Trusted by businesses globally for building and managing their online stores, Shopify is an eCommerce platform that’s at the forefront of its industry. Regardless of if they’re small startups or well-established brands, there are countless features and tools to help businesses grow on the Shopify platform. However, for large-scale businesses looking for more advanced capabilities and greater control, Shopify offers a premium solution known as Shopify Plus. There is a growing trend among major brands to adopt this platform due to its ability to handle large sales volumes and complex business needs through its adaptable, scalable, and resilient capabilities.

What is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level version of Shopify, tailored for high-growth businesses that need more than what the standard Shopify plans can offer. Shopify is meant for accommodating small and medium businesses, whereas Shopify Plus accommodates the exclusive necessities of sizable corporations by providing refined customization options, augmented performance capabilities along with committed support.

Key Differences Between Shopify and Shopify Plus

Shopify offers three core plans—Basic, Shopify, and Advanced—designed for businesses to build and manage online stores with ease. These plans allow users to sell products on the web, mobile, social media, and brick-and-mortar stores without requiring coding knowledge. Shopify is well-suited for small businesses and offers 24/7 customer support. As businesses grow, upgrading to higher Shopify plans is simple.

For businesses experiencing rapid growth, Shopify Plus provides a scalable solution. Introduced in 2014, Shopify Plus is designed for enterprise-level companies, offering more control and customization over the platform.

Pricing

  • Shopify plans: Basic ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced ($299/month) with a free 3-day trial.
  • Shopify Plus starts at $2,000/month, with fees scaling based on sales volume, maxing out at $40,000 for high-revenue companies.

Key Shopify Features 

Shopify provides a variety of features, including professional themes, abandoned cart recovery, shipping options, customer profiles, and SEO tools. It also offers 24/7 support through email, live chat, and phone.

Shopify Plus Features 

Shopify Plus includes all standard features, plus advanced tools like Shopify Flow, additional API integrations, and access to exclusive programs like the Merchant Success Program and Shopify POS Pro.

Choosing Between Shopify and Shopify Plus

  • Shopify is ideal for businesses earning under $1 million annually.
  • Shopify Plus is best for companies with high sales volumes and revenue exceeding $1 million annually.

Shopify Plus Benefits

For larger businesses, opting for Shopify Plus presents numerous benefits compared to the regular Shopify plans, leading to its favoritism. Here are some key Shopify Plus benefits:

  1. Unlimited Bandwidth and Hosting: Shopify Plus offers unlimited bandwidth and web hosting at no additional cost, ensuring your store can handle high traffic without extra expenses.
  2. Global Content Delivery Network (CDN): This ensures fast load times for users around the world, improving the overall shopping experience and increasing conversion rates.
  3. Advanced Customization: With Shopify Plus, you can customize every aspect of your store, from the storefront to the checkout process, to fit your brand’s unique identity.
  4. Scalability: Shopify Plus is designed to grow with your business, handling millions of SKUs and high transaction volumes without compromising performance.
  5. Security and Compliance: Shopify Plus offers advanced security features, including Level 1 PCI DSS compliance, fraud analysis, and payment data encryption, ensuring your customers’ data is safe.
  6. Developer-Friendly: Shopify Plus provides access to powerful APIs, SDKs, and development environments, making it easier for developers to build and integrate custom solutions.
  7. Automation Tools: With features like Shopify Flow and Launchpad, you can automate various aspects of your business, from marketing campaigns to inventory management, saving time and reducing human error.

These Shopify Plus features collectively contribute to the platform’s strong reputation among enterprise-level businesses, providing a significant competitive edge.

Shopify Plus Cost

Shopify Plus cost operates on a custom pricing model, which typically starts at around $2,000 per month. However, the exact cost can vary depending on the specific needs of your business, such as the volume of transactions, customization requirements, and additional services.

In addition to the base fee, there are other potential costs to consider:

  1. Transaction Fees: While Shopify Plus offers lower transaction fees compared to standard plans, these fees can still add up depending on your payment gateway and transaction volume.
  2. App Costs: Although Shopify Plus offers a wide range of features, you may need to purchase additional apps for specific functionalities, which can increase your monthly expenses.
  3. Development Costs: If you require custom development work, such as building unique integrations or heavily customizing your store, you’ll need to budget for developer fees.
  4. Third-Party Integrations: Integrating with third-party services like ERP systems or fulfillment providers may incur additional costs.

Understanding what do you get with Shopify Plus in terms of pricing and features is crucial for determining whether this investment aligns with your business goals.

How to Set Up Your Shopify Plus Store

Setting up a Shopify Plus store is straightforward, but it involves several key steps to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Sign Up for Shopify Plus: Visit the Shopify Plus website and contact their sales team to discuss your business needs. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive access to the Shopify Plus platform.
  2. Domain Setup: Choose and register your domain or transfer an existing one. Shopify Plus provides tools to help with domain setup and redirection.
  3. Store Customization: Use Shopify Plus’s intuitive editor or access the code directly to customize your store’s design, layout, and functionality. Ensure your branding is consistent across all pages.
  4. Product Upload: Add your products to the store, including images, descriptions, prices, and inventory details. Shopify Plus supports bulk uploading, making it easier to manage large inventories.
  5. Payment Gateway Setup: Configure your payment gateway to accept payments. Shopify Plus supports multiple payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and more.
  6. Shipping Configuration: Set up your shipping options, including rates, regions, and carriers. Shopify Plus allows for advanced shipping rules and integrations with third-party logistics providers.
  7. Test Your Store: Before going live, thoroughly test your store to ensure everything works correctly, including checkout, payment processing, and shipping calculations.
  8. Launch: Once everything is set up and tested, you can launch your store. Shopify Plus offers launch support to help you go live without any issues.

These steps outline what you get with Shopify Plus in terms of ease of use and setup, ensuring your store is ready for high performance and growth.

Key Considerations When Choosing Shopify Plus

Before deciding to upgrade to Shopify Plus, consider the following factors:

  1. Business Size: Shopify Plus is designed for large-scale businesses with high transaction volumes. If your business is still growing, you may find the standard Shopify plans more cost-effective.
  2. Growth Rate: If your business is experiencing rapid growth and your current platform can’t keep up, Shopify Plus offers the scalability you need to handle increased traffic and sales.
  3. Customization Needs: If your business requires extensive customization or has unique operational needs, Shopify Plus provides the flexibility and tools to meet those demands.
  4. Budget: Shopify Plus is a significant investment, so it’s important to ensure that the benefits align with your business goals and justify the cost.
  5. Support Requirements: If you need dedicated support and guidance, Shopify Plus’s priority support and account management could be a valuable resource.

These considerations will help you understand Shopify Plus advantages and decide whether it’s the right fit for your business.

Conclusion

Shopify Plus is a powerful eCommerce platform that offers advanced features, scalability, and support, making it an ideal choice for large-scale businesses. By providing enhanced customization, security, and automation tools, Shopify Plus helps businesses grow and succeed in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

If you’re ready to take your online store to the next level with Shopify Plus, start by assessing your business needs and budget, and follow our step-by-step guide to set up your store. Whether you’re scaling up or migrating from another platform, Shopify Plus can provide the tools and support you need to thrive.

Get in touch today to see how our Shopify Plus agency can elevate your enterprise eCommerce business!

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