How Shopify’s ‘Built for Shopify’ Program Helps Merchants Stay Ahead of the Competition
The Shopify App Store is a massive resource for building intuitive storefronts, but with over 8,000 apps, the marketplace has become bloated. This saturation is a significant challenge for merchants to make the right choice. Additionally, if they choose less-optimized, code-heavy apps, their store performance and SEO rankings take a hit.
To help merchants cut through the noise, Shopify has created the Built for Shopify (BFS) program. Being a part of this program gives top apps the platform’s highest badge of honor—the Built for Shopify Badge—reserved only for those that meet strict standards for performance, design, and security.
In other words, BFS-certified apps are generally superior in terms of store performance, rankings, conversions, and customer trust. This blog will discuss the Built for Shopify program in greater detail and highlight how developers can benefit from it.
What is a Shopify App?
These extensions or plugins add specific features and functionality to your online store and are available on the Shopify App Store. Integrating them does not require any complex coding skills. You can install the relevant APIs and customize the extension/plugin to meet your eCommerce requirements.
What is the Built for Shopify Program: A Glance
Launched as Shopify’s highest honor for app excellence, “Built for Shopify” (BFS) is a certification that sets elite stores apart. It serves as a “Verified” checkmark that attests that an app has passed rigorous manual testing for speed, security, and native design.
For a merchant, the Built for Shopify program acts as a quality filter. Instead of spending hours testing different apps and reading hundreds of reviews to determine whether they are safe to integrate with your store, look for the “Built for Shopify” badge. It tells you immediately that Shopify has manually audited the app to ensure it:
- Won’t break your site: It integrates perfectly without causing “glitches” or leftover code.
- Matches your workflow: The app looks and behaves like a native Shopify app, so you don’t have to learn a new system.
- Is built for growth: Optimized to remain fast and stable as your traffic and sales volume increase.
In short, it removes the guesswork. Choosing Built for Shopify apps means you’re building your store on a foundation of professional-grade extensions and plugins rather than “quick fixes” that might cause issues later.
What Makes an App ‘Built for Shopify’?
To earn this badge, apps must pass a rigorous review. Shopify evaluates every app against specific key Built for Shopify criteria. These standards ensure the app helps your business rather than slowing it down.
If an app meets all these criteria, it is eligible for the Built for Shopify badge.
How to Develop a “Built for Shopify” App?
Developing a “Built for Shopify” (BFS) app is a journey that starts with standard app development but requires a much higher level of precision and performance optimization.
Note: Unlike a standard app, a BFS app is treated as an official extension of the Shopify platform.
Follow the steps below to build a BFS-certified app:
1. Meet the Technical Requirements
Before you can even apply for the BFS status, your app must meet specific technical benchmarks:
- App Bridge Integration: Your app must be embedded in the Shopify Admin using the latest version of Shopify App Bridge.
- GraphQL APIs: As of 2025, Shopify requires all new public apps to use the GraphQL Admin API rather than the legacy REST API.
- Performance Benchmarks: Your app’s dashboard must load in under 500ms (P95) and must have handled at least 1,000 requests in the last 28 days to provide enough data for evaluation.
- Zero Storefront Drag: If your app adds code to the customer-facing store, it cannot decrease the Lighthouse performance score by more than 10 points.
2. Design for a Native Feel
Shopify won’t grant the badge if your app appears to be a third-party website. It is advisable to use Polaris for building UIs as it is Shopify’s official design system. This will ensure your buttons, tables, and typography align perfectly with the merchant’s Shopify dashboard.
Also, make sure to optimize for mobile functionality, as many merchants manage their stores on the go.
3. Build for Clean Operations
Prioritize ease of use for both installations and uninstallations. Even if a merchant uninstalls your app, it must automatically remove all its code. Leaving behind “ghost code” will be a significant red flag for your app.
4. Optimize Data Sharing
Use webhooks to stay in sync with Shopify data in real-time, ensuring the merchant never sees outdated information.
The Application Process
Once your app is live and meeting the performance metrics:
- Check the Partner Dashboard: Go to the “Distribution” page in your Shopify Partner account.
- View the Checklist: Shopify provides a real-time checklist showing which BFS criteria you’ve met and where you’re still falling short.
- Apply for Review: Once all boxes are green, you can submit your app for a manual review by the Shopify App Quality team.
Pro Tip: If you find it challenging to optimize performance or build an app that meets the above criteria, consider hiring Shopify developers or partnering with a Shopify development service provider. Experts can easily configure items in accordance with the Built for Shopify guidelines, increasing the likelihood of approval.
What are the Benefits of the Built for Shopify Program?
The BFS program not only tests apps, but also the developers’ dedication. If they succeed in becoming a part of the Built for Shopify program, they benefit from:
- The “Built for Shopify” Badge: This badge of honor helps an app stand out and serves as a marketing trust builder.
- Spotlight: BFS-certified apps are highlighted separately in the app store on a dedicated “featured apps” page.
- Increased Visibility: Built for Shopify apps get a ranking boost in searches across several merchant-facing channels.
- Exclusivity: Shopify App Store Ads and Priority App Review are specific perks available only for BFS-certified apps.
Note: The Built for Shopify badge does not remain active forever. All BFS apps are periodically reviewed to ensure they continue to meet the Built for Shopify guidelines. This is done at least once per year. You get to retain the badge upon passing the assessment.
How Built for Shopify Helps Merchants?
The actual benefit of the Built for Shopify program isn’t just about finding suitable extensions or plugins, but about building superior online shopping experiences that help your brand/business outshine the competition. In fact, Shopify’s internal survey shows that over 81% of merchants report that this badge helps them decide whether to install it.
Here is how merchants benefit from the Built for Shopify program:
Optimized Store Speed and Performance
Customers expect instant loading, and search engines reward fast websites. From both perspectives, your Shopify store must be optimized; otherwise, you risk pushing customers away and undermining your SEO performance.
Built for Shopify apps, these are lean and efficient, designed to drive more traffic and improve SEO performance. They are guaranteed to maintain your store’s speed, giving you a crucial edge over competitors whose sites might be bogged down by lower-quality, heavily coded apps.
Smoother Customer Journeys
The best online stores feel effortless. Built for Shopify apps, they integrate smoothly with your Shopify admin and storefront, creating a consistent look and feel. This means less friction for your customers as they browse, add items to their cart, and check out.
Your competitors might offer similar products or have a similar theme, but your customers’ journey will be smoother and more reliable due to Built for Shopify apps.
Reduced Technical and Optimization Headaches
Managing an online store is already challenging—and constant app conflicts can make it significantly worse. BFS apps are rigorously tested for reliability and clean uninstalls. This means you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more on devising & executing growth strategies.
Future-Proofed Business
Customer expectations are constantly evolving, so should your Shopify store. Built for Shopify apps are designed to align with Shopify’s platform updates and best practices. This ensures your essential tools will remain compatible and optimized as Shopify introduces new features.
Competitors using older, unmaintained apps might face compatibility issues or be left behind, while your store (integrated with Built for Shopify apps) will continue to stand out with each upgrade.
End Note
The Built for Shopify program is more than just a badge; it is a commitment to a higher standard of eCommerce. For developers, it provides a roadmap to building high-performing apps that earn priority visibility and merchant trust. For merchants, it offers a “shortcut to quality,” ensuring that every addition to their store contributes to a faster, more secure, and highly professional shopping experience.
By prioritizing BFS-certified apps, you aren’t just checking a requirement box—you are future-proofing your business, especially in a competitive digital market. Investing in building this app, or seeking professional Shopify development services to have experts create it, is a smart move to stay ahead.
