Unhappy Developers

This article was originally published in issue #03 of my Flying Solo newsletter. Subscribe and read previous issues in the archive.

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Shopify app developer Mat de Souza recently published the results of a LinkedIn poll focused on the Shopify partner ecosystem. He received over 400 responses, and whilst I won't publish the entire list, a few caught my eye.

Q: Do you trust Shopify not to compete directly with partners in the future?
A: 17.5% Yes / 82.5% No

Q: Should Shopify allow more transparency on app store ranking factors?
A: 83% Yes / 17% No

Q: Have recent changes in Shopify made it harder to grow as a partner?
A: 67% Yes / 33% No

Q: Do you believe Shopify gives unfair visibility to certain apps?
A: 84% Yes / 16% No

Q: Is Shopify moving away from being "partner-first"?
A: 72% Yes / 28% No

It all sounds a bit bleak, doesn't it? While these results highlight growing concerns among Shopify app developers, they also reinforce the importance of building a strong brand, strengthening customer relationships, and diversifying growth strategies beyond the app store.

Lately, I've been working with app-focused clients on precisely that, including:

• Refreshing the design, copy, and style of their app store listing images
• Creating a simple, segmented newsletter for current customers to highlight features they have (and those they don't)
• Developing an event engagement strategy to maximise upcoming conferences and meetups

There's always room to adapt and thrive—sometimes, it just takes a shift in approach. Perhaps I can help you? Get in touch and let's find a time to chat.

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Also Filed in Shopify

• Why I Work With Shopify Partners
• What was Work With Shop?