Where does the money actually go?

Install the App

1. Navigate to the Shopify App Store or use the provided custom installation link.
2. Click Add App and log into your Shopify store.
3. Review the requested permissions (access to customers, orders, draft orders, and theme modifications).
4. Click Install App.

Configure App Proxy (for the affiliate portal)

To allow affiliates to access their dashboard securely on your storefront without logging into Shopify Admin:

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Apps and sales channels.
2. Select Unilevel MLM App.
3. Under the App Proxy section, ensure the proxy URL is set (default: apps/unilevel).
4. This ensures the storefront MLM portal is accessible securely via yourstore.com/apps/unilevel.

Embed App Blocks (required for storefront UI)

To display MLM referral links or member join forms directly on your website:

1. Go to Online Store → Themes → Customize.
2. Navigate to the desired page (e.g., Default Product).
3. Click Add Block and select the Unilevel MLM blocks (if provided by the theme extension).
4. Save your theme layout.

First-Time Setup — Set Root Customer

Before anything works, you must define the top-level node (Company Node) of your MLM tree. Every new affiliate falls under this root tree. Without it, the MLM hierarchy has no starting point.

1. Open Unilevel MLM from your Apps list.
2. The app will detect if a Root Customer exists. If not, it will prompt you.
3. Enter the company/admin customer details (Name, Email, etc.).
4. Click Save.

Configure Core MLM Settings

This is the control center of your MLM logic.

• General Settings: set the program name, custom referral link format, and the Payout Trigger.
  • Free Trigger: anyone who creates an account on your store becomes an affiliate immediately.
  • Package-based: customers must buy a specific "MLM Package" product to activate their affiliate status.
• Level Commission: define how many levels deep the commission structure goes (e.g., up to 10 levels) and set the percentage for each level (e.g., Level 1 = 10%, Level 2 = 5%).
• Payout Settings: set the minimum withdrawal amount threshold (e.g., $50).

Enterprise Compensation

If you want to offer bonuses beyond simple unilevel percentages:

• Rank Bonus: create ranks (e.g., Silver, Gold). Set the target volume required to achieve the rank and the one-time cash bonus rewarded.
• Matching & Generation Bonus: configure advanced enterprise compensation overrides for high-performing leaders.

Manage MLM Packages

If you selected the "Package-based" trigger in Step 2, you need to create those packages here:

1. Click "Create Package".
2. Fill in the Name, Price, Image, and Status.
3. Click Save.

Note: these packages are internally processed as Shopify Draft Orders when customers buy them on the storefront.

Monitor Network Genealogy

Visually explore your entire MLM network.

• Zoom & Pan: use your mouse to navigate the tree.
• Search: quickly find specific members in a large network.
• Node Click: view a member's full details, direct downline count, earnings, and copy their referral code.

Manage Affiliates & Customers

View a complete tabular list of all MLM members.

• Search & Filter: find users by email, name, or active/suspended status.
• Deep Dive: open a profile to manually adjust rank, view personal downline, and track specific earnings.

Commission Reports

A powerful accounting tool to track how much commission is being distributed per Shopify Order.

1. The dashboard summarizes Total Orders, Total Distributed Commission, and breaks it down by commission type (Join, Level, Rank, etc.).
2. Order-Wise Breakdown: the table groups data by Order ID, showing exactly how much money was distributed across the network for a single purchase.
3. View Details: click the "View" icon next to any order to see a modal explaining exactly which users received how much from that specific order.

Process Payouts & Withdrawals (crucial)

The money flow explained: earning a commission does not mean the money is immediately available to withdraw, or that it goes to the affiliate's bank account right away. It travels through 4 distinct stages — the same four shown at the top of this page.

A. Run Payout /app/run-payout

1. The system automatically lists users with pending commissions.
2. Select individual users or "Select All".
3. Click Process Selected. The system converts pending commissions into Virtual Wallet Balance — this does not automatically send money to their bank.

B. Withdrawal Requests /app/withdrawal-list

1. View pending cash-out requests made by users.
2. Approve: marks the request as paid. You must ensure you have transferred the real money before clicking this!
3. Reject: automatically refunds the requested amount back to the user's Wallet Balance so they don't lose their money.

C. Payout History /app/payout-history

View the complete historical ledger of all previously processed bulk payouts.

Notifications & Branding

• Email Notifications /app/notifications — customize the Subject and HTML Body of automated emails (Welcome, Commission Earned, Payout Processed, Rank Upgrade). Variables like {user_name} and {amount} can be dynamically inserted.
• Theme Editor /app/theme — customize the storefront dashboard colors to match your brand.
• Languages /app/languages — translate the storefront app texts into multiple languages.