Adding Apps to Your Wix Store
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Navigate the Wix App Market to find apps for your store
- Install and manage apps effectively
- Evaluate which apps will benefit your business
- Understand app pricing and avoid unexpected costs
Introduction
Your Wix store works well on its own, but apps can add powerful features that help you sell more and manage your business better. The Wix App Market offers hundreds of apps for marketing, customer service, inventory management, and more.
This chapter shows you how to find the right apps, install them safely, and avoid common pitfalls that slow down your site or waste money.
Lessons
Finding Apps in the App Market
The Wix App Market sits inside your dashboard and contains apps built specifically for Wix stores.
Step 1: From your Wix dashboard, click 'App Market' in the left menu
Step 2: Browse by category or use the search bar with specific keywords like 'email marketing' or 'reviews'
Step 3: Check the 'Ecommerce' category for store-specific apps
The categories cover everything from marketing tools to payment processors. Start with your biggest business challenge – whether that's getting more traffic, converting visitors, or managing orders.
Installing and Testing Apps
Before adding any app to your live store, you need to check it works properly and won't cause problems.
Step 1: Click on an app to see its full description, screenshots, and user reviews
Step 2: Look for apps with high ratings (4+ stars) and recent positive reviews
Step 3: Click 'Add to Site' to install – most apps install instantly
Step 4: Test the app thoroughly before making it live on your store
Always read recent reviews first. Apps that worked well six months ago might have issues now, especially after Wix updates.
Evaluating App Value and Costs
Free apps sound great, but premium apps often provide better features and support. Here's how to decide what's worth paying for.
Step 1: Start with the free trial if available – most paid apps offer 7-14 days free
Step 2: Calculate the monthly cost against the benefit to your business
Step 3: Check the cancellation policy before subscribing
Step 4: Monitor your site speed after installing any app
If an app slows your site down noticeably, remove it. Fast loading speeds matter more than extra features for most stores.
Practice
Choose one area where your store needs improvement – marketing, customer service, or operations. Search the App Market for solutions and install one app on a trial basis.
Test it for at least a week and note any changes to your site speed, user experience, or business results.
FAQs
Will apps slow down my Wix store?
Some apps can affect loading speed, especially those that add lots of features to your front-end pages. Always test apps during trial periods and remove any that noticeably slow your site.
How much should I expect to spend on apps monthly?
Most useful ecommerce apps cost between £5-50 per month. Budget around £20-100 monthly for a good selection of marketing, review, and management apps.
Can I remove apps if they don't work out?
Yes, you can uninstall apps anytime from your App Market dashboard. Make sure to cancel any subscriptions to avoid being charged for apps you're not using.
Do I need apps if my store is just starting out?
Focus on essential apps first: reviews, basic email marketing, and analytics. Add more advanced apps as your store grows and you identify specific needs.
Jargon Buster
App Market – Wix's built-in store where you can browse and install third-party applications for your website
Integration – How well an app connects with your existing Wix store features and other apps
Subscription model – Apps that charge monthly or yearly fees rather than one-time payments
API – The connection that lets apps communicate with your Wix store data
Wrap-up
The Wix App Market gives you access to powerful tools that can transform your basic store into a professional ecommerce operation. The key is choosing apps that solve real problems for your business rather than adding features you don't actually need.
Start with one or two essential apps, test them properly, and only add more once you're comfortable managing what you have. Quality trumps quantity when it comes to apps.
In the next chapter, we'll cover specific app recommendations for common ecommerce challenges.