Explaining the Shopify Partner Tiers in the New Program

Shopify has introduced a new tiered structure for its Shopify Partner Program for 2025 to recognize and reward partners better. It replaces and builds upon the previous program that included Shopify Expert and Shopify Plus Partner. This enhanced program benefits partners and businesses by providing clear guidelines and a framework for effective collaboration within Shopify's ecosystem, along with additional partner benefits that are unlocked by achieving certain performance metrics.

360&5 is a certified Shopify Plus agency and remains fully committed to the Shopify platform for ecommerce businesses. In addition to continuing our work with global brands and existing Shopify ecommerce websites, we will double down on serving B2B businesses and helping companies platform from other platforms to Shopify.

In addition, we’ll also expand our partner network within the ecosystem to ensure our clients always have the best technology and tools for success. By working with 360&5, you’re choosing the right partner with deep Shopify expertise that’s deeply invested in your business’s success. Our role goes beyond Shopify solutions; we’re here to create meaningful, data-driven results tailored to your needs.

What exactly is the Shopify Partner Program?

The Shopify Partner Program is a robust network of e-commerce agencies, system integrators, and brand strategists from around the world. Partners gain access to exclusive resources like unlimited test environments and exclusive incentives, enabling them to share cutting-edge solutions with their clients. Shopify Academy is a crucial educational resource for partners, enabling them to enhance their skills through Verified Skill learning paths and assessments.

Breaking down the Shopify Partner tiers

Service Partners offer custom theme development, store design, and marketing services. The Service Partner program consists of five tiers, ranging from entry-level to certified experts. Within this model, the certified app program emphasizes the importance of certification and expertise required for partners to better support merchants. Shopify evaluates several factors to determine these tiers, including the financial impact (revenue generated for Shopify), the number of clients served, and the partner’s longevity and integration within Shopify's ecosystem. It is crucial to understand that a partner’s tier is not an indicator of the quality of their work.

Below is a breakdown of the tiers, along with indicative average website build costs (please note that actual costs may vary depending on project complexity):

• Shopify Platinum Partner (SGD 350,000+): This is the highest tier. Platinum partners serve global enterprise collaborators managing highly complex e-commerce solutions. Platinum status is by invitation only.
• Shopify Premier Partner (SGD 150,000 - 350,000): These Shopify premier partners are significantly more expensive and focus on large enterprise businesses, offering customized solutions for complex e-commerce operations. They are ideal for global brands and large enterprises with substantial budgets.
• Shopify Plus Partner (SGD 35,000 - 150,000): These partners possess advanced expertise and are suited for mid to large enterprise businesses with less than 100 million in online revenue. They manage complex ERP integrations and customizations. 360&5 is proud to be a Shopify Plus Partner.
• Shopify Select Partner (SGD 15,000 - 35,000): Partners at this level have a growing track record and are often preferred by small and medium-sized businesses. They have verified expertise and experience.
• Shopify Registered Partner (SGD 5,000 - 15,000): The starting point for all new or growing partners. Provides access to essential tools, resources, and community support.

New Tiers and Requirements

The new Shopify Partner Program introduces a comprehensive tiered structure designed to recognize and reward partners at various stages of their journey. The evolved Shopify Partner Program is divided into two distinct tracks: the Service Partner Track and the Technology Partner Track, each catering to different types of partners.

Service Partner Track

The Service Track is tailored for agencies and consultants specializing in custom theme development, store design, and marketing support. This track comprises five tiers: Registered, Select, Plus, Premier, and Platinum. Each tier has its requirements and benefits, including access to exclusive resources, tools, and support. As partners progress through these tiers, they gain more extensive benefits and recognition within.

Technology Partner Track

On the other hand, the Technology Track is designed for app developers and software vendors who create apps and integrations for Shopify. This track includes four levels: Registered, Plus, Premier, and Platinum. The top three tiers in this track are by invitation only, based on stringent performance requirements. These tiers offer increasing support and resources to help technology partners innovate and grow.
To advance within the program, app partners must regularly engage in training and demonstrate their expertise through certifications and exams. The higher the tier, the more rigorous the training and examination requirements. This requirement ensures that partners at every level have the latest knowledge and skills to provide top-notch services and solutions.

The Shopify Partner Program fosters growth and collaboration by offering customized resources and support. It enables partners to thrive and contribute to the success of the Shopify ecosystem.

Why Shopify Partners Matter to Merchants

Shopify Partners drive Shopify’s mission to make commerce better for everyone. They extend Shopify’s product and team, delivering unparalleled customer value through their expertise and innovative solutions. When businesses join the Shopify Partner Program, they enter a collaborative ecosystem built on shared goals and cutting-edge technologies.

For Shopify merchants, selecting the right Shopify Partner plays a key role in achieving their business objectives. The tiered structure of the partner program helps businesses find partners that align with their specific needs and complexity. For example, a Select Partner suits a small to medium-sized retailer. At the same time, a Premier Partner or Platinum Partner fits an enterprise-level company with extremely complex requirements.

The program fosters global commerce and collaboration between Shopify and its partners, ensuring that highly qualified and high-performing partners support Shopify merchants. This framework empowers partners to refine their expertise and deliver customized solutions that address their client’s needs, allowing merchants to reach their business goals more effectively and efficiently.

By working with Shopify Partners, merchants tap into innovative technologies and optimized services that specialized partners develop. The program’s new tracks cover technological and strategic requirements, enabling retailers to scale their businesses efficiently. Whether through advanced app integrations or strategic marketing support, Shopify Partners equips merchants with the tools and expertise to succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce.

Why choose 360&5 as your Shopify Plus Partner?

With years of experience and countless successful projects under our belt, 360&5 is dedicated to delivering unmatched results for our clients. Whether you're tackling an enterprise digital transformation, searching for efficient B2B solutions, or upgrading your Shopify store to meet growing demands, 360&5 offers:

• Expert Curation: Tailored strategies for scaling e-commerce businesses.
• Comprehensive Support: From web design to ERP integrations, we handle the complexity, so you don’t have to.
• Client-Centric Brand Approach: Strengthened by our experience in providing custom design solutions that reflect the brands of global companies
• Future-Focused Solutions: Ensuring your digital transformation is both innovative and sustainable.

Additionally, 360&5 leverages Shopify Academy to ensure our team remains competitive with verified skills credentials, Shopify expertise and delivers improved client experiences proficiently.

Looking ahead, our entire team is excited to continue driving innovation for enterprise clients and building stronger partnerships within the Shopify ecosystem. If you're ready to empower your business with digital transformation, let's get started!