Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: A Comprehensive Comparison

Picking the right ecommerce platform is crucial for achieving success in online business. For businesses with varying requirements, Shopify as well as Shopify Plus both present two powerful options. In order to assist you in making an informed decision that best aligns your organization’s demands, this blog offers a complete evaluation of these platforms by comparing Shopify vs. Shopify Plus.

Overview of Shopify and Shopify Plus

Shopify is a favored ecommerce platform tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises. With its intuitive interface, diverse range of themes, and essential functionalities for online store creation and management, it is a boast-worthy platform. As such, Shopify has earned its reputation as the premier choice for startups or firms who want to establish their digital presence without advanced technical know-how.

On the other hand, Shopify Plus caters to large-scale enterprises that require intricate functionality, customization options and scalability. It builds upon the foundation of regular Shopify to offer enhanced capabilities like advanced checkout management tools, expanded API accessibility and efficient handling of high traffic volumes as well as numerous transactions.

Key Differences Between Shopify and Shopify Plus

Understanding the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus is essential for making an informed decision. Let’s break down the Shopify vs Shopify Plus features, pricing, support, and integration options to highlight the key differences.

9 Key Differences Between Shopify and Shopify Plus

Choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus is crucial for optimizing your ecommerce store. Here’s a summary of the key distinctions:

1. Dedicated Support Shopify Plus provides access to Merchant Success Managers (MSMs), offering personalized help with setup, best practices, and ongoing support. Standard Shopify plans do not include this level of dedicated support.
2. Advanced Learning Resources Shopify Plus users have access to Shopify Academy’s advanced courses and webinars, which enhance store design, marketing, and operations. This complements the support provided by MSMs.
3. Customizable Checkout Shopify Plus allows full customization of the checkout experience through checkout extensibility, helping to reduce cart abandonment. Standard plans have limited checkout customization options.
4. Unlimited Staff Accounts Shopify Plus supports unlimited staff accounts, facilitating larger team collaboration. Standard plans are limited to 2-15 staff accounts depending on the plan.
5. Enhanced API Integrations Shopify Plus offers advanced API integration capabilities, allowing connections with ERP and CRM systems. Standard plans have fewer integration options.
6. Lower Transaction Fees Shopify Plus has reduced transaction fees for external payment gateways: 2.15% + 30 cents for domestic and 3.15% + 30 cents for international transactions. Standard plans have higher fees.
7. Advanced Discounts and Promotions Shopify Plus features Launchpad for automating promotions and campaigns, reducing manual effort. Standard plans offer basic discount options like fixed-value, percentage, and shipping discounts.
8. B2B Features Shopify Plus includes features for B2B selling, such as managing multiple stores and creating separate storefronts for wholesale customers. These are not available on standard plans.
9. Headless Commerce Shopify Plus supports headless commerce, allowing custom storefronts by separating frontend and backend systems. Standard plans rely on fixed templates, limiting customization.

When to Choose Shopify Plus Over Shopify

There are specific scenarios where Shopify Plus is a better fit than standard Shopify. If your business is rapidly growing and you need a platform that can handle high volumes of traffic and transactions, Shopify Plus may be the better choice. Understanding what’s the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus will help you decide when to make the switch.

1. High Sales Volume: If your business processes a large number of transactions, Shopify Plus’s unlimited bandwidth and advanced features will ensure your store runs smoothly, even during peak times.
2. Advanced Customization Needs: Shopify Plus allows for greater control over your store’s design and functionality, making it ideal for businesses that require a highly customized ecommerce experience.
3. Global Expansion: Shopify Plus offers features like multi-currency support and global content delivery networks, which are essential for businesses looking to expand internationally.
4. Enterprise-Level Support: With Shopify Plus, you get a dedicated account manager and priority support, which is crucial for large businesses that require immediate assistance.

How to Upgrade from Shopify to Shopify Plus

Upgrading from Shopify to Shopify Plus is a straightforward process, but it requires careful planning to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s how you can upgrade:

1. Evaluate Your Needs: Determine if Shopify Plus’s features align with your business goals and if the investment is justified.
2. Contact Shopify: Reach out to Shopify’s sales team to discuss your needs and get a quote for Shopify Plus.
3. Plan the Transition: Work with your dedicated Shopify Plus account manager to plan the migration, including data transfer, customization, and any integrations you need.
4. Implement Changes: Once the plan is in place, your account manager will guide you through the upgrade process, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.

Pros and Cons of Shopify and Shopify Plus

Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of both platforms, summarizing the Shopify Plus comparison with standard Shopify:

Shopify Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• Easy to use with no technical skills required
• Access to a wide range of themes and apps
• 24/7 customer support

Shopify Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Transaction fees on certain plans
• May not scale well for very large businesses

Shopify Plus Pros:

• Advanced customization and control
• Unlimited bandwidth and high scalability
• Dedicated support and account management
• No transaction fees

Shopify Plus Cons:

• Higher cost, starting at $2,000 per month
• May be more complex to manage, requiring technical expertise

Conclusion

Choosing between Shopify vs Shopify Plus depends on the size and needs of your business. Shopify is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and easy-to-use platform. However, if your business is large, growing rapidly, or requires advanced customization and scalability, Shopify Plus is the better option.

Aumcore offers both Shopify and Shopify Plus services, tailored to fit the specific needs of your business—whether you’re just starting or scaling up. Understanding the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus will help you make the right decision for your business. If you’re ready to take your ecommerce business to the next level, contact Aumcore today to explore how we can help you leverage the full potential of this powerful platform. Let us guide you through the transition and ensure your business thrives in the competitive online marketplace.