The Shopify plugin system
Shopify is great for designers. The templating system is easy to use and if you browse the design forum you see that, with a little creativity, you can accomplish great designs.
But, you quickly run into a lack of features in Shopify. I know I’m not the first person to point this out, but it should be given a little more thought. It seems like people want different features and implemented differently. Some want coupons, some want a full loyalty program with user login and others just want a decent product review system. So, here is my suggestion:
Create a Shopify plug-in system
I know that there are webhooks and a great API, but that’s for doing external systems that extend Shopify.
Like Wordpress, Movable Type, Drupal… and Facebook. A great community of developers would be great for evolving Shopify. The really great thing is that these developers have a clear business objective: Sell more stuff.
To keep things under some control and assure a level of quality, Shopify could approve the plugins. Depending on business strategy, Shopify could make it a plugin marketplace where the developers could make a little money on the plugins like Salesforce.
I think a great community of developers could help make Shopify an even greater product.
Last edited 05:15PM, Jan 14, 2009
This is planned and under active development :-)
I cannot wait for the day we can launch the feature but it’s still going to be a bit.
10:35PM, Jan 14, 2009
Great to hear that you are working on this.
Could you maybe let a few more details slip?
How will it integrate?
Will there be a business model like Apples App Store?
03:47AM, Jan 15, 2009
I can’t go into too much detail yet but yes, it will feature a mechanism through which Shopify Application developers can monetize their creations.
09:07AM, Jan 15, 2009
Well Tobi, it sounds like exiting times are coming.
But if you could give us an estimate for when you think this feature will be available it would be great. We don’t need a specific date, just say 4-6 months, before April or something like that.
Also will the plugins be written in Ruby and would you consider a beta period where developers can provide feedback?
I know that I ask a lot of questions, but it’s because I’m exited about what this could do for the future of Shopify.
01:54AM, Feb 13, 2009
Great to know plugins are coming to Shopify. We’ll certainly contribute plugins for all our tools once your system is ready.
How can we be informed when it is live? Is there an RSS feed or newsletter we can subscribe to?
04:41AM, Feb 13, 2009
Typically, all updates are posted on Pixel Soup
There is an RSS feed there. I’m sure they will have the same update on the myshopify store feed on the homepage.
02:12PM, Feb 13, 2009
Yes, this is the best place to watch.