Shopify has long been the go-to platform for e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their online businesses. But behind the scenes, a community of dedicated partners exists—agencies, consultants, tech providers, and more—all working to help companies thrive on Shopify.
To better equip its partners and reward their contributions, Shopify has introduced a tiered structure to its Partner Program. Whether you’re running a boutique agency, scaling a SaaS company, or leading an enterprise business, understanding these new tiers will help you make informed decisions about working within Shopify’s ecosystem.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the Shopify Partner Program tiers, their meaning, and how they impact partners and businesses.
What Is the Shopify Partner Program?
The Shopify Partner Program is a global initiative that connects Shopify with agencies, consultancies, and technology providers. It’s free to join and gives partners access to powerful tools like unlimited test environments, exclusive incentives, and collaboration opportunities with Shopify experts.
Partners play a critical role in Shopify’s success by referring clients, building custom themes, creating innovative apps, and improving the experience for merchants of all sizes. To recognize and reward partner contributions, Shopify now uses a tiered system based on performance and influence in the ecosystem.
Two main tracks exist within the Partner Program:
- Service Partner Track: This is for agencies, consultancies, and system integrators working with Shopify merchants.
- Technology Partner Track: This track is for technology companies building apps and integrations for Shopify.
Each track has its own tier levels, benefits, and criteria.
Shopify Service Partner Tiers
Service Partners are businesses or individuals offering services like custom theme development, store design, marketing support, and more. The Service Partner track includes five levels, ranging from entry-level status to tiered certifications determined by performance and expertise.
Here’s a breakdown of the tiers for Service Partners. Each partner tier has an indicative average cost range for building an eCommerce website. However, costs may increase depending on the complexity of the project and the integrations required by the business.
1. Shopify Registered Partner
All new or growing partners start at the Registered level. It’s the baseline entry point into the Shopify Partner Program and provides foundational access to tools, resources, and community support. The Registered level isn’t an earned tier—it’s the starting point for all partners entering the program.
Budget: 100 – 1000 USD
2. Shopify Select Partner
Once Registered Partners begin impacting the ecosystem, they can attain Select Partner status. Small and midsized businesses typically prefer partners at this level due to their growing track record of delivering quality work. The agencies have verified expertise and experience and demonstrated success in delivering solutions to Shopify merchants.
Average cost of website: 1000 – 15,000 USD
3. Shopify Plus Partner
The Plus Partner tier includes partners preferred by mid-market and larger businesses to enterprises. Partners at this level demonstrate advanced expertise and credentials, positioning them as leaders in the Shopify ecosystem. Most established agencies are at this tier due to their verified Shopify skills and significant commercial impact on Shopify. Plus Partners are also able to perform complex ERP integrations and customizations, addressing the unique and sophisticated needs of businesses that require tailored solutions.
Average cost of website: 15,000 – 75,000 USD
4. Shopify Premier Partner
The Premier Partner tier is designed for partners working with large enterprise businesses. These partners have verified Shopify skills and significant commercial impact. They tend to be more expensive and typically offer high-level solutions tailored to the specific needs of large-scale eCommerce operations. Premier Partners are ideal for global brands, and larger enterprises with larger budgets and complex business requirements.
Average cost of website: 75,000 – 250,000 USD
5. Shopify Platinum Partner
The Platinum Partner tier represents the highest recognition within the Service Partner track. It’s designed for global enterprise-level collaborators in charge of complex e-commerce solutions. Shopify awards Platinum status by invitation only.
Average cost of website: 250,000 USD and up
Key Considerations for the Tiers
It’s important to note that a partner’s tier does not always reflect the quality of their work. The main factors Shopify considers when determining tiers include:
- Financial impact (revenue generated for Shopify)
- Number of Shopify clients served
- Longevity and integration in the Shopify ecosystem
Why Shopify Partners Matter
Partners are the backbone of Shopify’s effort to make commerce better for everyone. By joining the Partner Program, businesses can access a collaborative ecosystem fueled by innovation, expertise, and shared goals.
If you’re a merchant wondering whether to work with a Shopify Partner, consider partnering with those matching your business needs’ size and complexity. A Select Partner might be perfect for an SMB retailer, while an enterprise-level company would benefit from working with a Premier or Platinum Partner.
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