If you work as a designer, developer, marketer, or freelancer with experience in eCommerce, the Shopify Partners Program could be a perfect fit for you. This program connects skilled professionals with Shopify store owners who need help to build or grow their stores. By joining, you get to earn money doing what you’re great at while helping businesses succeed.
In this guide, we’ll go over what the Shopify Partner Program offers, what is is, how you can make money, and why it’s such a solid choice for anyone working with Shopify.
What is the Shopify Partners Program?
The Shopify Partner Program is a network of experts—developers, designers, marketers, and affiliates—who use their skills to support Shopify stores. As a Shopify Partner, you earn money by offering services, building apps, creating themes, or simply sharing your knowledge. It’s a way to use your expertise, earn steady income, and help businesses grow.
With more than a million Shopify businesses worldwide, there’s a need for people who can help stores stand out and grow.
Who can Join the Shopify Partners Program?
Anyone can join the Shopify Partner Program, including graphic designers, developers, marketers, affiliates, influencers, and organizations focused on ecommerce. Shopify Plus Partners, who specialize in advanced solutions, can also join.
Why Join the Shopify Partners Program?
Being a Shopify Partner is more than just an income opportunity. Here’s why it’s worth joining:
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Earn Commissions with Affiliate Links
Partners get a unique affiliate link. When someone signs up through your link, you earn a commission.
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Access to Exclusive Content and Tools
As a Partner, you’ll have access to exclusive content, training, support, and discounts on helpful tools and resources. Shopify Academy, live support, and how-to articles are just a few examples.
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Multiple Ways to Earn
From developing apps to creating themes, the program provides several ways to make money.
In short, the Shopify Partner Program gives you all the resources you need to help clients while building your own business or freelance career.
How much do Shopify partners get paid?
Shopify Partners earn recurring commissions of up to 20% on merchant subscriptions through referrals. Additional earnings come from selling apps or themes on a subscription or one-time fee basis. Earnings vary based on activity, with top partners generating substantial income by leveraging multiple revenue streams within the program.
5 Ways to Make Money as a Shopify Partner
There are five main ways to earn through the program. Let’s break down each one:
1. Development Store Referrals
A popular way to start earning is by creating development stores for clients. When you build a store in your Partner account and then transfer it to a client, you’ll earn a recurring commission based on the store’s plan. This income continues as long as the store stays active. If you’re good at setting up new stores, this can be a steady income source.
2. Shopify Plus Referrals with Shopify Partners
If you work with larger stores, referring them to Shopify Plus can be a smart choice. Shopify Plus is a premium plan for high-volume stores, and when you refer a client who upgrades, you’ll earn a recurring commission. This option is ideal if you’re working with businesses ready to scale.
3. Affiliate Referrals
Have a blog, website, or social media following? The Affiliate Program might be perfect for you. Share your unique affiliate link, and you’ll get a one-time payment each time someone signs up using your link. This is great for influencers, bloggers, or anyone with an audience interested in eCommerce.
4. App and Theme Development with Shopify Partners program
Developers and designers, this is your area! By creating apps or themes and listing them on Shopify’s App Store or Theme Store, you can earn based on Shopify’s revenue share policy. Any store owner can purchase and use your creations, so the potential for income grows as more stores use them. If you love solving problems, this is a rewarding option.
5. Special Promotions and Referral Programs
Shopify sometimes offers extra bonuses or referral incentives to boost earnings. These programs change over time, so check the Partner dashboard for updates. Participating in these promotions can give you a nice income boost.
How to Get Started with the Shopify Partners Program
Interested in joining? Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
1. Sign Up for a Partner Account
Visit the Shopify Partner Program page and sign up. Verify your email, enter your business details, and accept the terms.
2. Get to Know Your Dashboard
The dashboard is where you’ll manage referrals, track earnings, and access resources. Spend some time exploring it.
3. Try Building a Development Store
Creating a development store helps you get familiar with Shopify’s features. You can test themes, try out apps, and get a feel for how it all works.
4. Start Promoting Your Link and Services
Share your affiliate link, offer services, or start developing apps and themes to begin earning.
5. Stay Active
To keep earning, you’ll need to complete at least one referral activity each year. So, keep working with clients, referring new stores, or building apps to stay active.
Tips for Success as a Shopify Partner
1. Focus on Quality
High-quality referrals and well-designed apps or themes lead to better results.
2. Use Shopify’s Training
Shopify provides lots of training for partners. Use these resources to improve your skills and stay up-to-date.
3. Watch for New Opportunities
Promotions and special referral incentives can help you earn more, so stay informed through the Partner dashboard.
Is it worth becoming a Shopify partner?
Yes, becoming a Shopify Partner is worth it if you have skills to help merchants grow their online businesses. Partners earn recurring revenue through client referrals, app or theme sales, and services. The program offers valuable benefits, including tools, training, marketing resources, and access to Shopify’s ecosystem, supporting long-term business growth.
Final Thoughts
The Shopify Partners Program is a great way to support eCommerce businesses and earn income. And if you’re involved in the Shopify ecosystem, don’t forget about Koala Inspector. It’s one of the best tools for understanding Shopify stores, providing insights into competitor strategies, store performance, and more. With Koala Inspector, you’ll have everything you need to help clients make smart choices.
So, if you’re ready to make a difference with your skills, the Shopify Partner Program is a fantastic place to start. Sign up, explore the resources, and begin helping businesses grow!
