In a recent episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Simon Jones, founder of CodeXtensions—a platform designed to bridge the gap between tech vendors and ecommerce agencies. Simon shared compelling insights into how agencies can leverage tech partnerships to enhance their service offerings and stay ahead of the competition. Whether you’re running a small agency or managing a large one, there are invaluable lessons here that could help your business thrive.
The Power of Collaboration in Tech Partnership Programs
One of the standout topics we discussed during the episode was the importance of collaboration between tech vendors and agencies. Simon emphasized that many agencies are proactive in seeking out new technologies to suggest to their clients, a strategy that can help them deliver better results and generate more work.
“When agencies discover and recommend new technologies to their clients, everybody wins—the merchant gets new functionality, the agency builds stronger client relationships, and the vendor gains a new advocate,” said Simon.
As agencies, this proactive approach not only helps in securing ongoing projects but also in keeping agency portfolios dynamic and relevant in a rapidly evolving market. Building these relationships can be crucial in differentiating your agency from competitors, especially in a crowded marketplace like Shopify.
Leveraging LinkedIn and Slack for Building Communities
Simon also highlighted the tools he uses to foster these collaborations, particularly LinkedIn and Slack. These platforms allow him to connect with a variety of stakeholders—from agency founders to solutions experts, and even tech vendors—creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships.
While Slack is often used for more direct communications with existing partners, Simon swears by LinkedIn for broader outreach and community building:
“LinkedIn is far more powerful when it comes to posting and engaging with a wider audience. Whether you’re sharing a case study, tagging partners, or announcing a new collaboration, the reach is unmatched,” he explained.
I couldn’t agree more with Simon’s approach. With so many communication channels available, it’s crucial to focus on those that offer the most value and engagement, especially when trying to build a community around your business.
Case Studies and Reviews: The Backbone of Trust
Another important area we touched on was the role of case studies and reviews in building trust between agencies and tech vendors. CodeXtensions offers a unique platform where agencies, not just merchants, can leave reviews for tech vendors—something that sets it apart from the Shopify App Store.
“We provide a space where agencies can share their experiences working with various tech vendors. This peer-to-peer feedback helps other agencies make informed decisions and also aids vendors in building credibility,” Simon pointed out.
From my perspective, reviews and case studies are the backbone of trust in any partnership. Agencies that demonstrate success with specific vendors can use those case studies not just to attract new clients but also to establish themselves as thought leaders.
Expanding Beyond Shopify
Though Simon’s focus has been largely on Shopify to date, he has ambitions to expand into other platforms in the future, including mobile development. This potential for growth is something that can benefit agencies working across different ecommerce environments.
“I’m not limiting CodeXtensions to Shopify. While my current focus is on ecommerce, the platform can adapt to other digital spaces, making it a versatile tool for a range of development needs,” said Simon.
This is definitely a space worth watching as Simon continues to grow CodeXtensions into a multi-platform resource.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Simon reminded me just how vital tech partnerships are in the ecommerce landscape. Whether you’re an agency looking to expand your service offerings or a vendor aiming to reach more partners, the insights shared in our conversation offer a roadmap for success.
So, if you’re interested in learning more about how to strengthen your agency through strategic tech partnerships, I highly encourage you to reach out to Simon Jones on LinkedIn or explore what CodeXtensions has to offer. It’s a conversation that can lead to real, impactful change in your business.
And, as always, don’t forget to tune into the full episode for even more insights!
Feel free to drop any thoughts or questions you might have in the comments below, or connect with me directly—let’s keep the conversation going!
For more episodes about tech partnerships and collaboration
