Shogun Shopify Review: The Ultimate Landing Page App [2023]
Shogun Shopify Review: The Ultimate Landing Page App [2023]
Published on Oct 20, 2023
Julien Mamalian
CEO, Bloggle
Shogun - A Feature-Rich Shopify Page-Builder
What is Shogun?
Shogun Shopify acts as a multipurpose tool for e-commerce enthusiasts, granting them the ability to craft bespoke pages without the intricacies of coding. This app is the linchpin that holds your Shopify store together, offering a drag-and-drop editor, myriad templates, and a suite of customizable elements. Imagine having a skilled architect, interior designer, and builder at your fingertips, ready to turn your e-commerce dreams into tangible layouts. That's the kind of empowerment Shogun brings to the table.
What Primary Purpose It Serves
The app’s raison d'être is to simplify and democratize the design process for Shopify retailers. No longer do you have to juggle between hiring expensive UX/UI designers and learning to code. Shogun steps in as a comprehensive solution, enabling you to focus on what you do best: selling products. Whether you're looking for a landing page builder app, to design product listings, or even intricate blog page types, Shogun offers the tools to do it all under one roof.
Who’s it for? Who is it NOT for?
Target Audience
The Shogun Shopify app is tailor-made for e-commerce entrepreneurs who are intent on elevating their Shopify stores to new heights. If you're looking to create a visually appealing and functional store without sinking into the quicksand of coding, Shogun could be your stepping stone. The app also holds appeal for small to medium-sized businesses that want to take the reins of their online storefront, from product pages to blog posts, without outsourcing the task to web designers.
It's also an asset for digital agencies who manage multiple Shopify accounts, thanks to its multi-store syncing capabilities in the higher-tier plans. Think of it as a versatile toolkit for anyone who wants to build and customize their Shopify site—like a set of gourmet cooking utensils for chefs who prefer a hands-on approach in the kitchen.
Who is it NOT for?
On the flip side, if you're a complete beginner with a limited budget, Shogun's more robust features might be overkill for your basic needs. The advanced functionalities, although impressive, come with a steeper price tag, making it less suitable for those who are just dipping their toes into the e-commerce pool.
Moreover, if you're an advanced developer who prefers to work with raw code, Shogun might feel a bit like a straitjacket. The app's focus on drag-and-drop customization could limit your creative control, much like a seasoned painter might feel restricted by a paint-by-numbers kit.
Lastly, businesses that don't use Shopify as their e-commerce platform will find little use for Shogun, as the app is finely tuned for the Shopify ecosystem.
Features
Drag-and-drop editor: Simplify your design process. The tool gives you access to over 70 templates, which you can use to create unlimited pages.
Customize all types of pages: Versatility in page design. Customize all your pages like Collection pages, Product pages, Blog pages, and more.
Extensive app integrations: Connects with major platforms like Yotpo, Klaviyo, Recharge, and more.
Variety of customizable elements: Tailor your content’s look and feel. It offers multiple elements, such as carousel icons and video backgrounds, to make your landing page more appealing. There are also advanced elements like countdown timers, hover effects, social icons, parallax displays, and advanced forms to customize your page further.
Pricing
Shogun offers a 4-tiered pricing:
FREE
All the drag-n-drop basics you need to get your store started.
1 published page
Page Builder for landing pages + home pages
Limited access to templates
Limited pre-styled blocks
Basic building elements
Page Analytics
Brand Styles
Direct-to-Checkout Button
Sliders, Product Galleries, and Swatches
Custom Templates
SEO Controls
Mobile Responsive Pages
BUILD ($29/ month)
Page building essentials needed to launch and begin growing your store.
Everything in Free plan plus:
10 published pages ($10/mo. per 5 addt’l pages)
70+ Templates
AI Designer
AI Text
Full library of elements
Custom Snippets
Integrations
Version control
Mobile responsive design
GROW ($199/ month. Or $1,908 billed annually (Save 20%))
Expanded tools & elements needed to power your next stage of growth.
Everything in Build plan plus:
Unlimited published pages
Product Page Templates
Content scheduling
AI SEO
Bulk Publishing
Global Snippets
Shogun Insights
ADVANCED ($499/ month Or $4788 billed annually (Save 20%))
Page creation and multi-store syncing at scale.
Everything in Grow plan plus:
Content syncing across stores
Dedicated CSM
Custom Data Collections
Custom Elements
AI Elements
User Permissions
Visual Builder for Shopify Hydrogen
Rating
4.8 / 5
What do real users have to say about it?
Pros & Cons
PRO
TemplatesShogun offers a massive template library for pages and elements that are easy to edit and customize using the drag-and-drop editor.
Easy to useShogun is intuitive and provides a flexible solution to creating Shopify pages without having to hire an expensive UX/UI designer.
SEO fixesYou can quickly optimize Shogun’s pages for SEO using meta descriptions and titles.
Excellent customer support
Seamless integration with other platforms
Designed with Shopify's specific needs in mind
CONS
Basic elementsSome elements like content blocks are outdated, which might not be ideal for advanced users.
Pay more to get more approachMost of Shogun’s essential features are only available in the top tier plans, like analytics, split testing features, and page export.
Absence of SEO tools and guidance
Complex due to an abundance of elements
Our Review: An Objective, In-Depth Review of Shogun Shopify
User Interface & Experience
After spending considerable time navigating through Shogun's labyrinth of features and testing its capabilities, here's our detailed and objective analysis. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty.
Usability
Right off the bat, it's clear that Shogun is a lifesaver for anyone who's not a coding wizard. With its straightforward UI and drag-and-drop editor, you can have a page up and running in no time. But here's the catch: if you're someone who knows their way around HTML and CSS, you might find Shogun's editor a bit like training wheels you can't take off. It's great for basic to intermediate needs but starts to feel restrictive if you're aiming for advanced customizations. Advanced users might feel like they could have done a better job themselves.
Design Elements
Shogun offers an impressive array of templates—good news for anyone keen on maintaining brand consistency across their online store. But here's the downside: some elements, like basic content blocks, look like they're stuck in a 2010 design aesthetic. So if you're going for a cutting-edge look, you might have to either compromise or look into higher-tier plans offering advanced design features. It's akin to buying a smartphone; the base model has all the essentials, but you'll have to shell out for the Pro model if you want the really cool features.
Third-Party Integrations
One of Shogun's strong suits is its seamless integration with big players like Yotpo and Klaviyo. If you're already using these platforms, it's a smooth ride. But, and it's a big but, the app's flexibility diminishes with lesser-known services. Imagine hosting a dinner party where the main dish pairs well with red wine but clashes with white; that's the kind of situation you might find yourself in if your existing services aren't in Shogun's good books.
Pricing Structure
Shogun employs tiered pricing, appealing to businesses ranging from fledgling startups to established enterprises. But here's what you need to know: the costs can mount up, especially if you need advanced features available only in the top-tier plans. It's like signing up for a basic service and then realizing you have to pay extra for add-ons. So, if you're a small business or a newbie, be prepared for a reality check when you look at the pricing details.
SEO Features
Shogun lets you add meta titles and descriptions, but don't expect a built-in SEO guru. For any in-depth analysis or keyword optimization, you'll need to look elsewhere. It's a bit like having a car with manual windows when you were hoping for automatic; it does the job, but not as efficiently or effectively as you'd like.
Customer Support
Shogun's customer support is responsive; no arguments there. But they're not wizards. If you run into a limitation of the platform, no amount of customer support will magically make it go away. So while you can expect help with any issues you encounter, be aware that the support team has its limitations.
Version Control
Here's a feature that doesn't get the spotlight it deserves: version control. Being able to revert to an older version of your page is like having a time machine when you've accidentally deleted a crucial file. It's a safety net that can save you hours of redoing your work. However, as this feature becomes more common across various platforms, it's less of a unique selling point for Shogun.
Final Thoughts: The Decision Is Yours
We've dissected Shogun Shopify from multiple angles, covering everything from user experience to how deep it'll dig into our pockets. It's crunch time now: Is Shogun the ally we need for our Shopify store?
Deciding on Shogun boils down to understanding our own priorities. Do we prize user-friendliness or crave deeper customization options? Are we content with the basic plan or do we see ourselves eventually upgrading for more features? It's about setting our expectations right and knowing our limits, especially when it comes to budget.
The bottom line? We've got the facts, we know our needs, and it's decision-making time. Let's make sure we're picking the tool that genuinely aligns with what we're looking to achieve.
FAQs
What are some alternatives to Shogun?
Pagefly is an alternative landing page builder for your ecommerce store.
Can I use Shogun with other platforms like WordPress or BigCommerce?
Absolutely! The Shogun landing page builder is available for all these platforms besides the Shopify App Store.
Is there a user-friendly and step-by-step tutorial for beginners on learning how to use Shogun?
Yes, a full video on the Shogun Crash Course is available here
Julien Mamalian
CEO, Bloggle
After an exciting 5 years of designing and optimizing Shopify sites for well-known French startups, I launched Bloggle. Our mission? To assist merchants worldwide in crafting compelling articles that rank high in SEO and truly engage their audience. In just 3 years, over 2,000 clients have trusted us, publishing more than 55,000 articles through Bloggle. Thanks to them, I’ve learned the keys to success and the pitfalls to avoid
.png)
