Shopify isn’t just an eCommerce platform — it’s a thriving ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs, developers, and agencies worldwide. But did you know there’s an entire program dedicated to helping professionals grow their businesses while helping merchants succeed? That’s where the Shopify Partner Program comes in.
Whether you’re a web developer, designer, marketer, or business consultant, becoming a Shopify Partner opens doors to new revenue streams, exclusive tools, and valuable networking opportunities. From creating high-converting online stores to building apps and themes that power thousands of businesses, partners play a key role in Shopify’s global success story.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know — what the Shopify Partner Program is, how it works, and the step-by-step process to create your Shopify Partner account in 2025.
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What is the Shopify Partner Program?
The Shopify Partner Program is an official initiative by Shopify designed to support professionals, agencies, and businesses that help merchants succeed on the platform. It’s more than just an affiliate or referral setup — it’s a complete growth ecosystem offering resources, tools, and revenue opportunities for anyone building with Shopify.
Partners can earn income in various ways, such as:
Referring new merchants to Shopify.
Designing and developing Shopify stores for clients.
Creating apps or themes for the Shopify App Store or Theme Store.
Providing marketing and consulting services to help merchants grow.
One of the program’s biggest advantages is access to the Shopify Partner Dashboard, a central hub where you can manage client projects, track earnings, access development stores, and monitor app or theme performance.
By joining, you also gain access to training resources, technical documentation, and a global network of Shopify experts — making it easier to build skills, expand your portfolio, and grow your business.
Simply put, the Shopify Partner Program is your gateway to turning eCommerce expertise into a profitable, scalable career.
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How the Shopify Partner Program Works
After learning what is the Shopify Partner Program, let’s explore the different ways partners contribute and earn through the platform.
Marketing
Shopify partners provide essential marketing services to help merchants grow their businesses. This can include creating engaging content, running paid ad campaigns, managing SEO strategies, and handling social media accounts. By improving brand visibility and customer reach, marketing partners play a vital role in driving sales for Shopify merchants.
Development
Developers in the Shopify Partner Program focus on building custom apps, themes, and integrations that enhance store functionality. Using their coding expertise, they deliver tailored solutions to merchants and can earn income through direct client work or by selling their creations on the Shopify App Store and Theme Store.
Photography
High-quality product images can significantly influence purchase decisions. Shopify photographers work with merchants to capture professional, visually appealing images that showcase products in the best possible light — ultimately boosting engagement and conversions.
Design
Design partners are responsible for crafting the visual identity of Shopify stores. They create attractive, user-friendly layouts, logos, and branding materials. By collaborating closely with developers, they ensure that aesthetics and functionality blend seamlessly, offering merchants a polished online presence.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate partners promote Shopify through referral links shared on blogs, websites, social media, and other channels. They earn commissions for every new merchant who signs up via their affiliate link, making it a flexible, low-investment way to generate income within the program.
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Benefits of The Shopify Partner Program
Multiple Revenue Streams
One of the most attractive aspects of the Shopify Partner Program is its flexibility in generating income. Partners can earn through app development, theme design, marketing services, and affiliate referrals. This multi-channel earning potential ensures you’re not tied to a single source of revenue, giving you more financial stability and growth opportunities.
Free Training & Certifications
Shopify Partners get exclusive access to the Shopify Partner Academy, which offers step-by-step courses, in-depth documentation, and certifications. These resources are designed to improve your platform knowledge and business skills while allowing you to earn badges that highlight your expertise to potential clients.
Unlimited Test Stores
To help you create and test your work without risk, Shopify provides unlimited test stores. This feature allows partners to experiment freely, fine-tune their solutions, and ensure that projects are polished before launch—ensuring merchants get the best results.
Advanced Partner Tools
Partners have access to powerful analytics dashboards and client management tools. These help you monitor project performance, track client activity, and identify growth opportunities, ensuring your work stays organized and data-driven.
Global Client Reach
With merchants in over 175 countries, the Shopify Partner Program offers global exposure. This allows you to connect with a vast network of clients, expand your reach beyond local markets, and work on diverse projects from anywhere in the world.
Exclusive Partner Community
Joining the Shopify Partner Program also means becoming part of an exclusive, supportive community. This network offers collaboration opportunities, industry insights, and access to co-marketing initiatives like being listed in the Shopify Experts Marketplace.
Discounts on Tools & Services
To reduce business costs, partners receive discounts on essential software and services, including marketing platforms, design tools, and project management applications. These discounts make it easier to manage your operations efficiently.
Priority Support
When issues arise, Shopify Partners have access to 24/7 priority shopify support via live chat, email, or phone. This ensures that projects can move forward without delays, keeping both you and your clients satisfied.
Early Access to New Features
Finally, Shopify Partners often get early access to upcoming features and updates. This advantage allows you to test, adapt, and offer innovative solutions to clients before they’re widely available—helping you stay ahead of competitors.
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How to Create a Shopify Partner Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to join the Shopify Partner Program and start building, designing, or marketing for Shopify merchants, the first step is to create your Partner Account. Follow this detailed walkthrough to get set up quickly and correctly.
Step 1: Visit the Shopify Partner Program Page
Go to the official Shopify Partners page.
On this page, you’ll find information about the program, benefits, and available opportunities.
Click the “Join Now” or “Become a Partner” button to start the signup process.
Step 2: Sign in or Create a Shopify Account
If you already have a Shopify account, log in using your existing email and password.
If not, you’ll need to create one:
Enter your email address
Set a secure password
Provide your full name
Once done, click “Create Shopify ID” to proceed.
Step 3: Join the Shopify Partner Program
After logging in, you’ll be taken to the Partner Program signup page.
Here, you have two options:
Create and set up a new Partner organization – For individuals or companies starting fresh.
Join an existing Partner organization – For those invited to work under another business.
For this guide, select “Create and set up a new Partner organization” and click Next.
Step 4: Choose the Reason for Your Partner Account
Shopify asks why you’re joining the Partner Program. Select the option that best fits your goals:
Build new Shopify stores for clients
Develop apps for the Shopify App Store
Create themes for the Shopify Theme Store
Provide marketing or design services for businesses
Other
Select your main focus and click Next.
Step 5: Provide Your Business Location
Enter your business location details, including:
Country
Business address
City and Zip Code
Click Next to continue.
Step 6: Complete Your Partner Profile
This step is crucial — the information you provide here helps Shopify verify and understand your business. You’ll need to fill in:
- Business/Organization name
- Contact details (email, phone number)
- Website or portfolio link (if applicable)
- Description of services you plan to offer
Once completed, click the “Create Partner Organization” button.
Step 7: Access Your Partner Dashboard
Congratulations — you are officially a Shopify Partner!
You’ll now be taken to your Partner Dashboard, which is your control center for:
- Managing client stores
- Tracking earnings
- Accessing resources (Partner Academy, documentation, webinars)
- Viewing program updates and announcements
Take time to explore and get familiar with the dashboard layout.
Step 8: Set Up and Grow Your Partner Business
With your account ready, you can:
Start referring merchants to Shopify and earn commissions
- Build and sell apps or themes
- Offer design, development, or marketing services
- Use unlimited development stores for client projects
- Learn and earn certifications via Partner Academy
Success as a Shopify Partner comes from staying updated, continuously learning, and actively networking with other partners through events and online communities.
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How Much Can You Earn When Joining the Shopify Partner Program?
Shopify Partners earn money by referring merchants to Shopify, building apps, designing themes, and more. Each activity has a defined commission or revenue-share rate. Below is a breakdown of each major earning category, with the exact percentages or payout amounts as stated in Shopify’s official documentation.
Merchant Referrals (Store Plans)
Shopify Basic/Grow/Advanced – 20% recurring commission on the merchant’s monthly subscription fee. (For merchants on annual plans, you earn 20% of the equivalent discounted monthly rate, paid monthly.) This 20% share recurs each month as long as the merchant keeps paying Shopify.
Shopify Plus – 20% recurring commission on the merchant’s monthly Plus platform fee for each net-new Plus referral. (Under the updated framework, this applies to stores created/transferred on or after July 1, 2025 – all net-new or automatically upgraded Plus merchants earn the 20% share.) The commission is paid monthly for as long as the client remains a paying Plus merchant.
Shopify Starter/Lite – Not eligible for partner commissions. Referrals of Starter or Lite plans do not yield any recurring commissions.
Partners must transfer a Shopify development store to the client to earn these commissions (regular collaborator access does not count). In all cases above, commissions are calculated on the fees paid by the merchant to Shopify (net of discounts or credits).
Shopify Plus & Enterprise Sales Referrals
Deals closed before July 1, 2025: 20% recurring commission on the merchant’s monthly Plus base fee. (This applies to new Shopify Plus deals closed after Feb 23, 2023.) Eligible partners receive the 20% share monthly once the merchant has paid the first platform-fee invoice, and it continues as long as the merchant remains a Plus customer in good standing.
Deals on or after July 1, 2025: A one-time $2,500 USD payout per qualifying new Plus/Enterprise referral. Under Shopify’s new compensation framework, recurring revenue-share is replaced by this flat bonus for each partner-referred, sales-assisted deal closed on or after the cutoff date. (The $2,500 is paid after the merchant pays their first invoice, typically about 90 days post-sale.)
Eligibility for these referrals requires submitting the qualified lead through Shopify’s Plus/Enterprise referral forms. Only brand-new Plus/Enterprise clients count (no upgrades of existing accounts). In summary, older Plus/Enterprise referrals earn 20% monthly, while newer deals earn a one-time $2,500 payout.
Shopify Launch Commissions
Launch projects: 15% recurring commission on the merchant’s monthly Plus or Enterprise platform fees. This applies to sales-assisted, net-new launches of Shopify Plus or Enterprise stores that meet eligibility. The merchant’s business must have a single line of business exceeding $5 million USD for the launch to qualify. Once the merchant pays their first invoice, the partner earns 15% of each monthly platform fee as long as the store remains active.
Partners earn this launch revenue share only for contracted launch services (with a signed SOW) on new Plus/Enterprise deals. Revenue share is not awarded for simple upgrades of existing accounts or stores below the $5M threshold. In practice, Shopify pays the 15% commission monthly following the merchant’s invoice, recurring for as long as the merchant remains on the platform.
Shopify App Revenue Share
Shopify’s App Store uses a tiered revenue-sharing model (effective Jan 1, 2025):
High-earning developers: If a developer earned $20,000,000 USD or more in app revenue in the prior calendar year (or the developer’s company revenue was ≥ $100,000,000 USD), the partner earns 85% of total app revenue.
Other developers: If prior-year earnings were below $20M (and company revenue < $100M), the partner earns 100% of the first $1,000,000 USD in revenue, and 85% of all revenue above $1,000,000 USD.
These percentages apply to all one-time charges and recurring charges made through the Shopify App Store. (To enroll, partners must register their app and report any associated developer accounts.) In short, smaller apps earn the full first-million, while larger apps and all subsequent revenue are shared at 85% to the developer.
Shopify Theme Revenue Share
All Shopify themes: Partners earn 85% of the sale price of each theme sold through the official Shopify Theme Store. There are no tier thresholds for themes – every eligible theme sale pays out 85% to the theme’s managing partner. (The remaining 15% covers Shopify’s fee. Themes must comply with Shopify’s Partner Program Agreement, and only the partner listed as the theme’s owner receives the revenue.)
Promotional Bonuses & Special Incentives
In addition to the core commissions above, Shopify occasionally offers limited-time referral bonuses and incentive programs. Examples include:
Shopify POS Payments & POS Pro Bonus: Earn a 20% profit-share on Shopify POS Payments revenue for 24 months, plus a one-time $500 USD POS Pro Activation Bonus for qualifying referrals. This applies when partners refer merchants to use Shopify’s POS Pro and Payments products under the program’s terms.
POS Leads Bonus (Oct–Nov 2024): A $100 one-time bonus for each partner-referred merchant that signs up for Shopify POS Pro, if the referral meets the promotion requirements.
Shopify Markets Pro Referral (Aug 2023–May 2024): Partners earned 1% of the merchant’s Shopify Markets Pro gross merchandise volume (GMV) for the first 24 months, capped at $50,000 per merchant. (Note: this promotion ended in May 2024, but it illustrates the structure of special bonuses.)
Enterprise Commerce Offering (2024): A limited offer where partners received 20% of Year-1 base platform fees (capped at $200,000 USD) for co-sell referrals of net-new merchants on Shopify Plus. (This promotion applied to deals registered in 2024 and is paid out quarterly after merchant invoicing.)
These promotions have specific eligibility criteria and timeframes, as detailed in Shopify’s Partner documentation. Partners should check the current Partner Dashboard or official docs for any active incentive programs.
Summary: In the Shopify Partner Program, most earnings come from revenue shares on merchant subscriptions and sales. For store referrals, partners typically earn 15–20% recurring commissions (20% for most standard plans and Plus, 15% for large launches). App developers earn 100% or 85% of app sale revenue depending on tier, and theme developers earn 85% of theme sales. Special referral bonuses (e.g. POS, Markets, Enterprise) offer additional flat or percentage payouts for qualifying deals. All rates and terms are defined by Shopify’s official Partner Program guidelines.
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Final Thoughts: Shopify Partner Program
The Shopify Partner Program is more than just a gateway to earning commissions—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to help entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and marketers build sustainable income streams while empowering merchants to succeed on Shopify. Whether you create apps, design themes, refer new merchants, or offer professional services, the program rewards your efforts with competitive commissions, long-term revenue potential, and access to exclusive resources. By leveraging the tools, training, and community support Shopify offers, you can turn your expertise into a profitable and scalable business.
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FAQ: Shopify Partner Program
What is the Shopify Partner Program?
The Shopify Partner Program is an initiative that allows developers, designers, marketers, and other service providers to earn revenue by creating apps, themes, and stores, referring new merchants, or providing services to existing Shopify users. Partners also gain access to tools, resources, and priority support to grow their business.
Is there a cost to become a Shopify Partner?
No, joining the Shopify Partner Program is completely free. You can sign up, access resources, and start building without paying any upfront fees. Shopify only earns when you do—meaning your costs start only if you choose to purchase optional tools or premium features for your work.
What does it mean to be a Shopify Partner?
Being a Shopify Partner means you collaborate with Shopify to help merchants succeed while earning commissions for your work. This could involve developing apps, designing themes, setting up stores for clients, referring new merchants, or offering consulting and marketing services.
How do I track my earnings as a Shopify Partner?
All earnings are tracked through the Shopify Partner Dashboard. You can view detailed reports on commissions earned from merchant referrals, app or theme sales, and service fees. The dashboard updates in real-time and allows you to monitor payouts and performance metrics.
How much do Shopify Partners earn?
Earnings vary based on the type of work and client volume.
Merchant Referrals: Earn 20% recurring revenue share for every merchant you refer.
Shopify Plus Referrals: Earn a one-time commission of up to $2,000 USD.
App Sales: Earn 80% revenue share for the first year, then 20% annually.
Theme Sales: Earn 70% revenue share on each theme sale.
Service Revenue: Earn directly from clients for services like store setup, marketing, or customization.
High-performing partners can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to six figures annually, depending on their niche, skills, and marketing reach.
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