Shopify Collabs: A Simple Guide to Shopify’s Influencer Marketing Marketplace

In the ever-evolving landscape of eCommerce, staying ahead of the competition is crucial. One strategy that has proven to be highly effective in recent years is influencer marketing.

Enter Shopify Collabs – a powerful platform designed to connect brands and influencers seamlessly. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what Shopify Collabs is, its key features, and the myriad benefits it offers to eCommerce merchants.

What is Shopify Collabs?

Shopify Collabs is a dynamic platform that acts as a bridge between brands and influencers. 

Its primary purpose is to empower online sellers, enabling them to scale their eCommerce ventures through the strategic utilization of influencer marketing. 

With Shopify Collabs, merchants gain access to a curated list of influencers spanning various niches such as fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle. 

Collabs serves as a virtual marketplace, facilitating the discovery of the perfect influencer for promoting products. Brands can filter and search for influencers based on category, location, audience size, and more - plus, it’s free to join for all Shopify users.

This expansive database provides critical metrics such as follower counts and engagement rates, allowing merchants to make informed decisions when selecting influencers to collaborate with. 

Moreover, Shopify Collabs grants creators the unique opportunity to partner with Shopify merchants on exclusive product projects, offering a novel approach to eCommerce partnerships.

Shopify's foray into influencer marketing signifies its commitment to adding value to its platform while simultaneously assisting sellers in reaching new customers they might not have accessed otherwise. 

The essence of Shopify Collabs lies in the symbiotic relationship it fosters between brands and creators, creating a win-win situation for both parties involved.

How Much Does Shopify Collabs Cost?

Shopify Collabs offers different pricing structures for merchants and creators:

For Merchants:

• Free to Install and Start: Shopify Collabs is free to install and get started on for Shopify merchants who are on the Shopify, Advanced, or Shopify Plus plans.
• Payment Processing Fee: However, when creators drive sales through collaboration, merchants are subject to an additional 2.9% payment processing fee on the commission payments owed to creators. This fee is payable by the merchant.
• Foreign Currency Exchange Fees: It's important to note that foreign currency exchange fees may apply for merchants when using Shopify Collabs for international collaborations.

For Creators:

• Free Access: Shopify Collabs is entirely free for creators. Creators can create a login for Shopify Collabs and participate without any associated costs.

In summary, while creators can use Shopify Collabs without incurring any charges, merchants on specific Shopify plans can also access the platform for free but may be subject to payment processing fees when they generate sales through collaborations.

The Main Features of Shopify Collabs?

Shopify Collabs offers curated influencer discovery, seamless collaboration tools, commission customization, media sharing, and robust analytics. 

It simplifies influencer marketing, facilitating brand partnerships and performance tracking for eCommerce success.

Let’s learn more about these features now.

1. Access to the Shopify Creator Marketplace

One of the standout features of Shopify Collabs is its seamless access to the Shopify Creator Marketplace. This marketplace comprises a carefully curated list of creators from diverse niches, handpicked not only by Shopify staff but also by their own followers.

This feature proves invaluable to merchants seeking collaboration opportunities, as it eliminates the need for exhaustive research. Instead, brands can peruse influencer profiles and directly request collaboration on projects. In essence, Shopify Collabs opens doors to top-tier content creators who can aid in building brand recognition, increasing sales, and scaling businesses.

2. Use Shopify Collabs with Creator

Shopify Collabs introduces an exciting feature that allows brands to send gifts or product samples to select influencers. This gesture aims to generate enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding a brand's offerings.

Merchants can strategically leverage this tool by sending gifts or samples to influencers, enticing them to promote the products on their platforms. Brands can also extend discounts on specific items or send full-sized products on a regular basis. This approach serves as an excellent means for brands to gain exposure among influencers with substantial followings, offering them a sneak peek at products before public release.

Additionally, this data is seamlessly integrated into your Shopify store, facilitating effective tracking of PR packages and ensuring accurate inventory management.

3. Affiliate Links and Discount Codes

Shopify Collabs simplifies the process of establishing an effective affiliate marketing program for your store. Affiliate marketing, a performance-based advertising model, enables your brand to compensate affiliates or partners for promoting their products or services, based on the sales generated.

By using Shopify Collabs, brands can recruit affiliates to promote their store across various platforms, including websites, social media channels, and email campaigns. This approach enables brands to boost sales without the need to manage a large team of affiliates. Furthermore, you can establish commission structures that reward top-performing affiliates with higher commissions, thereby incentivizing superior performance.

4. Shopify Collabs Analytics

Shopify Collabs equips merchants with a robust suite of analytics tools designed to monitor the performance of creator partnerships. This includes tracking progress and affiliate data, all accessible directly within your Shopify store. These analytics provide valuable insights for optimizing influencer marketing campaigns and enhancing overall brand performance.

The Benefits of Using Shopify Collabs

Shopify collabs offers you several benefits as a retailer. Let’s explore why you might consider using Shopify collabs, or migrate your existing affiliate marketing program over to Shopify’s in-built platform.

1. Improve Brand Visibility and Sales

In today's crowded eCommerce landscape, standing out is paramount. Shopify Collabs offers a powerful solution to enhance brand visibility by partnering with influencers who share similar audiences and product niches. 

Whether your focus is on food, fashion, travel, or specialized fields like design, coding, or photography, you can find influencers who align with your brand's values and messaging.

Collaborating with creators allows them to promote your Shopify store on their social media platforms, driving valuable traffic to your website. This not only expands your reach but also boosts sales as influencers introduce your brand to their dedicated followers.

2. Automatic Payments

Shopify has streamlined the payment process for affiliate links by transferring payments directly via your Shopify acocunt. This means you don't have to spend time manually paying affiliates for thier refferals.

Manual payment is still possible - for example if your creators prefer to be paid via PayPal, you can activate manual payments through PayPal. However, you must have a PayPal Business Account, and you must have PayPal Payouts enabled. You can learn more about how to configure this on Shopify's helpcenter.

The streamlined payment system benefits both merchants and affiliate partners, enabling hassle-free transactions that can be conducted from anywhere in the world.

3. Build and Execute Better Influencer Marketing Campaigns

Shopify Collabs revolutionizes influencer marketing by providing a straightforward method for connecting with influencers who align with your brand, products, and industry. No longer do you need to invest countless hours in researching potential influencers or struggling to reach them via social media.

This platform simplifies the influencer discovery process, offering access to a wide array of influencer data, including follower counts and estimated reach. This wealth of information empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting influencer partners, accelerating the successss of your influencer marketing campaigns.

What are the Drawbacks of Shopify Collabs?

While Shopify Collabs offers a robust platform for influencer marketing, it's not without its drawbacks, as highlighted by user reviews. The app has a rather poor 2.4 out of 5 stars on the app store - so it’s not without its problems.

Here are some of the key limitations and areas where improvement is needed:

• Limited Affiliate Tier Control: Users have expressed a desire for more control over affiliate tier assignments, especially when managing multiple options. The ability to auto-assign tiers to new affiliates could streamline the process and enhance user experience.

• Lack of Commission Flexibility: Some users have requested more versatile commission options. Specifically, they seek the ability to set fixed commission amounts per product, allowing for precise compensation for specific sales. Additionally, the option to assign multiple commission structures to one tier could offer greater flexibility.

• Media Sharing and Collaboration: Users have expressed the need for a dedicated media area where collaborators can upload promotional content. This feature would facilitate more efficient content sharing and collaboration between brands and influencers.

• Sales Notifications: Users have noted that providing affiliates with notifications or emails when they make a sale would be a valuable addition. This feature could motivate affiliates and help them track their earnings effectively.

• Market-Specific Redirects: A big design flaw is the lack of market-specific redirects based on location when using affiliate links. This limitation can render the app less effective for businesses with multiple domains serving different markets, as all visitors are directed to the primary domain.

In summary, while Shopify Collabs offers a valuable platform for influencer marketing, you should be aware of these drawbacks before jumping in with two feet. Since Collabs is free to join, it’s with installing it and playing around with the features to see if it’s right for you.

How to Use Shopify Collabs: a Quick-Start Guide

Let’s quickly run through how to get up and running on Shopify Collabs.

• Install Shopify Collabs: Begin by installing Shopify Collabs from the Shopify App Store.

• Define your preferences: Once installed, create an account by accessing your Shopify admin panel. Navigate to Settings > Apps and sales channels, then click on Shopify Collabs. Open the app, review, and accept the terms and conditions. Then select your vertical and define your customers to filter relevant collaborators.

• Create your affiliate tiers: Shopify collabs creates an automatic 10% discount & 10% commission tier - but feel free to create custom tiers that make sense for your store.

• Invite Collaborators: In the ‘Recruit’ tab you’ll see a list of suggested collaborators. Filter by the channel you want(Instagram, blog etc), and invite influencers who you think would be a good fit to promote your products

• Review Your Application Page: Shopify Collabs makes it easy to create an application page where influencers can apply to your program. Ensure everything looks good before you share it far and wide.

• Configure your Payout Method: Shopify Collabs lets you set-up automatic payments on referred orders. So, ensure your payments are set-up correctly to keep your affiliates happy.

Collaborating with creators through Shopify Collabs can elevate your brand and expand your reach. Leverage their knowledge and experience to set your brand apart and attract a wider audience. By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to tap into the limitless potential of working with creators on the Shopify Collabs platform, fostering brand growth and success.

Shopify Collabs Best Practices for Retailers

share some best practices to help you make the most of Shopify Collabs and maximize the effectiveness of your influencer marketing program. Let's dive right in:

1. Set Clear Goals and Strategy

Before you start collaborating, define your goals. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or boost engagement? Having a clear strategy will guide your influencer partnerships and help you measure success effectively.

2. Select the Right Influencers

Don't just focus on follower counts. Look for influencers whose values and niche align with your brand. Authenticity is key. Use Shopify Collabs' search filters to find the perfect fit.

3. Focus on Effective Communication

Open, transparent communication is vital. Clearly outline expectations, guidelines, and deliverables with your influencers. Regularly check in and provide feedback to ensure your collaboration is on track.

4. Track Performance

Use Shopify Collabs' analytics tools to monitor the performance of your influencer campaigns. Track metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to measure ROI. As with any Shopify marketing strategy, you want to ensure that it’s helping to grow your business, not hinder it.

5. Build Long-Term Relationships

While one-off collaborations can be beneficial, consider building long-term relationships with influencers who truly resonate with your brand. These partnerships can lead to greater trust and loyalty among their followers.

Remember, influencer marketing is a dynamic field, and what works for one brand might not work for another. Be agile, stay updated with industry trends, and be willing to adjust your strategy as needed. By following these best practices and staying authentic, you'll be well on your way to harnessing the full potential of influencer marketing through Shopify Collabs. 

Use Shopify Collabs to Grow Your Brand Today

In conclusion, Shopify Collabs is a game-changer for eCommerce merchants looking to harness the immense potential of influencer marketing. 

By offering a curated marketplace of creators, streamlined collaboration tools, affiliate marketing capabilities, and robust analytics, Shopify Collabs empowers you to amplify their visibility, drive sales, and build lasting relationships with influencers. 

Incorporate Shopify Collabs into your eCommerce strategy (alsong with other growth stratgies like upselling and cross-selling)to unlock new avenues of growth and success in the competitive online marketplace.

Shopify Collabs FAQ

Let’s quickly cover some of the most frequently asked questions about Shopify Collabs.

What is Shopify Collabs?

Shopify Collabs is a platform connecting brands and influencers, enabling eCommerce merchants to leverage influencer & affiliate marketing. It offers curated influencer lists, collaboration tools, and analytics. Merchants on specific Shopify plans can use it for free, but may incur small payment processing fees. Creators get access for free.

Is Shopify Collabs Legit?

Yes, Shopify Collabs is a legitimate platform offered by Shopify to facilitate collaborations between brands and influencers. It is designed to help eCommerce merchants leverage the power of influencer marketing to promote their products and expand their reach.

How Does Shopify Collabs Work?

Shopify Collabs connects brands and influencers, allowing merchants to discover and collaborate with influencers who align with their products. As a brand, you can find and manage influencers who’ll promote your products. As a creator, you can find brands and products to promote to your audience in exchange for commissions.