Hey! I hope you’re doing well.

Less than 3 months before our Shopify Partners event in Paris: The Wide Event! 🔥

I can’t wait to see you all!

If you haven’t taken your ticket yet, you can do it by clicking here

Reminder: PJ, Judge.me founder, will share how he grew his Shopify App to 500,000 merchants with the Shopify App Store.

In today’s email we’re going to talk about:

• Shopify App Course

• JS to Rust Shopify Functions

• Shopify App Growth Blueprint: Legal and Compliance

Let’s go! 🔥

Shopify App Course

You read it right.

I will create a Shopify App Growth Course.

This course won’t be me showing my screen. It will be a big document with all the theory you need to grow a successful Shopify App.

Picture it; it’s a document you can refer to whenever you have a question or need guidance.

It would be all my knowledge since 2017. Almost 8 years in Shopify Apps.

I started sharing content online in 2022. I never sold anything (except Event tickets, obviously).

It wasn’t my goal. I was on my Shopify App.

Many people asked me for consulting, a course, mentoring, and advising.

But that wasn’t something I was doing.

But today I have a new project: a Shopify App Partnerships Platform

The goal of that platform is to help Shopify App Founders find partnerships.

And it’s simple: if I help you win, you may use my platform longer.

This will not be a course for people discovering Shopify. I do not want to attract new people who are just looking for an opportunity.

It will be for people who already know the ecosystem.

SOOOO here it comes!

I am preparing the course! 🔥

Ask your questions by replying to this email

JS to Rust Shopify Functions

This section is for the technical readers

We used to code our discount function in Javascript because it was easier for us. However, the performance was not that good.

We switch to Rust and the results are crazy 🤯

Our performances are 6x - 7x what we had with JS. So it’s not just a small improvement! It’s a big one.

It means we can handle WAY more products in the cart.

So if you’re using JS for your functions, try Rust. It may take some time to learn it but with AI today it’s pretty fast to transform your JS to Rust.

Shopify App Growth Blueprint: Legal & Compliance

This part isn’t really funny but I noticed I had never talked about it! And it’s important

So read it carefully.

Why Playing by Shopify's Rules Is Super Important

The Hard Truth About App Survival

Look, I've seen so many apps get completely wiped off the Shopify App Store because they didn't follow the rules. It happens ALL THE TIME. And trust me, it's way worse to have your app shut down after you've built a customer base than to get rejected right at the start. So let's get this legal stuff sorted from day one, okay?

The Reality Check Every Developer Needs

What most devs do: Jump straight into coding without thinking about boring legal stuff until it's too late.

What successful app owners do: Set up their business properly from the beginning, understand the tax situation, and follow Shopify's rules to the letter.

Here's the deal

I'm not a lawyer (definitely not claiming to be one!), so take everything I say as friendly advice, not legal counsel. But I've been through this process, and I want to save you from the headaches I've seen others face.

Setting Up Your Business Structure (Without Losing Your Mind)

Keep It Simple, But Legal

Start with the easiest business structure! In France, we have what's called "auto entrepreneur" - a super simple business structure. Your country probably has something similar - look for sole proprietor options. Don't overcomplicate things! You can always upgrade your business structure later.

Fill out your Shopify Partner Dashboard completely. Shopify needs to know your business is legit. Complete ALL the fields, even the ones that seem unnecessary. This saves you from payment delays later (trust me, that's painful).

How Shopify Pays You

Expect money around the 7th and 22nd of each month. Nothing complicated here, just know when to expect cash.

Two ways to get paid:

• PayPal: Quick but fees can add up

• Bank transfers: Through Hyperwallet, but watch the fees!

Currency conversion is a KILLER. If you're not in the US, currency conversion fees are HUGE. I lose four figures EVERY MONTH just on currency conversion. Seriously consider your options here - these fees add up fast.

The Must-Know Shopify Rules

You Can't Use Stripe (Sorry!)

Forget about using Stripe or other payment processors. You MUST use Shopify's billing API. Your app calls the API, customer accepts the charges, Shopify handles the rest.

Here's a trial period hack you need to know: Shopify doesn't track if someone already used a trial. When someone installs your app, store the date in your database. If they uninstall and reinstall, check your database and adjust the trial days accordingly.

Data Protection (The Boring But Essential Stuff)

You need a cookie banner on your site (yes, even if most users are from the US). When someone uninstalls your app, Shopify sends you a webhook after 48 hours. You MUST delete their data when you get this webhook.

Legal docs you definitely need:

• Privacy Policy: What data you collect and how you use it

• Terms of Service: Rules for using your app

Just get these done - Shopify will ask for the links during submission.

Shopify App Store No-No's

Quick marketing rules:

• Don't put the word "Shopify" in your App Store images

• Don't claim you're "the best app for X" (Shopify hates this)

• Don't bid on "Shopify" as a Google Ads keyword (actually add it as a negative keyword)

The Tax Situation (Simpler Than You Might Think)

About Your Client Relationship

Here's something interesting about how it works: From my experience in France, Shopify acts as your client, not individual merchants. Shopify sends you ONE payment for all your users.

But definitely check with your accountant about this! Tax rules vary by country, and your situation might be different. This is just how it worked out for us in France.

Taxes and All That Stuff

Work with a local accountant. Tax rules vary by country (France is crazy with taxes, trust me!). Start with the simplest option available in your country. Upgrade your structure when you start making serious money.

Security Rules You Can't Ignore

Keep data safe:

• Encrypt passwords (obviously)

• Protect API keys like your life depends on it

• Don't store data you don't absolutely need

Only request the scopes your app actually requires. Shopify will reject apps that ask for excessive permissions. Be ready to explain why you need each scope.

Final Advice (From Someone Who's Been There)

Don't try to outsmart Shopify

Seriously, they will catch you eventually. And when they do, your entire business could disappear overnight. Not worth the risk!

Never contact your merchants' customers

Those customers belong to your merchants, not you. The only exception is if your app specifically needs to contact customers (like a review app).

Start with a legal foundation, then focus on growth

Get the boring stuff right, then you can focus 100% on building an awesome app without worrying about getting shut down.

Read carefully the Shopify Guidelines

Here they are: https://www.shopify.com/partners/terms

I know this isn't the most exciting part of building your Shopify app, but getting these legal foundations right from day one will save you massive headaches later. And hey, once you've got all this sorted, you can focus on what really matters - building an app that merchants actually want to use!

Congrats for reading that far!

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See you in the next email!

Mat 😁