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Payout Models
Recurring, one-time, hybrid, and bonus payouts — choosing how and when you pay partners.
Rewards and Payouts · ~6 min read
How you pay partners is as important as how much. The model shapes cash flow, partner trust, and how much operational work lands on you every month.
Recurring
Pay a share of the referred merchant's revenue each period, for as long as your terms specify. Most attractive to partners, most aligned with retention — and the most ongoing accounting. Best paired with clear duration terms (lifetime, first-year, or N months).
One-time
Pay a fixed amount once per qualified install. Simplest to operate and easiest to budget. Weaker long-term motivation, but great for getting a program moving or for cheaper plans.
Hybrid
A one-time install bonus plus a smaller recurring share. Rewards the referral and the retention. More moving parts, but often the best balance for a growing program.
Bonuses and adjustments
Beyond the standard model, keep the ability to pay ad-hoc bonuses — a reward for a partner's first referral, a spiff during a push, or a goodwill adjustment. These aren't tied to a specific store; they're relationship tools.
Thresholds and timing
Set a minimum payout threshold so you're not sending $3 transfers, and a predictable cadence (monthly is standard). Partners tolerate a threshold; they don't tolerate unpredictability. Whatever you promise, pay on time — late payouts kill programs faster than low rates.
Practical checklist
- ✓Chosen recurring, one-time, or hybrid as your default
- ✓Set a sensible payout threshold
- ✓Committed to a predictable payout cadence
- ✓Kept the ability to issue ad-hoc bonuses/adjustments
- ✓A record/receipt is generated for every payout
Common mistakes
- ✕Promising recurring payouts without the ops to sustain them
- ✕No threshold, so you're stuck sending tiny transfers
- ✕Paying late or unpredictably
How this works in PartnerDock
PartnerDock supports recurring, one-time, and usage-based commissions, plus ad-hoc bonus rewards. Partners request a single consolidated payout across every app they promote; you mark it paid and both sides get a numbered PDF receipt for their books. Bonuses show as a clear 'Bonus / adjustment' line on the receipt.
Try PartnerDock FreeFAQ
Monthly or on-request payouts?+
Both work. A monthly cadence is simplest to trust; on-request (above a threshold) gives partners control. Pick one and be consistent.
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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.
Manual Merchant Attribution
When links aren't enough: how to credit a partner for a store they genuinely referred, and keep it honest.
Partner Funnel Metrics
The handful of numbers that tell you whether your partner program is healthy: clicks, installs, conversions, revenue.