Do you know you can earn from Shopify without owning a store? Yes! You can earn money as a Shopify partner.
Shopify has a partnership program for diverse groups—developers, designers, marketers and affiliates—to leverage the platform to enhance their skills and increase their earnings.
In 2021, Shopify partners earned 7x of Shopify revenue, which shows becoming a Shopify partner can be rewarding. Plus, you become part of a community dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed in the e-commerce marketplace.
In this article, we’ll explore the various Shopify partnership types, their benefits and how to sign up for the program.
- What is the Shopify Partner Program?
- Types of Shopify Partners
- Levels of Shopify Partnership
- Benefits of being a Shopify Partner
- How to Sign Up as a Shopify Partner
What is the Shopify Partner Program?
Shopify, the second-largest e-commerce platform, introduced a partnership program which includes people in diverse groups such as developers and consultants.
They leverage the platform to render services and provide solutions to Shopify merchants while they earn money and grow their businesses simultaneously. A win-win situation for both parties.
Anyone can become a Shopify partner; however, your earnings will be based on your contribution to the Shopify ecosystem. You can either earn through referrals—where you refer online store owners to create a store on Shopify, create e-commerce themes for merchants or build a Shopify app and publish them on the Shopify App Store.
These are ways you can earn more from the Shopify partnership program. But do you know the most interesting part? It is completely FREE! You don’t need to buy monthly plans or pay an entry fee.
Now, we’ll discuss extensively the various Shopify Partnership Programs and how they differ.
Types of Shopify Partners
The different Shopify partnership types include:
Shopify Affiliate Program
Content creators, influencers, course educators and affiliate marketers can become partners with Shopify through this affiliate program. Essentially, anyone with an audience can become a partner through this affiliate program.
You receive a commission for every successful referral—when a client subscribes to the Shopify plan through your affiliate link. It is a great way to earn passive income while you do your work.
You can refer and earn in two ways either through the Shopify paid plan or through the Shopify POS pro referral where you can earn up to $500.
Adrian, founder of Ecom Success Academy, has used this opportunity to become one of the best-valued Shopify partners since 2015.
Also, they can become a trusted advisor for aspiring merchants, help them launch successful businesses and become their go-to person for any Shopify improvement they need.
Shopify Affiliates Earnings
To earn as an affiliate, your referred merchant needs to choose and pay in full for any of the Shopify plans for you to become eligible for the referral commission.
Also, your referred merchant’s location is a deciding factor in your affiliate earnings.
For referred merchants residing in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Ireland, UK, Spain, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and the United States — you get paid a $150 referral commission.
For referred merchants residing in France, Italy, Africa, the Middle East and other Europe and Asia-Pacific regions — you get paid a $100 referral commission.
If you live in regions like Brazil and other Latin American countries – you get a $25 referral commission. Learn more about affiliate earnings
Shopify Development Program
The Shopify developer program is for app and theme developers who want to partner with Shopify. It is divided into two sub-categories: App Partners and Technology Partners
App Partners – App partners are developers who build and launch their apps or themes and sell to millions of Shopify merchants. These apps are crucial to merchants to help them build and scale their businesses.
Also, they build custom apps exclusively for your Shopify store. Shopify develops these apps for addition of features to your Shopify admin or to extend your online store to other platforms. You won’t find them listed on the Shopify App Store.
Technology Partners – These partners are usually vetted and selected by Shopify. They build apps and software integrations with the Shopify APIs to add functionality and customization options to the platform thus enhancing the overall experience for merchants and customers. These apps are usually free and supported by Shopify.
Shopify Theme Earnings
100% of the total revenue from themes sold through the Shopify Theme Store on the first $1 million. For revenue over $1 million. You earn %85 of the total revenue.
Shopify App Earnings
First $1 million in revenue: Earn 100% of total revenue
Revenue over $1 million: Earn 85% of total revenue.
Levels of Shopify Partnership
There are levels to Shopify partnerships individuals and agencies can apply to in Shopify:
Shopify Partner Program
The Shopify partner program is the lowest level of partnership and acts as the entry-level for Shopify partners. In this program, you get access to product resources and learning opportunities to deepen your product expertise. Also, you will get unlimited access to the developmental store environment to build as many stores and test as many apps or themes as you want. Plus, you get a commission for every Shopify merchant you refer.
Shopify Plus Partner Program
This program is reserved for Shopify partners who are exceptional and deliver top-notch quality products, services, performance, privacy and support that meet the advanced requirements of Shopify Plus merchants.
These Shopify partners cater to the needs of Shopify Plus merchants by building tremendous services and solutions needed to scale their businesses.
These partners are often agencies which include design and development agencies, Digital marketing agencies, system integrators and Enterprise consultants.
Shopify Experts
Here’s another way to become a Shopify partner. Experts are at the top level of Shopify partnership. They are professional and experienced specialists equipped with exceptional qualities to help your business grow and be successful.
These experts can be individuals, agencies or organizations that render services for your store setup, marketing and sales, development and troubleshooting, visual content and branding, content writing, and expert guidance.
Whether you need consultations, advice or even someone to help take care of tasks that you can’t handle yourself. An expert is there to give you the unsolicited support you need.
To hire a Shopify expert, visit the Shopify Partner Directory a platform designed to connect you to a network of skilled professionals who offer services tailored to meet your business needs.
Benefits of Being a Shopify Partner
The benefits of becoming a Shopify partner are endless. Aside from the free access to join the program, Shopify creates opportunities for its partners to scale and expand their networks. Some of the benefits include:
Attractive Commissions – Attractive commissions and bonuses for every client you refer to Shopify.
Access to Shopify Academy – You’ll have access to the free training courses, in-depth documentation and other resources to grow your business, deepen your product expertise and learn more about Shopify.
Unlimited Access to Information – Access to Shopify’s product roadmap and development store environment to build as many apps and themes as you want.
Expanded Network – Connect to thousands of partners with shared interests through community groups and forums.
How to Sign up as a Shopify Partner
Signing up as a Shopify partner involves the following steps:
Join the Shopify Partner Program
The first step to partnering with Shopify is to join the program. To do this, you’ll need to go to the Shopify Partner Page.
Enter your email address in the space bar and click the “Join now” Button.
Afterwards, you’ll enter your password and set up a 2-way authorization to secure your account.
Verify Your Email Address
To verify your email address, you’d need to confirm your email details. The platform will redirect you to another page–the Shopify account page.
On the page, click on on “Create new partner account” button to start the signup process.
Users that already have an account on Shopify, do not need to verify their email. You will be automatically redirected to the signup page.
Fill the Required Information and complete the Form
Next is the form collection and submission. Shopify would ask you questions that can help them tailor your experiences to fit your work. Questions like “What is the main way you plan to use Shopify”, your business location and business contact information.
Fill all the fields in the account form except for those indicated as optional. Ensure that your information is correct as you submit. Although you can edit the information anytime.
Finally, tick the Partner program agreement but before you do that, ensure you have read and consented to all of the conditions. Then you can click the “submit” button to send your form.
Get Started
Once you submit your form, your business is registered and you will be directed to your Shopify partner Admin dashboard to get started.
Select any of the Shopify partner categories from the left-hand side panel to get started. Click on the “Learn more” link for more information on how it works.
Conclusion
Becoming a Shopify expert can open several windows of opportunity for you. For starters, it can become a major source of side income, which can eventually grow to become your major gig with time.
In addition, it can give you access to an expansive network of potential clients and vetted Shopify experts you can gain immense knowledge.
Thankfully, becoming a Shopify expert is not rocket science. Just follow the steps we’ve outlined in this post, and it’s just a matter of time before you become one.
