Shopify app development is about creating applications that work with Shopify stores. It’s designed to enhance store functionality while providing merchants with additional features.
Our blog will discuss everything you need to know about Shopify app development, including its main types, benefits, how to create a Shopify app, and its costs and timeline.
Table of Contents
What Is a Shopify App?
Shopify is an eCommerce platform and app that allows businesses and individuals to create online stores to sell their products. Here, businesses can categorize their products, accept credit card payments, personalize their storefront, and track sales statistics.
The platform was built with the open-source web application technology Ruby on Rails. In 2009, Shopify developed an API platform that allowed developers to create and sell applications for Shopify businesses via the Shopify App Store. As of 2024, their app marketplace boasts over 13,000 apps, which shows the platform’s expansive ecosystem.
Shopify includes various features and options for everyone, whether you're a start-up or have an extensive sales channel. It offers a wide range of tools to assist merchants in selling products online and in person.
4 Main Types of Shopify Apps
Depending on the company's public profile, there are four distinct types of Shopify apps.
- Public apps: These apps are open to all merchants and exist in the Shopify App Store. There are two kinds of listings of public apps: listed and unlisted. Merchants can install the apps listed in the Shopify App Store, while unlisted apps are not displayed in the Shopify App Store's categories or search results. Instead, you can get them from the developer's website or the app store.
- Custom apps: These are created for a specific merchant and are not available in the Shopify App Store. They are ideal for extending your online business to other platforms or adding capabilities to your Shopify admin. To build bespoke applications, an external app developer does not need API access to your store or Shopify admin section.
- Private apps: These are created by developers for merchants who have needs that custom applications can’t meet. Private applications aren't published on the Shopify App Store and can only be used by your store. API and Shopify Admin access will be required for the external app developer.
- Draft apps: Shopify Partners use them for testing purposes throughout development. They can only be installed in development stores, which permanently disables store transfer.
Standalone and Embedded Shopify Apps
When creating Shopify apps, you’ll come across two main types: standalone and embedded. Each type has its own unique features and benefits that can significantly enhance a store’s functionality.
Standalone Shopify Apps
Standalone Shopify apps work independently from the Shopify admin and storefront. They connect to the store through Shopify’s API by providing extra features outside the usual Shopify interface.
- The following are the main benefits of standalone Shopify apps:
- Perfect for custom integrations and external services
- Highly customizable to fit specific business needs
- Can run outside the Shopify admin interface
- Great design, functionality, and flexibility
Embedded Shopify Apps
Compared to standalone Shopify apps, embedded apps are built directly onto the Shopify admin and storefront. They provide a smooth user experience by integrating directly with the existing Shopify interface.
Below are the advantages of using Embedded Shopify apps:
- Quicker to develop and deploy due to built-in Shopify components
- Easy for merchants to use within their existing workflow
- Integrates smoothly with Shopify’s user interface
- Has a consistent design using Shopify Polaris
How to Create a Shopify App in 4 Steps
- Step #1: Choose Your Open-Source System
- Step #2: Pick Your Tools and Resources
- Step #3: Develop the Shopify App
- Step #4: Submit and Review the Shopify App
Follow the steps below to learn how to create your own Shopify app today:
Step #1: Choose Your Open-Source System
Both internal and external developers use open-source design systems to construct and design Shopify Apps. Most adhere to online accessibility standards, and developers can use them whether their app runs inside or outside the Shopify Admin.
Platforms such as Polaris eliminate developers' need to create unique UI elements. Its components are all adaptable, pre-built, and simple to implement. Typography, illustrations, icons, space, colors, and interaction states are also included among the components of this platform.
Step #2: Pick Your Tools and Resources
Shopify is language-agnostic, meaning users may construct and design apps using familiar programming languages and frameworks, and with various tools, resources, and instructions at their disposal.
Prerequisites before beginning the development include:
- Having a Shopify Partner account, a development store, and a ngrok account
- Access to the command line and text editor on the computer
- Knowledge of any backend programming language, including Node.JS, Java, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Python.
- Installing the software with the npm package manager
Users can also use the Shopify App CLI tool to accelerate development and the Shopify GraphQL App Installer to locate and administer the Shopify GraphQL Admin APIs.
Step #3: Develop the Shopify App
The steps in building a Shopify app are as follows:
- Step 1: Integrate your app with the Shopify platform.
- Step 2: Create your user interface with an open-source system.
- Step 3: Access and set up the GraphQL Admin API using the REST API or the GraphQL Admin API.
- Step 4: Integrate the Billing API.
- Step 5: To capture and react to events, utilize webhooks or EventBridge.
Developers must ensure the security of their programs and data. You can use the OWASP Top 10 list to check your app for vulnerabilities and dangers before releasing it. The next critical step is to do frequent security tests and maintenance on your Shopify App.
Following the launch, developers must complete the following tasks:
- Open ports management
- Site-to-site scripting
- Injection of SQL data
- Insecure direct object references
- Verification of requests
- Cookies
- Examination of the permissions for cloud storage
- Examine your DNS records regularly to ensure that your Shopify store is optimized for speed
Step #4: Submit and Review Shopify App
You can submit your Shopify App to Google Play or Apple Play for approval after you've tested it and established that it's production-ready.
After submission, the Shopify App Review team will confirm if the app satisfies the store’s requirements. Reviewers will also confirm that your app's core functionality, authentication, and billing API are all operational.
Reviewers will also assess your app listing to check that all required fields are accurately filled out. The evaluation process takes 6-8 business days, during which your App will go through several stages, and you'll be kept up to date on the status of the app during the review.
Should you, at any stage, hit a snag, it's a good idea to consult professional Shopify developers.
Cost To Develop a Shopify App
It costs around $15,000 to $25,000 to develop a Shopify app. The exact price depends on the app’s complexity and features. Basic apps with simple functions are usually on the lower end, while more advanced ones with custom features can be more expensive.
Keep in mind that development costs include design, testing, and ongoing maintenance. Experienced Shopify developers might charge more but their expertise can be worth it. Also, factor in any fees for submitting and updating your app on the Shopify App Store.
Despite the cost, a well-made Shopify app can offer vital features and a strong return on investment for your eCommerce business.
How Long Does Shopify App Development Take?
Shopify app development typically takes around 3 to 6 months. The timeline can vary depending on the app’s complexity and the features you want to include. Simple apps with basic functions can be developed faster, often within the shorter end of the timeframe.
However, more complex software, particularly those with custom integrations, might take up to a year to finish. Additionally, submitting the app to the Shopify App Store and going through their review process can add some extra time.
Consider hiring an experienced Shopify app developer to make sure your app is developed efficiently and effectively.
Top 10+ Benefits of Choosing Shopify Apps
Shopify apps come with many advantages any business should consider when deciding on a platform for their eCommerce app. Here are some of its main benefits:
- Quick and easy to set up and use: With Shopify, users can quickly launch online stores without fussing over servers and development costs since a clean and easy-to-use UI where all the features are logically structured is at your disposal. Shopify also has extensive documentation and video guides to help developers every step of the way.
- 24/7 customer support: Shopify’s customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via phone, email, or web chat. Their response time is quick, meaning that you’ll always have support whenever you need it.
- Secure and reliable: eCommerce stores deal with massive data and sensitive customer information like personal and credit card details. Shopify stores are trustworthy, ensuring the website is fast and secure and never experiences downtime.
- Very few tech concerns: Shopify companies provide software, hosting, and integrations with third-party apps for customers to set up and run their online stores. Not only does Shopify make it easier to design online stores, but it is also faster and more secure, accommodating possible traffic spikes your store might receive.
- Mobile responsive themes: It has become essential, not optional, to have a mobile-optimized site. All Shopify themes are mobile-responsive, and the platform includes a free built-in mobile commerce shopping cart.
Other advantages of owning a Shopify app include:
- Users can store purchase data through Shopify apps and get detailed analytics on the end-to-end sales process.
- Most Shopify Apps are scalable, providing opportunities to add more features and functionalities as your business grows. There are apps for everything, from enhancing the shopping experience and accepting payments to adding backend functions.
- Shopify Apps allow easy customization since Shopify custom app development gives more room to maneuver and provides solutions tailored to every merchant’s requirement.
- Shopify app generates statistics for targeted and personalized marketing, which helps to optimize and improve sales revenue.
- Various marketing and advertising options for your business. Merchants can segment their customers and get personalized recommendations and marketing tips.
- Many Shopify apps can easily integrate with social media, helping enhance the brand image, improve customers’ reach, and share experiences through a few clicks of a button.
Shopify App Development Takeaways
As the third biggest eCommerce platform offering multiple functionalities and advantages over other providers, Shopify is one of the go-to platforms for developing dependable, revenue-generating apps.
To develop your own Shopify app, you need to have a clear business plan in mind with outlined goals and KPIs to monitor over time and ensure you can optimize and adjust the app when necessary.
Numerous benefits, such as 24/7 support, security and reliability, and mobile responsiveness, can be enjoyed via a well-optimized, professionally developed Shopify store app.
