Shopify on Monday released its monthly product newsletter for Shopify Developers, listing down announcements that the e-commerce giant had made ahead of the October month. Developers can sign up for the newsletter to know the latest updates to continue their development work.
Here are eight updates no developer should miss out on.
1. No More Unpublished Apps
Shopify announced that unpublished apps will no longer be allowed on its platform. It is the most important of all updates for app developers, who aim to ease merchants’ pressure of online selling. According to Shopify’s Partner Program Agreement, developers are requested to submit their apps for listing in the Shopify App Store.
With the final compliance cutoff date around the corner, Shopify states in its blog: “Be sure to submit your app as soon as possible to avoid reviewal delays—it usually takes our partners several weeks to complete the review process. Please check your dashboard notifications and email to find your cutoff date.”
2. OAuth Changes
OAuth is an abbreviation for Open Authorization, which means allowing third-party services to exchange stored information without revealing the password. Shopify is working on OAuth flow to improve the initial load of applications. Admitting that Shopify’s recommended OAuth flow has caused unnecessary delay in the loading of an app.
To avoid visual disruption caused by OAuth, Shopify on Monday updated its “recommendations to make the initial app load faster, cleaner, and more enjoyable for merchants”.
However, for all apps that were built as per Shopify templates before August 23, 2022, OAuth migration needs to be updated manually. “As a part of the OAuth process, a merchant needs to grant permission for your app to access store data. You can request these permissions by redirecting the merchant to the grant screen, which is rendered inside the Shopify admin,” the company stated on shopify.dev.
All the new apps, the OAuth settings will be automatically saved as per the guidelines set for latest app templates.
3. Shopify App Store Listing
Shopify is also working to improve the Shopify App Store listing for its merchant partners. The redesigning is aimed at helping both the parties — merchants and app developers. While merchants will get appropriate apps as per their business requirements, developers will also be able to reach the right audience using the new Shopify App Store listing.
Seeking help from app developers, Shopify wrote in an email: “We’ve spent the last year researching and experimenting with the best ways to help merchants discover the right, high quality apps for their unique needs, and we’re excited to tell you more about what’s coming.”
Shopify attached the new app listing form in the email, asking every recipient to fill it by November 1. “You must update your submission form in order to remain eligible for promotion. Check out our new documentation for best practices and an example of what the new listing page will look like,” Shopify added.
4. Hot Reload
Shopify also launched hot reload in the recent part to help the developers of theme app extensions. It allows developers to skip refreshing every time after making changes to theme app extensions.
“As of Shopify CLI version 3.13.0, you can now preview theme app extensions by running the dev command. Shopify CLI supports hot reloading for theme app extensions, so you can avoid refreshing the browser after making changes,” Shopify states.
5. Better B2B API
Shopify improved its B2B API, an abbreviation for Application Programming Interface using GraphQL Admin API. It allows developers reach more B2B Shopify Plus merchants and build custom wholesale solutions.
“The Business Customer API is the first to launch in stable, with additional B2B APIs set to launch in January 2023,” Shopify explains. The new API offers objects, queries and mutations to manage Companies, Company Locations and Compact Contact.
6. Making Translation Easier Than Ever
On September 14, Shopify launched Translate and Adapt app along with Shopify Markets Pro. Both of the in-house developments aim to encourage cross-border e-commerce. The app promises to translate the information mentioned on an online store in different languages. While selling in different geographical markets, different shipping terms can be created with the help of Translate and Adapt app.
As per Shopify data, translating content increases gross merchandise value from local buyers by 13 percent. “Shopify Translate & Adapt overhauls how Shopify merchants can build high-touch storefronts for each market, all from a single store and platform, and we think it’ll be a game changer for increasing consumer empathy and conversion,” Rohit Mishra, Director of Product at Shopify, said at the time of app release.
7. Better Search And Recommendations
Shopify values online buyers more than any other e-commerce platform. To ease the process of product search and recommendations, it allowed merchants to customize search, filters and product recommendations with the help of Shopify Search and Discovery app.
Available for free on the Shopify App Store, Shopify Search and Discovery app promises to help driving sales to online store by easily customising storefront search and discovery experience for shoppers. The app also ensures search results for all queries as it allows you to make groups of search keywords. With this, the right products will come up in search results no matter what spelling do shoppers type.
Launched on July 25, Shopify Search & Discovery app can only be installed on either OS2.0 theme or custom storefront or custom Liquid based online stores. “Search features, such as product boosts and synonyms, are not compatible with custom storefronts that use the Storefront API,” Shopify explained on its app page.
8. POS Go Pre-orders
Shopify has started to accept pre orders for POS Go, its latest retail hardware, for merchants based in the United States. The wireless device comes with a card reader, inventory tracker and a built-in bar code scanner. Merchants will also be able to manage staff and payments irrespective where they are-online or store. Shopify POS Go app can be customised to manage store and provide better services to customers.
Merchants can place pre orders for POS Go by visiting hardware.shopify.com. It is priced $428.00 and available in black and white colour. With 30 days return policy, POS GO offers standard one year warranty with an option to extend it for two years by opting for POS Pro Subscription.
