In this article, learn about the Built for Shopify Standards and why they matter for your app, regardless of whether you’re creating a public or custom app. Understanding these standards is crucial for developers looking to enhance their app's visibility and user experience.

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• Built for Shopify standards

• Key focus areas for Built for Shopify

• Built for Shopify Status Benefits

• Application and badge process

• Built for Shopify annual reviews

• Conclusion

Built for Shopify Standards

The Shopify platform offers developers the opportunity to create apps that help merchants enhance their workflows. These apps can be published on the Shopify App Store, allowing users from all over the globe to add them to their Shopify store. To help developers build high-quality apps that are safe, easy to use, and performant, Shopify established the Built for Shopify program.

This program includes a set of standards that apps can meet to unlock exclusive promotional benefits and be recognized as top-tier apps on Shopify. Let’s take a closer look at these standards and how you can determine if your app meets them.

Key Focus Areas for Built for Shopify

Most of the Built for Shopify standards can be categorized into a few main principles:

• Usefulness: Shopify will measure how useful your app is through installation numbers and user reviews.

• User Experience: Your app should be intuitive and easy to navigate for all merchants.

• Performance: Your app must perform efficiently for both merchants and their customers.

• Integration: Your app must meet category-specific requirements to ensure that merchants have data in the right places.

While achieving Built for Shopify status is not a prerequisite for custom apps, adhering to these standards is still considered best practice to ensure you build the highest quality app for merchants.

Built for Shopify Status Benefits

Achieving Built for Shopify status requires a dedicated investment, but the benefits are extensive. Once you achieve this status, you unlock a variety of additional benefits for your public app:

These achievements not only enhance your app’s visibility but also contribute to creating the best experience for users and merchants.

Application and Badge Process

For public apps, meeting the Built for Shopify criteria allows you to apply for the Built for Shopify badge, signaling to merchants that your app meets the highest standards. While this isn’t required for custom apps, following these guidelines will help ensure your app is high quality.

When you feel your app is ready and meets all the automatically assessed criteria, you can submit it for review. You can check which criteria are automated on your app’s Distribution page in the Partner Dashboard. After submission, your app will undergo a manual review, and if it passes, you will be awarded the Built for Shopify badge on the Shopify App Store, increasing your app's visibility to more merchants.

Built for Shopify Annual Reviews

It’s important to note that your Built for Shopify status is not permanent. Shopify will review your app at least once a year to ensure it continues to meet the Built for Shopify standards. You will receive notifications when this process begins and again with the outcome of the review.

If you pass the review, no further action is required. However, if your app fails to meet the standards, you will receive an explanation and have 60 days to address the issues before resubmitting your app for review. Staying updated on any changes made to the Built for Shopify standards is crucial in preparation for your annual review.

Your app will be automatically resubmitted for review each year, around the anniversary of your initial acceptance.

Conclusion

The Built for Shopify program is a unified set of standards and requirements for public-facing Shopify Apps. These guidelines are also beneficial for custom apps, as they promote better experiences and performance for users. All app developers should be aware of and follow the Built for Shopify standards to enhance their apps’ overall quality and usefulness.

Take some time to read through the Built for Shopify program benefits and requirements if you haven’t already. Embrace these standards to elevate your app's quality and stand out in the competitive Shopify ecosystem.

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