When it comes to choosing an agency for your e-commerce project, you inevitably come across these two designations: Shopify agency and Shopify Plus agency. The latter certainly sounds more premium, more exclusive. But behind this seemingly obvious distinction lies a reality far more nuanced than what the golden badges would have us believe.
The Shopify Plus Partner certification: a label that impresses (but isn't everything)
Let's be clear from the outset: yes, there is indeed an official "Shopify Plus agency" certification. This label, until the end of 2024, distinguished agencies that had proven their ability to manage complex projects on the enterprise version of the platform. Since then, the program has evolved into a multi-tiered system (Select, Plus, Premier, Platinum), but the principle remains the same: Shopify officially recognizes certain agencies as preferred partners.
To obtain this certification, a Shopify agency must meet strict criteria: maintain a rating above 4/5 with a minimum of 20 customer reviews, provide responsive support (less than 30 minutes for critical emergencies, 12 hours for high priorities), have solid infrastructure, and, ideally, present security certifications like SOC2 Type 2. It's demanding, and it proves a certain level of maturity.
"The features are now breathtaking. Shopify has undeniably become the best and most intuitive CMS for online merchants." — Ludovic Mariault, founder of Shopify Partner agency
The hidden constraints of certification
But here's where the story gets interesting: obtaining and maintaining this certification requires much more than just technical expertise. Certified Shopify Plus agencies must, among other things, organize joint events with Shopify France teams, actively participate in the ecosystem, and comply with regular administrative requirements.
For some agencies, it's a consistent investment with their visibility and growth strategy. For others, who are excellent at their job but prefer to focus on pure creation rather than events, it's a constraint they gladly do without. These agencies prefer to invest their energy in what really matters: supporting their clients towards success. This is the case for our Shopify agency, which prioritizes operational excellence over collecting badges. And this is where the problem lies: refusing these obligations is not refusing excellence. It's simply choosing another agency model.
When the best don't wear the badge
One of the best-kept secrets of the Shopify ecosystem is that some of the best specialized Shopify agencies are not Shopify Plus certified. Not because they couldn't get it, but because they made a deliberate choice not to enter this system.
Take the example of Stellar Projects. Without official Shopify Plus certification, the agency has successfully supported prestigious brands in their deployment on Shopify Plus: Songe Lab, Panier des Sens, MINI electric bikes... Ambitious projects that could have been entrusted to any "large certified agency," but which found exactly what they were looking for in a more agile structure.
This reality somewhat disrupts classic marketing storytelling, but it deserves to be said: an agency does not need to be a Shopify Plus Partner certified to deliver exceptional Shopify Plus projects. Technical capabilities, access to advanced platform features, all of this is available far beyond the restricted circle of certified agencies.
What really matters in choosing an agency
So, if certification isn't the Holy Grail, what should you focus on? On much more tangible and much more revealing criteria of what your project experience will be.
First, technical expertise. Does the agency truly master the subtleties of Shopify 2.0, checkout extensibility features, complex API integrations? Ask to see code, concrete use cases. An expert Shopify agency will talk to you in detail about its technical choices, not in vague marketing concepts.
Next, creativity. Shopify is powerful, but it's also a framework that can quickly become uniform if you don't know how to transcend it. Look at the portfolio. Do you see sites that all look alike, or truly differentiated experiences? The ability to think outside the box cannot be bought with certification.
"Despite a very tight schedule, the agency was able to bring us all its expertise on a variety of subjects: connecting Shopify to SAP and managing IT flows, UX/UI optimizations, daily support... A team that is available, responsive, and involved in the challenges of its clients." — Client testimonial, migration to Shopify Plus
Agility, an often underestimated criterion. A small structure can pivot in a few hours where a large agency will take several days to mobilize the right resources. When your launch is scheduled for three weeks and a critical bug appears, it's this responsiveness that makes the difference. If you want to know more about how to evaluate this agility, discover the essential criteria for choosing your Shopify agency.
Let's talk about team availability. This is where things become truly concrete. It's better to be accompanied by the passionate founder of a small agency, who knows your project by heart and responds to your messages in the evening, than by an intern from an agency of 50 employees where you are just a case number among others.
Cultural fit: the invisible but decisive criterion
And then there's this criterion that isn't measured, that no badge certifies, but that makes all the difference: cultural fit. Do you feel understood? Do the agency's values resonate with yours? Is there a good vibe?
A lifestyle beauty brand will not work in the same way as an automotive parts retailer. A hyper-growth startup does not have the same needs as a historical house going digital. Our Shopify agency must understand your DNA, not just your technical specs. To delve deeper into this reflection, consult our article on the importance of cultural fit with your agency.
Client testimonials often say more than a list of certifications. When a client writes "The agency is a true partner and actor in our digital success," they are talking about commitment, proximity, involvement. These qualities do not have an official badge, but they are worth much more in the long run.
Shopify Plus: a matter of project, not label
Let's also recall an obvious point that sometimes gets lost in the jargon: Shopify Plus is primarily a Shopify subscription level designed for businesses with significant volumes (generally over €500,000 in annual revenue) or specific needs in terms of checkout customization, multi-store management, or advanced automations.
Any competent Shopify agency can work on a Shopify Plus project. What changes is access to certain premium features and Shopify merchant support. But technically, an uncertified agency can perfectly design and develop a high-performing Shopify Plus store. It may not have the little golden badge on its site, but its code will be just as clean.
Before choosing between a certified Plus Partner agency and a standard Shopify agency, you must first know if your project really needs Shopify Plus. The criteria for switching (revenue, B2B needs, multi-stores, customized checkout) are detailed in our complete Shopify Plus guide for 2026, including the Plus vs. Advanced comparison table and profitability thresholds.
So, Shopify Plus agency or Shopify agency?
The real question is not "does the agency have a certification?", but "is the agency right for my project?". The Shopify Plus Partner certification is an indicator, certainly not an absolute guarantee of quality. It reflects a certain level of commitment to the Shopify ecosystem, an ability to follow processes, and a desire for institutional visibility.
But it does not guarantee creativity, agility, proximity, or even always cutting-edge technical expertise. Some of the most beautiful Shopify Plus achievements come from agencies that have chosen to stay outside the certification system, prioritizing the quality of their work over collecting badges. To better understand how to identify the true added value of an agency, read our guide on how to evaluate the real expertise of a Shopify agency.
When you meet an agency, ask the right questions. Ask to see projects similar to yours. Ask who will actually work on your file. Ask how emergencies are handled. Ask for references you can call. And above all, listen to your intuition. If the chemistry isn't there during the first exchanges, even with the most certified agency in the world, move on.
Excellence in e-commerce is not certified. It is experienced, project after project, in the quality of listening, the accuracy of proposed solutions, and that precious ability to transform technical constraints into creative opportunities. Certification or not, that's what makes the difference between a correct service and a true growth partnership.
Do you have a Shopify or Shopify Plus project in mind? Let's discuss it with our experts. No sales pitch, just an honest conversation about what makes sense for your brand.
Stellar Projects is a Shopify Plus certified agency. We design e-commerce stores across all Shopify plans, selecting the one that best suits the challenges of each project.
