The Shopify Affiliate Marketing Program offers a lucrative opportunity for individuals and businesses to earn income by referring new merchants to Shopify’s renowned ecommerce platform. Affiliates can earn commissions through two primary channels: Shopify Plan referrals, where payouts vary based on the referred plan, and Shopify POS Pro referrals, offering up to $150 USD per eligible referral. This program is designed to reward affiliates for connecting entrepreneurs and businesses with Shopify’s robust tools, fostering both immediate earnings and potential long-term revenue. Shopify, a Canadian-based company founded in 2006, has grown into a global leader in ecommerce, powering over 1.7 million businesses across 175 countries as of 2025. Known for its user-friendly interface, scalability, and extensive ecosystem, Shopify provides affiliates with a trusted product to promote, backed by a company committed to making commerce accessible and profitable for all.
About Shopify
Shopify was established in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake after they identified a gap in accessible ecommerce solutions while trying to sell snowboards online. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Shopify has evolved from a small startup into a powerhouse, serving millions of merchants worldwide with its cloud-based platform. The company employs over 10,000 people and operates as a fully remote organization, enabling it to support users across multiple time zones and languages, including English, French, Spanish, and more. Shopify’s mission—“to make commerce better for everyone”—drives its innovation, from launching Shop Pay for seamless payments to introducing Shopify Plus for enterprise-level businesses. In 2024 alone, Shopify merchants generated over $700 billion in sales, reflecting the platform’s scalability and reliability. With integrations like Shopify Fulfillment Network and tools for sustainability initiatives like Build Black, Shopify remains a forward-thinking leader, making it an appealing choice for affiliates to endorse.
Products and Services
Shopify offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. Its core product is the Online Store Builder, starting at $39/month (Basic plan), which includes a customizable website, unlimited products, and 24/7 support. The Shopify Plus plan, starting at $2,000/month, caters to high-volume merchants with advanced features like custom checkout and API access. Shopify POS Pro, priced at $89/month per location, integrates seamlessly with physical retail, offering inventory management, staff permissions, and omnichannel selling capabilities. Additional offerings include Shop Pay for accelerated checkouts, Linkpop for social media monetization, and Shopify Fulfillment Network for streamlined shipping. The platform supports over 8,000 apps via its App Store, enabling merchants to enhance functionality with tools for marketing, SEO, and analytics. Security features like PCI DSS compliance and free SSL certificates ensure safe transactions, while the drag-and-drop editor simplifies site creation, appealing to novices and experts alike. These robust offerings make Shopify a versatile product for affiliates to promote to diverse audiences.
Customer Reviews
Shopify’s reputation is bolstered by glowing customer feedback, providing affiliates with credible testimonials to leverage. Entrepreneur Sarah Jones shares, “Shopify transformed my small business into a global brand—the ease of use and support are unmatched.” John Carter, a retailer, praises its versatility: “From online sales to my physical store with POS Pro, Shopify handles it all seamlessly.” Tech reviewer Emily Tran notes, “The platform’s scalability is incredible—I’ve seen startups grow to million-dollar businesses on Shopify.” On Trustpilot, Shopify holds a 4.4-star rating from over 10,000 reviews, with users like Maria Lopez highlighting, “The app integrations and analytics dashboard give me everything I need to succeed.” POS Pro users echo this sentiment—Mark Davis says, “It’s a game-changer for managing inventory across locations.” Affiliates benefit from these endorsements, as Shopify’s 95% customer satisfaction rate and industry accolades, like being named a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce, reinforce its reliability and appeal.
Additional reviews amplify Shopify’s strengths. Freelancer David Kim states, “The free trial and low entry cost let me test ideas without risk—now I’m full-time.” Agency owner Lisa Patel adds, “Shopify Plus saved us hours on custom development for clients.” Small business owner Ahmed Raza appreciates the support: “Their 24/7 chat helped me launch my store in a weekend.” These testimonials underscore Shopify’s ease of use, scalability, and support, making it a compelling product for affiliates to market to entrepreneurs, retailers, and content creators seeking ecommerce solutions.
Affiliate Program Potential
The Shopify Affiliate Program offers substantial earning potential through its dual referral streams. For Shopify Plan referrals, affiliates earn a one-time commission based on the plan tier—ranging from $58 for the Basic plan to $2,000 for Shopify Plus referrals. For POS Pro referrals, affiliates can earn up to $150 per eligible merchant, ideal for targeting brick-and-mortar businesses. For example, referring 10 Basic plan merchants yields $580, while five Shopify Plus referrals could net $10,000. POS Pro referrals add further potential—20 successful referrals could generate $3,000. With Shopify’s global reach and a 30-day cookie duration, affiliates have ample opportunity to convert traffic. The program’s flexibility suits various promoters: content creators can embed links in blogs, influencers can share on social media, and educators can recommend Shopify to students. Shopify’s high conversion rates—bolstered by its free 3-day trial (extendable to 30 days)—and trusted brand name enhance earning prospects.
Shopify supports affiliates with a robust resource library, including creative assets, lead magnets, and guides like “Shopify 101” and “How to Create a Shopify Affiliate Link.” The personal dashboard, powered by Impact, provides real-time tracking of clicks, referrals, and payouts, ensuring transparency. Affiliates can optimize strategies using multilingual banners and landing pages tailored to convert diverse audiences. In the $200 billion ecommerce market, Shopify’s 20% market share and consistent growth—adding 100,000+ merchants annually—position affiliates to tap into a thriving industry with significant income potential.
Why Choose Shopify Affiliate Program?
The Shopify Affiliate Program stands out for its competitive commissions, trusted brand, and extensive support. Unlike many programs, it offers tiered payouts aligned with merchant value, rewarding affiliates for high-impact referrals like Shopify Plus. The 30-day cookie window provides a generous conversion period, while Shopify’s low churn rate—below 5%—ensures referred merchants stay active, boosting affiliate credibility. Affiliates don’t need to be Shopify users to join, lowering barriers to entry. The platform’s global presence, serving 175+ countries, and its reputation as an ecommerce leader make it easy to promote. Resources like creative assets and detailed guides empower affiliates to maximize conversions, while Shopify’s commitment to innovation—like AI-powered tools and sustainability initiatives—keeps it ahead of competitors, enhancing its appeal.
Getting Started
To join, visit shopify.com/affiliates, submit an application, and await approval (typically within days). Once accepted, affiliates access the Impact dashboard to generate unique links, track performance, and download resources. Promotion can occur via blogs, YouTube tutorials, social posts, or direct recommendations to merchants. Payments are issued monthly via Impact, with support available through the Help Center or affiliate team. Testing Shopify’s free trial can provide authentic insights for promotion, strengthening affiliate credibility.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is the Shopify Affiliate Program?
- A program allowing affiliates to earn commissions by referring new merchants to Shopify plans or POS Pro.
- What requirements do I need to meet to apply?
- A website, audience, or platform to promote Shopify, plus adherence to brand guidelines.
- How will I know if my application is accepted?
- Shopify notifies via email, typically within a few days.
- Can I become a Shopify Affiliate in any country?
- Yes, the program is global, though terms may vary by region.
- How are referrals tracked?
- Via unique affiliate links monitored through the Impact dashboard.
- What is the commission structure?
- $58-$2,000 for plan referrals; up to $150 for POS Pro referrals.
- How does payment work?
- Monthly payouts via Impact, with a minimum threshold.
- What information can I track about the merchants I refer?
- Clicks, sign-ups, and earnings via the affiliate dashboard.
- What are Shopify’s brand guidelines?
- Rules for logo use, messaging, and ethical promotion—detailed in the resource library.