Create and launch a complete contest from one full-screen editor. You can start from a template or a blank contest, then move through Build, Design, Launch, and Results. On phones and touch devices, these four stages appear along the bottom of the editor.
1. Choose a starting point
- Open UserLoop Contests in Shopify admin.
- Click Create contest.
- Choose a template, or click Create blank contest.
Templates pre-fill useful settings, but every part remains editable.
2. Build the contest
Build contains the setup steps. On desktop, select a step in the left pane. On mobile, select it under Steps and the editor opens Edit automatically; use Preview to check the customer experience.
Contest settings
- Click the pencil beside the title at the top of the editor to rename the contest.
- Choose start and end dates.
- Edit the public URL slug.
- Add a description.
- Choose the storefront language.
- Review the generated terms, or replace them with your own rules.
Entry form
Email is required. For first name and phone number, choose Don't collect, Optional, or Required. You can also allow 1–10 entries per person, change the button text, and control whether prizes, dates, and terms are shown.
Prizes
Add Shopify products or custom prizes. Click a prize card to edit its quantity. The first prize is the grand prize, and the order determines the draw order in Results.
Success and rewards
Customize the success message. Pro stores can also issue a unique Shopify discount code to every confirmed entrant and optionally deliver it by email.
Bonus actions
Add referrals, photo uploads, questions, social visits, secret codes, and other ways to earn extra entries. On Free, you can build and preview these actions, but a new contest keeps them paused for entrants until you upgrade to Pro.
3. Design the experience
Open Design to choose a theme, upload a header image and logo, set colors, and review the contest on desktop and mobile. Pro stores can also open Custom text to override translated storefront labels, placeholders, validation messages, status notices, and action text.
Use the preview controls to switch between standalone page, popup, and app block views, and between the entry and success states.
4. Prepare the launch
Open Launch to check each distribution channel and complete the go-live checklist.
You can:
- Share the standalone page.
- Enable the Contest Popup app embed.
- Add the Contest Form section to an Online Store 2.0 theme.
- For a photo contest, add the Photo gallery block so customers can view approved submissions and vote.
- Copy the link or download a QR code.
- Build a tracked link with UTM source, medium, and campaign values.
Save your changes, preview the customer experience, then click Activate. A contest accepts entries only while it is active and within its scheduled dates. If Free-plan bonus actions are paused, Launch names them before activation. The contest can still go live; upgrading to Pro activates those actions without a relaunch.
5. Monitor entries and choose winners
Open Results to see views, entries, conversion rate, photos, identified voters, referrals, and winners. Photo contests include approval filters and approve/reject controls. On mobile, use Overview, Entries, and Draw winners at the top of Results. Winner selection is available on Free and Pro. When the contest has ended, draw a weighted random winner, choose an entrant manually, or select the most-voted photo. You can also end an active contest early from Results when you are ready to draw.
After keeping a winner, click Set up prize delivery:
- On Free, choose Handle redemption yourself and I'll contact them.
- On Pro, you can also let UserLoop send the winner email, create a secure claim link, collect delivery details, and create a Shopify draft or order.
Track an automated redemption through Notified, Claimed, Order, and Fulfilled.
For a tour of every editor stage, see Using the Contest Editor. For the full winner workflow, see Sending and Fulfilling Winner Prizes.
For plan rules, grandfathered contests, and action-removal warnings, see Bonus Entry Actions.
Running a photo campaign? Follow Photo Contests and Public Voting for gallery, voting, consent, and moderation setup.