Shopify Vs Shopify Plus: Which eCommerce Platform Is Better For Your Business?

Shopify and Shopify Plus are two of the most popular eCommerce platforms, offering various features and services that help businesses grow and succeed. But what does an eCommerce platform do? Well, for starters, it enables you to create a website to manage orders and payments and provide businesses with the tools they need to succeed in today’s growing digital age.

While Shopify provides most of such services, Shopify Plus goes further. Therefore, with Shopify Plus, businesses can access additional features such as marketing automation and advanced analytics. With these tools, companies can make informed decisions about their products and services while increasing customer satisfaction.

Interested in learning more about Shopify and Shopify Plus, their key differences, and which is better for your business? Keep reading to find out!

Shopify Vs Shopify Plus: Head-To-Head ⚔️

If you’re considering launching an online store or upgrading your current eCommerce platform, you’ve likely come across Shopify and its enterprise-level counterpart, Shopify Plus. Both are powerful tools for selling products online, but they differ in several important ways.

Let’s look closer at Shopify and Shopify Plus to see how they compare.

🛒 What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform that allows business owners to create online stores quickly and easily. It offers many features, including customisable themes, payment processing, inventory management, and shipping options. With Shopify, you can sell physical and digital products, set up a blog, and manage customer data. Shopify suits businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations.

🛍️ What Is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is a more advanced version of Shopify that is designed for high-volume eCommerce businesses. It offers all the features of Shopify, plus additional tools to help enterprises to scale their operations. Some of these features include the following.

• Dedicated Support: Shopify Plus customers can access a dedicated support team to help with technical issues, custom development, and other aspects of running an eCommerce business.
• Advanced Integrations: Shopify Plus integrates with various third-party tools and services, including ERP and CRM systems, marketing automation software, and more.
• Increased Customisation: With Shopify Plus, businesses have more control over the look and feel of their online stores. They can access the Shopify Plus API to build custom features and functionality.
• Scalability: Shopify Plus is designed to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions. It can accommodate up to 10,000 checkouts per minute and has a 99.99% uptime guarantee.

💰 Shopify & Shopify Plus Pricing

Shopify and Shopify Plus have different pricing models. Shopify offers three main plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify Plus, and Advanced Shopify. Prices range from USD $39 to $399 per month, depending on your chosen plan. These plans include all the essential features you need to run an online store. Each plan comes with a complimentary 3-day trial (and a $1/month for the first three months) to determine which is right for you.

On the other hand, Shopify Plus is priced on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, the cost depends on your specific needs and the size of your business. This means that Shopify Plus can be more expensive than Shopify, but it also offers more advanced features and support. For more complex setups, Shopify Plus starts at a minimum fee of $2,000 per month; once your sales exceed 800K monthly base revenue, this maxes out as high as 40K in ongoing costs each month!

⚙️ Shopify Features

Shopify is committed to providing customers with an unparalleled experience that satisfies their loyalty. It does this through its comprehensive suite of top-tier eCommerce features, allowing merchants to construct a professional storefront in minutes by leveraging ready-made designs, branding elements like domain names and further customisation options such as blogging integration.

With Shopify, you can do more than just run an eCommerce store. You can take full advantage of these powerful features and make every shopping experience count with abandoned checkout recovery, carrier shipping rates calculated automatically for customers, profile customisation options, and refunds.

Besides, you can also tap into the marketing potential with Google Ads credits, discounts and social media integrations while staying informed thanks to detailed analytics data delivered directly on your mobile device through apps.  To ensure that all questions are answered in real-time, a dedicated support team is available 24/7 by email, chat or phone — so no problem goes unsolved!

🧩 Shopify Plus Features

Shopify Plus has plenty to offer merchants with high-volume transactions, from the standard features of our classic platform to powerful business tools that help maximise sales. In addition, its versatile organisation admin makes it easy for store managers to coordinate their efforts across an enterprise.

Shopify Plus merchants have exclusive access to a suite of cutting-edge management tools for their admin, including Users, Store and Flow. Through advanced apps explicitly tailored for high-growth businesses plus additional API calls allowing them to integrate with custom applications, the opportunities are endless!

On top of that, customers can benefit from unique programs such as Merchant Success Program, Partner Program & POS Pro — all connected via a dedicated Shopify Plus Community on Facebook.

The Key Differences & What They Mean For Your Business ⚖️

While Shopify and Shopify Plus share many similarities, some key differences are worth considering when choosing the right platform for your business. So let’s dig deeper into that, shall we?

💵 Price

One of the most significant differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus is the price. Shopify offers several pricing plans, ranging from $39 to $399, depending on your desired features. These plans are designed to accommodate businesses of different sizes and stages of growth. On the other hand, Shopify Plus pricing is customised based on the needs and size of your business so that it can be more expensive than Shopify. However, it comes with more advanced features, support, and increased scalability.

📈 Scalability

Another key difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus is scalability. While Shopify can handle a significant amount of traffic and transactions, it may not be the best option for high-volume businesses. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, is specifically designed to handle large volumes of traffic and transactions, with the ability to accommodate up to 10,000 checkouts per minute. This makes it a better option for businesses experiencing significant growth or expecting to do so in the future.

🏗️ Customisation

Both Shopify and Shopify Plus offer a range of customisation options, but Shopify Plus provides more advanced customisation features. With Shopify Plus, you can access the Shopify Plus API, which allows you to build custom features and functionality tailored to your business needs. You also have more control over the look and feel of your online store, making it easier to create a unique brand experience for your customers.

👷‍♂️ Support

What’s more, Shopify Plus comes with dedicated support, which is unavailable with Shopify. This means you have access to a team of experts who can help you with technical issues, custom development, and other aspects of running an eCommerce business. This level of support can be invaluable for companies that require a high level of customisation and advanced features.

That means choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business. For example, if you’re just starting out or have a smaller eCommerce business, Shopify may be the better choice due to its affordability and flexibility. On the other hand, if you’re a high-volume business with complex needs, Shopify Plus may be a better fit due to its advanced features, scalability, customisation options, and dedicated support.

By weighing the differences between the two platforms and considering your business goals and budget, you can choose the right platform that works for you.

Using A Dedicated Shopify Plus Plan ✨

Shopify Plus is a powerful eCommerce platform designed for high-volume businesses. While it offers many advantages over the standard Shopify plan, it also comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here are some pros and cons of using a dedicated Shopify Plus plan for your business.

🦾 Pros Of Shopify Plus

1. Advanced Features: Shopify Plus offers a range of advanced features that are not available with the standard Shopify plan. This includes features such as custom checkout, scripting, and automation tools that can help streamline your business operations and improve your customer experience.
2. Scalability: Shopify Plus is designed to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions, making it a good option for businesses experiencing significant growth or expecting to do so in the future. It can handle up to 10,000 checkouts per minute, ensuring that your website can handle large spikes in traffic without crashing or slowing down.
3. Customisation: Shopify Plus provides more advanced customisation options than the standard Shopify plan. This includes access to the Shopify Plus API, which allows you to build custom features and functionality tailored to your business needs. You also have more control over the look and feel of your online store, making it easier to create a unique brand experience for your customers.
4. Dedicated Support: Shopify Plus comes with dedicated support, which means you have access to a team of experts who can help you with technical issues, custom development, and other aspects of running an eCommerce business. This level of support can be invaluable for companies that require a high level of customisation and advanced features.

🛑 Cons Of Shopify Plus

1. Higher Cost: Shopify Plus is more expensive than the standard Shopify plan, with customised pricing based on the needs and size of your business. This can make it a less attractive option for smaller companies or those with limited budgets.
2. Steep Learning Curve: Shopify Plus can be more complex than the standard Shopify plan, especially when it comes to advanced customisation options. This means it may take more time and resources to get up and run, which could be challenging for businesses with limited staff or expertise.
3. Limited Third-Party Integrations: Shopify Plus has fewer third-party integrations compared to the standard Shopify plan. This could be a disadvantage if your business relies heavily on specific integrations, as it may require additional custom development to integrate them with Shopify Plus.
4. Contractual Obligations: Shopify Plus requires businesses to sign a contract for at least 12 months. This means that if you decide to switch to a different platform or downgrade to a lower-tier Shopify plan, you may be locked into the contract and subject to early termination fees.

Shopify Advanced Vs Plus 🤼‍♂️

It’s no doubt that Shopify is one of the most popular and widely used solutions in the market today. With its user-friendly interface, extensive customisation options, and wide range of features, many businesses choose to use Shopify to power their online stores.

However, as your business grows, you may find that the standard Shopify plan no longer meets your needs. That’s where Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus come in. Both plans offer advanced features and capabilities to help you take your eCommerce business to the next level.

So, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s take a closer look.

⏩ Shopify Advanced

Shopify Advanced is designed for businesses looking to scale up their online stores and needing more features and customisation options than the basic Shopify plan offers.

It comes with features like an advanced report builder. With this, you can create custom reports that provide insights into your store’s performance, customer behaviour, and more. Besides, custom checkout can help you fully customise the checkout experience to match your branding and provide a seamless experience for your customers.

What’s more, Shopify Advanced has a functionality that supports third-party calculated shipping rates. This feature allows you to offer more accurate shipping rates to your customers based on the carrier’s rates. Additionally, you can also offer gift cards and store credit to your customers, which can help increase customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

One of the best things about Shopify Advanced is its feature called customised product recommendations. With this, you can create customised product recommendations for your customers based on their browsing and purchase history.

💡 Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is designed for high-growth businesses that require a robust, enterprise-level eCommerce solution. With Shopify Plus, you can access a suite of features designed to help you scale and succeed.

One of the standout features of Shopify Plus is the dedicated account manager you’ll receive. They’ll be there to provide personalised support and guidance as your business grows. Plus, you’ll have unlimited staff accounts, which can be customised to allow specific access levels and permissions to ensure your team can work effectively together.

Shopify Plus also offers scalable infrastructure, so you don’t have to worry about your site crashing due to high traffic or large order volumes. In addition, you can create custom checkout experiences tailored to different customer segments and even access Shopify’s API to integrate with third-party systems and build custom apps and integrations. With Shopify Plus, your eCommerce business will have everything it needs to succeed.

Here’s our take: Shopify Advanced is an excellent option for businesses that are looking to scale up their online stores and need more features and customisation options than the basic Shopify plan offers. Shopify Plus is designed for high-growth businesses that require a robust, enterprise-level eCommerce solution. Whichever plan you choose, both options provide advanced features and capabilities that can help you take your eCommerce business to the next level.

A Crucial Consideration 🤔

Having a website on an all-in-one platform like Shopify can have certain drawbacks, including the lack of complete control over your website. In the case of Shopify, if the platform decides to shut down your website for any reason, you are at its mercy.

This was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses were selling hand sanitiser, masks, and other pandemic-related products. Unfortunately, some websites were deemed to be taking advantage of the situation and were shut down by Shopify, causing significant disruption to the businesses involved.

While there may be reasons why Shopify or other platforms would shut down a website, it’s important to note that it’s ultimately out of the website owner’s hands, which can be frustrating and limiting. As such, having a backup plan and diversifying your online presence is always a good idea to avoid being utterly reliant on a single platform.

Conclusion: Shopify & Shopify Plus 🎯

When it comes to choosing an eCommerce platform, it is essential to consider your business goals. Shopify and Shopify Plus are two popular options to help you grow your business. However, each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is crucial to take the time to evaluate the features and benefits before making a decision.

To reiterate, Shopify is the perfect solution for those launching a small or medium-sized business journey. Shopify Plus, however, offers enterprise-level services used by some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Nestle, Hawkers, Kylie Jenner, and Budweiser.

The decision between Shopify and Shopify Plus ultimately depends on your business needs and budget. If you’re just starting out or have a smaller eCommerce business, Shopify is likely the better choice. It offers all the essential features you need to get started and is more affordable than Shopify Plus.

If you’re a high-volume eCommerce business with complex needs, Shopify Plus may be a better option. It offers more advanced features, increased customisation, and dedicated support. However, it is more expensive than Shopify, so it may not be the best choice for every business.

By thinking about your business goals in advance, you can ensure that you are selecting the right eCommerce platform for your needs. If you need more information about Shopify or Shopify Plus and ways of implementing eCommerce solutions to your business, feel free to reach out to us for a friendly discovery chat.