I want my online store to have affiliates

[Lionelriv]

I want my online store to have affiliates. When a user or customer clicks on a banner in the online store, they collect points or earn something for becoming an affiliate. But the detail is that I could do it with the Shopify pixel. That's why I want to develop an app on Shopify. Please help me, I am a web programmer, I just don't have a clear idea of ​​how to do it.

[abdulinvestment]

Creating an affiliate program for your Shopify store using the Shopify pixel involves several steps. Here's a structured plan to help you develop an app for this purpose:

Step 1: Define the Features and Functionality

1. Affiliate Registration: Allow users to sign up as affiliates.
2. Tracking Clicks and Conversions: Use the Shopify pixel to track when a user clicks on a banner and when a sale is made.
3. Points System: Implement a points system to reward affiliates for clicks and conversions.
4. Dashboard for Affiliates: Create a dashboard where affiliates can track their points and earnings.
5. Admin Panel: Provide an admin panel for store owners to manage affiliates and track overall performance.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shopify App

1. Create a Shopify Partner Account: Sign up for a Shopify Partner account if you haven't already.
2. Create a New App: Go to your Partner Dashboard and create a new app.
3. Set Up App Permissions: Ensure your app has the necessary permissions to read orders, products, and customers.

Step 3: Develop the Backend

1. Choose a Framework: Use a web framework like Node.js with Express or Ruby on Rails to develop your app.
2. Set Up Webhooks: Use Shopify webhooks to get notified of new orders and customer data.
3. Database: Set up a database to store affiliate information, clicks, conversions, and points.

Step 4: Implement the Affiliate Tracking

1. Integrate the Shopify Pixel:
   • Create a custom pixel to track clicks on affiliate banners.
   • Add JavaScript code to your Shopify theme to capture click events and send data to your backend.
2. Track Conversions:
   • Set up another pixel to track conversions (sales) and attribute them to the correct affiliate.
   • Use Shopify’s checkout/create webhook to capture order data.

Step 5: Develop the Frontend

1. Affiliate Registration Page: Create a registration page for new affiliates.
2. Affiliate Dashboard:
   • Show stats on clicks, conversions, and earned points.
   • Allow affiliates to generate banner links with their unique tracking IDs.
3. Admin Panel:
   • Provide tools for the store owner to manage affiliates, track performance, and issue rewards.

Step 6: Testing and Deployment

1. Testing:
   • Thoroughly test the app to ensure accurate tracking of clicks and conversions.
   • Test the points calculation and display in the affiliate dashboard.
2. Deployment:
   • Deploy your backend to a cloud service (e.g., Heroku, AWS).
   • Publish your app to the Shopify App Store.

Good luck!

[PageFly-Theodor]

Hi @Lionelriv ,
This is Theodore from PageFly - Shopify Page Builder App.

Shopify Pixel isn't ideal for your affiliate program with points and rewards. Here's a better approach:

Skip the custom app: Developing a full affiliate app is complex.

Use Shopify Affiliate Apps: The Shopify App Store offers affiliate marketing apps like Refersion, UpPromote, or LeadDyno that handle:

• Affiliate signup and management
• Tracking (more detailed than Pixel)
• Commission payouts
• Assigning points/rewards (depending on the app)

Optional Shopify Pixel Integration: You can still use the Pixel alongside these apps for extra data tracking.

Benefits:

• Faster setup than a custom app
• Proven solutions with built-in features
• Integrates with Shopify for a smooth experience

Best regards,
Theodore | PageFly