The Ultimate Guide to the Shopify Affiliate Program: How to Use It to Increase Your Sales
In this comprehensive Shopify affiliate guide, I’ll show you how the Shopify affiliate program works and how you can leverage it to boost your store sales.
The Shopify affiliate program has long been praised as one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in the market. It’s currently one of the most lucrative opportunities for online businesses to generate extra income. Let’s dive in!
What Is the Shopify Affiliate Program?
The Shopify affiliate program is a free and open platform that allows affiliates to earn commissions by referring new merchants to Shopify. The affiliate earns a commission when a referred merchant subscribes to one of Shopify’s paid plans.
Affiliates are paid based on the Shopify plan the merchant subscribes to, tracked by proprietary affiliate software. Each click on your referral links is tracked for up to 30 days, allowing the referred merchant enough time to review and select a plan. Once they subscribe, your commission is determined and paid.
Commissions are as follows:
- For every successful subscription to a Basic Shopify plan, Shopify, or Advanced Shopify plan, the affiliate earns twice the value of the subscribed plan.
- Subscriptions to Shopify Plus can increase your earnings by up to $2,000.
Key Players in the Shopify Affiliate Program
The Shopify affiliate marketing process involves three key parties: the merchant (entrepreneur), the Software as a Service (SaaS) platform (Shopify), and the affiliate (store owners, publishers, or partners).
1. Merchant (Entrepreneur)
The merchant is the target of all affiliate marketing activities. They are the ones who will subscribe to the Shopify platform and, in turn, generate commissions for the affiliate.
2. SaaS Platform (Shopify)
Shopify is the platform that enables merchants to set up their online stores. It is the core software that affiliates promote to store owners and entrepreneurs. Shopify earns revenue primarily through these subscriptions.
3. Affiliate (Store Owner/Publisher/Partner)
As an affiliate, your role is to promote Shopify plans and encourage other entrepreneurs to sign up for the platform. You can do this by creating valuable content and providing links to Shopify’s plans through blogs, social media, and other digital channels.
4. Audience (Shopify Users)
The audience is composed of individuals looking to set up their online stores. Shopify offers them the tools and software needed to run a successful business.
How the Shopify Affiliate Program Works
Once you join the Shopify affiliate program, you can start promoting their plans and earn commissions. Here’s how the entire process works:
Product Creation
Shopify developed four subscription plans to attract entrepreneurs. They created the affiliate program to expand their reach without directly engaging in marketing activities. Affiliates handle the marketing and promotion to drive new sign-ups.
Affiliate Role
Affiliates, also known as publishers or Shopify partners, can earn anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars by promoting Shopify plans. By using blogs, social media, and online content, affiliates generate referrals to Shopify plans.
Once a customer clicks on the referral link, the affiliate receives a 30-day tracking cookie. If the referred merchant subscribes to any of the four plans within this period, the affiliate earns a commission, paid via PayPal.
Merchant Role
Merchants are the driving force behind the process. They are the ones who need to subscribe to Shopify plans through affiliate links. The merchant must click the affiliate’s link and choose a plan before the affiliate becomes eligible for a commission.
How to Apply for the Shopify Affiliate Program
To start earning commissions, you must first apply for the Shopify affiliate program. Here’s how:
Step 1: Visit Shopify’s Website
Go to Shopify and scroll down to find the affiliate program link.
Step 2: Click “Apply”
Click on the “Affiliate Program” link, which will take you to the application page.
Step 3: Create an Account
Fill in the required fields to create your affiliate account.
Step 4: Provide Business Information
Provide detailed information about your business and how you plan to promote Shopify products.
Step 5: Click “Become a Shopify Affiliate”
Once your application is filled out, click the “Apply” button to submit your application.
Step 6: Wait for Approval
Once you’ve applied, it typically takes two business days for your application to be approved. Afterward, you can start promoting Shopify plans and earning commissions.
5 Effective Ways to Promote Your Shopify Affiliate Links
There are numerous ways to promote your Shopify affiliate links. Here are five strategies that can help you maximize your earnings:
1. Create In-Depth Tutorial Videos
Many entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with how online businesses work. By creating tutorial videos, you can demonstrate how to set up an online store using Shopify. Embed your affiliate links in these videos to encourage viewers to sign up.
2. Promote on Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are great places to find potential customers. Join e-commerce groups like “Shopify Beginners” and “Shopify Dropshipping for Entrepreneurs” to share your affiliate links and reach an engaged audience.
3. Host Webinars
Webinars are an excellent way to engage a large audience. Promote your webinar through your blog, social media, and email campaigns. During the webinar, teach your audience how to set up a Shopify store and provide your affiliate links.
4. Use Automated Welcome Emails and Landing Pages
Create customized landing pages and use automated welcome emails to direct visitors to the Shopify sign-up page. Including clear call-to-action buttons can help increase your conversion rates.
5. Answer Questions on Quora
Quora is a platform where users actively seek information. Search for questions about Shopify or e-commerce platforms and answer them comprehensively. Include your affiliate links in your answers to attract potential sign-ups.
Where to Get Shopify Banners
Shopify offers free banners for affiliates to use in their marketing campaigns. You can access these banners through Shopify’s partner program. Make sure to follow the guidelines and rules to avoid any issues with your affiliate account.
Here’s the HTML code for Shopify banners:
htmlCopyEdit<a href="https://www.shopify.com/?ref=[YOUR_UNIQUE_REF_HANDLE]" target="_top">
<img src="your-affiliate-banner-image-url" rel="nofollow" width="300" height="250" alt="Shopify Affiliate" />
</a>
Can You Make Money with the Shopify Affiliate Program?
Yes, you can earn significant income through the Shopify affiliate program. Here are a few ways to increase your revenue:
- Design Shopify Themes: Earn up to 70% of the revenue from each theme you sell on the Shopify theme marketplace.
- Develop Shopify Apps: If you have the skills or can hire a developer, creating Shopify apps can be a source of passive income.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing has been a reliable income source for years, and the Shopify affiliate program offers one of the best opportunities to earn substantial commissions. By consistently promoting Shopify plans through blogs, social media, and other platforms, you can maximize your earnings.
With its high commission rates, bi-monthly payouts, 24/7 support, and long-term tracking capabilities, Shopify’s affiliate program is an excellent way to grow your income while helping others build their businesses.
![Finest HEPA Air Purifiers to Promote On-line + Wholesaler & Dropshipper [China/US/UK]](https://www.tinydeals.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image-165-1024x1024-336x220.png)
Login with Google