Expert Directory

[tatrang22]

Hello everyone,

I'm a Shopify theme and app developer and currently a Shopify Partner. I'm looking to expand my work by joining the Shopify Expert Directory. To do that, I need to meet certain requirements, including successfully completing 5 referrals or working with at least 50 active merchants in the last 12 months.

I have a few questions and would appreciate any advice:

1. How do I achieve the 5 successful referrals? Is submitting a lead through the Partner Dashboard the only way, or are there other methods?

2. Considering that some of the required information is quite sensitive (like revenue details, motivations for upgrades), what's the best way to obtain this data from clients?

3.How long does it typically take for the status of my referrals to be processed and updated on the dashboard?

Any insights or shared experiences would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

[DaisyVo]

Hi @tatrang22 

I know you're eager to get listed in the Shopify Expert Directory, which is a great way to grow your business and gain credibility in the Shopify ecosystem. Based on what you've shared, you're looking for clarity on how to meet the referral requirements, collect necessary client data, and understand the timeline for processing referrals. Let’s break this down step by step.

1. How to Achieve 5 Successful Referrals?

You're right that submitting leads through the Partner Dashboard is the main way to track referrals. However, there are multiple ways to drive successful referrals beyond just submitting leads manually:

• Referring merchants through development stores: If you set up a development store for a client and they upgrade to a paid Shopify plan, that counts as a referral.
• Using referral links: Shopify provides referral links inside the Partner Dashboard. If a merchant signs up using your link and stays on a paid plan, it counts toward your referral goal.
• Collaborating on projects: If you help an existing Shopify store with theme customization, app installation, or migrations, you can still encourage them to register through your referral link or development store to count toward your requirement.
• Partnering with agencies or freelancers: If you’re in a network with designers, marketers, or other Shopify professionals, teaming up to refer new merchants can help you hit the 5-referral target faster.

2. How to Collect Sensitive Client Information?

Since revenue, motivations, and upgrade details are confidential, the best approach is to be upfront and transparent about why you need this information. Here’s what works well:

• Explain why Shopify requires this data: Many clients are hesitant to share sensitive info, so clarify that it's part of Shopify’s requirements for tracking partner referrals.
• Use professional tools to collect data securely: Instead of asking for details via email or messages, you can use tools like Google Forms, Typeform, or Jotform with a clear disclaimer about privacy.
• Offer a confidentiality agreement: Some merchants may feel more comfortable if you provide a simple non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to reassure them their information won’t be shared elsewhere.
• Ask for permission to use anonymized data: If a client is hesitant, offer to use general figures rather than exact numbers. For example, instead of saying "$50,000 revenue per month," you can note "mid-five figures in monthly revenue."

3. How Long Does Referral Processing Take?

The processing time for referrals depends on a few factors, but in general:

• Shopify takes a few days to a couple of weeks to verify referrals.
• If a merchant signed up through your referral link or development store, it should reflect within a few days.
• If you submitted a lead manually, it may take longer (2-4 weeks) since Shopify verifies that the merchant is an actual paying user.
• If there’s a delay, contact Shopify Partner Support through the Partner Dashboard to check the status.

Final Thoughts

Your best bet is to focus on development store referrals and direct sign-ups through your referral link to meet the Expert Directory requirements as efficiently as possible. Also, make sure to track your referrals in the Partner Dashboard to ensure they’re counted correctly.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply and I will try my best to help.
Best regards,
Daisy