By Chris Wizner, Founder of Vivid Candi – 360 Advertising & Marketing
If you’re asking “How do I market my Shopify website?”, you’re already ahead of most store owners.
My name is Chris Wizner, and I’ve spent 25+ years running a full-service marketing agency, managing millions of dollars in ecommerce and brand-driven ad spend, and helping businesses scale from scrappy startups to national brands.
Out of all the platforms I’ve worked on over the decades, Shopify is hands-down one of my favorites to market.
Why? Because Shopify gives marketers something rare in 2026:
- Clean data
- Clear attribution
- Powerful reporting
- Scalability without chaos
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through my favorite Shopify marketing tips, exactly how a Shopify marketing agency thinks, and how to approach growth like a true Shopify marketing expert, not a guess-and-check advertiser.
Let’s make waves. 🌊
Jump to: Why Shopify is a Marketer’s Dream · Tip #1 · Tip #2 · Tip #3 · Tip #4 · Tip #5 · Tip #6 · Tip #7 · Tip #8 · When to Hire a Shopify Marketing Agency
Why Shopify Is a Marketer’s Dream Platform
Before we dive into tactics, let’s get one thing straight: Shopify isn’t just an ecommerce platform—it’s a marketing intelligence engine if you know how to use it correctly.
Unlike most platforms, Shopify:
- Tracks actual transaction data
- Separates first-time vs returning customers
- Measures LTV (Customer Lifetime Value)
- Allows UTM-based revenue filtering
- Gives you clarity when ad platforms lie (and yes, they lie)
That’s why every serious ecommerce marketing agency should treat Shopify reports as the source of truth.
Shopify Marketing Tip #1: Trust Shopify Sales Data — Not Google Analytics
This one is critical.
If you’re still relying 100% on Google Analytics for ecommerce revenue, you’re flying blind.
Why Google Analytics Is Broken for Ecommerce
In 2026, Google Analytics often misses 30–60% of actual revenue due to privacy restrictions, iOS changes, ad blockers, cookie consent, and cross-device behavior.
GA is still useful for:
- Traffic trends
- Engagement
- Content insights
But not for accurate Shopify sales reporting.
The rule we follow as a Shopify Marketing Agency:
Shopify reports = revenue truth.
Ad platforms & GA = directional insights.
Once you accept this, your marketing decisions instantly get smarter.
Shopify Marketing Tip #2: Use UTMs the Right Way (This Is a Power Move)
Most brands use UTMs incorrectly—or not at all.
If you want 100% accurate campaign attribution, Shopify UTMs are non-negotiable.
How We Do It
- Build UTMs using a clean tool like utmbuilder.net.
- Keep naming simple and readable, for example:
utm_source=metautm_medium=paid-socialutm_campaign=summer_drop_2026
- Never overcomplicate UTMs. Clarity > cleverness.
Why This Works
Shopify allows you to filter reports by campaign name, meaning: no data loss, no guessing, and no “Meta says this, Google says that” chaos.
You’ll finally see exact revenue tied to exact campaigns.
That’s how real Shopify marketing experts operate.
Shopify Marketing Tip #3: ROAS Is Your New Best Friend (But Use It Wisely)
Let’s talk ROAS—Return on Ad Spend.
In Shopify ecosystems:
- Google Ads often drive 2–3x ROAS (same session)
- Meta Ads can drive 6–12x ROAS when creative is dialed in
But here’s the trap…
Same-Session ROAS Is Only Part of the Story
Most brands obsess over: “Did this ad convert immediately?” But Shopify allows you to go deeper.
The real question is:
What is the total value of a customer over time?
Shopify Marketing Tip #4: Measure True ROAS Using LTV (Not Just Clicks)
If you’re only measuring same-session conversions, you’re underestimating your marketing success.
Shopify’s Secret Weapon: Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)
Inside Shopify reports, you can:
- Track repeat purchases
- Measure returning customer revenue
- See which campaigns create long-term buyers
This is where elite ecommerce marketing agencies win.
Example
- Campaign A = 2x ROAS same session
- Campaign B = 1.5x ROAS same session
But Campaign B brings back customers who purchase again, subscribe, and refer friends. Over 90 days, Campaign B becomes a 6x+ ROAS winner.
Always zoom out.
Shopify Marketing Tip #5: First-Time Customers Are Your Growth KPI
One of the most underrated Shopify metrics? First-Time Customers.
This metric tells you:
- If your brand is actually growing
- If you’re expanding market reach
- If ads are scaling or stagnating
What We Watch Closely
- % of revenue from first-time buyers
- Cost per first-time customer
- First-time customer conversion rate
If this number stalls, your brand stalls. Period.
Shopify Marketing Tip #6: Buy Your Own Brand Keywords on Google Ads
“Yes, you should absolutely run Google Ads on your own brand name.”
Why This Works
- Brand keywords convert 4.5x higher
- You control the title, description, sitelinks, and landing page
- You protect against competitors bidding on your brand, marketplaces stealing traffic, and SERP hijacking
Organic listings are great—but paid brand ads dominate screen real estate. Smart brands do both.
Shopify Marketing Tip #7: Influencer UGC Is the Creative King
If you take one thing from this article, take this: UGC-style creative consistently outperforms polished ads.
Where It Wins
- Meta Ads
- TikTok Ads
- YouTube Shorts
- Google Performance Max
What Works Best
- iPhone-style videos
- Real people
- Real reactions
- Real testimonials
- Imperfect authenticity
When done right, UGC drives higher CTRs, lower CPA, better ROAS, and stronger brand trust. The algorithm loves it. Humans trust it.
Shopify Marketing Tip #8: Think Like a Brand, Not Just a Store
This is where Shopify marketing experts separate themselves.
Short-term thinking:
- Discounts
- Flash sales
- Panic optimizations
Long-term brand thinking:
- Creative consistency
- Messaging frameworks
- Community building
- Email & SMS ecosystems
- Influencer partnerships
Shopify brands that scale in 2026 feel human, sound confident, and look unforgettable. That’s branding + performance working together.
When to Hire a Shopify Marketing Agency
If you’re asking:
- “How do I scale without burning cash?”
- “Which channels should I prioritize?”
- “Why are my ads working… then suddenly not?”
It may be time to work with a Shopify marketing agency that understands Shopify reporting, is data-driven but creatively fearless, knows how to balance ROAS + LTV, and brings real experience.
At Vivid Candi, Shopify marketing isn’t a service—it’s a system.
