The key updates to the Shopify Partner Program for 2025
Shopify is stepping up its game in 2025, equipping partners with more powerful resources than ever! Whether you’re an agency, consultant, app developer, or tech provider, Shopify’s latest partner program updates will enhance your growth thereby maximizing your impact.
If you're a Shopify Partner or thinking about becoming one, these changes will define how you work with Shopify, how you earn rewards, and how merchants discover you.
Let’s explore what’s new and what it means for you.
Shopify Partner Program: A More Structured Approach to Growth
One of the biggest updates of Shopify partner program is the introduction of tiered go-to-market tracks.
What does it mean?
In simple words, it means that Shopify is now offering a more structured way for partners to grow their business - whether they offer service or build technological solutions.
The new system makes it easier for merchants to identify top-tier partners while giving partners clearer goals and benefits at every stage.
The Two Tracks: Service and Technology
Shopify’s updated Partner Program is divided into two primary tracks:
Service Partner Track - Designed for agencies, consultants, and system integrators who help merchants build, optimize, and scale their Shopify stores.
Technology Partner Track - Designed for independent software vendors (ISVs), app developers, ERP providers, and global tech companies that build and integrate solutions with Shopify.
This structured approach gives partners access to the right resources and benefits based on their focus area.
Understanding The New Tier System
To help partners understand their growth path and potential benefits, Shopify has introduced a tier-based structure. Each track has different levels based on performance, skills, and impact.
Service Partner Track Tiers:
Registered - The starting point for new partners.
Select - Partners who meet initial performance and skill requirements.
Plus - Advanced partners who have demonstrated strong Shopify expertise.
Premier - Best agencies with significant merchant impact.
Platinum - The highest level, reserved for premium partners with excellent contributions.
Technology Partner Track Tiers:
Registered - The entry-level tier for technology providers.
Plus - Recognized for integration and performance.
Premier - High-performing tech partners with deep Shopify integrations.
Platinum - Exclusive, invitation-only partners at the top of the Shopify landscape.
For technology partners, moving up the tiers depends on achieving milestones like Built for Shopify (BFS) status and meeting Shopify’s program quality standards.
Also read: Explore our CrawlApps’ Shopify plus solutions.
What Determines Your Tier?
Your placement in the Partner Program isn’t random. Shopify now uses key performance metrics to assess partners and place them in the appropriate tier.
The main criteria includes:
Commercial Impact – How much revenue your work contributes to Shopify.
Deals Closed – The number of Shopify deals you close.
Skill Development – The number of Shopify Verified Skills earned by your team.
Product Integration – For tech partners, how well your solutions integrate with Shopify’s platform.
The better your performance, the higher your tier, and the more benefits you unlock.
Why Is This Important As A Shopify Partner?
This isn’t just about titles and recognition. Your tier determines the benefits and opportunities available to you. Here’s what partners can look forward to:
Better Partner Directory Profiles – Higher-tier partners get featured more prominently, making it easier for merchants to find and trust them.
Exclusive Access to Shopify Resources – This includes dedicated partner managers, priority technical support, and on-demand marketing materials.
Financial Incentives – Shopify is offering referral bonuses, co-selling opportunities, and funding for marketing development.
Co-Sell Opportunities – Higher-tier partners can collaborate directly with Shopify on enterprise deals, account mapping, and referrals.
Simply put, the higher your tier, the more Shopify invests in your success.
Shopify Academy: Upskilling for Success
To help partners stay ahead in an ever-evolving ecommerce domain, Shopify is investing heavily in education. Shopify Academy now features 13 Verified Skill learning paths, designed to help partners sharpen their expertise and offer top-tier services to merchants.
Partners who complete these skill assessments earn Verified Skills badges, proving their expertise and improving their credibility.
Also read: 7 Proven ways to increase your Shopify sales.
To Wrap Up
The Shopify Partner Program for 2025 is designed to create a win-win situation: Partners get a clear growth path and more opportunities, while merchants can easily find and work with the best Shopify experts.
If you're already a Shopify Partner, now is the time to start planning how you can move up the tiers. If you're considering becoming one, there's never been a better time to jump in. Shopify is making it easier than ever for partners to succeed, and this new structure is proof of that.
So, where do you see yourself in this new Shopify Partner Program? It's time to set new goals and take your Shopify partnership to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key changes in Shopify’s Partner Program for 2025?
Shopify introduced a tiered model with Service and Technology tracks, offering structured benefits based on performance. Partners can now discover Verified Skills, better marketing opportunities, priority support, and co-selling incentives, making collaboration with Shopify more rewarding.
How do Shopify partners qualify for higher tiers in 2025?
Partners move up tiers by meeting performance metrics like revenue impact, deal volume, Verified Skills credentials (for Service Partners), and product integration quality (for Technology Partners). Higher tiers offer exclusive benefits, funding, and greater visibility within the Shopify ecosystem.
What is the 'Built for Shopify' (BFS) achievement in the new Partner Program?
BFS is Shopify’s quality certification for apps, ensuring high performance, security, and smooth integration. Achieving BFS status helps app developers gain more visibility, trust, and additional benefits, making it easier to attract Shopify merchants to their solutions.
How does Shopify support partners with education and skill development?
Shopify Academy now offers 13 Verified Skill learning paths, allowing partners to upskill their teams. Earning Verified Skills badges improves credibility, helping partners provide better services and increasing their chances of moving up Shopify’s partnership tiers.
What are the biggest benefits of joining Shopify’s Partner Program in 2025?
Partners gain better marketing support, exclusive referral incentives, funding opportunities, priority technical support, and co-selling benefits. With structured tiers, Shopify ensures that partners receive the right tools and visibility to scale their businesses effectively.
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