How to create a development store to test partner-friendly Shopify apps

The Shopify App Store offers over 10k apps. Some are a must-have if you want customers to get that “wow” experience they deserve, others not so much.

Regardless of the apps you install, most offer a trial period, but here’s the rub. It’s called a trial period which means it’ll eventually end. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could test your favorite apps before subscribing to them?

It’s possible with a Shopify development store! The caveat is it won’t work with some apps mainly because they aren’t free or partner-approved. Worry not because Shopify offers a comprehensive list of partner-friendly apps you can test for free in your development store.

So, let’s delve into the requirements, creation process, features, and limitations of Shopify development stores!

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What do I need to create a development store?

First and foremost, creating a development store requires having a Shopify Partner account. You can create one by joining the program on Shopify's designated page. You’ll need to fill in details such as your full name and email address. Shopify also offers the option to sign up using a social login provider (i.e. Apple, Google, or Facebook). It’s that easy, so there’s no excuse not to join the Shopify Partner Program.

How do I create a development store in Shopify?

You’ll need to log into the Shopify Partner dashboard if you haven’t already, and follow these steps to create your first development store:

1. Click the “Stores” tab from the left-side panel menu.
2. Click the “Add store” button on the right side of the page.
3. Choose “Create development store” and you’ll be redirected to the creation page.
4. Select “Create a store to test and build” under the “What’s the purpose of this store?” section. Please select this option because you’ll use the store to test apps.
5. Fill in your store’s name and don’t worry about the URL. It’ll be generated automatically.
6. Select the “Current release” option under the “Build version” section.
7. Select the “Start with test data” option under the “Data and configurations” section.
   This store is for testing purposes, so having sample data will speed things up.
8. Press the “Create development store”, then, lo and behold your first ever-created Shopify development store!

How do I test an app for free in my development store?

To access your store, navigate to your Shopify Partner dashboard’s “Stores” section and click your development store’s “Log in” button. You’ll be redirected to a familiar interface, the Shopify Admin dashboard.

Click the “Apps” link from the left-side panel to open the search function. Look for the apps you want to install, complete their installation processes, and start testing them.

Some apps allow you to subscribe to and use only what you need. Such an app is our Accounts Concierge app.

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What are the limitations, features, and benefits of Shopify development stores?

Some considerations to keep in mind

Like most free things, there are limitations to creating a development store on Shopify:

• You can only install free and partner-approved apps.
• You can’t use real transactions to test orders, but you can use the Bogus Test Gateway or your payment provider’s test order mode (if any is offered).
• You can’t remove the Shopify store password page.

Some features to remember

On a sunnier note, building and testing a Shopify development store allows you, among other things, to:

• Process an unlimited number of test orders.
• Create as many unique products as you want.
• Assign a custom domain.

The reason why creating a Shopify development store might benefit you

It’s all about experimenting, testing things out, seeing what’s possible, and what’s not. You can experience most of Shopify’s Advanced features, including testing your desired apps in a controlled environment. That’s how a Shopify development store can benefit you and your business!

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You may be asking yourself…

Does creating a Shopify development store cost anything?

Shopify development stores are free for Shopify Partners. You’ll just need to join the Shopify Partner Program as explained earlier in this article!

What do I do if I no longer need my Shopify development store?

You can simply archive it. To do so, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Log into your Shopify Partner dashboard.
2. Go to the “Stores” tab and find the store you want to archive.
3. Select the “Actions” dropdown, then click the “Archive” button.

Your store is now archived. To undo this action, head to the Archived tab at the top and click the “Unarchive” button.

What should I do if the app I want to test isn’t available in the development store?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do. However, you could contact the app developers, and see if they’re willing to allow you to test their app, or offer an alternative.