Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which E-Commerce Platform Do You Need?

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for setting up a successful online store. Shopify is one of the most popular choices, but it also has a premium version called Shopify Plus. So, what’s the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus, and how do you know which is right for your business? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding Shopify and Shopify Plus

Shopify is an e-commerce platform for creating and managing an online store. It is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for people with little technical knowledge to set up a shop and sell products online.

 

 

 

 

Shopify Plus is the more powerful version of Shopify, designed for larger businesses or businesses that are scaling quickly and need a platform that can handle higher sales volumes and more complex operations.

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Key Features: Shopify vs. Shopify Plus

Shopify Features:

• Ease of Use: Shopify is known for its straightforward dashboard and easy navigation, which make it simple for new users to set up their stores.
• Theme Selection: Users can choose from various themes to customize their store’s look. Both free and paid themes are available.
• App Integrations: Shopify has a robust app store with thousands of apps to enhance your store’s functionality, such as adding reviews, loyalty programs, and more.
• Customer Support: Shopify provides 24/7 email, live chat, and phone support.
• Payment Processing: Shopify has built-in payment processing capabilities through Shopify Payments, or you can integrate with over 100 payment gateways.

 

Shopify Plus Features:

• All Basic Shopify Features: Shopify Plus includes all the standard features of Shopify.
• Advanced Customizations: With Shopify Plus, you can customize the checkout process and have more control over your store’s design and functionality.
• Higher API Call Limits: This enables better integration with custom apps and third-party systems.
• Dedicated Support: The Shopify Plus team supports Shopify Plus customers, including a Merchant Success Manager.
• Automation Tools: Shopify Plus offers advanced automation tools like Shopify Flow, which helps automate tasks, track customer engagement, and manage marketing campaigns.

 

Detailed Comparison Between Shopify vs Shopify Plus

Why Shopify Plus Might Be Worth It

Shopify Plus has some excellent features designed for businesses growing fast or already pretty big. Let’s break down what Shopify Plus offers:

• Dedicated support + Shopify Plus Partners Program: 
  You get your team of experts who know all about Shopify and help anytime you need it. The Shopify Plus Partners Program also gives you access to experts in key industries like beauty, consumer electronics, and more. These experts can offer specialized assistance in building a store that works for your industry and consultation services to help you build long-term success.
  

 

• Headless E-Commerce: With Shopify Plus, you can totally change how your online shop looks and works on the front end using excellent tech tools. Headless e-commerce typically requires more technical know-how than regular e-commerce setup, but Shopify Plus offers a React-based headless stack to make it easier.

 

• Storage of up to 100 themes: You can keep up to 100 store designs in your account. This means you can change how your shop looks whenever you want, whether it’s for a holiday sale or a new season.

 

• Better Checkout Options: Personalize the checkout process by adding special offers or unique features that make shopping easier and more fun for your customers.

 

• Launchpad App: Plan and automate big sales or product launches with an app that makes these events smooth and stress-free.

 

• Smart App for Listings: Handle product listings on different platforms all from one place with a smart app designed for big businesses.
  

 

• Access to Tons of Apps:
  Use many more apps, and make or order custom apps that do exactly what you need. Gain access to additional API calls, which lets you integrate more deeply with ERP systems, PIM software, and other advanced backend systems.

 

• No Extra Fees for Sales: Users on all three of Shopify’s core plans have to pay transaction fees of more than 2% on all credit card purchases. Unlike regular Shopify plans, Shopify Plus doesn’t charge you fees on transactions, which means you save money when you sell a lot.
  

 

• Better Data Analysis:Get detailed reports about your business’s performance, which can help you make smarter decisions. Shopify Plus gives you access to ShopifyQL Notebooks.

 

• Unlimited Staff Accounts: You can create as many accounts for your team as you need and control what each team member can see and do.
  

 

• Sell Everywhere: Sell your products online, in physical stores, and on social media, all managed from one place.

 

• Multiple Online Stores: Set up several versions of your store to cater to customers in different parts of the world, all under one account, allowing you to sell on 100+ social media channels and 80+ online marketplaces.

 

• Advanced Shopify POS:
  Use a better version of the Shopify Point of Sale system that works great for both regular stores and temporary setups like pop-up shops. These stores can all be managed in one place with the Organization Settings dashboard, which allows you to control:
• Billing
• Stores
• Users
• Analytics

 

• Manage 50 Markets: Easily manage sales and customize content for up to 50 different regional markets. For example, you might create one “UK” market and a separate “EU” market, with the first set showing prices in pounds and the second set showing prices in Euros.

 

• Manage 200 Locations: Track your inventory and sales across up to 200 locations, making sure everything runs smoothly no matter where your stuff is.

 

• Tools for Wholesale Business: Special tools for selling wholesale include setting custom prices and offering discounts on large orders.

 

Exclusive Learning Opportunities:

Learn from unique courses offered by Shopify Academy that are just for Shopify Plus users, helping you and your team stay sharp and ahead of the curve.

 

Who Should Use Shopify Plus?

• High-Volume Retailers: If your store is super busy and sells a ton of items every minute, Shopify Plus can keep up without any problems. It’s strong enough to handle lots of sales smoothly.
• Rapidly Growing Businesses: If your business is growing fast, adding new products, and starting to sell in new places, Shopify Plus can keep up with your growth and make sure your website doesn’t crash.
• Large Companies: Big companies that need a trustworthy, safe, and flexible online store system like Shopify Plus because it has powerful tools and people who are there to help anytime you need it.

 

Conclusion

If you’re starting or your business is still small, regular Shopify is likely all you need. It’s affordable and has plenty of features to get you up and running. But, if your business is growing quickly, or you already handle many products and sales, Shopify Plus offers the high-powered features and customization you need to take things to the next level. Think about where your business is now and where you want it to be, and that’ll help you decide which version of Shopify is right for you. 

 

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