Introduction
The Shopify-SocialLadder integration connects your Shopify store with SocialLadder to enable features like auto-fulfilled Shopify rewards, link-based referral tracking, and code-based referral tracking. To set up this connection, you need to create a custom app in Shopify and share the resulting credentials with your SocialLadder team.
Previously, custom apps were created directly within the Shopify admin panel.
On January 1st, 2026, Shopify retired this legacy creation flow for stores that have never created a custom app before.
If your store already has a SocialLadder custom app: Your existing integration will continue to work normally. You can also still create additional apps using the old admin flow described in this article. We recommend this route when available, as it's a simpler process.
If your store has never created a custom app before: You will need to follow the Dev Dashboard steps below.
How to Create the Shopify App
Make sure you're the store owner or have the Develop apps permission on the Shopify store.
Step 1: Open the Dev Dashboard from Shopify Admin
Log in to your Shopify store and go to Settings in the bottom-left menu.
Select Apps and sales channels from the Settings menu.
Click Develop apps.
Click the Build apps in Dev Dashboard button. This will take you to dev.shopify.com.
Step 2: Create the App
In the Dev Dashboard, make sure you are on the Apps section in the left navigation.
Click Create app in the top-right corner.
Select Start from Dev Dashboard.
For the App Name, type SocialLadder, then click Create.
Step 3: Create a Version and Configure Access Scopes
Once the app is created, you need to create a version to configure the app's settings and permissions before it can be installed.
Go to the Versions tab of your app in the Dev Dashboard.
Copy and paste the following scopes into the Access Scopes field:
read_orders,write_orders,read_products,read_customers,write_customers,read_price_rules,write_price_rules,read_discounts,write_discounts
For the App URL, use the default: https://shopify.dev/apps/default-app-home
Select the newest available Webhooks API version.
Then click Release to save this version.
Step 4: Install the App on Your Store
From your app in the Dev Dashboard, go to Home in the left panel.
Look for the Install app button (on the right panel of the screenshot).
3. Select the store you want to install the app on.
4. Click Install.
Providing Your SocialLadder Team With Credentials
After the app is installed, you will need to share the app credentials, shop direct link and default shipping method with your SocialLadder Implementation Representative or Customer Success contact.
To find your Client ID and Client Secret: In the Dev Dashboard, go to your SocialLadder app and click Settings. Your Client ID and Client Secret will be displayed on this page.
To find your shop Direct Link: In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains. The direct link will be shown as the Primary domain (e.g., your-store.myshopify.com).
Default Shipping Method: Provide the name of your store's free shipping option. This is the shipping method attached to rewards redeemed by your ambassadors (not the shipping method connected to orders placed through ambassador links). Please copy and paste the exact method name, as this setting is case sensitive.
Once we have these credentials, your SocialLadder team will complete the integration setup on our end.