Shopify Partners: Everything You Need to Know
Shopify is a popular ecommerce platform providing the technology for people to trade over the internet. Over 300 million consumers bought products from Shopify stores in 2019 alone. Even if you haven’t heard of it, there’s a good chance you’ve used it without realizing it. This could be the lipstick you recently bought off Instagram or the trendy eye concealer sold at a bargain.
Shopify has a lot more functionalities than a site builder. A group of experts described as Shopify Partners collaborate with merchants by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Shopify Partner Program comprises experts in various niches that feed into ecommerce store setup. Examples of partners are Shopify designers, Shopify marketers, etc.
In this article, we shall explore Shopify partnerships in-depth as per the highlighted topics below:\
What is the Shopify Partner Program?
Who are Shopify Partners?
Shopify Partner Program benefits
Difference Between Shopify Partners and Shopify Plus Partners
Define a Shopify Expert
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Shopify Partner
Conclusion
Check out some of the must-have apps great for Shopify store owners
What is the Shopify Partner Program?
The win-win partnership between entrepreneurs and Shopify Partners administered by the platform is the Shopify Partner Program. It further unlocks useful resources, and tools perks that can grow your brand.
Who are Shopify Partners?
Shopify Partners are active users in the Shopify Partner Program. The “Partner” tag comes from the formal agreement signed with Shopify (renewable annually).
So, who are we referring to when we say partners?
Theme creators
Web designers
Photographers
freelancers
Influencers
Developers
Coders
Anyone skilled in these roles can earn passive income through the Shopify Partner Program.
Popular revenue-earning activities are:
Development store—when on the Shopify free plan you can set up, develop, or run a theme for users. You will earn a 20% cut on the users’ monthly subscription fees for the duration they remain customers.
Affiliate marketing income—approved Shopify Partners can refer potential customers through an affiliate program. Shopify merchants who buy a plan through the link get two months’ worth of the subscribers' monthly payment.
Develop Shopify apps—earn an 80% one-time transaction of the revenue garnered from the sale of an app.
Hold on now, how does one see their earnings?
You can track revenue from different channels from the Shopify Partner Dashboard. Get to see all metrics recorded from the Shopify themes, apps, and e-store.
Shopify Partner Program benefits
As a starter on Shopify, you might be weighing the pros and cons of signing up for The Shopify Partner Program.
Here’s what’s in it for you:
Commissions and affiliate income use a special link to redirect clients to sign up for premium Shopify pricing plans—earning a slice when it happens.
Exclusive content where Shopify allows you to access exclusive content that could help scale your business.
Special discounts on tools where partners get exclusive perks on tools that help manage projects, brand building, or design products.
A Resource section for partners to access the Shopify Academy, certification exams, training courses, and how-to guides.
Expedited support for partners to receive prioritized assistance.
Partners get to earn passive income through referral commissions or other expert opportunities.
Analytical tools help gauge your business's performance by tracking growth and overall performance metrics.
Difference Between Shopify Partners and Shopify Plus Partners
No. The Shopify Partners program is designed for small and medium-sized ecommerce stores. In contrast, Shopify Plus Partners suit large businesses.
To join Shopify Plus Partners, you must go through a competitive application process. Like with the Shopify Partner Program, you can also access top resources. While the margins for Shopify Plus Partners are higher, it is not expected to scale as fast as Shopify Partners learn more on Shopify Plus Partners. Store owners hire Shopify experts when looking to boost their online sales.
Define a Shopify Expert
Shopify experts are different from general partners. You only become a Shopify expert after being pre-vetted by the Shopify platform. The designation as an expert comes from their multiple work previous projects within Shopify’s ecosystem.
Shopify Experts have a higher earning potential and can offer services at their preferred fee rates provided they comply with Shopify’s terms. Directly invoice your clients and get paid on Shopify’s platform.
Do you want to be a Shopify Expert? Here’s how:
Have an active Shopify Partner account.
Create or develop + Shopify app stores.
Showcase the Shopify banner or logo and an affiliate link on your landing page.
Wait, there’s more—
While checking off the requirements mentioned gets you past the door, here are other must-haves that guarantee a seat at the table:
Engage in Shopify Community forums
Develop educational content
Participate in networking events by attending Shopify Meetups
Keep learning
Merchants need Shopify experts to help increase their sales or give their brands better visibility. Remember, they have done it several times before, that is why they are “experts.” Some of the services listed on Shopify Expert Marketplaces are:
Visual branding
Product setup
Custom domains
Building and design of online stores
Sales channels
Website audit and sales strategy guide
Email campaign guide
Social media marketing guide
Right now, you can’t apply to become a Shopify Expert until the next window opens.
Get smarter about Shopify by reading the Shopify Partners Blog.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Shopify Partner
Are you conversant with the saying, “If you are good at something, never do it for free.” Spread around some Shopify Partner mojo and earn passive income while at it. Everything is transparent and payment is facilitated on the platform ensuring you are safeguarded.
Step 1: Visit the Shopify Partner Program Website
First, go to the “Shopify Partner Program” website.
Step 2: Click the Join button
You will see an empty bar next to the “Join” button. Then choose your plan to use Shopify.
Step 3: Enter your location
At this point, enter your location about your business.
Step 4: Enter your business address & contact details
This section too is straightforward. All that’s required is your address, business name, city, and ZIP code.
Step 5: Verify your mail
Verify your email and start using your account.
Step 6: Welcome to your Partner Dashboard
Now with full access to your dashboard, you can apply to any of the Shopify Partner programs listed. Furthermore, while on the partner dashboard you can track:
Stores created or managed for clients.
Revenue earnings, installations, payment gateways, themes, or published application statistics.
Account permissions if you happen to be collaborating with other developers.
Shopify Partner Dashboard is multilingual so you can choose a preferred language for the profile page.
Step 7: Get started
Begin your journey by setting up a development store and building from there. A development shop is a free Shopify account with new features of Shopify’s advanced and Plus plans.
A development shop is for:
Testing out themes or applications that are still in the works
Setting up client stores
If your application for the Shopify Partner Program is unsuccessful, take advantage of the free training tools available to expand and improve your skill set. You can find multiple courses on the Shopify Partner Academy where you can enroll and earn a certificate in skills like App Development, Product Fundamentals, Business Fundamentals, and Theme Development.
Conclusion
Shopify Partner Program helps you leverage the time and effort invested into developing expert skills on Shopify and ecommerce. By helping out other retailers on Shopify you are also boosting your income and experience.
