Shopify’s new Partner Program raises the bar

The program revamp will decipher Shopify’s best of the best in ecommerce service delivery. There’s no hiding! Merchants now know what it takes and which players to play with in order to win at commerce in their industry. 

• Registered Partner: The baseline level for all new or growing partners
• Select Partner: For partners with demonstrated expertise with small and medium business merchants
• Plus Partner: For partners that have demonstrated success with medium to large merchants on all Shopify plans
• Premier Partner: An exclusive tier for high-performing partners
• Shopify Platinum Partner: The top tier, reserved for select global enterprise partners 

Ask Phill has been awarded Premier Partner status - one of two agencies awarded this title in the Netherlands. 

With only a handful of industry heavyweights like Google and Oracle receiving Shopify Platinum, the pool of agencies making up the remaining market share is substantial. So what separates the tiers and how can agencies track upwards and, drive more merchant success?

The fresh tiered structure now gives agencies a clear path to climb the ranks - but it’s not just about bragging rights, each tier unlocks exclusive perks, greater visibility, and deeper collaboration with Shopify. If agencies are advancing, merchants are winning. Let’s take a closer look.

Shopify Premier Partner perks - what's in it for the merchants?

• Driving more quality into brands: Access to exclusive training and advanced Shopify certifications.
• Greater market reach: enhanced marketing support for merchants.
• Ability to skip the queue: Early access to new Shopify features and pilot programs.
• Ease in experience: Access to agencies with a visible backlog of successful ecommerce execution. 

Premier Partners, like Ask Phill, gain a competitive edge with unmatched access to Shopify resources and collaboration, ensuring they can deliver top-tier solutions to merchants.

Whilst becoming a Shopify Platinum Partner is every agency’s goal, there is naturally a road to get there. This new program places nearly 500 Shopify Plus agencies and thousands of additional qualified partners into the five tiers:

Whether it’s a one-person agency getting off its feet or an established team already making big moves, this new structure gives partners a framework to progress through the tiers. Each level reflects an agency’s proven impact within the Shopify ecosystem - rewarding performance, skills, and commitment to merchant success.

Verified Skills are a cornerstone of the evolved Shopify Partner Program, endorsing agencies that demonstrate the requisite expertise to deliver top-tier Shopify solutions. They serve as a benchmark for professional development, helping partners build credibility and differentiate themselves by commercial impact and skill development.

What do they signify?

Put simply, lifetime impact. They are the official credentials partners can earn by completing specialised learning paths within Shopify Academy. These skills validate an agency’s proficiency in key areas of the Shopify ecosystem.

The categories 

The Verified Skills program covers a wide range of disciplines that are crucial for delivering successful Shopify solutions for merchants. Some key categories include:

1. Store Setup & Optimisation 
2. Shopify Plus Implementation
3. Theme Development
4. Headless Commerce & APIs
5. Marketing & Growth Strategies
6. App Development & Integration
7. International Expansion

Ask Phill has successfully earned 30 (and counting) Shopify Verified Skills in our pursuit of creating the next in commerce.

Verified Skills are an essential component of Shopify’s Partner Program, providing a structured way for agencies to prove their top spot and deliver exceptional results. For us, earning and maintaining these credentials is a strategic move toward achieving Shopify Platinum Partner status and continuing to set the standard for innovation and excellence in the Shopify ecosystem.