If you’re looking to start an online store or already have one and are considering a platform switch, then you’ve probably heard of Shopify. It’s one of the most popular e-commerce platforms out there today. But did you know that there is also a premium version called Shopify Plus? In this article, we’ll take a look at the key differences between these two offerings from Shopify.
Standard Shopify Plans and Pricing
Standard Shopify plans come with flat pricing tiers that can be tried out for free during a 14-day trial period.
Standard Shopify offers three plans:
These plans offer essential features like:
Key Differences between Standard Shopify and Shopify Plus
Both standard Shopify and Shopify Plus provide excellent e-commerce solutions catering specifically towards different stages within any given business’ growth trajectory.
However, there are some key differences between them. Some of these include pricing structure, unlimited staff accounts in Plus, access to mobile app possibilities along with different levels of product organization, exclusive benefits such as full access provided through its drag-and-drop checkout editor feature, and much more!
Pricing Structure Comparison
The main contrast between the two platforms is their pricing setup. While standard Shopify plans come with flat pricing tiers that can be tried out for free during a 14-day trial period (Basic Shopify at $25/month, Shopify at $65/month, and Advanced Shopify at $399/month), the cost of using Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 per month based on sales volumes but can go up to $40k per month if needed.
This makes it more suitable for larger businesses or those experiencing rapid growth who require advanced features and resources.
Staff Account Limitations in Standard vs. Unlimited in Plus
The number of staff accounts you can create depends on your chosen plan: Basic allows for 2 staff members, regular offers room for 5, while Advanced permits up to 15 team members.
In contrast, users opting for the more advanced resources offered by this plan will gain unlimited staff accounts – perfect if you have a large team or require multiple people to manage different aspects of your online store.
Mobile App Possibilities and Product Organization
Shopify Plus provides access to mobile app possibilities, allowing businesses to create their own branded apps for iOS and Android devices. This can help improve customer engagement and retention rates by providing a seamless shopping experience across all platforms.
Additionally, Shopify Plus offers more advanced product organization features, such as the ability to create up to 100 custom collections compared with just 50 in standard plans.
Drag-and-Drop Checkout Editor and Bot Protection
Beyond pricing differences, there are exclusive benefits available only on the Shopify Plus platform:
- Drag-and-drop checkout editor:
This feature allows users full control over their checkout process design without needing any coding knowledge – an essential tool for optimizing conversion rates through A/B testing or personalizing user experiences based on specific segments.
- Bot protection:
In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, auto-checkout bots pose a significant threat by stealing inventories from legitimate customers’ carts before they can complete their purchases. To combat this issue, Shopify Plus includes bot protection measures that ensure your inventory remains secure while maintaining smooth user experiences during high-traffic sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Exclusive Benefits of Choosing Shopify Plus
Businesses that opt for the more advanced resources offered by Shopify Plus gain several unique advantages over those using regular versions.
Shopify Plus offers SAML authentication support, allowing users to build ten separate shops within their main account without additional costs.
Building Multiple Shops Under One Account
One of the most significant benefits of choosing Shopify Plus is the ability to create and manage multiple stores under one account. With this feature, businesses can efficiently operate up to 10 separate online shops without incurring any extra charges.
This is particularly useful for businesses with various brands or targeting different markets, as it allows them to maintain distinct storefronts while streamlining their management process through a single dashboard. Moreover, these stores can be customized individually according to specific needs and preferences!
Accessing Dedicated Facebook Communities and Certified App Programs
Besides providing an enhanced e-commerce experience through its robust features, Shopify Plus also offers exclusive access to dedicated Facebook communities. These groups serve as valuable platforms where merchants can connect with other business owners using the same platform, exchange ideas, discuss challenges faced during operations, and learn from each other’s experiences. In addition to this collaborative environment, Shopify Plus users also benefit from certified app programs that ensure seamless integration between third-party applications and core functionalities available on the platform. This means that businesses can extend their store’s capabilities by integrating various tools and services without worrying about compatibility issues or disruptions in operations.
Shopify Plus Store Management Features
Shopify Plus offers a plethora of advanced store management features that make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to scale their operations. Some of the most notable features include:
Built-In Tax Engine for Automatic Sales Tax Calculation
One major advantage of using Shopify Plus is its built-in tax engine that simplifies sales tax calculation by automating the process. This feature ensures accuracy in determining applicable taxes based on customers’ locations and helps businesses stay compliant with local regulations. The automatic calculation saves time and reduces errors associated with manual calculations or relying on third-party apps.
Creating Sandbox Stores and Demos
In addition to its robust suite of e-commerce tools, Shopify Plus allows users to create sandbox stores, which are essentially test environments where you can experiment with new designs, themes, or functionalities without affecting your live store. These sandboxes enable merchants to try out different ideas before implementing them in their actual online shops – ensuring seamless user experiences across all channels at any given point in time.
Demos are another valuable tool offered by Shopify Plus; they allow potential clients or partners to explore your products/services firsthand without needing access credentials into existing accounts themselves. By showcasing what’s possible through this platform via these interactive presentations, companies stand better chances of convincing others about the benefits associated with choosing such solutions overall.
Merchant Success Program
Shopify Plus users can also benefit from the Merchant Success Program. This program offers dedicated support through account managers who provide personalized guidance on best practices for optimizing e-commerce operations across various industries and markets. They’ll ensure businesses maximize their returns on investments made into using such platforms overall while minimizing risks associated with adopting new technologies and processes along the way.
Shopify POS Pro: Enhanced Point-of-Sale Features
Shopify POS Pro, available exclusively for Shopify Plus users, enhances in-person selling experiences with advanced features like customizable discounts and promotions, employee roles and permissions settings, inventory tracking capabilities based on location-specific data points (e.g., warehouse vs. retail storefront), and customer loyalty program integration options.
Customer Support
All Shopify plans come with 24/7 support via phone, email, or live chat. However, Shopify Plus offers priority access to their enterprise-level support team, which includes a dedicated account manager who can help you with any issues or questions you may have.
Payment Processing Alternatives to Consider
If you’re a business owner looking for alternatives to Shopify’s payment processing fees or require more flexibility in terms of pricing options, other providers like Stripe and Square offer pay-as-you-go setups. To help you make the best decision, we’ll compare Stripe’s pay-as-you-go setup with Square’s pricing options in this section.
Comparing Stripe’s Pay-as-you-go Setup
Stripe, a popular online payment processor, offers a simple and transparent pay-as-you-go fee structure. With no monthly fees or hidden costs, businesses only have to worry about transaction fees. Here is an overview of Stripe’s standard pricing:
This straightforward approach makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to calculate their expenses without worrying about unexpected costs creeping up later down the line.
Analyzing Square’s Pricing Options
Square, another well-known payment processing provider, also has competitive rates and multiple pricing plans depending on your business type and requirements:
Square also offers custom pricing packages for businesses with larger sales volumes or unique needs, making it an attractive option for growing enterprises that require more tailored solutions.
Both Stripe and Square provide features beyond payment processing, such as invoicing tools, recurring billing options, and integration with popular e-commerce platforms, allowing you to select the most suitable option for your needs while taking advantage of their advanced features.
How To Upgrade To Shopify Plus?
To change your Shopify plan, you can follow these easy steps. Firstly, go to the Settings option and select Plan from the list. After that, scroll down to find the Plan Details section and click on Change Plan. Then choose a billing cycle according to your preference and carefully read the charge agreement before proceeding further. Finally, click on Start Plan to complete the process successfully.
Is Shopify Plus Worth It ?
For businesses with revenue under 800,000, Shopify Advanced or other lower-priced options may be a better fit. However, if you’re an enterprise-level business earning over 1 million in revenue, it’s recommended to choose Shopify Plus for its added functionalities and scalability. Although the cost of Plus can be steep, it’s worth investing in for larger companies that require extra support from an enterprise plan.
Youssef Hodaigui
Youssef Hodaigui is an entrepreneur, blogger and SEO expert with a strong track record of success in launching and growing blogs and websites. He has a deep understanding of search engine algorithms and the latest digital marketing techniques, and he is committed to helping bloggers and entrepreneurs achieve their online business goals.