Shopify or Shopify Plus? Choose Wisely!
Shopify is one of the best e-commerce platforms available. As of 2024, around 4.8 million online stores worldwide use the platform. In the United States alone, there are nearly 3 million Shopify stores. The question is—as an entrepreneur, should you stick with Shopify or upgrade to Shopify Plus? Choosing the right platform can make a world of difference in the success of your online business. PrimeView understands, however, that deciding between Shopify vs. Shopify Plus is no easy feat, especially when the differences between them aren’t immediately clear.
Whether you’re a startup hoping to make your mark online or an established enterprise aiming to scale, the right fit will streamline your operations and drive your growth. Let the PrimeView team help evaluate your needs and future aspirations, allowing you to choose the platform that aligns with your business strategy and maximizes your potential.
Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: An Overview
Shopify has three standard plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced. Whether merchants are selling personalized mugs or digital stationery, Shopify helps them build a customized online store and sell almost anywhere, may it be a brick-and-mortar store, the web, mobile devices, or channels such as social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and online marketplaces.
No coding knowledge is necessary, and Shopify provides 24/7 customer support. Of course, as your business expands and your needs evolve, upgrading to a higher plan is ideal. You can easily adjust your account preferences to accommodate the growing demands of your enterprise.
Now, to paint a clearer picture, imagine your product selling exceptionally well. You expand your offerings, and those items also fly off the shelves. Soon, you’re not just running an online store; you’ve added physical locations across the country and are considering franchising. At this point, Shopify Plus becomes a viable option. Launched in 2014, Shopify Plus offers a scalable, customizable enterprise solution, granting business owners greater control and more choices for their websites and stores.
Pricing Plans
Standard Shopify plans offer easy-to-understand pricing tiers. Billed monthly, Basic charges $25, Shopify is $65, and Advanced costs $399. Billed once yearly, Basic charges $19 a month, Shopify is $49 a month, and Advanced costs $299 a month. Each plan includes a complimentary three-day trial, which allows you to test-drive the platform and determine the best plan for your needs and budget. For more detailed information, refer to Shopify’s pricing guide.
Shopify Plus pricing is more complex, as fees are based on sales volumes. Every business pays a minimum of $2,000 monthly for standard setups and integrations. Once sales reach $800,000 per month, Shopify Plus switches to a revenue-based model, with fees maxing out at $40,000 a month.
Shopify Features
Shopify keeps its users satisfied and loyal by offering top-tier features in a highly competitive e-commerce marketplace. The platform simplifies storefront creation with domain names, branding, professional themes, and customizations like blogging.
In addition, Shopify offers a myriad of shopping cart and store management options, including automatic carrier shipping rates, customer profiles, refunds, and abandoned checkout recovery. Marketing and SEO are well-supported, with Google Ads credits, discounts, and social media integrations. Users can also access analytics, mobile app possibilities, and extensive product organization tools. Also, as previously mentioned, Shopify offers 24/7 dedicated support, ensuring users can reach a support team via email, live chat, or phone anytime.
Shopify Plus Features
The United States has the highest number of Shopify Plus stores. Of its 28,210 stores, among the most popular and successful include Fashion Nova, ColourPop Cosmetics, Gymshark, and Steve Madden (Webinopoly).
Shopify Plus builds on the standard Shopify features while offering additional resources tailored for merchants with higher sales and revenue. For example, the Shopify organization admin lets you manage all the stores in your enterprise from a single, centralized hub.
Exclusive to Shopify Plus merchants only, the management tools within the Shopify organization admin include Users, Store, and Shopify Flow. Customers also gain access to advanced apps designed for high-growth businesses, along with increased API call allowances for custom app integrations. Beyond the aforementioned, users benefit from the Shopify Plus Partner Program, Merchant Success Program, Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Pro, and a dedicated Shopify Plus Community on Facebook.
How to Choose Between Shopify and Shopify Plus
Now that you understand how Shopify and Shopify Plus work, let’s do a side-by-side comparison to simplify the decision-making process. Here are the factors you need to think about:
Business Size and Growth Goals
Consider the current size of your business and your long-term objectives. Shopify benefits small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use platform to establish and expand their online presence. It provides the necessary tools to get started and scale gradually. However, if you run a large enterprise or anticipate rapid growth with high transaction volumes, Shopify Plus offers the advanced features and scalability needed to support your expansion.
Budget
Budget is a make-or-break factor in deciding which platform to choose. Shopify’s standard plans offer affordable pricing options for various business sizes. In contrast, Shopify Plus begins at $2,000 a month, with fees increasing based on sales volume. This investment suits businesses that require more robust features and dedicated support.
Feature Requirements
Consider the features your business needs to operate at maximum capacity. Shopify provides essential tools for setting up an online store, basic theme customizations, managing products, processing payments, and running marketing campaigns. For businesses requiring advanced customization, automation, and multi-channel integrations, Shopify Plus has enhanced capabilities, including customized checkout experiences, advanced API access, exclusive apps designed for high-growth businesses, and so much more.
Support Needs
The level of support your business needs can influence your final decision. Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via email, live chat, and phone, which suits businesses requiring reliable assistance. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, provides additional support through dedicated account managers, the Merchant Success Program, and the Shopify Plus Partner Program. These resources are valuable for businesses needing personalized guidance and strategic advice.
The Bottom Line on Shopify versus Shopify Plus
The e-commerce market continues to expand rapidly. Revenue may reach an annual growth rate of 9.49% (CAGR 2024-2029), resulting in a projected market volume of over 6 trillion USD by 2029.
As the competition intensifies, businesses must leverage powerful tools to stay ahead. Shopify, known for its super user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, allows businesses to set up and manage online stores with ease. In contrast, Shopify Plus offers advanced customization options, dedicated support and management, and high-performance integrations designed for complex, high-volume business operations.
Whether you need help setting up your Shopify account or upgrading to Shopify Plus, PrimeView can guide you through the process and provide additional services, from award-winning website design to full-service digital marketing solutions. Contact us at +1-480-970-4688 for a free quote.