White label and partner programs for freelancers

Short answer

Know who owns the client, who sets the price, who pays you and when, and what happens if the client is unhappy. If the program cannot answer those four things in writing, wait.

The main types

Vendor partner programs

Companies like Shopify, Zapier and Make run partner programs. These mostly give you visibility and perks, and sometimes a directory listing. Shopify's Partner Directory, according to its help pages, is by invitation and depends on tier, so it is not a quick route for a solo freelancer. Zapier and Make also run partner programs. Check their pages for current requirements.

White-label agencies

An agency takes client work and hands the build to you under the agency's brand. The client does not see you. You usually get a lower rate than direct work, and in exchange you do not need to find clients.

Subcontracting directly

You work for another freelancer or agency per project. It is simple, but terms are often informal. Write them down.

Programs that run the client side

Here a company finds the client, handles communication and billing, and builds and delivers the work by default, asking the partner first if hands-on work or sign-off is needed. Thomas Partners works this way.

We bring client work, the partner keeps 90% of the profit after itemized and documented costs, and we take 10%. If there is no profit, there is no fee. Client money is paid to the company, which pays the partner's share monthly with a statement.

Questions to ask any program

1. Who is the client's contract with, you or the program?
2. Who sets the price, and can you see it?
3. How is your share calculated? Is it revenue or profit? What costs come out first?
4. When and how do you get paid? In which currencies and countries?
5. Can you leave at any time? What happens to work in progress?
6. Who owns the client relationship afterward? Are you allowed to work with the client directly later?
7. Who handles complaints and refunds?
8. Do they use your name or accounts? If so, what exactly can they do, and can you revoke it?

If answers are vague, ask again in writing.

Revenue share versus profit share

A share of revenue is easy to check. A share of profit depends on which costs are deducted. Neither is better by default. What matters is that the costs are listed, documented and shown to you. In our case, costs are itemized in a monthly statement. Ask any program for a sample.

What the margin conversation looks like

When you subcontract, there is usually a gap between what the client pays and what you get. A sensible approach is to ask directly what the margin is and what it covers. A program that explains it will usually tell you. See how to price n8n and Make automation work for how to think about your own rate.

A short example of reading terms

Imagine a program that says "you keep 80%". Ask: 80% of what? If a client pays 1,000 and the program deducts a platform fee, a tool cost and a payment fee before the split, your 80% is smaller than it sounds. Neither answer is wrong, but you should know which one applies before you do the work. The same goes for "you keep 90%", including ours. Our wording is 90% of actual profit after itemized, documented costs such as AI usage, computer time, platform fees, bid credits and tools. Those costs are repaid first and are listed in the monthly statement. The partner does not pay them out of pocket.

Also ask about timing. A monthly payout after the client has paid is common. A payout that depends on the client paying means you may wait. Ask what happens if the client never pays, and who carries that loss.

How to compare two programs

Put them side by side in a simple table with these rows: who holds the contract, how your share is worked out, payment timing, exit terms, who owns the client afterward, and whether they act in your accounts. Fill it in from their written answers, not from their homepage. Where an answer is missing, write "unknown" rather than a guess. A blank cell is information.

Then add one row of your own: what you would do if the program disappeared tomorrow. If the answer is "I would have no work", keep your direct channels running at the same time.

Accounts and permissions

Some programs ask to work inside your accounts, such as your freelance profile or email. This is where you should be most careful. Ask exactly what they can do, how you see what was done in your name, and how you switch it off. Platform rules differ, and some marketplaces restrict sharing access or using automation on an account. Read the rules of each platform yourself. In our program, anything done in a partner's name is visible to them in the app, nothing goes out against their veto, and either side can stop at any time.

Risks to weigh

• Dependence on one program for all your income.
• Reputation: your work may carry your name.
• Platform rules: some platforms restrict account sharing or use of tools. Read them before you let anyone act in your accounts.
• Tax and legal status in your country. We cannot advise on it.

Where partner programs fit with direct work

You do not have to choose. Many freelancers keep direct clients and take partner work to fill gaps. To build the direct side, see getting your first automation clients without Upwork and store care retainers.

About Thomas Partners

We work with solo Shopify and automation freelancers. We bring client work and run the client side. You can apply here and ask us any of the questions above.

See also: Zapier and Make partner programs for freelancers.