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Ecommerce

Shopify

4.6 (3120 reviews)
Start With This Platform Visit official site

Difficulty

Beginner

Earning Potential

High

Commission Type

One-time bounty

What is it?

Shopify is the leading all-in-one ecommerce platform, letting anyone set up an online store to sell physical or digital products. It handles storefront design, payments, shipping, inventory and marketing from a single dashboard.

How you make money

You earn by building a Shopify store that sells products for a profit, and by joining the Shopify affiliate program to earn a one-time bounty for each new merchant you refer who opens a store.

Who is it for?

Entrepreneurs who want to sell physical or digital products online, brands scaling beyond a marketplace, and affiliates whose audience is interested in starting an online store.

Income model

As a merchant your income is product sales minus cost of goods, Shopify fees and ad spend. As an affiliate you earn a flat one-time bounty per qualifying merchant referral, with no recurring component.

Commission model

Shopify's affiliate program pays a one-time bounty for each new merchant who signs up and opens a qualifying store. Payouts are flat-rate per referral rather than a percentage of revenue.

Affiliate opportunity

Shopify's affiliate program suits creators who teach ecommerce, dropshipping or product businesses. Its strong brand and clear free-trial offer convert well with audiences exploring online selling.

Pros

  • The most established all-in-one platform for online stores
  • Huge app and theme ecosystem extends functionality in any direction
  • Built-in payments, shipping and inventory handle the full commerce stack
  • Trusted brand that makes referrals easier to convert

Cons

  • Monthly fees and app costs can add up for small stores
  • Customisation beyond themes often needs developer help
  • Affiliate bounty is one-time rather than recurring

Getting started guide

  1. 1

    Start a free Shopify trial and pick a niche or product to sell.

  2. 2

    Choose a free theme and add your first products with clear photos and descriptions.

  3. 3

    Set up payments and shipping from the dashboard to make your store live.

  4. 4

    Apply to the affiliate program and grab your referral links.

  5. 5

    Publish store-launch and product-sourcing guides to attract new merchants.

Frequently Asked Questions