This article provides a detailed overview of the Shopify Partner Program, outlining the benefits, earning tracks, and the pivotal role partners play in the Shopify ecosystem.

Estimated 7 min read

The Shopify Partner Program

The Shopify Partner Program is designed to empower businesses and individuals to leverage their expertise to help merchants maximize their potential on the Shopify platform. By offering high-quality services, innovative solutions, or advanced technology, Shopify Partners contribute significantly to driving growth and innovation in the ecommerce sector.

What is a Shopify Partner?

Shopify Partners are a diverse group of professionals and organizations dedicated to helping merchants succeed. They utilize their industry knowledge and skills to provide tailored solutions that enhance the merchant experience on Shopify.

What is the Shopify Partner Program?

The Shopify Partner Program is a strategic framework that enables organizations to successfully market and utilize Shopify’s offerings. The program focuses on recognizing and rewarding impactful contributions, whether these come in the form of quality sales referrals, expert services, innovative products, or advanced technology solutions. This framework not only expands Shopify's ecosystem but also enhances overall merchant success.

Shopify Partner Program Tracks

The program comprises two specialized tracks tailored to accommodate diverse partner strengths and business models: the Service Track and the Technology Track.

What is the Service Track?

The Service Partner Track is specially designed for agencies, consultancies, and systems integrators who wish to provide expert guidance to merchants on their Shopify journey. This track is accessible to partners who meet performance standards and is divided into five tiers: Registered, Select, Plus, Premier, and Platinum.

Service Partners in the Merchant Journey

Service Partners play a crucial role throughout the merchant journey by providing tailored solutions at key stages:

• Start: Assisting clients in setting up shops, including onboarding, building, migrating, or redesigning their Shopify stores.

• Run: Offering essential consulting services, analyzing performance, and helping merchants utilize Shopify tools effectively.

• Grow: Delivering advanced services for scaling, including specialized email marketing and conversion optimization, while also providing ongoing support for complex needs.

How Service Partners Earn with Shopify

Beginning July 1, 2025, Shopify will enhance revenue-sharing opportunities for Service Partners, linking their earnings directly to merchant success. Here’s how they can earn:

Development Stores

Partners receive a 20% revenue share on billed monthly platform fees when they create and transfer development stores to merchants. This continues as long as the merchant remains on Shopify and the partner is active in the program.

Sales Referrals

Submitting qualified referrals and collaborating with Shopify Sales on Plus or Enterprise plans can earn partners a one-time incentive of $2,500 upon contract signing and deal closure.

Launch Support

For launching new merchants through qualified Shopify Sales opportunities, partners can earn a 15% revenue share on monthly billed platform fees.

What is the Technology Partner Track?

The Technology Partner Track is designed for independent software vendors (ISVs), app developers, and global technology firms that aim to integrate solutions with Shopify. Partners in this track can achieve four levels: Registered, Plus, Premier, and Platinum, with the top three tiers available by invitation only.

Technology Partners in the Merchant Journey

Technology Partners enable merchants to enhance their storefront capabilities through innovative solutions:

• Start: Providing seamless migration and integration services for large merchants transitioning to Shopify.

• Run: Offering strategies for managing high-volume transactions and integrating complex supply chains.

• Grow: Implementing advanced solutions to enhance key metrics, such as conversion rates and average order values.

How Technology Partners Earn with Shopify

Technology Partners primarily generate revenue by creating and selling solutions to Shopify merchants:

Shopify App Store

Partners develop public apps and monetize them through various fee structures, earning 100% of the first $1 million in annual gross app revenue, followed by 85% on amounts exceeding that threshold.

Enterprise Solutions

Enterprise Technology Partners can develop solutions for larger merchants, often with custom licensing agreements.

Shopify Theme Store

Theme developers can sell their creations on the Shopify Theme Store, earning 85% of total revenue from each sale.

Key Takeaways

The Shopify Partner Program is instrumental in driving merchant success. Service Partners provide strategic guidance, while Technology Partners deliver scalable solutions that enhance the Shopify experience. Together, they form a crucial component of the Shopify ecosystem.

Take the Next Step

Assess the various business development, educational, and marketing benefits of partnering with Shopify to unlock new growth opportunities.

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