Shopify Store Audit Checklist for UK High Street Shops

by Steph Briggs

In today’s competitive retail environment, having a well-optimised Shopify store isn’t just a nice to have, it’s essential. For UK high street shops, your online store is an opportunity to complement your bricks and mortar presence, attract new customers, and boost sales. A Shopify audit can uncover areas holding your store back and highlight key improvements to make your website work harder for your business.

Top 6 Benefits of a Shopify Audit:

Improved Performance: Faster loading times and better functionality for a seamless shopping experience.
Higher Search Engine Rankings: Optimised SEO helps more customers find your store online.
Increased Sales: Enhanced product pages, checkout processes, and customer journeys drive conversions.
Better Customer Engagement: Tailored features and marketing tools improve connections with your audience.
Streamlined Operations: Integrated tools save time by automating tasks like inventory and analytics.
Stronger Brand Presence: A polished and professional store reflects your high street business’s identity.

If you run a bricks-and-mortar shop on the UK high street and want to expand your reach through Shopify, here’s a tailored audit checklist to optimise your store for success:

1. Store Design & User Experience (UX)

Evaluate homepage layout for clarity and visual appeal, ensuring it highlights your physical shop’s unique selling points.
Assess mobile responsiveness and performance on smartphones, as many shoppers browse on-the-go.
Review site navigation for simplicity, including links to "Find Us" or "Visit Our Store" pages.
Ensure consistent branding that reflects the look and feel of your high street shop (e.g., logos, colours, fonts).
Highlight in-store exclusive services (e.g., click-and-collect) on the homepage.
Test site search functionality to make it easy for customers to find products.
Showcase customer testimonials or reviews to build trust.

2. Speed & Performance

Measure page load times to ensure the site performs well on slower broadband connections common in rural areas.
Optimise images and files to improve loading speeds.
Remove unused apps or code that could slow down the store.
Test performance during peak browsing hours to ensure stability.

3. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

Optimise page titles and meta descriptions with keywords like "high street," "local," or your town’s name.
Include location-specific keywords in URLs (e.g., /products/[item]-[town-name]).
Add alt tags to images highlighting in-store and online benefits (e.g., "Buy in-store or online in [town]").
Ensure your "About Us" page includes local references to attract nearby customers searching online.
Create blog content about your high street community and shopping trends to boost local search rankings.

4. Product Listings

Use detailed product descriptions that reflect both in-store and online shopping experiences.
Upload high-quality images that match the visual appeal of your shop’s displays.
Include stock availability for both online and in-store inventory.
Highlight options like click-and-collect or local delivery prominently.
Ensure competitive pricing by benchmarking against other high street and online retailers.

5. Checkout Process

Test the checkout for simplicity and include options like "Pick Up In-Store" or "Reserve Online, Pay In-Store."
Ensure you offer local-friendly payment options (e.g., card, PayPal, Apple Pay).
Clearly outline in-store return options for online purchases.
Check abandoned cart recovery emails for tone and relevance, emphasising local services like quick pickup.

6. Apps & Integrations

Install apps for click-and-collect functionality and local delivery.
Use a review widget to display feedback from your in-store and online customers.
Remove unused apps to ensure smooth performance.
Integrate an email marketing tool like Klaviyo to keep customers updated about in-store promotions and online exclusives.

7. Analytics & Tracking

Confirm Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel are tracking local customer behaviours.
Analyse online traffic from your town or surrounding areas.
Monitor conversion rates for options like click-and-collect or local delivery.
Use Shopify’s built-in reports to identify bestsellers online and in-store.

8. Marketing & Promotions

Optimise your Google My Business profile to link your Shopify store and physical shop.
Promote local SEO by encouraging customer reviews that mention your high street location.
Highlight seasonal promotions that tie in with local events or shopping trends.
Use social media ads targeting nearby customers with offers to "Shop Online or In-Store."
Collaborate with other local businesses for joint promotions, driving both footfall and online traffic.

9. Security & Compliance

Ensure your SSL certificate is active, as customers expect secure shopping.
Verify GDPR compliance, especially for collecting local customer data.
Check staff account access to prevent unauthorised changes or security risks.
Test backup and recovery plans to safeguard against disruptions.

10. Customer Experience & Support

Provide clear links to in-store services like click-and-collect or same-day pickup.
Ensure your Contact Us page includes shop location, phone number, and email for seamless communication.
Add a live chat feature to answer online queries during shop hours.
Offer easy returns for online purchases in-store, building customer trust.

11. General Housekeeping

Test all links, especially those directing customers to "Visit Us" or "Click-and-Collect" options.
Update your store with localised holiday promotions (e.g., Christmas on the high street).
Ensure currency, language, and tax settings align with your UK-based operations.
Keep your Shopify store updated with the latest features and integrations to ensure peak performance.

Outsource Your Shopify Audit to The Retail Champion

Feeling overwhelmed? Running a high street shop already takes up most of your time, and optimising your Shopify store can feel like a daunting task. That’s where we come in! By outsourcing your Shopify audit to The Retail Champion, you can save time, reduce stress, and focus on what you do best: running your business.

Benefits of Outsourcing Your Shopify Audit to Us:

Quick and Efficient: We identify key improvements and implement changes fast, so your store performs better without delay.
Tailored Expertise: Our team specialises in supporting UK high street shops, so we understand the unique challenges you face.
End-to-End Support: From design and SEO to marketing and customer experience, we handle every aspect of your Shopify store.
Save Time: Focus on running your physical shop while we optimise your online presence.
Proven Results: We deliver actionable recommendations and implement changes to boost sales and improve customer satisfaction.

Take the hassle out of optimising your Shopify store. Contact us at champion@retailchampion.co.uk to schedule your audit today and unlock your store’s full potential. Let us help you make your Shopify store work harder for your high street business.