Discover the Success of Shopify Plus Partner Program
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Martin Body and His Role at Shopify Plus
- Evolution of E-commerce and Commerce Industries
- Joining Shopify Plus and the Search for the Best Solution
- Launch of the Partner Program in 2016
- Growth and Success Achieved in 2016
- Marketing Efforts and Events in 2016
- Scaling the Partner Program in 2017
- Updates to the Partner Dashboard and Tech Features
- Training Packages for Partners
- Expansion of Partnerships
- Regionalization and Knowledge Management
- Business Development and Growth Support
- Technology Partnership Program
- Marketing and Promotion Efforts
The Evolution of E-commerce and the Success of Shopify Plus
In today's rapidly evolving e-commerce and commerce industries, businesses need to consistently adapt and evolve to keep up with the pace of consumer and merchant needs. This has led to the rise of platforms like Shopify Plus, which offer the best solutions in the market. One individual who recognized the importance of staying ahead of the curve is Martin Body, the Head of Agency Partnerships at Shopify Plus.
Martin Body and His Role at Shopify Plus
With over 10 years of experience in this space, Martin Body joined Shopify Plus in March 2016. Prior to this, he worked in a similar capacity at a competitor to Shopify Plus. However, he felt that his previous company lacked the energy and willingness to keep up with the market. Martin wanted to be a part of a company that not only offered the best solutions but also constantly evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry.
Launch of the Partner Program in 2016
In June 2016, Shopify Plus officially launched its partner program. The program started with 47 partners, including existing partners like Demark and DIF, as well as new partners with experience in commerce but without prior exposure to Shopify. The goal was to create a partner program that catered to the needs of the industry, merchants, and individual partnerships.
Growth and Success Achieved in 2016
Within the first seven months of the program, Shopify Plus experienced tremendous growth. They added 15 new partners, bringing the total to 125 partners by the end of 2016. Together, with their partner community, Shopify Plus successfully onboarded several renowned brands, such as Centauri Whisky, will.i.am's headphone line, Fred Segal, and Bolivar.
Marketing Efforts and Events in 2016
To spread the word about Shopify Plus and its partner program, the company executed over 25 partner-hosted marketing events in the last six months of 2016. These events reached an audience of over a thousand people, allowing Shopify Plus and its partners to showcase their expertise and generate interest in their solutions.
Scaling the Partner Program in 2017
Building on the success of the previous year, Shopify Plus aimed to take their partner program to new heights in 2017. They focused on enhancing the partner dashboard, offering training packages, expanding partnerships to cater to businesses of different sizes, and localizing partner management through geographical pods.
Updates to the Partner Dashboard and Tech Features
Shopify Plus invested in rebuilding and modernizing the partner dashboard infrastructure to improve the overall experience for partners. This included the ability for teams to work on projects collaboratively, streamlining project delivery, and enhancing efficiency.
Training Packages for Partners
Recognizing the importance of knowledge and expertise, Shopify Plus introduced training modules for partners. These modules cover a range of topics, including how to discover Shopify Plus clients, getting started with Liquid, using the Mobile SDK, working with Shopify Script, and app development with the API. The aim is to equip partners with the necessary skills to effectively sell and deliver Shopify Plus solutions.
Expansion of Partnerships
To cater to businesses of different sizes and needs, Shopify Plus continued to add new partners who offer complementary solutions. By doing so, they aimed to provide comprehensive support and solutions to their mutual clients, ensuring a seamless integration between Shopify Plus and other technologies.
Regionalization and Knowledge Management
To improve partner support, Shopify Plus implemented regionalization in their partner management structure. Each partner manager now has a deeper understanding of the geography they operate in. This allows them to provide better insights and support to partners within their assigned region. Furthermore, Shopify Plus invested in knowledge management to arm partners with the necessary information to position themselves as market leaders.
Business Development and Growth Support
Shopify Plus emphasizes a collaborative approach with its partners, aiming to help them grow their businesses. They introduced partner development managers, who work alongside partner managers to identify business strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, and growth opportunities. Additionally, they provide guidance and advisory support to partners looking to expand their services or deliver more Shopify Plus projects.
Technology Partnership Program
Recognizing the importance of technology partnerships, Shopify Plus introduced a dedicated program focused on collaborating with complementary technologies. This program aims to offer clients a comprehensive solution and ease of integration with Shopify Plus. By working closely with technology partners, Shopify Plus ensures a seamless experience for mutual clients.
Marketing and Promotion Efforts
To effectively promote the partner network and its integrated solutions, Shopify Plus plans to replicate its successful partner marketing initiatives with technology partners as well. They will continue to execute marketing events, webinars, and co-branded content to create awareness and generate interest among potential clients.
In conclusion, Shopify Plus has demonstrated its commitment to the success of its partners and clients by investing in an innovative and comprehensive partner program. With a focus on collaboration, growth support, and technological advancements, Shopify Plus continues to evolve in response to the ever-changing e-commerce landscape.