Explaining the Shopify Partner Tiers

The Shopify Partner Program has undergone a complete transformation for 2025, introducing a sophisticated tiered structure that makes it easier than ever for businesses to find the right agency partner. Whether you're launching your first online store or scaling an enterprise operation, understanding this new framework is crucial for selecting an agency that aligns with your goals and budget.

360&5 is a leading certified Shopify Plus agency, entirely dedicated to helping ecommerce businesses succeed on the Shopify platform. Beyond supporting global brands and existing Shopify ecommerce websites in Singapore and beyond, we're doubling down on serving B2B businesses and helping companies migrate from other platforms to Shopify Plus. With teams operating across multiple countries, we deliver regional expertise to clients worldwide.

Here's everything you need to know about the new partner tiers and how to choose the right agency for your ecommerce journey.

Understanding the Shopify Partner Program

The Shopify Partner Program is a global network of specialized e-commerce agencies, system integrators, developers, and consultants who extend Shopify's capabilities through custom development, strategic consulting, and ongoing optimization services. In today's complex ecommerce landscape, no single agency can excel at everything, which is why Shopify has created this comprehensive ecosystem of specialized partners.

Partners gain exclusive access to development tools, test environments, and Shopify Academy educational resources, ensuring they deliver cutting-edge solutions backed by verified expertise. This investment in partner education directly benefits merchants through better project outcomes and more innovative solutions.

The New 2025 Tiered Structure: Two Distinct Tracks

With the new Shopify Partner Program, there are now two tracks: the Service Partner Track and the Technology Partner Track. Each track aims to accommodate different kinds of partners in the Shopify environment. Depending on your skill set and knowledge, you can choose to work as a service provider or as a tech solution, matching your contribution to the value you offer to merchants.

Service Partner Track

Service partners provide custom theme development, store design, and marketing services. They are organized into five tiers, from Registered to Platinum. These tiers reflect a partner's experience, impact, and engagement within the Shopify ecosystem. Shopify also evaluates other factors, including the financial impact (revenue generated for Shopify). It is crucial to understand that a partner’s tier is not an indicator of the quality of their work.

What's particularly valuable is how this structure helps businesses identify the right fit. A growing DTC brand might thrive with a Plus partner. At the same time, a multinational corporation needs the capabilities that only Premier or Platinum partners can provide.

Here's how the five tiers break down, along with typical investment ranges (remember, these are guidelines—actual costs depend heavily on your specific requirements):

• Shopify Platinum Partner (SGD 350,000+): This is the highest tier. Platinum partners serve the needs of global enterprise businesses managing highly complex e-commerce solutions. Platinum status is by invitation only.

• Shopify Premier Partner (SGD 150,000 - 350,000): These Shopify Premier partners are significantly more expensive and focus on large enterprise businesses, offering customized solutions for complex e-commerce operations. They are ideal for the requirements of a global brand and large enterprises with substantial budgets.

• Shopify Plus Partner (SGD 35,000 - 150,000): This is where 360&5 sits, and it's the sweet spot for many growing businesses. Shopify Plus partners understand the intricacies of scaling ecommerce operations. They handle everything from ERP integrations to custom checkout experiences, typically working with companies generating up to $100 million in online sales revenue.

• Shopify Select Partner (SGD 15,000 - 35,000): Partners at this level have a growing track record and are often preferred by small and medium-sized stores. They have verified expertise and experience of a Shopify partner.

• Shopify Registered Partner (SGD 5,000 - 15,000): The starting point for all new or growing partners. Provides access to essential tools, resources, and community support.

Technology Partner Track

On the other hand, the Technology Track is designed for those acting as app developers and software vendors, as a key part of creating apps and integrations for Shopify. This track includes four levels: Registered, Plus, Premier, and Platinum. The top three tiers in this track are by invitation only, based on stringent performance requirements. These tiers offer increasing support, partnership opportunities, and resources to help technology partners innovate and grow.

The critical role of a Shopify Partner

Shopify Partners play a unique role in the ecosystem, acting as the bridge between growing businesses and enterprise-level capabilities. They extend Shopify’s product and team, delivering exceptional value through deep expertise and innovative solutions. Their services encompass the full spectrum, from high-converting web design and branding to performance-driven digital marketing strategies, all designed to drive growth and deliver results.

Shopify partners don't just build stores; they architect ecommerce experiences that grow with your business. Whether you're launching your first Shopify store or migrating from a legacy platform, they bring the depth of knowledge needed to make complex decisions simple.

The relationship doesn't end at launch either. Shopify partners offer ongoing optimisation, enabling businesses to adapt to changing market conditions and capitalise on new platform features as they're released.

Unlocking partner benefits and marketing support

Partners gain access to a wide range of marketing resources, including exclusive email marketing templates, social media assets, and content creation tools, all designed to boost outreach and engagement. Shopify partners in higher tiers also unlock additional co-marketing funds for joint campaigns, enabling Shopify agencies to amplify their brand and reach new audiences effectively.

Beyond marketing materials, Shopify invests heavily in partner education through multiple channels. Regular training sessions and workshops cover the full spectrum—from technical implementation details to high-level strategic consulting approaches. Webinars keep partners informed about platform updates and industry trends. At the same time, comprehensive online courses ensure everyone stays current with new features and evolving best practices. For higher-tier partners, Shopify requires a greater portion of the team to be certified through Shopify Academy, ensuring consistent expertise across the agency.

This educational investment pays dividends for everyone involved. Well-trained partners deliver better results, which means merchants get more value from their projects. It's a virtuous cycle that elevates the entire ecosystem.

How to join the Shopify Partner Program

Becoming a Shopify Partner begins with a straightforward application, in which prospective partners provide details about their business model, services, and relevant expertise. Once approved, agencies receive immediate access to development environments, training resources, and the broader partner community program.

The real value emerges as you demonstrate expertise and build a track record. Meeting performance requirements unlocks exclusive benefits, including priority support, co-marketing funds, and collaboration opportunities with other specialists within the ecosystem.

This progression system ensures that as partners grow their capabilities, they gain access to resources that help them serve increasingly sophisticated clients.

Why the Shopify tiering matters to merchants

The program fosters global commerce and collaboration between Shopify and its partners, ensuring that highly qualified and high-performing agencies support Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants. The tiered structure goes far beyond simple organization—it's a sophisticated matching system designed to align partner capabilities with merchant needs. Small businesses can access proven expertise without paying enterprise-level prices. At the same time, scaling companies find partners equipped to grow alongside them through multiple expansion phases. 

When merchants select partners aligned with their specific tier requirements, they dramatically improve their chances of receiving solutions that address both immediate operational needs and long-term growth objectives. Select partners have developed a specialized understanding of startup challenges and resource constraints to attract customers. Meanwhile, Premier and Platinum partners bring extensive Shopify Plus experience in managing enterprise-level complexity, multi-region deployments, and sophisticated system integrations.

Finding the right fit: The Shopify Partner Directory

The Shopify Partner Directory is a powerful resource for merchants seeking the ideal partner for their e-commerce journey. This directory lists certified agencies, making it easy for businesses to identify trusted experts who can deliver the services they need. By providing detailed information on each agency’s location, expertise, and service offerings, the directory helps merchants make informed decisions and select a partner that aligns with their specific goals.

For partners, Shopify directory listing is crucial for visibility and credibility. For partners, a Shopify directory listing is vital for visibility and credibility, enabling them to find new customers. It's where they showcase successful projects, highlight specialized skills, and connect with businesses that need exactly what they offer. The directory streamlines what used to be a complex vetting process, making it easier for companies to find trusted experts.

Why work with Shopify Partners

By working with Shopify Partners, merchants tap into the best technologies and optimized services that specialized partners develop. These services include speed and website performance optimizations, ensuring fast load times and a seamless user experience. The program’s new tracks cover technological and strategic requirements, enabling retailers to scale their businesses efficiently. Whether through advanced app integrations or strategic email marketing support that boost sales performance, Shopify Partners equips merchants with the tools and expertise to succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce.

Why choose 360&5 as your Shopify Plus Partner?

As one of the original Shopify Plus partners, our team brings extensive experience and specialization in all aspects of Shopify. Whether you’re tackling an enterprise digital transformation, searching for efficient B2B solutions, or upgrading your Shopify store to improve client experiences, we offer:

• Expert Curation: Tailored strategies for scaling e-commerce businesses, with deep knowledge of Shoify Plus.

• Comprehensive Support: From web design to ERP integrations, we handle the complexity, so you don’t have to.

• Client-Centric Brand Approach: Strengthened by our experience in providing custom design solutions that reflect the brands of global companies and drive sales conversions

• Future-Focused Solutions: Ensuring your digital transformation is both innovative and sustainable.

At 360&5, we actively leverage Shopify Academy to keep our team sharp, certified, and equipped with the latest platform expertise. We continue to drive innovation for our enterprise clients and build stronger partnerships within the Shopify ecosystem, providing clients with access to the best tools and technologies.

By working with 360&5, you’re choosing the right partner with deep Shopify Plus expertise that’s deeply invested in your business’s success. If you’re ready to empower your business with digital transformation, let’s get started!