Develop a Shopify App

What is a Shopify App?

Shopify apps add features to online stores that Shopify doesn't provide by default. They help merchants with inventory, marketing, shipping, customer service, analytics, and countless other needs.

Over a million merchants use Shopify. Many install multiple apps. If you build something useful, you can earn recurring revenue from merchants worldwide.

The Opportunity

Why Shopify

• Massive and growing platform
• Merchants actively look for solutions
• Built-in billing and distribution
• E-commerce continues to expand

Revenue Potential

App Type	Monthly Pricing	Potential Scale
Simple utility	$5-15/mo	Many installs
Feature-rich	$20-50/mo	Medium installs
Enterprise	$100+/mo	Fewer, bigger clients

After Shopify's 20% cut, successful apps can earn $5,000-50,000+/month.

The Reality Check

Most apps don't succeed. The marketplace is competitive, development is complex, and standing out requires real value and marketing effort.

Finding an App Idea

Where to Look

• Shopify Community forums (complaints = opportunities)
• Reddit r/shopify
• Facebook groups for merchants
• Twitter/X discussions
• App reviews (especially 1-3 star)

Questions to Ask

• What are merchants complaining about?
• What existing apps have bad reviews?
• What workflows are clunky?
• What's missing for specific niches?

Validation

Before building:

• Talk to actual merchants
• Research competing apps
• Estimate market size
• Consider your unique angle

Technical Requirements

Skills Needed

Area	Technologies
Backend	Node.js, Ruby, Python, or PHP
Frontend	React (Shopify Polaris UI)
APIs	Shopify Admin API, Storefront API
Database	PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.
Hosting	Cloud (AWS, Heroku, etc.)

Development Environment

• Shopify Partner account (free)
• Development store (free)
• Local development setup
• Testing environment

Learning Curve

If you're new to Shopify development:

• Study their documentation
• Build a simple practice app
• Understand the app lifecycle
• Learn their design system (Polaris)

Budget 1-2 months for learning before real development.

Building Your App

Development Process

1. Research - Validate the idea
2. Plan - Define MVP features
3. Develop - Build core functionality
4. Test - Test with real stores
5. Polish - Refine UX
6. Submit - App review process
7. Launch - Marketing and support

MVP Approach

Build the minimum that solves the problem:

• One core feature done well
• Simple, clean interface
• Works reliably
• Clear value proposition

Don't overbuild before validating.

App Review

Shopify reviews all apps before listing:

• Security requirements
• UX guidelines
• Performance standards
• Policy compliance

Review can take weeks. Read requirements carefully.

Monetization

Pricing Models

Model	Best For
Monthly subscription	Most apps
Usage-based	API-heavy tools
One-time purchase	Simple utilities
Freemium	User acquisition

Pricing Strategy

• Research competitor pricing
• Start lower to get traction
• Raise prices as you add value
• Consider annual discounts

Revenue Share

Shopify takes 20% of your app revenue. Factor this into pricing.

Marketing Your App

App Store Optimization

• Keyword-rich title
• Compelling description
• Quality screenshots
• Demo video
• Good reviews

Outside Marketing

• Content marketing (blogs, guides)
• Shopify communities
• Social media
• Partner with agencies
• Influencer partnerships

Building Trust

• Respond to reviews quickly
• Provide excellent support
• Regular updates
• Case studies and testimonials

Managing an App Business

Support

As you grow, support becomes significant:

• Help documentation
• Email support
• Chat (if you can handle it)
• FAQ pages

Updates

Shopify evolves constantly:

• API changes
• New features
• Policy updates
• Security requirements

Budget ongoing development time.

Tools

• Notion for documentation
• Google Drive for assets
• Help desk software (Intercom, Help Scout)
• Analytics (Mixpanel, your own tracking)

Working While Traveling

Why It Works

• Pure development work
• Async support possible
• No physical products
• Global customer base

Challenges

• Support expectations
• Critical bug fixes
• Time zone coverage
• Reliable internet needed

Who Should Do This?

Good fit if you:

• Are an experienced developer
• Understand e-commerce
• Can commit 3-6+ months
• Enjoy building products
• Want recurring revenue

Not ideal if you:

• Are learning to code
• Need income soon
• Don't like support work
• Prefer quick projects
• Don't understand merchants' needs

Getting Started

1. Create Shopify Partner account
2. Study the documentation and APIs
3. Build a practice app
4. Research app opportunities
5. Validate with real merchants
6. Develop your MVP
7. Submit and launch

Alternatives to Consider

If full app development seems too heavy:

• Shopify theme development
• Custom development for merchants
• WordPress plugins (different ecosystem)
• Chrome extensions (simpler)

The Bottom Line

Shopify apps offer real potential for recurring revenue in a growing market. But it's serious software development with significant competition. You need development skills, understanding of merchant needs, and patience to build something valuable.

Start by immersing yourself in the merchant community. Find a real problem. Build the simplest solution that works. Iterate based on feedback.

The best Shopify apps come from developers who deeply understand what merchants actually need.