Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some guidance regarding a Shopify app currently under review.
Our Shopify app is completely free. It is not a standalone SaaS application, nor does it sell any features, subscriptions, or digital services within Shopify.
The app’s sole purpose is to connect a merchant’s Shopify store with our existing standalone SaaS platform. Once connected, it synchronises products, orders, customers, and other relevant data between Shopify and our platform.
Here’s how our ecosystem works:
- The Shopify app itself is 100% free.
- Merchants can install the app and connect their store at no cost.
- Our standalone SaaS platform supports multiple eCommerce platforms (not just Shopify), and users may purchase usage credits directly within that external platform if they choose to use its advertising and automation services.
- The Shopify app does not unlock paid functionality, sell subscriptions, or process payments. It simply acts as the integration layer between Shopify and our external system.
However, during the app review process, the reviewer has repeatedly asked us to implement Shopify’s Billing API/payment module.
This has left us confused because there is nothing to charge for inside the Shopify app. Adding a billing flow would not make sense from either a technical or business perspective.
Unfortunately, the review emails state “Please do not reply to this email,” and there doesn’t appear to be a way to explain the application’s architecture or ask the reviewer for clarification directly.
Has anyone experienced something similar?
Specifically:
- Is a Shopify Billing API required for a free connector app that doesn’t monetise anything within Shopify?
- Is there a recommended way to explain this architecture to the App Review team?
- Is there another communication channel where we can provide additional context to the reviewer?
Any advice from developers who have had connector/integration apps approved would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
