Ultimate Shopify CRO Checklist for Higher Conversion Rates

Upgrade to a Shopify 2.0 theme

Shopify 2.0 themes offer advanced customization, are faster, and provide better mobile experiences. These themes are optimized for SEO, allow for more flexibility in design, and offer built-in sections everywhere. Moving to a Shopify 2.0 theme means faster load times and easier maintenance, which ultimately leads to better user experiences and improved conversions.

Improve Shopify store speed

A fast store is crucial. Shopify's speed score is based on factors like loading times and mobile optimization. Make sure your theme has good performance, you can check it in Google PageSpeed. In 2025 it is crucial to have a fast working Shopify theme.

Also our team have gone through all free Shopify themes and found the best Shopify theme for performance.

Optimize the site for mobile devices

Mobile optimization is essential since most users now shop on mobile. To ensure a seamless experience, check that all buttons are easily clickable, navigation is straightforward, and images scale correctly. Shopify themes are mobile-responsive by default, but testing on various devices is key to catching potential usability issues.

This Shopify CRO checklist covers essential steps to improve user experience, build trust, and encourage conversions on your site. Implementing these can make a significant difference in your store's performance.

Use cart abandonment emails

In Shopify, you can set up automated cart abandonment emails to remind customers of items left in their cart. These emails can include incentives like discounts or free shipping to encourage customers to complete their purchase. By using cart abandonment emails, you can recover lost sales and improve your conversion rate.

If we are using Shopify it would be a good idea to use Shopify's built-in cart abandonment emails.

We can setup different scenarios in combination with Shopify Flow to send different emails based on the customer's behavior.

Offer free shipping

Free shipping is a powerful incentive that can help increase conversions on your Shopify store. Consider offering free shipping on orders over a certain threshold to encourage customers to spend more.

Even if you can't do free shipping, you better include the shipping costs in the product price and offer free shipping. This is already a standard in the ecommerce industry.

Highlight easy returns and return policy

Having a clear and customer-friendly return policy can help build trust with your customers and encourage them to make a purchase. Highlight your return policy on your product pages and checkout process to reassure customers that they can easily return items if needed.

Minimally, you should have a return policy page that is easy to find in the footer of your website.

Minimize use of pop-ups

Don't copy blindly what others are doing. Pop-ups can be annoying and disrupt the user experience. If you must use pop-ups, make sure they are relevant, non-intrusive, and easy to dismiss. Do you really need to collect customer emails and disturb them with annoying pop-ups? Maybe you can focus on improving the user experience and, if the customer reaches the checkout page, you can automatically collect their email address.

The default choice should be to not use pop-ups. Now emails and not any type of. Just leave your customers alone, they know better what they want. Abusing pop-ups can lead to a bad user experience and lower conversion rates.

Ensure CTA appears as a button

Call-to-action (CTA) buttons should be visually distinct and clearly labeled. Make sure your CTA buttons stand out; they should not be a link, but a button. Use contrasting colors, bold text, and clear language to encourage users to take action.

CTA buttons are the most important element on your website. They can include some small SVG icons, but they should be buttons.

Use A/B testing

A/B testing is a powerful tool for optimizing your Shopify store. Test different elements like headlines, images, and CTAs to see what resonates best with your audience. Use the data from these tests to make informed decisions about your site's design and content.

We suggest using Optimizely or VWO for A/B testing. You also can use our to get a professional opinion on your store and new ideas for A/B testing.

Create an 'About Us' page

An 'About Us' page helps build trust with your customers by sharing your brand story, values, and mission. Use this page to showcase your team, share your company's history, and highlight what sets you apart from competitors.

It is important to have an 'About Us' page. It is one of the most visited pages on a website. It is a good idea to include a photo of the team, a short story about the company, and a contact form.

We can create it using Shopify pages section, and later include it in the footer or header of the website.

Implement a loyalty program

Depending on the industry, a loyalty program can be a great way to increase customer retention and encourage repeat purchases. Consider offering rewards for purchases, referrals, and social media engagement to incentivize customers to engage with your brand. Loyalty programs can help build customer loyalty and drive long-term growth for your Shopify store.

There are many Shopify apps that can help you implement a loyalty program. We can help you choose the best one for your store.

Add a wishlist feature

A wishlist feature allows customers to save products for later and can help reduce cart abandonment. Consider adding a wishlist button to your product pages and allowing customers to create and share wishlists. This feature can improve the user experience and encourage customers to return to your store.

The best way to add a wishlist feature to your store is to use one of the dedicated Shopify apps. This way you can get additional insights into your customers' behavior and preferences.

Not sure which app to choose or how to implement it properly?

Enable multi-currency support

This is not a must-have feature, but it can help you reach a wider audience and improve the shopping experience for international customers. Consider enabling multi-currency support on your Shopify store to allow customers to view prices in their local currency. This feature can help reduce friction in the buying process and increase conversions from international visitors.

There are many Shopify apps that can help you implement multi-currency support. We can help you choose the best one for your store.

Add social proof

Social proof can help build trust with your customers and encourage them to make a purchase. Consider adding customer reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content to your product pages to showcase positive experiences and build credibility.

Nowaday, social proof is a must-have feature on any ecommerce website. It can be in the form of reviews, testimonials, or user-generated content. It is important to have a good balance between the amount of social proof and the quality of it.

Use urgency tactics (e.g., limited stock)

Urgency tactics can create a sense of scarcity and encourage customers to make a purchase. Consider using limited stock notifications, countdown timers, or flash sales to create a sense of urgency and drive conversions. Be careful not to overuse these tactics, as they can lead to a negative user experience if used excessively.

Urgency tactics can be a powerful tool to drive conversions, but they should be used sparingly and authentically. Be transparent with your customers and avoid creating false urgency to manipulate their behavior.

Offer express checkout options

Express checkout options can help streamline the buying process and reduce cart abandonment. Consider offering guest checkout, one-click payment options, or saved payment details to make it easier for customers to complete their purchase. By simplifying the checkout process, you can improve the user experience and increase conversions.

Express checkout options can be a game-changer for reducing cart abandonment and improving conversions. Make it as easy as possible for customers to complete their purchase, and you'll see a positive impact on your store's performance.

Optimize product titles and descriptions

Optimizing product titles and descriptions is crucial for SEO performance. Product titles should be clear and descriptive while incorporating relevant keywords in the first 50-60 characters. Check out our Shopify SEO Audit to ensure your titles are optimized for search visibility and conversions.

For product descriptions, aim for a minimum of 300 characters to provide adequate detail and context for search engines. Use bullet points and formatting to enhance readability. Want to improve your store's overall SEO? Our SEO audit service provides detailed recommendations for optimizing your product content and boosting organic traffic.

Implement customer support options (e.g., live chat)

Customer support options like live chat can help improve the user experience and build trust with your customers. Consider adding live chat functionality to your Shopify store to provide real-time assistance and address customer inquiries. Live chat can help reduce cart abandonment, increase conversions, and enhance customer satisfaction. When choosing a live chat solution, opt for lightweight options that won't impact your site's loading speed.

Live chat is a valuable tool for engaging with customers and providing immediate support. By offering live chat on your site, you can improve the overall shopping experience and build stronger relationships with your audience. Just ensure you select a performance-optimized solution that loads asynchronously to maintain fast page speeds.

Add post-purchase deals on the Thank You page

Post-purchase deals on the Thank You page can encourage customers to make additional purchases and increase their order value. Consider offering discounts, related products, or exclusive offers on the Thank You page to incentivize repeat business and drive revenue. By leveraging the Thank You page as a sales opportunity, you can maximize the value of each customer interaction and boost your store's profitability.

Post-purchase deals are a great way to capitalize on customer engagement and drive additional revenue. By presenting relevant offers on the Thank You page, you can encourage repeat purchases and foster long-term customer loyalty. Make sure to test different strategies to optimize your post-purchase deals for maximum impact.

Display estimated delivery time and shipping info

Implementing shipping information and delivery times on your Shopify store is straightforward with the right development approach. Our Shopify development team can help integrate custom shipping calculators and real-time delivery estimates into your product pages and checkout flow. We'll ensure shipping costs, delivery times, and tracking options are prominently displayed using Shopify's Liquid templating and API capabilities.

Need help setting up advanced shipping functionality? Our experienced Shopify developers can implement custom shipping rules, integrate with carriers' APIs, and create an optimized checkout experience. Contact our development team to discuss upgrading your store's shipping features and functionality to reduce cart abandonment and build customer trust through transparent shipping information.

Optimize navigation with a sticky header

Sticky headers can improve navigation and user experience by keeping key menu items accessible as users scroll down the page. Implementing a sticky header on your Shopify store can enhance usability, reduce friction, and increase engagement with your site's content. Our Shopify development team can customize your theme to include a sticky header that aligns with your brand's design and functionality requirements.

Sticky headers are a popular design feature that can enhance the user experience and improve site navigation. By keeping essential menu items visible at all times, you can make it easier for users to explore your site, find relevant information, and take action on your offers. If you're interested in adding a sticky header to your Shopify store, our development team can help you implement this feature effectively.

Offer payment options variety (Credit, Apple Pay, etc.)

Providing multiple payment options can increase conversions and cater to a wider range of customers. Consider offering credit card payments, digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and alternative payment methods like PayPal or Klarna. By diversifying your payment options, you can accommodate different customer preferences and reduce friction in the checkout process.

Payment options variety is essential for meeting the needs of diverse customer segments and improving the overall shopping experience. By offering a range of payment methods, you can increase trust, convenience, and accessibility for your customers, ultimately driving higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Incorporate a clear value proposition on the homepage

A clear value proposition on your homepage can help communicate your brand's unique selling points and benefits to visitors. Use compelling copy, visuals, and messaging to convey what sets your store apart and why customers should choose you. By highlighting your value proposition prominently on the homepage, you can capture attention, build interest, and drive conversions.

Your homepage is often the first point of contact for potential customers, so it's essential to make a strong impression with a clear value proposition. By clearly articulating the benefits of your products or services, you can engage visitors, establish credibility, and motivate them to explore further. Need help crafting a compelling value proposition for your Shopify store? Our team can provide strategic guidance and creative solutions to enhance your brand messaging and drive results.

Display related or recommended products

Implementing related and recommended products is crucial for increasing average order value and improving the shopping experience.

Want to optimize your product recommendation strategy?

Use exit-intent pop-ups to capture emails

Exit-intent popups can be an effective way to grow your email list and recover potentially lost sales. Consider offering a compelling incentive like a discount code or exclusive content to encourage signups. Our CRO audit service can help you optimize your popup strategy for maximum effectiveness.

Need help implementing exit-intent popups that convert without annoying visitors? Our team can guide you through best practices and help you create targeted offers that resonate with your audience.

Add a search bar with auto-complete

An effective search functionality with auto-complete suggestions can significantly improve the user experience and increase conversions. Our development team can implement advanced search features including predictive text, filters, and analytics to help customers find products faster.

Looking to enhance your store's search capabilities? Let our experts help you implement a powerful search solution that drives conversions and provides valuable insights into customer search behavior.

Include a progress bar in cart for free shipping

Adding a progress bar for free shipping is a proven strategy to increase average order value. Our can help you determine the optimal free shipping threshold and implement an engaging progress indicator that motivates customers to add more items to their cart.

Want to maximize the effectiveness of your free shipping offers? Our team can help you implement and test different thresholds and visual indicators to find the perfect balance that drives sales without sacrificing margins.

Highlight trust badges at checkout

Trust badges and security indicators are essential for reducing checkout anxiety and improving conversion rates. Our development team can help you implement and optimize the placement of trust signals throughout your checkout process to build confidence and reduce abandonment.

Need guidance on which trust badges to display and where? Book a consultation with our experts to develop a strategy that builds trust and increases conversions during checkout.

Enable customer reviews and photo uploads

Customer reviews and photo uploads are powerful forms of social proof that can significantly impact conversion rates. Our development team can help you implement a robust review system that allows customers to share their experiences and upload photos, building trust and credibility for your products.

Looking to maximize the impact of customer reviews? Our CRO audit service can help you optimize your review collection and display strategy to drive more sales.

Provide FAQs near product descriptions

Strategic placement of FAQs near product descriptions can address customer concerns before they arise and improve conversion rates. Our can help you implement a dynamic FAQ system that displays relevant questions based on product categories and customer behavior.

Want to optimize your FAQ strategy?

Use live visitor counts for high-demand items

Displaying live visitor counts can create urgency and drive conversions for popular products. Our development team can implement real-time visitor tracking that shows how many people are viewing or have purchased an item, encouraging faster purchase decisions.

Looking to optimize your social proof strategies? Our CRO audit service can help you implement and test various urgency indicators to find what works best for your store.

Incorporate 'Back in Stock' alerts

Back in stock alerts are an effective way to capture potential sales and build your email list. Our development team can help you implement an automated system that notifies customers when products they're interested in become available.

Need help optimizing your inventory management and customer communication? Book a consultation with our experts to discuss implementing effective back-in-stock notifications and inventory management strategies.

Offer flexible payment options like BNPL

Buy Now Pay Later options can significantly increase conversion rates and average order value. Our can help you integrate popular BNPL providers and optimize the placement of payment option messaging throughout your store.

Want to implement or optimize your payment options? Let our experts help you choose and implement the right payment solutions that match your customer preferences and business goals.

Add a progress bar for free shipping/discounts on product pages

Progress bars on product pages can encourage larger purchases by showing customers how close they are to earning discounts or free shipping. Our CRO experts can help you determine the optimal free shipping threshold and implement a dynamic progress indicator that updates in real-time as customers add items to their cart.

Looking to optimize your discount strategy? Our CRO audit service can help you determine the most effective thresholds and messaging to drive larger orders.

Create landing pages for high-traffic keywords

Targeted landing pages are crucial for converting search traffic into customers. Our SEO audit service can help you identify high-value keywords and optimize your landing pages for both search engines and conversions.

Need help creating effective landing pages? Our team can guide you through the process of developing and optimizing landing pages that rank well and convert visitors into customers.

Optimize content for skimmability with bullet points and headings

Well-structured content can significantly improve user engagement and conversion rates. Our can help you optimize your content layout and formatting to make it more digestible and effective at driving sales.

Want to improve your content strategy?

Showcase popular products with a 'Trending' label

Highlighting trending products can create social proof and drive sales. Our development team can help you implement dynamic trending labels based on real sales data and customer behavior.

Looking to optimize your product highlighting strategy? Our CRO audit service can help you identify which products to feature and how to present them for maximum impact.

Add video demonstrations for products

Product videos can significantly increase conversion rates by showing your products in action. Our development team can help you implement optimized video players and ensure they load quickly without impacting your store's performance.

Need help with your product video strategy? Book a consultation with our experts to discuss implementing effective product videos that drive sales.

Create an FAQ section on the homepage

A well-designed FAQ section can improve user experience and reduce support inquiries. Our can help you implement an organized, searchable FAQ section that addresses common customer concerns.

Looking to optimize your customer support strategy?

Display customer service contact information

Making customer service contact information easily accessible can build trust and reduce cart abandonment. Our development team can help you implement contact information displays that are both prominent and aesthetically pleasing.

Want to optimize your customer service accessibility? Book a consultation with our experts to discuss strategies for improving customer support visibility and effectiveness.

Highlight customer satisfaction statistics or reviews

Displaying customer satisfaction metrics can significantly boost trust and conversion rates. Our CRO audit service can help you identify the most effective statistics to highlight and optimize their placement throughout your store.

Need help implementing customer satisfaction displays? Our development team can create dynamic widgets that showcase your best customer feedback and satisfaction metrics.

Feature product comparison tables for key items

Product comparison tables can help customers make informed decisions and increase conversion rates. Our can help you implement interactive comparison tables that highlight key product features and differences.

Looking to optimize your product comparison strategy?

Provide size guides and measurements for fashion items

Accurate size guides can reduce returns and improve customer satisfaction. Our development team can help you implement interactive size guides with detailed measurements and conversion charts.

Want to optimize your size guide implementation? Book a consultation with our experts to discuss creating effective size guides that improve conversion rates and reduce returns.