The Shopify App Partnership Handbook
A practical playbook for Shopify app founders to build, launch, and scale partner programs that drive real installs.
Built from conversations with Shopify app founders, Mantle migration calls, and real partner program workflows.
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Introduction
What this handbook covers, who it's for, and how to use it to build a partner program that actually drives installs.
Why Most Shopify App Partner Programs Fail
The real reasons app partner programs stall — and the few things that separate the ones that work.
The Shopify App Partnership Framework
A simple end-to-end model: recruit, onboard, attribute, reward, retain. The backbone of everything else in this handbook.
Most popular chapters
Commission Structures for Shopify Apps
Revenue share, fixed per-install, first-year vs lifetime, tiers — how to pick a structure that motivates partners without wrecking your margins.
Recruiting Agencies
How to find, pitch, and sign Shopify agencies as partners — the highest-leverage partner type for most apps.
Getting Your First 10 Partners
A concrete, week-by-week plan to sign your first ten partners without a big budget or a team.
Manual Merchant Attribution
When links aren't enough: how to credit a partner for a store they genuinely referred, and keep it honest.
Browse the handbook
14 sections · 35 chapters available now, more shipping.
Getting Started
What this handbook covers, who it's for, and how to use it to build a partner program that actually drives installs.
5 chapters · 5 available
Program Design
Practical guidance on choosing the right partner model for Shopify app founders.
7 chapters · 7 available
Partner Recruitment
The channels where Shopify app partners actually are — agencies, consultants, creators, and your own customers.
9 chapters · 9 available
Partner Onboarding
Practical guidance on partner application flow for Shopify app founders.
8 chapters · 8 available
Tracking and Attribution
Practical guidance on referral links for Shopify app founders.
9 chapters · 1 available
Rewards and Payouts
Recurring, one-time, hybrid, and bonus payouts — choosing how and when you pay partners.
8 chapters · 1 available
Partner Management
Practical guidance on partner crm for Shopify app founders.
9 chapters · 0 available
Growth Playbooks
A concrete, week-by-week plan to sign your first ten partners without a big budget or a team.
10 chapters · 1 available
Analytics
The handful of numbers that tell you whether your partner program is healthy: clicks, installs, conversions, revenue.
10 chapters · 1 available
Automation
Practical guidance on partner email sequences for Shopify app founders.
8 chapters · 0 available
Templates and Tools
Practical guidance on partner outreach email templates for Shopify app founders.
11 chapters · 0 available
Case Studies
What Shopify app founders learn moving off Mantle — attribution gaps, data hygiene, and what to check first.
5 chapters · 1 available
PartnerDock Examples
Step by step: set up your app, commission terms, signup page, and tracking, and go live in an afternoon.
8 chapters · 1 available
Long-Term Strategy
Practical guidance on building a partner ecosystem for Shopify app founders.
6 chapters · 0 available
Mantle migration resources
Mantle Migration Lessons
What Shopify app founders learn moving off Mantle — attribution gaps, data hygiene, and what to check first.
Manual Merchant Attribution
When links aren't enough: how to credit a partner for a store they genuinely referred, and keep it honest.
PartnerDock examples
Latest updates
Introduction
What this handbook covers, who it's for, and how to use it to build a partner program that actually drives installs.
Why Most Shopify App Partner Programs Fail
The real reasons app partner programs stall — and the few things that separate the ones that work.
Is Your App Ready for a Partner Program?
Practical guidance on is your app ready for a partner program? for Shopify app founders.
Affiliate vs Partner vs Agency vs Referral Programs
Practical guidance on affiliate vs partner vs agency vs referral programs for Shopify app founders.
The Shopify App Partnership Framework
A simple end-to-end model: recruit, onboard, attribute, reward, retain. The backbone of everything else in this handbook.
Choosing the Right Partner Model
Practical guidance on choosing the right partner model for Shopify app founders.
Commission Structures for Shopify Apps
Revenue share, fixed per-install, first-year vs lifetime, tiers — how to pick a structure that motivates partners without wrecking your margins.
Revenue Share vs Fixed Rewards
Practical guidance on revenue share vs fixed rewards for Shopify app founders.
Gross Revenue vs Net Revenue
Practical guidance on gross revenue vs net revenue for Shopify app founders.
First-Year vs Lifetime Commissions
Practical guidance on first-year vs lifetime commissions for Shopify app founders.
Tiered Commission Models
Practical guidance on tiered commission models for Shopify app founders.
Partner Terms and Policies
Practical guidance on partner terms and policies for Shopify app founders.
Where to Find Shopify App Partners
The channels where Shopify app partners actually are — agencies, consultants, creators, and your own customers.
Recruiting Agencies
How to find, pitch, and sign Shopify agencies as partners — the highest-leverage partner type for most apps.
Recruiting Freelancers
Practical guidance on recruiting freelancers for Shopify app founders.
Recruiting Creators
Practical guidance on recruiting creators for Shopify app founders.
Recruiting Existing Customers
Practical guidance on recruiting existing customers for Shopify app founders.
Recruiting Technology Partners
Practical guidance on recruiting technology partners for Shopify app founders.
Recruiting Shopify Consultants
Practical guidance on recruiting shopify consultants for Shopify app founders.
Outreach Templates
Practical guidance on outreach templates for Shopify app founders.
First 100 Partners Plan
Practical guidance on first 100 partners plan for Shopify app founders.
Partner Application Flow
Practical guidance on partner application flow for Shopify app founders.
Approval and Rejection Process
Practical guidance on approval and rejection process for Shopify app founders.
Partner Welcome Flow
The first email and first session that turn an approved partner into an active one.
First 7 Days Onboarding
Practical guidance on first 7 days onboarding for Shopify app founders.
First 30 Days Activation Plan
Practical guidance on first 30 days activation plan for Shopify app founders.
Partner Sales Assets
Practical guidance on partner sales assets for Shopify app founders.
Demo Videos and Pitch Decks
Practical guidance on demo videos and pitch decks for Shopify app founders.
Partner Enablement Checklist
Practical guidance on partner enablement checklist for Shopify app founders.
Manual Merchant Attribution
When links aren't enough: how to credit a partner for a store they genuinely referred, and keep it honest.
Payout Models
Recurring, one-time, hybrid, and bonus payouts — choosing how and when you pay partners.
Getting Your First 10 Partners
A concrete, week-by-week plan to sign your first ten partners without a big budget or a team.
Partner Funnel Metrics
The handful of numbers that tell you whether your partner program is healthy: clicks, installs, conversions, revenue.
Mantle Migration Lessons
What Shopify app founders learn moving off Mantle — attribution gaps, data hygiene, and what to check first.
How to Launch a Program in PartnerDock
Step by step: set up your app, commission terms, signup page, and tracking, and go live in an afternoon.
Ready to build your Shopify app partner program?
PartnerDock helps Shopify app founders manage affiliates, partners, referrals, commissions, attribution, and payouts in one place.