Handover site to client?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Main issue: How to set up and hand over a Shopify store for a client—build under the developer’s account or under the client’s account.

Recommended approach:

  • Use a Shopify Partner development store (unlimited trial) to build the site.
  • Transfer ownership to the client when complete.
  • Client accepts the transfer and selects a paid plan (billing begins on client’s account).
  • Partner may receive a 20% recurring commission on the client’s subscription.

Considerations:

  • Choice can depend on contract terms between developer and client.
  • Some recommend transferring only after work is completed and paid.

Resources (central to the discussion):

  • Shopify help docs on building and transferring stores: provided links outline the transfer process and partner program details.

Current status/outcome:

  • The requester acknowledged the advice and plans to review the official documentation and recommendations.
  • No further questions or disputes; the thread appears informally resolved with the developer intending to proceed via the documented transfer process.
Summarized with AI on December 26. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi there,

this will be my first Shopify store build for a client.

Question: Do I build the store on my own account and then transfer it over to the client or should the client sign up for their own account and have me join their team to build their store for them?

thanks,
Kobus

2

Hi @Kobus23 ,

You can find documentation on transferring a store here: https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/building-stores-for-merchants/transferring-store-ownership

If your client doesn’t have an existing store, you can follow this process:

  1. Create a development store using your Shopify partner account (with unlimited trial time).

  2. Build the store for your client.

  3. Transfer the store to your client.

  4. Ask your client to accept the transfer and pick plan.

That’s it. Then, you can receive a recurring commission equal to 20% of the merchant’s monthly subscription fee.

Also, you can see here: https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/building-stores-for-merchants

Hope this helps!

1 Like
3

Hi @Kobus23 ,

This is entirely up to which terms you and the client have agreed upon. However, if no such terms have been agreed upon then I would recommend taking a look at the following article as it explain how you can transfer over a store: https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/building-stores-for-merchants/transferring-store-ownership

I would recommend creating the store on your own account and after everything has been completed and paid for then you can transfer it over to the client.

Best of luck :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
4

Thank you @nvchien for feedback, will read the documentation, much appreciated!

5

Thanks @bundler-marko for responding and recommendation, will follow the link you sent for further reading. Cheers!