Back in the day, setting up a new Shopify store meant having access to a few handy built-in tools. Among them was product reviews Shopify native app – nothing fancy, but it got the job done for thousands of merchants looking to collect customer feedback without spending extra cash.
Well, things change. Shopify recently pulled the plug on this longtime staple, leaving many store owners scratching their heads and wondering what to do about their existing customer reviews, Shopify, and future feedback collection.
Let’s dig into why this happened and how to turn this seeming setback into an opportunity, using the best review app for Shopify to improve your customer review strategy.
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What We’re Losing With Product Reviews, Shopify Native App Discontinuation?
Remember when you first set up your Shopify store? That basic product reviews app Shopify wasn’t winning any awards, but it served its purpose. Simple star ratings, basic text reviews, and minimal customization.
For new entrepreneurs watching every penny, this free product review app, Shopify, meant being able to showcase social proof without adding another monthly subscription to the budget.
The product reviews Shopify app integrated seamlessly with most Shopify themes and required almost zero technical know-how to implement.
But honestly? As online shopping evolved, that trusty old app started showing its age in some pretty obvious ways.
Why Shopify Pulled the Plug (And It Makes Sense)
Those Features Were Getting Pretty Dusty
Look, even free tools need updates, and the native product reviews Shopify app was becoming something similar to a flip phone in a 5G world.
While competitor Shopify review apps were rolling out photo reviews, video capabilities, AI-powered analytics, and slick display options, Shopify’s native option remained stubbornly basic.
Modern shoppers expect to see products in action through customer photos, sort reviews by relevance, and filter by rating. The gap between these expectations and what the native product reviews app Shopify delivered just kept growing wider.
Integration? Not So Much
Another issue? The app existed in its little bubble. Today’s best product review apps for Shopify connect with everything from email marketing platforms to loyalty programs, creating seamless customer journeys that boost engagement and increase Shopify conversions.
The native app also missed the boat in terms of SEO features. Without proper review schema markup, stores using the basic product reviews app Shopify weren’t getting those eye-catching star ratings in Google search results that can dramatically improve click-through rates.
App Marketplace Strategy Shift
Shopify has been steadily moving toward strengthening its third-party product reviews app Shopify ecosystem rather than building out native features. This approach makes a lot of sense from a business perspective.
Shopify can focus on improving its core platform by letting specialized developers create best-in-class solutions for specific needs, like product reviews. Those same engineers can now focus on
- improving checkout experiences,
- boosting site speed, and
- implementing the AI features everyone’s demanding these days.
With the Shopify app store, merchants have access to the best product review apps for Shopify.
So What Happens to Your Reviews Now?
If your store relied on Shopify’s free review app, you’re probably wondering about some pretty important things:
- Those 500+ hard-earned customer reviews that used to increase Shopify store conversions? Yeah, they might not be showing up on your product pages anymore.
- All that social proof that was helping convert browsers into buyers? Temporarily gone unless you take action.
- The star ratings that boosted your products’ appeal? Missing in action.
So, how do you boost Shopify sales with a product review app? With the right approach, this transition can be pretty smooth, and you might even end up with a better review system than before.
Myappgurus brings the best review app for Shopify. It helps you import and export reviews with ease.
Best Product Review Apps For Shopify To Replace Shopify’s Native Review App
There are dozens of product review apps for Shopify stores, each with its strengths. Here’s the scoop on some standout options:
MAG: Product Reviews by Myappgurus – The Best in Industry
If SEO matters to your business (and it should), this best review app for Shopify deserves a serious look. What makes it special?
- The app was built with conversion optimization in mind, offering customizable review displays that load quickly without bogging down your store.
- The SEO benefits of this best review app for Shopify are substantial too – proper schema implementation means those hard-earned star ratings show up in Google search results, potentially boosting click-through rates by 35% or more.
- Many merchants switching from basic Shopify feedback tools appreciate MAG’s straightforward migration tool that preserves existing reviews.
- Plus, the automated email system, in advance, for requesting feedback typically increases review collection rates by 60-70%.
Loox – For the Visual Brands
Shops selling products where seeing is believing (think fashion, home décor, or anything Instagram-worthy) often gravitate toward the Loox Shopify app product reviews. Their photo-first approach encourages customers to show off their purchases, creating authentic visual social proof.
Yotpo – The Enterprise Play
For larger stores ready to treat reviews as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy, Yotpo combines powerful review collection with SMS and email marketing capabilities.
It’s like getting several Shopify feedback tools in one, though the price tag reflects this.
Stamped.io – When Customization Matters
Brand-conscious merchants often choose Stamped.io for its extensive customization options. The customer reviews Shopify feel like a natural extension of your store rather than a plugged-in widget from somewhere else.
Ali Reviews – Dropshipper’s Friend
Running a dropshipping business with AliExpress suppliers? Ali Reviews is the best review app for Shopify, in this case, as it offers specialized features for importing supplier reviews and handling the unique challenges of dropshipping feedback management.
Saving Your Precious Customer Reviews Shopify History
Nobody wants to start from zero after spending months or years building up customer reviews on Shopify. Here’s how to handle the migration without losing your feedback history:
If you still have access to your customer reviews Shopify data, export everything to CSV immediately. This Shopify app product reviews option might disappear as Shopify completes the phase-out.
Not all Shopify product review apps offer smooth importing from the native app. MAG Product Reviews by Myappgurus specifically designed their import tool to make this transition painless.
The best product review apps for Shopify stores provide step-by-step instructions for importing historical review data. This typically involves uploading your CSV and mapping data fields to match the new system’s structure.
Verify that star ratings, review text, customer names, and dates are transferred correctly. Some Shopify product review apps might handle verified buyer badges differently, so pay attention to these details.
Occasionally, theme modifications might be needed to optimize how reviews display on your product pages. Most Shopify review apps provide installation support if you get stuck here.
Benefits of Using Third-party Shopify Review Apps
This forced change could lead to significantly better results and increase Shopify conversions. Here’s how to make the most of your new review solution:
Finally, implement those automatic review requests
Simply adding this automation using Shopify apps for reviews can multiply your feedback collection by 3-5 times.
Get visual with customer content
Encourage photo and video submissions with your new tools. Products with visual reviews typically convert 6-8% better than those with text-only feedback.
Spread reviews beyond product pages
Use widgets to showcase Shopify app product reviews on your homepage, in marketing emails, and even in Facebook or Instagram ads.
Start responding to reviews
Better Shopify product review apps make it easier to reply to customer feedback, showing potential buyers that you’re attentive and customer-focused.
Mine the review data for product improvements
Advanced review Shopify apps for reviews offer insights that can help identify product issues before they become serious problems, or highlight selling points worth emphasizing in your marketing.
Will my reviews just disappear overnight?
Probably not immediately. While previously installed tools may continue working for a short period, Shopify will eventually complete the deprecation process. Better to migrate those valuable reviews now than risk losing them entirely.
Are there any truly free alternatives with similar features?
Most comprehensive Shopify product review apps operate on subscription models, though several offer limited free plans or extended trial periods. When evaluating costs, consider how much you can increase Shopify store conversions.
Could this change hurt my store’s search rankings?
With a properly executed migration to an SEO-focused review app, your search visibility should improve. Look for apps like MAG Product Reviews that implement proper review schema markup.
Wrapping It Up
Sure, losing Shopify’s free product review app might feel like a hassle right now. But for most stores, this transition presents a genuine opportunity to upgrade their social proof strategy and boost Shopify sales with a product review app.
By moving to more capable Shopify review apps like MAG Product Reviews by Myappgurus, merchants can transform this platform change from a problem into a competitive advantage.
The stores that thrive in e-commerce aren’t necessarily those with the biggest budgets or the flashiest designs – they’re the ones that adapt quickly to platform changes and continuously optimize the customer experience using Shopify app product reviews.
Investing in a better review solution now could pay dividends in conversion rates and customer loyalty for years to come.
