Build your business
As a Shopify Partner, there are several ways that you can earn money when working with Shopify themes.
Anchor to Distribute your themeDistribute your theme
Themes can be distributed in the following ways:
- By bundling the theme directory as a ZIP file, which can then be uploaded by the merchant in their Shopify admin.
- By uploading your theme to a GitHub repository, and then connecting a branch of the repository to a theme in the Shopify admin.
- By pushing a theme to a store using Shopify CLI.
Anchor to Submit your theme to the shopify theme storeSubmit your theme to the shopify theme store
Consider submitting your theme to the Shopify Theme Store. As a theme Partner, you can create themes for the Shopify Theme Store and reach an international audience of millions of entrepreneurs. Learn about the requirements for themes in the Shopify Theme Store, and how to submit your theme.
Anchor to Prepare to hand off your store to a clientPrepare to hand off your store to a client
If you're building your theme for a client, then review our best practices for working with merchants.
Anchor to Theme customizationTheme customization
The most common theme-related task for developers is theme customization, where an existing theme is altered to meet a merchant’s needs. Customization jobs range from minor tweaks to major overhauls.
You can apply to offer theme customization services through the Shopify Partner Directory.
Learn more about the Partner Directory.
Anchor to Building bespoke themes and storesBuilding bespoke themes and stores
Developers can build themes from scratch. This can be a major undertaking, and the work is usually commissioned by a single merchant with very specific requirements.
You can offer theme building as a service through the Shopify Partner Directory. You can charge your clients a fee that you both agree upon to build their theme.
If you're building a theme for a client who is moving to Shopify for the first time, then you can use a development store to build their store and build or customize their theme. After you hand off the store to the merchant, you receive a recurring commission.
Learn more about building stores for merchants.
Anchor to Building for the Shopify Theme StoreBuilding for the Shopify Theme Store
The Shopify Theme Store is one of the first stops in a merchant’s journey to launching their online store. As a Partner, you can create themes for the Shopify Theme Store and reach an international audience of millions of entrepreneurs.
To be accepted into to the Shopify Theme Store, themes must meet strict technical, maintenance, and support requirements. You should review these requirements before you start developing a theme for the store.
Learn more about submitting a theme to the Shopify Theme Store.
Anchor to Building apps that integrate with themesBuilding apps that integrate with themes
As an app developer, you can build an app that extends the functionality of a merchant's theme. You can build a custom app for a specific client, or submit an app to the Shopify App Store.
Learn more about building apps that integrate with themes.