30 Custom Shopify App Ideas Merchants Actually Build
The best custom Shopify apps are small and specific: they remove one chore, answer one question, or say one thing at the right moment. Here are thirty ideas, grouped by where they live in Shopify. Each one can be the first sentence you type into AppFly.
Admin tools and reports
- A days-of-stock report that estimates when each product runs out at its current sales rate.
- A bulk price editor for one collection, with a preview of every change before it is saved.
- A bulk tag editor that retags hundreds of products from a filtered list.
- A profit report per order that subtracts product cost, shipping and fees.
- A slow-mover list of products that have not sold in 60 days.
- An AI product description rewriter that drafts new copy in your brand voice for review.
- A customer lookup that puts orders, returns and notes on one screen for support.
- A daily summary of yesterday's sales, refunds and top products.
Storefront blocks
- A low-stock message on the product page, driven by real inventory.
- A delivery date estimate based on the visitor's cut-off time.
- A size guide block that reads measurements from a metafield.
- A “complete the look” block that shows products from the same collection.
- A free-shipping progress bar that updates as the cart fills.
- A store-locator block for brands with physical shops.
Checkout and thank-you page
- A post-purchase upsell on the thank-you page.
- A “how did you hear about us?” survey saved to the order.
- A gift message field that prints on the packing slip.
- A care guide matched to the product category just bought.
- Trust badges and a returns summary near the pay button (Shopify Plus).
Not sure what is possible where? Read Shopify checkout extensions explained.
Discounts and pricing rules
- Tiered volume discounts — 10% off three, 15% off five.
- A bundle discount when two specific products are in the cart together.
- A VIP discount for customers with a given tag.
- A first-order discount that does not stack with other codes.
- A discount code generator for a campaign, with usage limits.
Automations and Shopify Flow
- A Flow action that posts high-value orders to a Slack channel.
- A nightly check that flags orders stuck unfulfilled for three days.
- A webhook that tags new customers by their first purchase.
- A restock alert email to customers who asked to be notified.
Customer accounts and point of sale
- A loyalty page in the customer account showing points and rewards.
- A self-serve returns page that starts a return from an order.
- A POS tile that shows a customer's online order history to in-store staff.
Turning an idea into an app
Pick the idea that would save you the most time this week and write it as one sentence that names who uses it and what data it needs. Then type it into the prompt box — the free plan builds and previews your first app. If you want the full walkthrough first, read how to build a Shopify app without coding.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of Shopify app should I build first?
Start with an admin tool that removes a chore you do every week, such as a report or a bulk edit. It is the simplest surface and the payoff is immediate.
Can I build a Shopify app just for my own store?
Yes. A custom app is built for one store, and with AppFly it installs on your store without going through the App Store.