Jonathan Kennedy

Founder, AppStoreResearch | User Research Recruitment for eCommerce Saas

Founder with proven track record in the eCommerce space. Still building. 

What I’m working on:

- Building shopexperts.com - a commission-free Shopify expert network to help Shopify brands find the best service providers to help grow their brands. 

- Connecting Shopify app teams with brand owners and operators for 1-1 user research and sales calls - appstoreresearch.com

- Pre-seed/seed angel investor and private credit for Shopify apps and services based businesses - Open to advisory roles w/ or w out equity points. Open to cold inbound. 

email: jon@shopexperts.com


Founder

Official Shopify experts since 2015. We help ambitious brands on Shopify and Shopify Plus scale up to 7-8 figures/year with fully managed design and dev operations. Fast turnarounds. 1/2 the cost of typical agency. 

Yesterday I posted about how Shopify experts and agencies can create their own moats by becoming implementation specialists for a 1-2 well funded Shopify apps (most AI driven) with very thin or early stage partner programs. 

Merchants love these products… but implementation and optimization of value is the bottleneck. 

These teams are sprinting to ship features, win market share, and raise the next round.

They don’t all have the resources or internal skill sets to hand-hold thousands of merchants and deliver services at the level their tech demands. As the market forces a need for more of a service component for apps to be adopted, truth is, not all will pull it off internally even if they try.  

🔥 Consio: AI phone sales + voice commerce
→ Service gap: sales scripts, AI training, call workflow design

🔥 Reactiv: AI mobile shopping experiences
→ Service gap: mobile UX, CRO, personalized flows

🔥 Instant: AI Shopify site builder
→ Service gap: theme refinement, design, merchandising, AI workflows

🔥 Finaloop: real-time ecommerce accounting
→ Service gap: bookkeeping, finance ops, monthly accounting support

🔥 Stay AI:  subscriptions + retention
→ Service gap: lifecycle flows, churn reduction, subscription offer strategy

🔥 heatmap: revenue-based UX analytics
→ Service gap: CRO retainers, UX improvements, analytics setup

🔥 Siena AI: AI customer service
→ Service gap: CX playbooks, bot training, helpdesk workflows

🔥 MAI Agents: AI performance marketing (Google Ads automation)
→ Service gap: AI campaign strategy, creative production, data/analytics interpretation, Shopify + CRM integrations 

🔥 Konvo AI: proactive AI agents for e-commerce
→ Service gap: AI agent training, ecommerce conversational optimization, chatbot strategy and workflows, integration with support channels

🔥 Videowise: AI-optimized video commerce
→ Service gap: UGC production, AI-optimized video strategy, interactive shoppable video UX, analytics interpretation

🔥 ShopOS: AI operating system for ecommerce brands
→ Service gap: Ecommerce AI implementation strategy, workflow setup, Shopify + ShopOS integrations, data mapping & custom automations

Here’s the pattern:

The apps are funded. The demand is huge and clearly growing. The ecosystems are thin.
Agencies who specialize early win big.

What other apps/platforms could we add to this list?

If you run partnerships or support at one of these apps, DM me to reach a network of ambitious experts with proven track records, hungry to stand out.

Founder, shopexperts.com - commission-free Shopify expert services marketplace

The Shopify services economy is already a $30–40B market but...

…it’s being slowed down by platforms that tax the very experts keeping it alive.

Here’s what nobody talks about:
Shopify has 5M+ merchants
GMV just hit $292B
There are 100,000+ experts, agencies, and service providers in the ecosystem
And Shopify app partners have already earned $12.5B from Shopify merchants

So why are we still operating like it’s 2015?
Why are experts paying 10–20% commissions + fees, forever, just to get work?
Why are brands hitting paywalls just to see talent in a market with more supply than ever?
Why is discovery still happening in DMs, random referrals, and Slack threads?

It makes no sense. (to me)
And it’s slowing everyone down.

The truth:
The Shopify services layer is massive... and about to double.
My estimate: $30–40B in 2026 → $50–60B by 2030 as brands outsource more specialized skills.

But for that to happen efficiently, the ecosystem needs infrastructure that accelerates the flow of talent, not platforms that extract from it.

That’s why I’m building shopexperts

A global directory of Shopify freelancers, agencies, and service providers.
No commissions.
No paywalls.
No gatekeeping.
Just clean, open access to the people who actually move the needle.

If even 1–2% of this service economy flows through open directories instead of closed marketplaces, that’s a $300–800M opportunity, and a much healthier ecosystem for everyone.

The Shopify world doesn’t need another marketplace tax.
It needs a backbone.
And that’s what we’re building.

DM me if you want early access, or if you’re an expert who’s tired of giving away a cut of your work forever., or a brand tired a paying a premium on services to make up for expert commissions.

Founder, shopexperts.com - The only commission-free Shopify expert services marketplace

If you run a Shopify app and you or your internal team are heavily involved in white glove onboarding, setup or optimization of the app on your customers’ stores - keep reading I have a visibility/lead gen opportunity to you. 

We currently have two types of service provider listings on shopexperts - freelancers and agencies. We’re creating a third type of service provider listing called App Service Partners - across every business/app category. 

The listing will look much like our current agency listing but we still need some feedback to make sure it includes all the right elements for brands to choose you as a solution. 

We’re looking for 10 app teams that have this service concept tied to adoption and success of their app. This isn’t for new apps you should have product market fit, and at least 10-20 reviews + hands on with helping brands achieve the promised outcome. 

Edit: not a good fit yet if you’re an agency with a suite of apps - must be focused on delivery of white glove service for 1 app. Hyper focused on this profile type to help develop this listing. 

Comment below and drop your app link and I’ll send you the invite/registration link.

If you run a mid to large scale Shopify app or theme business and your agency partner program is a priority in 2026, get in touch with me today…I can help. 

We’re building app specific expert category pages at shopexperts for best in class apps (and themes). Experts listed on these pages are ranked by rating, reviews and expertise for brands to select and request services from them in seconds. 

We can put your app in front of 250+ experts and agencies, and 14k brands - and help you go from 1-1 to 1:many before the end of Q1. 

jon@shopexperts.com or DM and I’ll share a few app expert category pages we’ve already launched to help brands find exactly the right experts. 

#shopify

The Shopify Partner Program started with a simple insight:

Merchants didn’t need more software.
They needed someone to help IMPLEMENT it.

Harley and Tobi didn’t build this ecosystem on day one. They probably just emailed a few agencies in Ottawa who could jump in and help merchants get set up.

Those tiny moments turned into the billion-dollar partner network we’re all on here chattering about every day of the week. 

⸻

And I can see a similar pattern happening again, but this time with AI apps. The innovation is mind blowing. 

The hottest Shopify apps right now have raised $1M–$20M and some are aiming for the stars. 

Their biggest bottleneck?

Not engineering
Not demand 
Not product

Implementation. Most are as good at professional services as agencies would be at building world class tech. 

They can’t keep up with onboarding, integrations, AI setup, workflow design, optimization…
All the things great agencies are already world-class at.

Meanwhile, most agencies are stuck:
“Should we build our own app?”
“Should we do more marketing?”
“Should we niche down or go wide?”

No.
The real opportunity is this:

Become the white-glove implementation partner for a fast-scaling AI app.

Apps are desperate for it.
Merchants will pay for it.
And few are positioned for it.

⸻

Shopexperts.com is about to change that.

We’re building the first ecosystem that connects:

⚡ Funded AI apps who need implementation
⚡ Shopify experts/agencies who can deliver it
⚡ Merchants who need outcomes, not more code

Partner hubs.
Trust and transparency layers.
Implementation playbooks.
Commission free lead matching. 
Revenue for both sides.

We’re building this bridge for the next generation of partner programs in our ecosystem. 

If you’re an agency or freelancer and want a list of the 10 apps I think meet the criteria, shout out your favourite current app partner in the comments, and I’ll send you the list apps I think have the potential in described. 

If you’re a funded AI Shopify app founder, DM me. Let’s talk.

#shopify

Open article: shopexperts - Find the best Shopify experts by shopexperts.com

shopexperts - Find the best Shopify experts

7-8 figure brand owners and operators on Shopify Plus join the app store research network for many reasons - getting high level strategic 1-1 consulting from the world’s leading Shopify app teams, and getting paid for it, are the main reasons. 

People ask me “aren’t brand operators just there for the incentive?” 

The incentive is a signal that their time is valued and forces app teams to show up to 1-1 calls well prepared. 

Smart brand owners and operators on Plus are in our network to solve their biggest business problems, while contributing their insights to help app teams build better products. 

Basically in most cases, they get the equivalent value of $1000/hr consulting calls. 

If you work at a brand on Plus or know of operators that are stretched and could use a few more problems solvers to help them out, we have a surplus of active projects we’re looking to fill.

Join us - link in comments.

#shopify

In 2026 - shopexperts is looking to sponsor newsletters, podcasts, and events as well as collaborate on content marketing initiatives with top Shopify app and theme companies in the ecosystem.

We’re building the leading global services directory for Shopify brands - showcasing the best freelancers and agencies across every imaginable service a brand needs to be successful on Shopify. Commission free for experts, and no paywall to access vetted talent for brands. 

Who should we be talking to?

The amount of innovative ecommerce - Shopify tech being launched is mind blowing. Even experts can’t keep up. 

178 new Shopify apps hit Shopify’s app marketplace this week. 

Still, many early-stage founders are building based on assumptions and old Shopify app playbooks, rather than validated merchant needs.  

The failure rate on these apps is exploding. The M&A market for no revenue Shopify apps with potential, that need better drivers, is about to blow up. 

If you’re looking for an opportunity in the space, look there. Browse the app marketplace for apps older than 6 months with less than 10 reviews - it’s the only signal you need to spot. Focus on one category, then head to app store research  to meet high value brands on demand, start validating problems, ideas and solutions with them, fast. Then start reaching out to apps you’ve identified as high potential but no driver,  with cold short emails to ask about acquiring their app. 

If you run one of these apps your code base is not worth much without active users or revenue, your dev time invested is a sunk cost. Pass it on to a good operator with a creative seller financing deal.

Looking for top tier Shopify app and theme companies to work with us on our new global Shopify services directory at shopexperts > https://lnkd.in/ekQhCqp8

We’re flipping the script on service marketplaces for Shopify brands and Shopify experts. 

How? 

- 100% commission free leads and public premium listing for Shopify experts (freelancers and agencies).

- No paywalls for brands to browse and hire the best vetted talent in the business, in minutes.

- 100% open, transparent and contextual for better hiring decision.

- Fast product iteration based on expert and brand feedback (yes we’re using app store research).

What we’re looking for:

- Well established app and theme teams (1000+ paid customers), across all categories, that have a network of vetted experts or service partners who want to amplify their partner program in 2026.

- Teams that get high volume support requests from brands to implement, manage and optimize apps/themes on Shopify stores, and can direct these brands to their app category page on shopexperts.

- Founder led teams that can move VERY fast with me on this. No circling back in Q2. We talk, we agree, we execute on this in a few hours or days, not weeks or months. 

What you get:

- Exposure on our directory with an app specific expert category page, and links from our home page and across our domain. 

- Visibility to our 220+ expert and agency community members to amplify your partner program. 

- A curated, hyper engaged and well reviewed list of experts for your clients to hire to support the best possible outcomes using your app + you can refer your existing top experts to be listed. 

Here’s an example: 

https://lnkd.in/eZAT3hik

Email me today - jon@shopexperts.com, or DM me with your call booking link if you see a fit and can move fast.

graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message

There are two common threads with all modern Shopify apps hitting $1M ARR in their first 1-2 years of business. 

It’s not app listing optimization
It’s not paid app store ads
It’s not offline events 
It’s not SEO
It’s not adding an agency directory on their website 
It’s not contributing to industry white papers 
It’s not a funding round announcement 
It’s not touting the latest DTC client
It’s not touting attribution (often false) 
It’s not your new AI workflows
It’s not even founder led content but this helps

So what is it?

1.  They are constantly on video calls with brands - discovery, sales or onboarding - their calendars are stacked.

2. Their product roadmap and their positioning/messaging are directly influenced by those 3 types of conversations. 

If you want to get to $1M ARR and beyond in a crowded marketplace - Start building your merchant conversation engine.

We’re actively looking for marketing agencies/freelancers and finance/accounting teams to joint the shopexperts expert network. 

Be a founding member on the next gen Shopify services directory for brands

Here’s the ideal profile for our network: 

- your offer is 100% focused on serving Shopify brands
 
- you have a verifiable track record with offering your services to brands

- your digital footprint is consistent with the service you offer. Your messaging is specific not general. 

- you believe customer reviews, case studies and community referrals are central driving growth in your business (outside of delivering high value work)

- you’re not into paying perpetual 15-30% commissions on sales from marketplace leads, but ok with a flat predictable fee. Free listings are an option also. 

Join us or tag your favourite marketing team or accounting experts below. DM for sign up link or find it on our website. 

#shopify

What the best digital service marketplaces should look like in 2026 - IMO

————

- No commissions on sales - experts shouldn’t be taxed perpetually for repeat client purchases. Old tired model which penalizes high performers, forces price inflation on clients, and incentivizes going off platform (or resentment).

- Fully open and transparent talent database  - portfolio first (no hiding profiles or gatekeeping data/reviews).

- No price controlling. Let the market work. 

- Community driven - the collective power of /freelancers and agencies with similar and complimentary offers, connected in slack or slack-like community is a super power. Clients are the real winners.

- No rules on where communication and project management happens. The best agencies have their time tested stack and very unique processes that make them great - let them bring clients they meet on marketplaces into the systems that work best for them and how the deliver. 

- The platform is a product that is improved weekly with feedback. Not a stagnant afterthought. 

- Robust customer review functionality with human moderation, built primarily to help clients make better decisions, not primarily for experts to rank higher. 

- Ultra transparent visibility ranking algorithm so that everyone is rowing in the same direction. No secrets. If people hack, simply correct and patch. 

- 100% merit based. Not fair and not equal. Most engaged, most aligned and top performers reap the benefits. 

- Flat rate fee for enhanced public listings. Fair and predictable pricing creates big ROI potential for high ticket services. Ex. Pay $499/mo for a public listing, drive $10-250k a year in revenue with a single lead converted to client. Huge value deltas = no brainer investment. 

After 10 years listed on various talent marketplaces myself, and a few years running a commission based talent marketplace, this is how you best align incentives between clients, experts and platform. 

So I decided to roll all of these ideas into the new shopexperts global Shopify services marketplace. 

#marketplace for #shopify 

- Not written with AI

Who has a solid and informed opinion on the outlook for premium Shopify themes (and theme companies) in 2026? Positive, negative.. neutral?

I have non technical opinions, curious what other experts think? I'll reply to all comments and sprinkle in my own views.

Top UK Shopify experts are well represented on the new shopexperts Shopify expert and app services directory!

1. Simon Presland
2. Joshua Corby
3. Tom Hooker
4. Sam Wright of Blink SEO (and Macalytics - The Shopify SEO app)
5. Ben Henry of Mind Yer Website
6. 💻 Octavian Contis
7. 💂 Steven Hudspith
8. Glaze Digital - Shopify Agency
9 Phil Clark of Say Yes Commerce - Shopify Agency
10. Kareem Raslan
11. Scott B. of Haslo Digital

Welcome to the community! 

https://lnkd.in/e4zS7igr

Brands on Shopify have never needed services more than they do right now.

Everyone’s fighting the same problems: rising CAC, tighter margins, AI disruption, platform changes (uncertainty), retention pressure, 170 new Shopify apps a week to choose from. 

Access to the right services can move the needle fast

But the way brands find help today is broken.

Gatekeeping. Paywalls. Forced messaging systems. Hidden experts. Endless hoops.

Brands don’t want that.
Experts don’t want that.
Everyone just wants to connect directly and get to work.

That’s exactly why we built Shopexperts.com. 

Our first version is live and the roadmap is NOT based on fancy weird AI matching, it’s based FULLY on connecting humans to other good humans, quickly. 

Find and engage with an expert listed on shopexperts, communicate anywhere and come back to write a customer review to help other brands make the right decision with context. 

Just a clean directory where you can search, compare, and connect with Shopify experts in seconds.

This isnt our first time doing this:

We built (and sold) Storetasker. 
We built HeyCarson - an agency which evolved to shopexperts.

I’ve personally been selling online since 2001 - I sold maple syrup, belt buckles and vintage tshirts - I’ve seen the service marketplace evolve. 

Between these two brands we’ve served 65k merchants since 2015, and helped countless experts get their edge. Some run 7-&8 figure agencies today. 

We’ve been solving the “find the right Shopify expert” problem for a decade for both sides of the market. Nobody cares more about this problem than us. 

shopexperts is our simplest, most transparent version yet.

A directory built for brands, who want clarity, and for experts who want control over their work, cost predictability (no commissions) and more visibility. Agencies and apps can also use it to find talent. 

If you want a frictionless way to find or be found in the Shopify ecosystem, this is it.

Shopexperts.com - no gates, no hoops, just the connection the ecosystem’s been overdue for.

taplio

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