HOTSEAT® GUIDES

The Shopify Growth Checklist (2026)

17 CHECKS · BY HOTSEAT · UPDATED 2026-09-25

More traffic won't fix a leaky store. These checks help Shopify brands fix the leaks first, then grow. Each section maps to a chapter of our Shopify Growth Playbook.

1. Find the constraint

Fix the biggest problem first.

  • Main lever chosen

    Decide whether traffic, conversion or repeat purchase is holding you back.

  • Funnel numbers known

    Sessions, add-to-cart rate, checkout rate and conversion rate by device.

2. Speed and mobile

Most shoppers are on phones.

  • Unused apps removed

    Every app can add scripts that slow the store.

  • Images compressed and sized

    Use Shopify's image sizing and modern formats.

  • Mobile tested by hand

    Buy something on your own phone and fix every annoyance.

  • Core Web Vitals checked

    Review field data in Search Console.

3. Checkout

Where sales are won or lost.

  • Express payments on

    Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal where relevant.

  • Shipping costs shown early

    Surprise costs at checkout drive people away.

  • Guest checkout allowed

    Don't force account creation.

  • Trust signals near the buy button

    Returns policy, delivery times and reviews.

4. Conversion and order value

Earn more from each visit.

  • Product pages answer objections

    Clear photos, sizing, delivery, returns and reviews.

  • Bundles and upsells tested

    Offer relevant add-ons that raise order value.

  • Free shipping threshold set with margin in mind

    Set it just above your average order value.

5. Retention

Repeat customers are the real engine.

  • Post-purchase email flow

    Thank you, how-to, review request and reorder reminders.

  • Abandoned cart and browse flows

    Automated reminders by email and SMS where you have consent.

  • Subscriptions or loyalty where it fits

    For products people buy again.

  • Track repeat purchase rate and lifetime value

    Judge growth by customers who come back.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good conversion rate for a Shopify store?

It varies a lot by industry, price and traffic source. Compare against your own history and improve step by step.

How can I speed up my Shopify store?

Remove unused apps, compress images, use a lightweight theme and limit third-party scripts.

What's the fastest way to grow Shopify revenue?

Usually fixing conversion and retention first, so every visitor you pay for is worth more.

GO DEEPER
The Shopify Growth Playbook

Fix the leaks. Then buy more traffic. 24 pages with the priorities, a 90-day rollout plan and the common mistakes.

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