Our Methodology

How We Verify
Every Agency

Shopify Agency Directory is an independent, editorially curated directory. Every agency listed here has passed a multi-step verification process designed to protect merchants and surface genuinely qualified Shopify partners.

5-StepVerification
Process

Our 5-Step Verification Process

From initial submission to ongoing monitoring, here is exactly how an agency earns and maintains a place in our directory.

  1. 01

    Shopify Partner Validation

    We cross-reference every agency against the official Shopify Partner Directory. Only agencies with an active Shopify Partner or Shopify Plus Partner status are eligible for inclusion.

    Checked at submission and re-verified quarterly

  2. 02

    Portfolio & Track Record Review

    Our editorial team reviews each agency's live Shopify store portfolio. We look for production-quality work, design standards, site performance, and evidence of real client projects — not mockups.

    Minimum 3 verifiable live stores required

  3. 03

    Client Review Collection

    We aggregate public review data from the Shopify Partner Directory and supplement it with first-party reviews submitted directly on our platform. Every first-party review is moderated before publication.

    Reviews checked for authenticity and relevance

  4. 04

    Service & Pricing Transparency

    We categorize agencies by their core specializations, budget ranges, and geographic focus. This data is sourced from agency profiles, Shopify Partner data, and direct outreach to ensure accuracy.

    Updated when agencies report changes

  5. 05

    Ongoing Monitoring

    Listing in our directory is not permanent. We re-check partner status quarterly, monitor review sentiment, and promptly investigate any merchant complaints. Agencies that fall below our standards are flagged or removed.

    Quarterly re-verification cycle

What Every Agency Must Meet

These six criteria are non-negotiable. An agency must satisfy all of them to appear in our directory.

All 6 required

Active Shopify Partnership

Confirmed partner status on the official Shopify Partner Directory

Live Store Portfolio

At least 3 verifiable, production Shopify stores built for real clients

Public Review History

Review data aggregated from Shopify and our platform

Accurate Contact Information

Working website, valid business email, and responsive to inquiries

Defined Service Offering

Clear specializations, budget ranges, and geographic areas served

No Unresolved Complaints

No open, unresolved merchant disputes flagged on our platform

Our Editorial Standards

Four principles guide every editorial decision we make — from which agencies to include, to how we present their information.

01

Independence

We are not affiliated with Shopify Inc. Our recommendations and rankings are not influenced by any agency's advertising spend or commercial relationship with us. Every agency listing is held to the same verification standard.

02

Transparency

This page exists because we believe you should know exactly how we decide which agencies to include. If an agency is featured or highlighted, it is based on verified metrics — not payment. We clearly label any sponsored content.

03

Accuracy

We source data from Shopify's official Partner Directory, public review platforms, and direct agency submissions. If an agency claims a specialization or budget range, we look for evidence to support it before publishing.

04

Accountability

If you believe any agency listing is inaccurate or misleading, contact us. We investigate every report and will update or remove listings that no longer meet our standards. Agencies can claim their profiles to correct information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do agencies pay to be listed?
No. Listing in our directory is free. Agencies cannot pay for inclusion, higher rankings, or removal of negative reviews. Our verification process is the same for every agency, regardless of size or budget.
How often do you re-verify agencies?
We run a full re-verification cycle every quarter. This includes checking Shopify Partner status, reviewing new complaint reports, and updating agency information. Between cycles, we investigate any issues reported by merchants.
What happens if an agency fails verification?
If an agency no longer meets our criteria — for example, their Shopify partnership lapses or they receive multiple unresolved complaints — we either flag their listing with a notice or remove them from the directory entirely.
Can an agency dispute its listing or reviews?
Yes. Agencies can claim their profile, correct factual errors, and respond to reviews publicly. We encourage agencies to engage with feedback. However, they cannot remove legitimate reviews or alter their verification status.
How does the free matching service work?
When you submit a matching request, our team manually reviews your project brief and connects you with 2-3 agencies that fit your budget, timeline, and requirements. This service is completely free for merchants. We may receive a referral fee from the agency, which is always disclosed.
How can I report an issue with a listed agency?
Contact us through the form on any agency profile page or email us directly. We take every report seriously and will investigate within 5 business days. If we find a genuine issue, we will update or remove the listing.

Ready to find a verified Shopify agency?

Every agency in our directory has been through the process above. Browse with confidence, or let us match you for free.