To increase repeat orders on Shopify, merchants should focus on customer retention through loyalty and rewards programs, personalized email and SMS marketing, and consistent customer support.
When we recently had a conversation with our customer support team, one pattern stood out almost immediately. A large number of Shopify merchants were asking the same question in different ways:
“How do I increase repeat orders on my Shopify store?”
Some merchants had decent traffic but poor returning customers. Others were spending heavily on ads but struggling to make those numbers sustainable. A few were even doing good monthly sales, yet felt stuck because every new month meant starting from zero again.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
For most Shopify store owners, getting the first purchase already takes time, money, and effort. But what truly determines long-term growth is whether those customers come back for a second, third, or fourth order.
If your repeat order numbers are lower than you’d like, this blog is for you. Let’s walk through actionable, proven strategies that really move the needle.
Why Repeat Orders Matter
Before we jump into tactics, let’s look at why you should care about Shopify repeat orders.
On average, most Shopify stores see a repeat purchase rate between 25% and 30%. Stores that invest consistently in retention strategies like loyalty programs and post-purchase engagement often push this number beyond 35%
- Repeat customers are up to 9x more likely to convert compared to first-time visitors, according to Kangaroorewards mentioned in an article.
- They tend to have a higher average order value than new buyers.
- The cost of acquiring another purchase from the same customer is far lower than acquiring a brand new customer.
How to increase repeat orders in your Shopify store
1. Start With a Loyalty or Rewards Program
One of the most effective ways to nudge customers back into your store is with a loyalty program.
Customers love to feel appreciated, and loyalty programs tap directly into that feeling by rewarding them for coming back. Whether it’s points on purchases, VIP perks, or rewards for actions like referrals and reviews, loyalty programs work because they give customers a reason to think about you more often.
Real-life example:
Inkbox known for theri temporary tattoos, increased their repeat purchase rate by 80% in one month after building a thoughtful rewards program that encouraged customer engagement beyond the first order.
What to do next: Use Shopify apps like iWeb loyalty rewards, in your store to create a loyalty program offering loyalty points and rewards to boost customer loyalty.
2. Master Post-Purchase Engagement
Many stores make the mistake of treating the sale as the end of the journey. But the post-purchase period is one of the best opportunities to build loyalty and earn repeat orders.
Why? Because customers are still thinking about your brand right after they buy and you have direct access through email and SMS.
Real-life example:
Harney & Sons Tea, for example, sends customers a $10 discount on their next order — regardless of what they choose. This simple gesture not only shows appreciation but gives a compelling reason to return.
Post-purchase actions that work:
- Send a thank you email with personalized product recommendations.
- Follow up with “how to use” guides or care tips for the product they bought.
- Offer a time-limited discount for their next purchase.
3. Personalize the Shopping Experience
Modern shoppers want experiences that feel relevant to them. This could be anything from showing products they viewed previously to tailoring email recommendations based on what they actually bought.
According to broader ecommerce studies, over 70% of customers expect personalized interactions from the stores they shop with.
Real-life example:
Think about how Amazon recommends “items you might like” that kind of contextual suggestion increases the chances of a return purchase because it feels like you’re helping, not selling.
What’s the next step: Enable one-click reordering button on the thank you page, my account page, or other pages so that customers can easily reorder their past purchases in a single click. You can use any of the Shopify apps, like Advance Reorder, to implement in your store.
4. Use Retargeting and Win-Back Campaigns
Not all customers will return on their own. That’s where retargeting and win-back campaigns shine. These are automated efforts that re-engage lapsed customers who haven’t ordered in a set time period, like 30, 60, or 90 days.
What to do next:
- Email sequences with special offers targeted at lapsed buyers.
- SMS reminders about items related to past purchases.
- Discount codes that feel exclusive and time-sensitive.
5. Simplify and Speed Up Checkout
Let’s be honest: a complicated checkout kills repeat orders because customers won’t want to go through friction again.
Features like Shop Pay, which securely stores customer information for one-click checkout, can make a big difference. Shopify data shows that stores offering Shop Pay see significantly higher conversion rates, with shoppers being up to 77% more likely to complete repeat purchases.
Action steps:
- Enable accelerated checkout options like Shop Pay and Apple Pay.
- Reduce unnecessary form fields.
- Ensure your store is mobile-friendly.
Final Thoughts
Increasing repeat orders doesn’t happen by accident; it requires thoughtful systems that reward loyalty, personalize experiences, simplify buying, and keep your brand top of mind.
The good news? Many of these strategies are cost-effective compared to new customer acquisition. When you look at investing in retention tactics like loyalty programs, email flows, and checkout optimization, you’re investing in the long-term profitability of your business.
Start with a couple of high-impact strategies and start getting more Shopify repeat orders.
People Also Ask
How can I increase repeat orders on Shopify without spending more on ads?
You can increase repeat orders without additional ad spend by focusing on customer retention strategies such as loyalty programs, post-purchase email flows, personalized product recommendations, and win-back campaigns.
What is a good repeat purchase rate for a Shopify store?
A good repeat purchase rate for a Shopify store typically falls between 25% and 30%
What Shopify apps help increase repeat customers?
There are many Shopify apps like iWeb Loyalty Rewards, Advance Reorder that can help to increase repeat customers.
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About the author
Sajini Annie John
Meet Sajini, a seasoned technical content writer with a passion for e-commerce and expertise in Shopify. She is committed to helping online businesses to thrive through the power of well-crafted content.