Launch evidence checklist
Use this local checklist to review your plan. Checking an item does not change your Shopify store or Afivio account.
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Check the offer against a real basket
Use a representative basket from your store rather than an unusually profitable order. Write down the sale price, eligible discount, product cost, fulfillment cost, and proposed reward. Check whether shipping and tax are included in the commission basis of your selected setup. Keep that definition visible wherever you explain the offer to partners so two different calculations do not circulate.
Then run an awkward basket: a discounted product mixed with an excluded item, or an order with one refunded line. If you cannot explain the commission outcome in plain language, simplify the rule or resolve the ambiguity before launch. The completed check is a saved example and an agreed policy, not simply a rate entered in a settings field.
Check the customer and partner journeys separately
Open the actual partner destination on a phone. Confirm that the featured product exists, the promotion is current, and the purchase path does not depend on a desktop-only interaction. Check the link after any redirects you control. If a discount is part of the offer, verify its eligibility, expiry, and combination behavior in the store configuration.
Next, read the welcome instructions from a new partner’s perspective. They should identify the correct link or code, explain the product audience, describe the reward, and name a contact for questions. Ask someone unfamiliar with the setup to follow them. Their first point of confusion often reveals a more useful fix than adding another page to the welcome pack.
Give every recurring task an owner
An affiliate program continues after links are sent. Someone must answer partner questions, maintain product information, review commissions, reconcile payments, and communicate material changes. Assign these responsibilities by name, even if one person initially owns all of them. Reserve time on the calendar so the program does not rely on remembering tasks when other store work becomes quieter.
Keep unresolved items in a short launch record with severity and next action. A typo in an optional asset might wait; an unverified order attribution path should block inviting partners to publish. Revisit the checklist when changing checkout behavior, discount rules, campaign terms, or the tracking integration. A successful old test is evidence for the old configuration, not every future change.
Worked example · illustrative scenario
Example: catching a launch blocker
A fictional homeware store completes its content checks but discovers that its creator code does not apply to the collection mentioned in the invitation. The owner corrects the intended eligibility, repeats the basket test, and updates the welcome copy before opening recruitment. The checklist prevents a contradictory customer offer.
Frequently asked questions
When should I repeat this checklist?
Repeat relevant checks after changes to discounts, commission rules, tracking, checkout, or partner terms. A scheduled operational review can catch expired assets and unclear ownership between launches.
What proves that tracking is ready?
A documented test connects the partner journey, order reference, attribution, and expected commission. Include the code path and return behavior if those are part of your program.
Can I use this checklist without installing an app?
Yes. The checklist is a local planning tool. Your store and affiliate system still need their own configuration, tests, and ongoing reviews.
Put your Shopify affiliate plan into practice
Use Afivio to organize your affiliate campaigns, partners and commission records. Review the integration guide and current app listing before choosing your setup.