Plenty of Shopify stores launch with a bang, only to stall when sales plateau. The truth is, growth isn’t about adding more products or hoping traffic magically appears. To grow on Shopify, you need more than a store that looks good; you need strategies that turn browsers into buyers, and buyers into loyal fans. With the right strategies, you can move from “just another store” to a business that scales.

Curious how to get there? Here are five of the most effective ways to grow your Shopify store in 2025.

1. Optimise checkout with better payment options

The checkout page is where too many sales are lost. A little over 64% of online shopping carts are abandoned, and payment friction is one of the biggest culprits. The solution? Simplify the process. Reduce the number of steps, offer autofill for returning customers, and provide flexible payment options. Shopify Payments is a straightforward choice for integration, but UK merchants can go further by adding Pay by Bank with Atoa. 

This method lets customers pay directly from their bank app, cutting costs by up to 50% compared to card fees and settling funds instantly. The smoother the checkout, the more customers will complete their purchase.

2. Drive traffic with SEO and paid ads

No matter how great your store is, you can’t grow without visitors. Organic traffic starts with an SEO audit: optimise product titles, descriptions, and images so your store ranks on search engines. Pair this with content marketing tools like blogs, buying guides, or video explainers, to capture customer interest.

If you are looking for faster results, you can use paid advertising. Targeted Google and social ads bring in shoppers actively searching for what you sell, giving you a steady pipeline of potential buyers. A combination of long-term SEO and short-term ads can keep traffic consistent and scalable.

3. Convert more visitors with testing and social proof

Traffic alone doesn’t guarantee growth. You need to convert visitors into paying customers. That’s where A/B testing comes in: experiment with product page layouts, pricing formats, or CTA buttons to see what works best. Even small tweaks can lift conversion rates. Along with testing, build trust with social proof. Showcase customer reviews, testimonials, and user-generated photos. Shoppers are far more likely to hit “buy” when they see others had a good experience with your brand.

4. Expand sales with marketplaces, social, and global reach

Your Shopify store is only one storefront. Customers also shop on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google Shopping, all of which integrate directly with Shopify. Adding these channels gives your products more visibility and creates multiple touchpoints for conversion. If you’re ready to scale beyond the UK, Shopify’s internationalisation tools make it easier to sell globally with local currencies, translations, and tax handling. Expanding into new regions doesn’t just bring more customers; it spreads your risk across multiple markets.

5. Grow your audience with referrals, influencers, and content

Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful growth engines. A referral programme rewards your customers for bringing in new buyers, while influencer partnerships put your products in front of highly engaged audiences. Competitions and giveaways can build excitement and attract followers, but the key is consistency. Keep producing content that reflects your brand voice and engages your community. Over time, this builds loyalty, making growth sustainable rather than short-lived.

Conclusion

Shopify growth isn’t about chasing every tactic at once. It’s about focusing on the levers that matter most. This includes a seamless checkout, steady traffic, strong conversion tactics, multiple sales channels, and a loyal customer base. For UK merchants, the right payment methods can make an immediate difference. Solutions like Atoa’s Pay by Bank help you cut fees, speed up settlement, and build trust, giving you the breathing space to invest in traffic, testing, and brand-building.

Pick one or two of these strategies to start with, and layer more as your store scales. Growth comes from smart, compounding improvements and not overnight miracles.

FAQs

1. How can I increase sales on my Shopify store?

Optimise your checkout, reduce cart abandonment, and use retention strategies like loyalty programs. Expanding into new channels also helps you reach fresh audiences.

2. How can I reduce abandoned carts in Shopify?

Simplify your checkout process, provide multiple secure payment options (like Pay by Bank through Atoa), and use Shopify’s abandoned cart recovery emails. Even small changes here can increase revenue significantly.

3. Do payment gateways affect Shopify store growth?

Yes. Payment fees can quietly erode your margins, and slow settlement times can delay cash flow. Choosing a low-cost, fast solution can save up to 50% compared to card fees and put money in your account instantly, freeing up cash to reinvest in growth.

4. How can I reach more customers with my Shopify store?

Leverage Shopify’s integrations with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Google Shopping. Expanding into multiple sales channels boosts visibility, helping you reach customers where they already spend time online.

5. What tools help track Shopify growth?

Shopify Analytics is a good start. Pair it with third-party tools for SEO, marketing, and A/B testing to understand what’s working and where to improve.