Build Your Online Store with Shopify - Only Rs.20/Month

Build Your Online Store with Shopify - Only Rs.20/Month

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is Shopify?
3. Shopify Pricing Plans
   • Basic Plan
   • Shopify Plan
   • Advanced Plan
4. Understanding the 20 rupees per month offer
5. Additional fees on Shopify
   • Transaction fees
   • Currency fees
6. How billing cycles work
   • Monthly plan
   • Yearly plan
7. The RBA mandate rule
8. Limitations on automatic debit
9. Payment methods on Shopify
10. Recommendations and tips for using Shopify in India
11. Conclusion

Introduction

Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and manage their online stores. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, Shopify has gained popularity worldwide, including in India. In this article, we will explore Shopify pricing plans, understand the 20 rupees per month offer, discuss additional fees, billing cycles, the RBA mandate rule, and provide useful recommendations for using Shopify in India.

What is Shopify?

Before diving into the details, let's briefly understand what Shopify is. Shopify is a cloud-based platform that provides everything you need to start, run, and grow your online store. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, secure payment gateways, inventory management, marketing tools, and more. Shopify is suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises, accommodating various industries and niches.

Shopify Pricing Plans

When it comes to pricing, Shopify offers three main plans: the Basic Plan, the Shopify Plan, and the Advanced Plan. Each plan offers different features and caters to different business needs. Let's take a closer look at each plan.

Basic Plan

The Basic Plan is designed for individuals and small businesses who are just starting their online journey. It offers essential features, including the ability to sell unlimited products, 24/7 customer support, fraud analysis, and a responsive website that works across devices. The Basic Plan is priced at 20 rupees per month for the first three months.

Shopify Plan

The Shopify Plan is a step up from the Basic Plan and is suitable for growing businesses. In addition to the features offered in the Basic Plan, the Shopify Plan provides professional reports, abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and more. The monthly cost for the Shopify Plan is 1,994 rupees, and it is charged automatically after the initial three months.

Advanced Plan

For larger businesses with advanced needs, Shopify offers the Advanced Plan. This plan includes all the features from the previous plans, along with advanced report builder functionality, third-party calculated shipping rates, and more. The Advanced Plan costs 17,998 rupees per year, which is equivalent to 1,499 rupees per month.

Understanding the 20 rupees per month offer

The 20 rupees per month offer advertised by Shopify is only valid for the first three months. After the initial period, the regular pricing plans mentioned earlier will be applicable. It is essential to clarify this point to avoid confusion regarding billing.

Additional fees on Shopify

Apart from the monthly plan fees, there are additional fees associated with using Shopify. It's crucial to be aware of these fees to accurately calculate the expenses of running your online store.

Transaction fees

Shopify charges a transaction fee for each sale made through their platform. The transaction fee varies depending on the plan you choose. To avoid these transaction fees, you can use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway.

Currency fees

If you sell products in a currency different from your native currency, Shopify may charge additional currency conversion fees. These fees ensure a smooth transaction process for international customers.

How billing cycles work

Shopify offers both monthly and yearly billing cycles, allowing you to choose the payment frequency that suits your business needs.

Monthly plan

The monthly plan is ideal for businesses that want flexibility in their payment structure. With this option, you pay for Shopify on a monthly basis. The billing amount will be automatically deducted from your chosen payment method.

Yearly plan

If you prefer a more long-term commitment, the yearly plan may be a suitable choice. By opting for the yearly plan, you pay for a full year of Shopify services upfront, enjoying certain discounts and cost savings compared to the monthly plan.

The RBA mandate rule

Many users have expressed confusion regarding unexpected charges on their credit cards when signing up for Shopify. This confusion arises from a rule known as the RBA mandate rule.

The RBA (Reserve Bank of India) mandate rule states that without your permission, financial institutions cannot debit more than 5,000 rupees from your account automatically. However, this rule can vary depending on the specific bank and credit card issuer. It's essential to contact your bank or credit card provider to understand their specific rules and policies regarding automatic debits.

Limitations on automatic debit

To ensure a smooth payment process, Shopify may require you to enter your credit card details. For billing amounts below 5,000 rupees, Shopify can automatically debit the payment without requiring an OTP (One-Time Password) or additional validation steps. However, different credit cards may have different validation requirements, so this process can vary.

Payment methods on Shopify

Shopify provides various payment methods to cater to different user preferences. Some popular payment methods in India include credit cards, UPI (Unified Payments Interface), and digital wallet apps. It's essential to choose a payment method that is convenient and secure for both you and your customers.

Recommendations and tips for using Shopify in India

Using Shopify effectively in India requires understanding the local market and addressing specific considerations. Here are some recommendations and tips for Indian users:

1. Choose reliable shipping providers that offer seamless integration with Shopify.
2. Integrate popular payment gateways that are widely used by Indian customers, such as Paytm and Razorpay.
3. Offer COD (Cash on Delivery) as a payment option, as it is still a preferred method for many Indian customers.
4. Optimize your online store for mobile devices, as mobile shopping is on the rise in India.
5. Consider implementing local language support to cater to a broader audience.
6. Utilize local marketing strategies, such as social media advertising and influencer collaborations, to reach your target audience effectively.

Conclusion

Shopify provides an excellent platform for individuals and businesses looking to start and grow their e-commerce stores. By understanding the pricing plans, additional fees, billing cycles, and specific considerations for using Shopify in India, you can make informed decisions and maximize the benefits of this powerful platform. Don't hesitate to explore the various features and seek guidance from experts to ensure a successful online venture. Start your e-commerce journey with Shopify today!

Highlights:

• Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and manage online stores.
• Shopify offers three main pricing plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced, each with different features and pricing structures.
• The 20 rupees per month offer is only valid for the first three months.
• Additional fees, such as transaction fees and currency conversion fees, may apply on Shopify.
• Shopify offers both monthly and yearly billing cycles to cater to different business needs.
• The RBA mandate rule dictates limitations on automatic debit from credit cards.
• Indian users should consider local market factors and preferences when using Shopify.
• Recommendations for Indian users include integrating popular payment gateways, offering COD as a payment option, and optimizing for mobile devices.
• Shopify provides powerful tools and features to help businesses succeed in the e-commerce industry.

FAQ:

Q: Can I start an online store with zero investment on Shopify? A: Yes, you can start a Dropshipping business model on Shopify with zero investment. Dropshipping allows you to sell products without holding any inventory, and you only pay for the products when a customer makes a purchase.

Q: Are there any alternatives to Shopify for starting an online store? A: Yes, there are several alternatives to Shopify, such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento. Each platform has its own features, pricing structures, and target audience, so it's essential to research and choose the platform that best suits your business needs.

Q: Can I change my pricing plan on Shopify? A: Yes, you can change your pricing plan on Shopify at any time. Simply go to your Shopify account settings and navigate to the "Billing" section, where you can select a different plan according to your requirements.

Q: What are the key factors to consider when choosing a payment gateway for my Shopify store? A: When choosing a payment gateway for your Shopify store, consider factors such as transaction fees, supported currencies, integration ease, security measures, and customer support. It's important to choose a payment gateway that aligns with your business requirements and offers a seamless checkout experience for your customers.