What a Shopify UGC (CGC) Strategy Actually Looks Like

In the age of authenticity, your best marketers are already your customers.

If you run a Shopify brand, you’ve likely noticed something: the ads that actually convert aren’t glossy, studio-produced campaigns. They’re raw. Real. Shot on a phone. Often messy -> but honest.

That’s the power of UGC, user-generated content.
Or as we prefer to call it CGC — customer-generated content.

Because when the content comes from actual buyers — not influencers, not actors, not AI — it builds trust, drives conversions, and outperforms most paid media.

Why CGC Is the Secret Weapon for Shopify Brands

In a crowded ecommerce world,
CGC gives your brand something algorithms can’t fake: credibility.

• UGC leads to 5x higher conversion rates when customers interact with it
  → Bazaarvoice
• Consumers find UGC 9.8x more impactful than influencer content
  → HubSpot
• More than 84% of millennials say UGC has at least some influence on what they buy→ CrowdRiff
• Consumers are 2.4x more likely to say UGC is authentic compared to brand-created content→ Backlinko
• Shopify has highlighted CGC as a key brand builder, showcasing brands like Glossier and Allbirds who use customer content across paid ads, email, and site design→ Shopify Enterprise

What a Shopify UGC (CGC) Strategy Actually Looks Like

Building a proper UGC/CGC strategy means designing a system - not just hoping customers tag you on Instagram. It’s about timing, incentives, automation, and reuse.

1. Ask at the Right Time

• 5–7 days post-delivery is ideal: the product is still fresh, but the excitement hasn’t worn off.
• Use automated flows via tools like Klaviyo, Postscript, or 82DASH.
• Make your message warm, clear, and personal.

Example email template:

Subject: Show us your [Product Name] moment

Hi [First Name],
We’d love to see how [Product Name] looks on you.

Share a photo or short video of you using it, and we’ll send you a [$10 reward / special discount].

It only takes a minute - and you’ll help other customers find their perfect [category].

Submit your content now.

2. Be Specific With the Ask

• “Snap a photo of you wearing it” beats “Leave a review.”
• Ask for short video testimonials: “What did you love about it?” or “Would you recommend it to a friend?”
• Set expectations by sharing sample submissions.

Many B2B and DTC teams are now asking:

“How do we get content from our customers that feels real — not polished case studies or scripted testimonials, but actual clips, screenshots, reactions, little wins?”

The answer: ask better, reward better, and make it effortless to share.

3. Reward the Effort

• Offer store credit, discounts, or exclusive perks.
• Or, consider Social Tip a platform that lets you directly reward customers with cash when they post about your brand online. Social Tip turns everyday people into influencers - no actors, no agencies, just real people spreading the word and getting rewarded.

UGC campaigns with rewards see 20%+ higher participation rates
→ Digital Marketing Institute

4. Automate the Workflow

• Collect, license, and reward content seamlessly with a tool like 82DASH.
• No spreadsheets, no chasing people, no legal grey areas.
• Approve or reject content with AI moderation and brand guidelines in place.

Common Mistakes in UGC Strategies

Even with the best intentions, here’s where Shopify brands often slip up:

• Too vague in the ask: “Share your experience” doesn’t get the same results as “Send us a photo of you using it outside.”
• Delayed rewards: If the incentive takes too long to deliver, participation drops fast.
• Over-curation: Trying to control the aesthetic too tightly kills authenticity.
• No legal clarity: Without clear licensing and consent, brands can’t reuse content safely.
• Ignoring the follow-up: If someone submits amazing content - thank them. Share it. Close the loop.

Where to Use the Customer Content You Collect

Real customer content fuels your full funnel -> not just social:

• Product pages → Boost conversion with photo/video reviews.
• Meta, TikTok, Pinterest ads → CGC cuts through and performs.
• Email campaigns → Build community with real voices.
• Landing pages → Use testimonials and social proof to increase time-on-site.
• Re-engagement flows → Show what real people are saying.

61% of marketers say UGC is critical to driving conversions
→ Sprout Social

Real Brands, Real Results

“We collected over 1,000 pieces of CGC in 3 months and used it across 15 ad variations. Our CPA dropped by 27%.”
— Performance marketer, Shopify DTC brand

“The moment we automated CGC collection post-purchase, engagement exploded. People wanted to be part of our story.”
— CMO, sustainable skincare company

Final Thoughts: Let Your Customers Do the Talking

You don’t need actors. You don’t need AI avatars. You need actual people - real customers who love what you do and are willing to share that.

That kind of content doesn’t just build trust - it builds community.

It’s honest, relatable, and infinitely more powerful than anything you could create in a studio.

Give your customers the tools, the invitation, and a small reward
- and they’ll do the storytelling for you.

Want to turn your customers into your best content creators? Try 82DASH.

Isabelle Simon - Communications Lead - 82DASH