Which Shopify Plan is Best for Your Online Store (2024 Guide) Leave a comment
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that provides the necessary tools for starting and operating an online store. Initially a standalone service, Shopify allowed businesses to seamlessly integrate it into their websites or direct customers to a secure Shopify page for transactions. Over time, it expanded its services to include website hosting and support for selling on various online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Claiming that “Millions of the world’s most successful brands trust Shopify to sell, ship, and process payments anywhere,” the platform highlights that more than 1.7 million businesses have generated over $200 billion in sales through Shopify websites. With a user-friendly interface tailored to facilitate customer engagement, sales growth, and operational management, Shopify offers four different subscription plans to cater to varying needs, from basic to advanced. Below is a breakdown of each plan, including pricing details.
Understanding Shopify Plans
When starting an online store on Shopify, it’s crucial to choose the right plan to meet your business’s needs. Shopify offers three main plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. Each plan comes with various features and pricing to cater to different types of businesses.
Basic Shopify Plan: $39 per month ($29 per month, paid annually)
The Basic Shopify plan is ideal for small businesses or beginners looking to establish an online presence. With features such as website and blog creation, unlimited products, and 24/7 customer support, this plan offers essential tools to kickstart your online store. However, it lacks some advanced features like professional reports and international domains.
The Shopify Basic plan offers more features than the Lite plan, making it a good choice for small businesses that are looking to build a comprehensive online store with omnichannel selling capabilities, including dropshipping. Basic includes an online store, with both a website and blog. Users can list unlimited items, plus are able to sell in online marketplaces and on social media channels.
The Shopify Basic plan includes solutions for businesses interested in offering in-store transactions, such as card readers. With Basic, online purchases have a per-transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents while in-person purchases have a 2.7% fee.
Shopify Plan: $105 per month ($79 per month, paid annually)
The Shopify plan is suitable for growing businesses that require more advanced features to enhance their online presence. With this plan, you get access to professional reports, gift cards, and abandoned cart recovery, which can help boost sales and improve customer retention. The Shopify plan also allows you to have up to five staff accounts, making it easier to manage your store efficiently.
The Shopify plan includes everything you will get with Basic, plus performance reports, up to five staff accounts and gift card purchase support. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the abandoned cart recovery tool. This plan is the one you’ll need to begin any international selling, as it allows you to use country-specific domains and currency conversions.
Shopify fees are lower than the Basic plan, at 2.6% plus 30 cents per transaction. The in-person card transaction fee is also 2.5%, with no additional surcharge.
Advanced Shopify Plan: $399 per month ($299 per month, paid annually)
For established businesses looking for top-of-the-line features and scalability, the Advanced Shopify plan is the best choice. This plan includes advanced report building, real-time carrier shipping, and up to 15 staff accounts. While it comes at a higher price point, the additional features and capabilities make it worth the investment for businesses seeking growth and expansion.
The Shopify Advanced plan is designed for businesses that are selling large volumes both online and in person and need more advanced features. With unlimited storage capacity, up to 15 staff accounts and third-party calculated shipping rates, this plan is built for extensive traffic. Users will also have access to customized reporting options and e-commerce automation.
Shopify Advanced fees are the lowest of all the plans, with online fees running 2.4% plus 30 cents per transaction. The in-person transaction fee is also 2.4%, with the surcharge waived.
Which Shopify Plan is Best for You?
The best Shopify plan for your online store ultimately depends on your business’s size, goals, and budget. If you’re just starting, the Basic Shopify plan may be sufficient to get you up and running. As your business grows, consider upgrading to the Shopify or Advanced Shopify plan to access more features and tools to support your expansion.
Shopify Tiered Pricing and Plans [Compared]
| Feature | Lite | Basic | Standard | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Credit Card Processing Fees | 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.6% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.4% plus 30 cents per transaction |
| Pricing | $9 per month | $29 per month | $79 per month | $299 per month |
| Build Online Store | No – add a Shopify button to existing site | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Storage and Bandwidth | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Staff Logins | 1 | 2 | 5 | 15 |
| Max. Inventory Locations | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Unlimited Products | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free SSL Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Duties and Import Taxes | X | X | X | ✓ |
| E-commerce Automations | X | X | X | ✓ |
| Reports | Not available | Not available | Standard | Advanced |
Additional Shopify Costs
The expense of using Shopify goes beyond just the plan costs. Users frequently invest in premium themes and add-ons. While free Shopify themes are available, numerous businesses opt to buy a premium theme that provides the desired features, functionalities, and design from the start. Premium themes typically range from $75 to $300, offering a cost-efficient solution by saving time and simplifying the site-building process.
Common Shopify expenses include:
- Domain name: Must be purchased separately from a domain name registrar, such as Google Domains or DreamHost for around $15 per year.
- Premium theme: While it’s entirely possible to use a free Shopify theme, businesses often opt for a premium theme to make their look exactly how they want out of the gate. Premium themes range greatly from around $75 to over $300.
- Premium apps and plugins: To expand the functionality of a Shopify store, businesses often pay to use premium plugins. Pricing ranges from plugin to plugin but varies from as little as $5 per month to hundreds of dollars.
- Time: Of course, building your own online store will cost you time.
- Development: In some instances, businesses may choose to hire a web developer or designer to assist with the creation of a Shopify site or to mitigate any issues that should arise.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Shopify plan is a crucial decision that can impact the success of your online store. Evaluate your business needs carefully and consider factors such as budget, scalability, and desired features before selecting a plan. Whether you opt for Basic Shopify, Shopify, or Advanced Shopify, each plan offers unique advantages to help you build and grow your online business successfully. You can start you e-commerce journey here!