Choosing Shopify or Upgrading to Shopify Plus: Pros and Cons

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify
3. The Benefits of Shopify
   • Versatility and Support
   • Scalability and Customization
4. Pricing Comparison: Shopify vs Shopify Plus
   • Standard Plans Pricing
   • Shopify Plus Pricing
5. Key Features of Shopify Plus
   • Lower Credit Card Transaction Fees
   • Customizable Checkout Process
   • Dedicated Support
   • Unlimited Staff Accounts
   • Exclusive Apps and Integrations
   • Advanced Reporting and Analytics
   • API Integration and Extra API Calls
   • Expansion Store Allowance
   • Additional Features: Bot Protection, Multi-currency, Advanced User Management, and Point of Sale
6. Choosing the Right Plan: Shopify vs Shopify Plus
7. Who Should Consider Shopify Plus
8. Conclusion

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which Plan is Right for Your Online Business?

Are you looking to take your online business to the next level? Or perhaps you're just starting out and want to understand the Shopify landscape better. In either case, you've come to the right place. Today, we'll be discussing a hot topic for any merchant - Shopify vs Shopify Plus. We'll dive into the key differences, exclusive benefits, costs, and ultimately, help you determine which plan is the best fit for your business.

Introduction

My name is Casey, and I run Luck and Co Agency, where we help seven and eight-figure e-commerce brands maximize their retention and revenue through email and SMS marketing. We primarily work with brands on Shopify Plus, but we also have experience with Shopify and Shopify Advanced. In this article, I'll provide real talk and insights from behind the scenes to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding Shopify

Shopify is a versatile e-commerce platform that caters to both beginners and experienced business owners. It allows merchants to establish online storefronts and reach customers across multiple platforms, including web, mobile, physical stores, and social media. With Shopify, you don't need coding knowledge, and the platform provides reliable customer support, making it an ideal setup for small businesses.

The Benefits of Shopify

Before we dive into the comparison, let's first understand the benefits that both Shopify and Shopify Plus offer.

Versatility and Support

One of the key benefits of Shopify is its versatility. It can support a wide range of product types, from customized apparel to digital products. Whether you're just starting out or an experienced e-commerce business owner, Shopify provides the tools and support you need to establish and grow your online business. The platform's user-friendly interface and round-the-clock customer support make it an attractive choice for small business owners.

Scalability and Customization

However, as your business starts to boom and transform into a buzzing marketplace, you may find the need for more control and options. This is where Shopify Plus comes into play. Shopify Plus offers a scalable and customizable enterprise solution that caters to businesses with higher sales volumes and expansion plans. It provides more advanced features, integrations, and customization options, giving you the ability to tailor your online store to your specific needs.

Pricing Comparison: Shopify vs Shopify Plus

Now let's compare the pricing of Shopify and Shopify Plus to determine which plan might be the right fit for you financially.

Standard Plans Pricing

Shopify's standard plans operate on a flat, easy-to-understand pricing structure. In the US, the basic plan costs $39 per month, the Shopify plan is $105 per month, and the advanced plan is $399 per month. The best part is that you can try any of these plans for free with a two-week trial.

Shopify Plus Pricing

Shopify Plus operates on a more intricate pricing structure that takes your sales volume into account. The base price for Shopify Plus is $2,000 per month, but once your monthly sales hit the $800,000 mark, you switch to a revenue-based pricing model with a maximum cap of $40,000 per month. While this may seem expensive, it's important to consider the size of your business. Many industry experts consider Shopify Plus to be worth considering once your annual revenue reaches $1.5 million or more.

Key Features of Shopify Plus

Now let's explore the key features that make Shopify Plus a compelling option for growing businesses.

Lower Credit Card Transaction Fees

One major advantage of Shopify Plus is lower transaction fees. With Shopify Advanced, you pay 2.4% plus 30 cents per transaction, while Shopify Plus offers a reduced rate of 2.15% plus 30 cents. When you're doing $10 million or more in sales per year, even a small reduction in transaction fees can save you a substantial amount of money.

Customizable Checkout Process

Another standout feature of Shopify Plus is the ability to customize the checkout process. Through advanced tracking and triggering, you can optimize the checkout experience to drive higher conversion rates and decrease cart abandonment. This could be a significant game-changer for your business, especially if you're able to increase your conversion rate by 30% through these optimizations.

Dedicated Support

When it comes to support, Shopify Plus provides a personalized touch. Each Shopify Plus store is assigned a launch engineer who will guide you throughout the entire store setup and migration process. Additionally, this dedicated support extends to third-party integrations and finding partners specific to your business needs.

Unlimited Staff Accounts

Shopify Plus also offers unlimited staff accounts, meaning you can grant access to your entire team without any limitations. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses with a large team or multiple stores.

Exclusive Apps and Integrations

While the regular version of Shopify provides access to a wide range of apps and integrations, Shopify Plus offers additional exclusive apps that provide advanced functionality for your store. These apps cover areas such as wholesale sales, Flash sales automation, and data import/export.

Advanced Reporting and Analytics

If you're data-driven like me, you'll appreciate Shopify Plus's advanced reporting and analytics capabilities. Along with the standard sales, product, customer, and marketing reports available in Shopify, Shopify Plus provides more granular insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and inventory levels. Additionally, you can create custom dashboards to focus on crucial metrics for your store. Shopify Plus also allows data integration via API, enabling seamless integration with external analytics tools.

API Integration and Extra API Calls

Shopify Plus offers more frequent and extensive use of API, allowing for more complex integrations with other tools or the development of custom apps for your store. This flexibility opens up opportunities for enhanced functionality and a tailored customer experience.

Expansion Store Allowance

If you're looking to expand your online presence, Shopify Plus lets you create up to 10 extra stores with its expansion store allowance. These additional stores can be used to target international markets, cater to different physical store locations, or create separate stores for specific product lines. If you require more than the standard limit of 10 stores, additional stores can be added for an extra $250 per month, per store.

Additional Features

Other notable features exclusive to Shopify Plus include bot protection, better multi-currency support, advanced user management, enhanced point-of-sale features, and access to exclusive resources and sales tools.

Choosing the Right Plan: Shopify vs Shopify Plus

Now that we've explored the features and pricing, let's discuss which plan is right for you:

If you're a small business or just starting out, Shopify's standard plans are likely the most cost-effective choice. These plans provide a robust set of e-commerce features and support at an affordable price point.

However, if your business operates multiple physical stores or requires advanced POS features, Shopify Plus could be a more cost-effective option. Additionally, if you have intricate API needs or desire extensive customization for your store, Shopify Plus offers the necessary tools and flexibility.

Shopify Plus is also suitable for businesses with a large customer base spread globally, as it provides automatic currency conversion to cater to international customers. Furthermore, if you have a large team that requires access to multiple stores, Shopify Plus's unlimited staff accounts and additional permissions are valuable features.

Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and Shopify Plus depends on your current business needs and future goals. Consider factors such as sales volume, customization requirements, scalability, and the level of support you require.

Who Should Consider Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is best suited for businesses experiencing substantial growth, typically with an annual revenue of $1.5 million or more. If your business falls into this category and you desire more control, customization, and room for growth, Shopify Plus might be the perfect fit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Shopify and Shopify Plus are powerful e-commerce platforms with distinct benefits to offer. While Shopify is an excellent choice for small businesses and beginners, Shopify Plus caters to the needs of larger, rapidly growing enterprises.

Evaluate your business requirements carefully, taking into account your sales volume, customization needs, support requirements, and expansion plans. By considering all these factors, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether to choose Shopify or upgrade to Shopify Plus.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and what works best for one business may not work for another. However, by examining the features, pricing, and suitability of each plan, you'll be well-equipped to make the right choice for your unique business needs.

I hope this article has provided valuable insight into Shopify vs Shopify Plus. If you have any further questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below. And if you found this article helpful, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing for more informative content. Thank you for your time, and I wish you success in your e-commerce journey!

Highlights:

1. Shopify and Shopify Plus are powerful e-commerce platforms catering to businesses of different sizes and needs.
2. Shopify is suitable for small businesses and beginners, offering versatility, an intuitive interface, and reliable customer support.
3. Shopify Plus is an enterprise-level solution for growing businesses, providing scalability, customization options, and advanced features.
4. Pricing for Shopify's standard plans is based on a monthly subscription fee, while Shopify Plus offers a more intricate pricing structure based on sales volume.
5. Shopify Plus features lower credit card transaction fees, customizable checkout processes, dedicated support, unlimited staff accounts, exclusive apps, advanced reporting, API integration, and expansion store allowance.
6. Choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus depends on factors such as sales volume, customization needs, scalability, and support requirements.
7. Shopify Plus is best suited for businesses with annual revenues of $1.5 million or more, requiring more control, customization, and room for growth.

FAQ:

1. What is the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

   • Shopify is a versatile e-commerce platform suitable for small businesses and beginners, offering ease of use, versatility, and reliable customer support. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, is an enterprise-level solution catering to growing businesses with higher sales volumes. It provides advanced features, customization options, dedicated support, and scalability.

2. How much does Shopify Plus cost?

   • Shopify Plus operates on a pricing structure based on sales volume. The base price starts at $2,000 per month, and once monthly sales reach $800,000, a revenue-based model is used with a maximum cap of $40,000 per month. Additional charges may apply for extra stores or customizations.

3. Can I customize the checkout process with Shopify Plus?

   • Yes, one of the key features of Shopify Plus is the ability to customize the checkout process. You can track and trigger different actions based on checkout activity, which can result in higher conversion rates and decreased cart abandonment.

4. What additional benefits does Shopify Plus offer?

   • Shopify Plus offers several additional benefits, including lower credit card transaction fees, unlimited staff accounts, dedicated support, exclusive apps and integrations, advanced reporting and analytics, API integration capabilities, expansion store allowance, and more.

5. Who should consider using Shopify Plus?

   • Shopify Plus is most suitable for businesses experiencing significant growth, typically with annual revenues of $1.5 million or more. If you require more customization, scalability, control over the checkout process, or have a large team and multiple stores, Shopify Plus may be the right choice for you.