App-exclusive promotions are one of the most effective ways to drive downloads and keep users coming back. By offering something that is only available in your app, whether it is early access, exclusive products, or special discounts, you give customers a compelling reason to install and engage. This guide covers eight types of in-app exclusives and how to set up app-only collections in Shopify.

In-App Early Access and Releases

Give app users first access to new product drops, seasonal collections, or sales events. Use push notifications to alert them the moment early access goes live.

In-App Only Products and Collections

Curate products or collections that are exclusively available in the app. Promote these exclusives across your social media channels and website to drive traffic to the app.

Flash Sales

Create urgency with time-limited flash sales available only in the app. Use a custom banner or the countdown timer block to reinforce the limited-time offer.

One-Time In-App Welcome Discounts

Offer a first-time download discount to motivate installs. Create a discount code in Shopify and promote it exclusively through the app experience. You can use Shopify Functions to create discounts that are only redeemable within the app channel. For setup details, see our Setting Up Discount Codes guide.

Free Shipping

Use the product detail page builder to create a custom in-app banner highlighting a free shipping offer. Free shipping is consistently one of the top incentives for driving repeat app visits and purchases.

Exclusive Brand Updates and Content

Keep customers engaged by sharing brand content exclusively in the app. Create custom banners that link to blog posts, videos, playlists, or behind-the-scenes content.

Pro Tip: Create collections in your app based on products that appear in your content , for example, a "Shop the Look" collection linked from a styling video.

Event Invitations

Reward your most loyal app users with early or exclusive access to events. Create in-app banners linking to event details, then send push notifications to drive attendance.

Sweepstakes and Giveaways

Enter-to-win sweepstakes are a proven way to incentivize app downloads. Promote the giveaway across your social channels and email list, with entry available only through the app.

Setting Up an App-Exclusive Collection in Shopify

To create products or collections that only appear in your app, set up a dedicated collection in Shopify with limited sales channel availability.

Go to Shopify Collections in your admin.
Click Create Collection.
Under Sales Channels (in the Publishing section on the right), deselect all channels except Tapcart. This ensures the collection is only visible within your app.
Set the Collection Type to Manual so you have full control over which products appear.
Click Save to create the collection.
Add products under the Products section and arrange them using Sort: Manually.
Click Save once your collection is complete.

For more on creating and managing discount codes for your exclusives, see Setting Up Discount Codes. To notify users about your exclusives, learn how to use Push Notifications.