Shopify's New Editions Release Shows Increased Velocity, Doubles Down on Strengths
What is the Shopify Editions release, and what changes were announced in it?
Shopify Editions announces a huge set of changes completed in the last 6 months, the chance to surprise with new, and some pre-announcements.
The volume of the releases provides content for deep dives over the next few weeks. Maybe Shopify should have canceled all their meetings sooner.
What is the focus of the Shopify Editions release, and which feature is the star?
Editions is huge; if I had to pick one overarching focus, Checkout was it. Doubling down on strengths is a good idea, and this release follows through on previous promises -- mostly for good. Customization, apps, functions, 1-Page Checkout, and more.
Who benefits the most from the new APIs and customization options in the Shopify Editions release?
New APIs, more customization. My favorite new feature is the new MetaObjects, being an old developer at heart. Complex objects and object relationships is the key to Shopify's Enterprise future.
A few obvious big wins: One-Page Checkout (vague '2023' promise), Bundles, and Product Search & Recommendations improvements.
Shopify Plus did not get a tremendous number of improvements in the release. Yes, rate limits increased 10x, and there were improvements to Shopify Audiences, but these changes make it seem like Shopify Plus got a demotion. Commerce Components is not rate-limited. It used to be Plus was the Enterprise Shopify. This made it clear who the boss was.
Shop App's Marketplace future is now the present
What are the big wins in the Shopify Editions release, and what are some of the disappointments?
Shop App Minis, which allows you to customize your Shop App store, reminds me of the evolution of customizing your Amazon storefront.
A few disappointments: Shop Cash is a double-edged sword to me. The functionality seems limited in where you can use it (only the App), and how quickly (it expires a month after you earn it). Sign-in with Shop is in the same vein. Does it seem to anyone else that we are recreating Paypal here at this point, except Paypal now runs your whole storefront?
I can’t say this any clearer: I thought the brand wanted to own the buyer’s identity. Why does any real brand want Shopify to own this?
If you want real control over your destiny, Shop Pay may not be your friend. While Shopify is opening up a lot of its box, Shop Pay remains the straw that stirs the drink.
For the little guys: An email collection form (app reviews look bad), and some events which mimic some of the basic Klaviyo triggers.
Shop Cash, Shop Promise and Shop App were revealed to be a kind of self-reinforcing set of features meant to bootstrap Shopify’s marketplace — which is the Shop App itself.
What I found when I looked under the covers of Shop Promise was not good. At. all.
Shopify Fulfillment does not appear to be required by Shop Promise, something I found pretty shocking, especially because it greatly waters down the Shop “Promise” to items that can be delivered in under 5 days.
The whole Shop Promise program is still early access. You cannot apply for it.
Wrapping Up
Overall, Shopify Editions showcases great promise for merchants moving forward. There are a range of improvements mentioned throughout the article, including new APIs, customization options, and 1-Page Checkout. Still, there are various disappointments that Shopify will have to address eventually. Namely, Shop Cash and Shop Promise, which seem limited in functionality. It will be interesting to see where Shopify takes this in the coming months amid their commitment to an enterprise future.
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