In this edition of our monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, you’ll find the most important updates you need to know to continue your work with your app users.
Read on for more information. If you’d rather receive these updates via email, please sign up for our monthly What’s New with Shopify email below.
Join us Thursday, July 15 at 12 pm EDT for a one-hour special Shopify Unite Edition broadcast of Shopify Partner Town Hall, that will go in-depth on some of the product releases mentioned on mainstage, followed by a 30-minute live AMA session with Glen Coates, Vanessa Lee, and Fatima Yusuf to answer any Shopify Unite questions you may have.
As a Shopify developer or partner, you’ll get exclusive deep dives into the product releases and updates announced at Shopify Unite, including more on app store discoverability, Developer Console, themes, and more.
At Shopify Unite, we discussed the infrastructure, tooling, and technologies that make the future of commerce possible. There were some big announcements, including changes to revenue share for theme and app store developers, Shopify Checkout, app development, Storefront API, and much more.
You’re not going to want to miss any of it. Get caught up in our article rounding up everything from Shopify Unite.
As of August 1, 2021, we’re offering zero percent revenue share on the first million dollars you make annually on the Shopify App Store.
That means that if you make less than $1 million USD per year in the Shopify App Store, you can register to no longer pay revenue share. And every year, those numbers reset. When you earn more than $1 million USD, you’ll pay a 15 percent revenue share, which is lower than the previous 20 percent revenue share.
This change means more money in your pocket: money to invest in your business, grow your resources, and build more solutions for Shopify merchants. It’s our way of showing how serious we are about supporting developers.
We’ll also be introducing a one-time registration fee for all developers who sign up after August 1, which will be paid when they submit their first app to be reviewed. All the more reason to sign up and start building your app today!
Starting August 1 at 1pm EST, you’ll be able to register directly in your Partner Dashboard for this new revenue share. Learn more in our documentation.
At Shopify Unite, we announced an end-to-end overhaul of how themes are built at Shopify, with the release of Online Store 2.0. With sections on every page, moveable and app-powered blocks, better metafields, and a suite of new developer tools, Online Store 2.0 marks a new world for developers and a complete rebuild of how merchants interact with the online store.
Online Store 2.0 is designed to accelerate and improve theme development at Shopify. Not only is it easier for merchants to add customizations without touching code, but apps can be injected without editing theme code and metafields are no longer only accessed via APIs or hard-coded into themes.
Learn more via the link below, including how to migrate your themes and apps, and how to submit themes to the soon-to-reopen Shopify Theme Store.
The post-purchase checkout extension is now available to all developers in beta. This extension renders on an interstitial page after the buyer checks out but before the thank-you page, allowing you to build unique experiences for merchants to interact with a highly engaged audience.
Learn more about the post-purchase checkout extension and the different solutions you can build on the blog.
The 2021-07 API release is here, and includes many of the features announced at Shopify Unite. In addition, this version includes the Bulk Mutations API, a new API that provides enormous improvements to pushing large amounts of data into Shopify. Also released as a part of 2021-07: Product Variant Bulk APIs, the Files API, expanded support for metafields on the Storefront API, and improvements to international pricing.
Learn more on the blog.
The Shopify Theme Store is reopening to partners on July 15, 2021 after being closed since 2018, so this is an opportunity to get in early and establish yourself as a trusted theme developer. To help you, we’re releasing a series of theme building resources over the coming months:
Watch our events page for more information on upcoming theme building events.
In addition to Shopify Payments and PayPal Express, Shopify Subscription APIs now support Authorize.net. This update will enable developers to build Shopify Checkout-integrated subscriptions apps for merchants that use the Authorize.net payment gateway.
Learn more about building subscriptions apps in our documentation.
That’s all for this month. To stay up to date with changes that impact the Shopify platform and app development, subscribe to the Shopify developer changelog for updates as they happen. Or, sign up for our What’s New with Shopify email below.
Read previous editions of our monthly product updates to stay in the know with everything happening at Shopify.
May 2021
In this edition of our monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, you’ll find the most important updates you need to know to continue your work with your app users.
Registration for Shopify Unite 2021 is now open
We’re excited to announce that registration for Shopify Unite, our annual conference, is now open. We’ve tailored this year’s livestream event to developers, giving a technical look behind the curtain at the infrastructure, tooling, and technologies that will unlock the future of commerce.
You’ll get a look into the inner workings of the products and APIs we’re launching from some of Shopify’s top technical leaders, so you can build for the future with cutting-edge technologies.
Join us on Tuesday, June 29 at 1:00PM EDT for some very exciting announcements about how we’re building the future of commerce, together.
Subscriptions support for PayPal Express
We’re launching subscriptions support for PayPal Express. This launch is the first in additional payment gateway support after Shopify Payments, and represents an exciting opportunity to support more merchants around the world.
Merchants using subscriptions apps integrated with Shopify Checkout in countries where Shopify Payments is not currently supported, can now use this payment method, opening up subscriptions to more than 200 countries.
Find out more about building subscription apps with the Shopify Subscription APIs, including requirements, roadmap, and tutorials in our docs.
Introducing partner-initiated app refunds
Partners can now issue refunds to merchants directly through the Partner Dashboard, instead of contacting Shopify support. This update means you can quickly resolve customer service challenges, providing a better experience for merchants.
We’ve also introduced granular user permissions for this feature to ensure only the appropriate staff users have the ability to issue refunds.
Learn more about how to trigger refunds in our docs.
VAT changes for ecommerce purchases made within the EU
As of July 1, 2021, the European Union (EU) is making changes to tax regulations for ecommerce purchases made within the EU. These changes include the elimination of minimum sales thresholds, updated value-added tax (VAT) rates, and a choice of how to remit taxes. To help merchants comply with these changes, we’ve added options to the tax settings in Shopify.
It’s important that you take the time to understand how these changes can impact merchants. You can find more information on the EU’s One Stop Shop VAT site and in our recent blog article on the topic. Visit our Help Center for more information about EU taxes and Shopify.
Stay in the know
That’s all for this month. To stay up to date with changes that impact the Shopify platform and app development, subscribe to the Shopify developer changelog for updates as they happen. Or, sign up for our What’s New with Shopify email below.
Stay in the know
Subscribe to receive What’s New with Shopify, our monthly email featuring Shopify’s latest product news.
Thanks for signing up!
April 2021
In this edition of our monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, you’ll find the most important updates you need to know to continue your work with your app users.
Announcing the winners of the 2020 Shopify Commerce Awards
In late 2020, we asked the Shopify Partner and Developer community to submit their most impactful web design and development work to the 2020 Shopify Commerce Awards competition.
The results are in, and we’re thrilled to announce the winners! These partners and developers made a huge difference for some of the 1.7 million merchants using Shopify’s platform, and we’re excited to share their stories.
Without further ado, check out the best in the business!
Introducing Beyond the Build with Fatima Yusuf
We’re excited to announce Beyond the Build, a brand new founder interview series with host Fatima Yusuf.
Over 1.7 million merchants globally turn to the Shopify App Ecosystem to discover the world’s best commerce technologies. Beyond the Build explores the stories behind some of the largest technology companies built on Shopify, many of which have scaled to billion dollar valuations. Audiences will learn from the founders and innovators building for the future of commerce about what it takes to scale a SaaS business from the ground up.
Beyond the Build is now live! We will be launching a brand new episode each week. Get caught up on our YouTube channel, and find full show notes and transcripts exclusively on the Shopify Partner Blog.
The Price List Admin API
Launched as part of our 2021-04 API release, the Price List API allows you to easily configure international pricing by creating percentage price adjustments and fixed variant prices that are applied in the online store and checkout.
With this API, you can help your users build automated merchandising and pricing management workflows for complex international pricing needs, so they can reach more customers around the world.
Learn more about the Price List API in our docs.
Store Access Controls in the Partner Dashboard
Now you can restrict and manage your team members’ access to specific development, managed, and Plus Sandbox stores with Store Access Controls. Use Store Access Controls to work more securely with your team and contractors.
Owners and staff members with Manage members permission are now able to:
- Specify a level of access for each type of store (development stores, managed stores, and Plus Sandbox stores) for a staff member. Select between No access, Access to all stores, or Access to specific stores. A staff member can log in to a store only when they’ve been allowed access.
- Allow select staff members to add, archive or transfer ownership of stores.
- Provide access to a specific store for a staff member from the Team or Stores section of the Partner Dashboard.
Learn more about store access controls in our help docs.
Determining your return on ad spend in the Shopify App Store
New metrics are now available in your ads reporting dashboard, to help you measure your return on ad spend, customers gained through ads, and customer acquisition costs in the Shopify App Store.
With this information, you can identify which keywords are driving performance, your actual customer conversation rate, and the revenue you’re gaining from your ads, allowing you to make more informed optimizations and get a better return on your investment.
Learn more about how to read these new metrics on the blog.
New partners added to the Shopify Plus Certified App Program
We’re excited to launch another new cohort of apps to the Shopify Plus Certified App Program! This group comprises inventory management solutions, and third party logistic providers, with additions to our shipping solutions and fraud management categories.
The new members are:
The Shopify Plus Certified App Program supports the largest Shopify merchants by helping them find the apps and solutions they need to build and scale their business. The program is available specifically for Shopify app partners who provide a level of product quality, service, performance, privacy, and support that meets the advanced requirements of Shopify Plus merchants. Once certified by Shopify, a partner app is made available to merchants globally using the Shopify Plus Certified App Directory and the Shopify App Store.
Applications are now open to join the Shopify Plus Certified App Program. Demonstrate your dedication to performance, security, privacy, and support to be included in our exclusive Shopify Plus directories. Apply at the link below.
Stay in the know
That’s all for this month. To stay up to date with changes that impact the Shopify platform and app development, subscribe to the Shopify developer changelog for updates as they happen. Or, sign up for our What’s New with Shopify email below.
Stay in the know
Subscribe to receive What’s New with Shopify, our monthly email featuring Shopify’s latest product news.
Thanks for signing up!
March 2021
In this edition of our monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, you’ll find the most important updates you need to know to continue your work with your app users.
Shopify Partner Town Hall: Building the best in commerce
Shopify Partner Town Hall is back on Thursday, April 15 at 12 pm EDT. Learn more about what’s new at Shopify, and meet the 2020 Commerce Awards winners. Plus, tune in for an exclusive fireside chat with leaders of Shopify’s developer tools and education team, who will discuss what it takes to build high quality apps in 2021.
Partner Town Hall is an extension of a long standing tradition at Shopify known as Town Hall, where we gather to listen, reflect, and stay aligned on what’s happening at Shopify. Join us to stay up to date with the most recent Shopify news, updates, and product launches. Register now.
New partners added to the Shopify Plus Certified App Program
We are excited to welcome a new cohort of apps to the Shopify Plus Certified App Program! The new members are:
- Carro (affiliate and influencer marketing)
- Impact (affiliate and influencer marketing)
- Stamped.io (reviews and user-generated content)
- Bluecore (marketing automation)
- Gladly (customer support)
The Shopify Plus Certified App Program supports the largest Shopify merchants by helping them find the apps and solutions they need to build and scale their business. The program is available specifically for Shopify app partners who provide a level of product quality, service, performance, privacy, and support that meets the advanced requirements of Shopify Plus merchants. Once certified by Shopify, a partner app is made available to merchants globally using the Shopify Plus Certified App Directory and the Shopify App Store.
Applications are now open to join the Shopify Plus Certified App Program. Demonstrate your dedication to performance, security, privacy, and support to be included in our exclusive Shopify Plus directories. Apply at the link below.
App charge overview page in the Partner Dashboard
App partners can now see app subscriptions, one-time app charges, and usage charges made to merchants in the Partner Dashboard, on a brand-new Charge Overview page. This information will help you access key information about app charges to quickly answer merchants’ billing questions.
Learn more about this new page in our documentation.
Subscription APIs now support Scripts
Shopify Plus merchants using Scripts will now be able to use subscription apps that are directly integrated into Shopify’s checkout. When merchants sell subscription products, those products are assigned a selling plan by the subscription app. When you write scripts, you can use the line item object .selling_plan_id to identify when a product is being bought as a subscription.
Learn more about how to use Scripts on subscriptions in our documentation.
Stay in the know
That’s all for this month. To stay up to date with changes that impact the Shopify platform and app development, subscribe to the Shopify developer changelog for updates as they happen. Or, sign up for our What’s New with Shopify email below.
Stay in the know
Subscribe to receive What’s New with Shopify, our monthly email featuring Shopify’s latest product news.
Thanks for signing up!
January 2021
In this edition of our monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, you’ll find the most important updates you need to know to continue your work with your app users.
Developer updates
Learn more about all the platform updates from Shopify for developers.
Partner Town Hall: 2021 Kickoff
Shopify Partner Town Hall is back on Tuesday, February 2 at 12 pm EDT and Wednesday, February 3 at 12 pm AEDT/2 pm NZDT. In this edition, we’ll learn more about what’s new at Shopify this year.
Join us virtually to get timely product knowledge and practical advice on how to better support merchants. Register below!
New Partner API
With the new Partner API, you can programmatically access data, such as app events and earnings, that was previously only available through the Partner Dashboard. This allows you to download this information to your respective reporting and analytics systems and make your business operations more efficient.
More granular permissions for the Partner Dashboard
Two new staff permissions have been added to the Partner Dashboard, giving you more granular control over what your organization’s staff members can access.
- View referrals grants access to the Referrals page.
- Manage affiliate campaigns grants access to the Affiliate tools page, and affiliate tools on the Referrals page. Staff members with this permission can also manage affiliate campaigns. This permission is available only to organizations that are part of the Shopify Affiliate Program.
Access to these features was previously controlled by the Manage shops permission. Staff members in your organization who have the Manage shops permission are granted View referrals as part of this update. If you are part of the Shopify Affiliate Program, then staff members who have the Manage shops permission are also granted the Manage affiliate campaigns permission as part of this update.
Polaris v6.0.0, style guide, and Figma UI kit
Polaris v6.0.0 is shipping, making the new design language the default. The updates in v6.0.0 include a reduced bundle size, accessibility fixes, and an updated style guide.
In addition, a new Figma UI kit is now available based on the updated Polaris guidelines. This kit offers more flexibility and speed in a cross-platform browser-based design tool. Previously, the UI kit was available in Sketch.
Specific changes include:
- Refreshed visual styles. A clean, simple style makes things feel approachable and efficient.
- Variants added to improve usability and add functionality to most components.
- Large- and small-screen components listed as respective variants of the same component.
- Auto layout added to simple components.
- Rebuilt, better quality components .
- New color system.
With these tools, you can work directly in Polaris v6.0.0, streamlining your design process with the new style guide and UI kit, and speeding up your development process.