How We Built 10 Shopify Apps Used by 250,000+ Merchants | Justas Galaburda

How do you build not just one successful Shopify app—but an entire portfolio used by more than 250,000 merchants? In this episode of The SaaS Hub Shopify Podcast, I sit down with Justas Galaburda, Co-founder of Essential Apps, to discuss what it takes to build multiple category-leading Shopify apps, scale a product portfolio, and create long-term businesses inside the Shopify ecosystem. Before founding Essential Apps, Justas co-founded Oberlo, one of Shopify's most influential dropshipping apps, which was later acquired by Shopify. After the acquisition, he spent several years at Shopify before starting Essential Apps in 2022. Today, Essential Apps has built a portfolio of 10+ Shopify apps, all focused on solving everyday merchant problems. Collectively, their apps are trusted by 250,000+ Shopify merchants, with multiple apps carrying the Built for Shopify badge and maintaining outstanding 5-star ratings. This conversation goes far beyond product features. We dive into the mindset behind building successful Shopify apps, identifying market opportunities, scaling product teams, and how the Shopify ecosystem continues to evolve. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Building Oberlo and what it was like being acquired by Shopify ✅ Lessons learned from working inside Shopify ✅ Why Essential Apps chose a portfolio strategy instead of building one flagship product ✅ How they decide which Shopify app to build next ✅ Building products that consistently earn 5-star reviews ✅ The importance of the Built for Shopify program ✅ Scaling to 250,000+ merchants across multiple apps ✅ Why solving simple merchant problems often wins ✅ AI-generated apps and the future of Shopify development ✅ Shopify App Store competition and discovery challenges ✅ Advice for founders building Shopify apps today Whether you're a Shopify app founder, merchant, agency, SaaS builder, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights into product strategy, execution, and building businesses that stand the test of time. 👤 Guest Justas Galaburda Co-founder, Essential Apps Essential Apps builds one of the largest portfolios of Shopify applications, helping more than 250,000 merchants improve conversions, increase AOV, optimize storefronts, and grow their businesses. Their portfolio includes: • Essential Countdown Timer Bar • Essential Announcement Bar • Essential Trust Badges & Icons • Essential Free Shipping Upsell • Essential Cart Drawer & Upsell • Essential Preorder & Back in Stock • Essential Loyalty Program • Essential Estimated Delivery Date • Essential AI SEO • Essential CRO Split Testing Explore their apps: https://apps.shopify.com/partners/ess... 🤝 Episode Sponsor This episode is proudly supported by The Support Heroes. If you're building a Shopify app and want to provide exceptional customer support without building an in-house team, The Support Heroes helps app founders deliver fast, knowledgeable, and human support that scales alongside their business. 🌐 https://www.thesupportheroes.com/ 🚀 About The SaaS Hub The SaaS Hub helps Shopify merchants discover the best apps, compare solutions, and build the right technology stack for their stores. Through in-depth founder interviews, app reviews, merchant resources, and ecosystem insights, we aim to help everyone in the Shopify community make better technology decisions. 🌐 https://thesaashub.com/ 🔗 Connect with Justas LinkedIn:   / justas-galaburda-82882056   Essential Apps: https://apps.shopify.com/partners/ess... If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share it with another Shopify founder, merchant, or ecommerce operator. Every week on The SaaS Hub Shopify Podcast, we bring you conversations with the founders, operators, and leaders shaping the Shopify ecosystem. #Shopify #ShopifyApps #Ecommerce #SaaS #ShopifyPartner #Founders #ProductManagement #TheSaaSHub #Podcast #ShopifyDevelopment