Choosing your platform is like deciding between a reliable compact car and a high-performance luxury sports car. Shopify is the dependable ride for the basics, while Shopify Plus offers turbocharged upgrades for advanced features.
Now, imagine you’ve been cruising with Shopify, and your business is revving up. The question arises: do you stick with the tried-and-true or take the exhilarating leap to Shopify Plus? Picture it as deciding between driving in the slow lane or hitting the expressway to digital success.
Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: How are they different?
Imagine you’re building a lemonade stand. You’ve got your lemons, sugar, and cute little cups, ready to quench the thirst of the neighborhood. But then, your stand blows up! Suddenly, you’re not just serving lemonade to your next door, you’re shipping it across the country!
That’s kind of the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus. Both platforms are awesome for building online stores, but Shopify is like your basic lemonade stand, while Shopify Plus is like a full-blown juice factory.
Shopify
Shopify is the perfect starter kit for small businesses. It’s easy to set up, manage, and customize. It’s like having a helpful friend who guides you through every step, from choosing a design to taking payments. It’s also pretty affordable, starting at around $29 per month.
Shopify Plus
Now, imagine your lemonade stand gets so popular you need a whole team to keep up! That’s where Shopify Plus comes in. It’s like having a dedicated crew of experts who build you a custom-made juice factory, complete with fancy machines and secret recipes.
Also, it’s more expensive, starting at $2,000 per month, but it can handle massive sales and complex business needs.
Remember, the best Shopify plan for you depends on your business goals and budget. Or you can also look for other alternatives that match your requirements.
Differences that set Shopify and Shopify plus apart
So, you’re ready to launch your online store, but the Shopify ecosystem throws two choices your way: Shopify and Shopify Plus. Which one’s the perfect digital haven for your business?
1. Pricing
Think of Shopify as a pre-built rental storefront. It’s affordable, with plans starting at a pocket-friendly $29 per month, like renting a cozy studio apartment. But you’re limited by the landlord’s design and features.
Upgrading to Advanced Shopify at $299/month is like getting a bigger apartment with more room to personalize, but the overall structure remains fixed.
Shopify Plus, on the other hand, is like owning your own digital skyscraper. It’s custom-built to your exact specifications, with a price tag that reflects its bespoke nature (think starting at $2,000/month and higher but you need to contact them to know the prices). You have complete control over every pixel and function, but you’re responsible for website building costs and maintenance costs.
2. Customization
Shopify offers pre-designed themes for free and paid, like choosing from beautiful apartment layouts. You can customize them with colors and fonts, but the basic structure is pre-determined. Advanced Shopify gives you more freedom, like adding balconies or skylights, but you’re still working within the existing framework.
Shopify Plus, however, is like having a team of architects at your disposal. You can design everything from scratch, from the brick and mortar to the rooftop garden. Want a unique checkout flow? No problem. Need custom product pages that integrate with your CRM? Go for it! The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination (and budget).
3. Checkout Page
The checkout page is your final hurdle before converting a visitor into a customer. Shopify offers basic templates you can customize it with logos and colors, but the functionality is limited.
Advanced Shopify lets you add some functionalities like express checkout options or order tracking, but it’s still pre-built within the existing store layout.
Shopify Plus, on the other hand, lets you build your own checkout fortress. Want a multi-step checkout with personalized product recommendations? Done.
Need a fully integrated payment gateway with fraud prevention? Check. You have complete control over every step of the conversion funnel, maximizing the chances of turning browsers into buyers.
4. Staff Accounts
Shopify allows you to add 2-15 team members, granting them access to specific tasks like managing products or fulfilling orders. It’s like handing out keys to different rooms in your rental apartment, ensuring everyone has the tools they need.
Shopify Plus, on the other hand, lets you add unlimited staff members and assign custom permissions for each person, like granting a marketing manager access to analytics but keeping order fulfillment restricted to the shipping team. It’s like having a dedicated security system with personalized keycards for each team member.
5. Shopify Support
When questions arise or things go haywire, you need a reliable support system. Shopify offers email and phone support for all plans, like having a friendly apartment building manager to help with leaky faucets or lost keys. Advanced Shopify gives you priority phone support, like jumping the line with the manager.
But with Shopify Plus, you get a dedicated e-commerce concierge service. They are available 24/7 on phone, chat, or email support with a team of Shopify experts. They’ll troubleshoot technical issues, answer complex questions, and even offer strategic advice, like a personal consultant.
6. Analytics & Reporting
Understanding your customers is key to success, and that’s where analytics come in. Shopify offers basic reports on sales, traffic, and customer behavior. Advanced Shopify provides more detailed reports and the ability to create custom dashboards, like getting a high-resolution aerial map with specific landmarks highlighted.
But Shopify Plus throws open the vault to your data treasure trove. You get advanced analytics tools, custom reporting options, and even API access to build your own analytics dashboards. It’s like having a team of cartographers creating personalized maps that reveal hidden customer trends and growth opportunities.
7. Community
With Shopify, you get access to forums, blog posts, and even user groups, like having friendly neighbors in your digital apartment building. They can offer tips, answer questions, and share experiences.
Shopify Plus elevates the community game, like moving into a gated penthouse with exclusive access. You get dedicated account managers, priority support channels, and even invitations to private events (think swanky cocktail parties for the e-commerce elite). Also, Plus subscribers often have their communities where they can network and learn from each other’s expertise.
8. B2B Features
If you’re selling to other businesses, Shopify Plus throws in some serious firepower. Features like tiered pricing, custom quotes, and purchase order management are like having a personalized arsenal for B2B deals. You can create custom catalogs, automate order processing, and even streamline invoicing, making wholesale transactions a breeze.
Shopify, on the other hand, has no B2B functionalities, like offering discounts and managing multiple customers. And, it lacks the advanced tools and automation that can truly streamline complex wholesale operations.
9. Transaction Fee Transparency
Transaction fees are a reality in the e-commerce world, like paying a small commission to the landlord every time you rent out your apartment. With Shopify, transaction fees vary depending on your plan and payment gateway. Basic Shopify incurs the highest transaction fees, while Advanced Shopify offers slightly lower rates.
Shopify Plus takes a different approach. Instead of fixed fees, Plus negotiates custom rates based on your business volume and payment processor. This can translate to significant savings if you have high sales. It’s like having a direct line with the landlord, potentially securing a sweet deal on rent in exchange for long-term commitment.
10. More API Integrations
Shopify offers a decent selection of built-in integrations. You can connect your store to email marketing platforms, shipping providers, and even social media channels, making your website a well-connected hub.
But Shopify Plus takes things to a whole new level. Imagine having engineers who can craft bespoke connections, integrate your store with CRM software, custom inventory management systems, or even advanced payment gateways.
This opens up a world of possibilities for automating tasks, personalizing experiences, and streamlining operations.
Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
Shopify Integrations:
- Limited selection: Think of it as a curated collection of pre-built bridges, offering essential connections to popular tools.
- Easy to use: Connecting your store is like plugging in pre-made Lego pieces, requiring minimal technical expertise.
- Limited customization: While you can configure settings within each integration, creating unique connections with niche services is tricky.
Shopify Plus Integrations:
- Unlimited possibilities: Imagine having access to a vast warehouse of building blocks and the freedom to design your own bridges. You can connect to virtually any external service imaginable.
- Advanced customization: Skilled developers can craft bespoke connections, tailoring the integration to your specific needs and workflows.
- Requires technical expertise: Building custom integrations is like advanced Lego construction, requiring some coding knowledge or partnering with a developer.
Shopify Vs Shopify Plus: Which is better?
Choosing the perfect Shopify plan for your online store is like finding the ideal apartment for your business. You need to consider the pricing, the features, the transaction fees, and the customer service & satisfaction.
Shopify is affordable, easy to manage, and great for starting small. It has all the essentials, but limited customization and growth potential.
On the other hand shopify plus is custom-built, packed with advanced features, and perfect for ambitious businesses. It offers ultimate control, flexibility, and dedicated support, but comes with a higher price tag.
So, if you are starting your journey shopify’s affordability and ease of use make it the perfect starter. However, if you want growth and control shopify plus offers the tools and flexibility to build your e-commerce website, but it requires a higher investment.
