing?

[Sagar_panchal]

Hi everyone,

I recently switched my app from a paid-only model to a free trial in order to encourage more installs. The app provides features like AI lead quality scoring, quote-to-order conversion, BI dashboard, and customer chat – mainly focused on helping merchants better manage quote requests.

However, even after offering a free trial and running Shopify App Store PPC campaigns, I'm still not seeing the expected increase in installs or engagement. It’s been difficult to identify whether the issue is technical (e.g., listing optimization, app performance) or more related to marketing/discovery.

A few questions I’m hoping to get input on:
Could the earlier paid-only model have impacted my app’s ranking or visibility even after switching to free trial?
Are there known technical factors (e.g., metadata, listing structure, reviews, etc.) that might hinder discovery on the App Store?
Has anyone had success with third-party marketing channels (outside of Shopify PPC) for re-engaging past users or reaching new ones?
Any tips on what early indicators I should track to troubleshoot app store performance?
I'm open to constructive feedback and insights from other developers or partners who’ve faced similar challenges. If this isn't the right category for this question, I apologize and would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

[Dani]

Have you tried using something like Microsoft Clarity which record how users are engaging with your app so that you can gleam very actionable feedback to determine where the hang-up is? (Plus, it's totally free.) For example, you can figure out if the users you have just aren't using it the way you expect, and you can use that to determine if it's a UI problem or if users just aren't getting enough value out of your app to make it worth paying for (or telling their friends about).

I would also immerse yourself in Shopify subreddits and and forums for Shopify merchants, but do it in a non-spammy way. Earn the community's trust as a respected Shopify expert, and then they'll want to use your products.

You might also want to try running Google Ads instead of Shopify PPC ads.

[rproffitt]

I tried searching for your app to see what it was and to possibly comment about same.
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=setubridge&c=apps&hl=en_US didn't find it so the first question is whether the app was easy to find.

[Sagar_panchal]

Have you tried using something like Microsoft Clarity which record how users are engaging with your app so that you can gleam very actionable feedback to determine where the hang-up is? (Plus, it's totally free.) For example, you can figure out if the users you have just aren't using it the way you expect, and you can use that to determine if it's a UI problem or if users just aren't getting enough value out of your app to make it worth paying for (or telling their friends about).

I would also immerse yourself in Shopify subreddits and and forums for Shopify merchants, but do it in a non-spammy way. Earn the community's trust as a respected Shopify expert, and then they'll want to use your products.

You might also want to try running Google Ads instead of Shopify PPC ads.

When we had a free version for month of this March, we had lots of installation and they are still using it so the app serving a better purpose. For MS Clarity, its affecting speed of my app so we are using Hotjar and we can see the users using it in proper way , not finding any glitch.

[Sagar_panchal]

I tried searching for your app to see what it was and to possibly comment about same.
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=setubridge&c=apps&hl=en_US didn't find it so the first question is whether the app was easy to find.

The app is on Shopify app store not on play store. You can find it here. apps.shopify.com/request-a-quote-hide-price-sb

[Dani]

I tried searching for your app to see what it was and to possibly comment about same.
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=setubridge&c=apps&hl=en_US didn't find it so the first question is whether the app was easy to find.

The OP specified it’s a Shopify app. Shopify stores are web-based.

[Dani]

https://apps.shopify.com/search?q=setubridge didn't find it either.

It doesn't make sense to me that the goal would be for it to be discoverable based on the developer's username, unless the goal is for the development house to be a strong brand. I don't get the impression that is the goal here.

I found it while searching for terms like "request a quote" but it was buried amongst many other apps that all seemingly do the same or similar. There were no shortage of apps whose title was Request a Quote, Hide Price, but yours was the only one whose description said it was AI-powered, so perhaps lead with the unique value proposition in the title.

[Sagar_panchal]

https://apps.shopify.com/search?q=setubridge didn't find it either.

It doesn't make sense to me that the goal would be for it to be discoverable based on the developer's username, unless the goal is for the development house to be a strong brand. I don't get the impression that is the goal here.

I found it while searching for terms like "request a quote" but it was buried amongst many other apps that all seemingly do the same or similar. There were no shortage of apps whose title was Request a Quote, Hide Price, but yours was the only one whose description said it was AI-powered, so perhaps lead with the unique value proposition in the title.

Yes, we have usp of AI powered functionality but still not moving up.

[Dani]

When I check out some app I look for what else they created. So to me it makes sense to be discoverable using the company name.

Take that up with Shopify then because they don’t let you search based on developer name.

It would make more sense to Google in that case.

[Sagar_panchal]

When I check out some app I look for what else they created. So to me it makes sense to be discoverable using the company name.

Take that up with Shopify then because they don’t let you search based on developer name.

It would make more sense to Google in that case.

For Shopify apps, traffic comes from Google not convert more compared to Shopify app store. Experienced that in my other apps.

[Dani]

I would double down on what sets your app apart from the others. I think that it's not entirely clear how big of a role AI plays in your app, so you may want to expand on that marketing material. Also, did you have a chance to look into Microsoft Clarity?

[Dani]

Could the earlier paid-only model have impacted my app’s ranking or visibility even after switching to free trial?

In my experience, people are more turned off when something goes from free to paid, compared to the other way around.

Has anyone had success with third-party marketing channels (outside of Shopify PPC) for re-engaging past users or reaching new ones?

Do you have any means of building an email list of users using your app? I suppose that you collect emails when you offer a free trial, correct? Do you ever send out promo material to resubscribe?

[trendhijaking]

If Your Shopify is not visible after a model shift i can suggest you some things which you have to check:

1. Schema Not Synced
2. Missing permission
3. Theme Block not re-added
4. Metafeilds are not registered
5. Stale Data
   These are some things which you have to check I hope this can help you

[Sagar_panchal]

I would double down on what sets your app apart from the others. I think that it's not entirely clear how big of a role AI plays in your app, so you may want to expand on that marketing material. Also, did you have a chance to look into Microsoft Clarity?

Using Hotjar, ut thing is that, the count of app user is low so not having clear idea.

[Sagar_panchal]

Do you have any means of building an email list of users using your app? I suppose that you collect emails when you offer a free trial, correct? Do you ever send out promo material to resubscribe?

Earlier I tried this for my other app but it didnt work.

[Dani]

Hotjar used to be a big advertiser of DaniWeb back in the day. :)

I’m not sure what their pricing model is, but Microsoft Clarity is totally free with no caps that I’m aware of.

In what way did the mailing list not work? What makes you hesitant to do it for this project?

Sorry for my brief responses. I’m typing from my phone right now.

[Sagar_panchal]

Hotjar used to be a big advertiser of DaniWeb back in the day. :)

I’m not sure what their pricing model is, but Microsoft Clarity is totally free with no caps that I’m aware of.

In what way did the mailing list not work? What makes you hesitant to do it for this project?

Sorry for my brief responses. I’m typing from my phone right now.

I have sent an emails to whom who have uninstalled my app previously do to paid plan activation, so I have mailed them about to get trial of an app. and shared some benefits of the features regarding their business.