How to Add a Collaborator on Shopify - A Complete Guide

A Shopify collaborator is a Shopify Partner who receives limited access to a store, allowing them to assist with tasks such as development, design, or marketing. They don’t need the store owner’s login, and they are not considered a staff member. The store owner can choose exactly which parts of the store the collaborator can access, keeping everything secure and controlled. Here is how it works:

• A store owner grants access by approving a request from a Shopify Partner through their Partner dashboard.
• The owner can choose what sections of the store the collaborator can access, such as themes, apps, or marketing tools.
• Collaborators log in through their own Partner dashboard, not the merchant's direct login, making the process more secure.
• Stores accessed through a collaborator account are often labeled as Managed stores in the collaborator's Partner dashboard.

How to Add a Collaborator on Shopify

There are two ways to add a collaborator on Shopify.

1. Approve a Collaborator Request
2. Give Collaborator Access Using a Code

Method 1: Approve a Collaborator Request

When a developer, designer, or agency sends you a collaborator request, you need to approve it so they can access your admin with limited permissions to work on your store. Follow these steps to approve a collaborator request.

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the Users and Permissions section.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Collaborator section.

Step 4: Review the access request you received.

Step 5: Check all the requested permissions,

Step 6: Scroll down and click the Accept request button.

If you’re working with a Shopify CRO Expert, grant permissions to analytics, products, and themes. You can also explore our CRO Services.

Method 2: Give Collaborator Access Using a Code

Some Shopify Stores have enabled the Collaborator Code Request to prevent unwanted requests. Only developers, designers, or Agencies with a collaborator code can send you the request. Follow these steps to find the collaborator code.

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the Users and Permissions section.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Collaborator section.

Step 4: Select this option to allow people with a collaborator request code to send a collaborator request.

Step 5: Copy this or generate a new one by clicking the Generate new code button. Share this code with the person whom you want to give access to your store.

This method is recommended when working with trusted agencies like EcomX Agency — your Shopify Custom Theme Development Partner.

What Permissions Should You Grant?

The permission you grant depends on the type of work you are doing. Here, you can edit permissions and grant access to specific areas needed for their role. A developer needs access to themes, as well as possibly products or code. Marketing-related work requires access to sales reports, analytics, and perhaps products or blog posts. Order fulfillment-related work involves accessing orders and managing inventory.

How to Remove a Collaborator

If your work has been completed and you no longer want the developer or agencies to access your code, you have to remove the collaborative access. Follow these steps to remove the collaborator. 

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the Users and Permissions section.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Collaborator section.

Step 4: Click on the Collaborator name.

Step 5: Scroll down and click the Remove button.

When Should You Add a Shopify Collaborator?

You should add a collaborator when you need help with:

• Theme customizations
  
• Fixing bugs
  
• App installations or setup
  
• SEO & marketing
  
• Checkout or cart customization
  
• Performance optimization
  
• Store migrations
  
• Liquid coding or custom features

Also Read: How to Change Featured Products in Shopify

Conclusion

Adding a collaborator on Shopify is one of the safest and most efficient ways to give external professionals access to your store. You can approve a request directly or use a secure collaborator code, all while choosing exactly which parts of the store they can manage. And once the work is done, removing access only takes a few clicks.

If you need expert help with your Shopify store theme upgrades, SEO setup, migration, CRO, or custom coding, our Shopify-certified team is ready. Work with a trusted Shopify Partner Today!