Shopify is among the top ecommerce platforms, accommodating 27% of all online retail sites and boasting over 700 million users Business. In this article, we are going to focus on its two versions: an original one and Shopify Plus.
The primary difference between the two options lies in their purpose. The original Shopify platform is intended for small and medium-sized companies. Shopify Plus, in turn, is an upgraded and extended version, suitable for large enterprises. It offers extra opportunities, yet sets higher prices.
If you are hesitating between the two versions, we’ll introduce the essential differences to guide your choice.
Shopify at a glance
Shopify is a framework for ecommerce businesses, aiding them in promoting, selling, and delivering their commodities. Straightforward and flexible, the platform is good for beginners, enabling them to customize their storefronts to the extent they need.
Shopify’s core features include:
- Shopify point of sale;
- Virtual sales channels;
- Security measures;
- Mobile responsiveness.
Shopify Plus at a glance
Shopify Plus is the upper-level version of Shopify, conceived for big enterprises with a sales volume exceeding $1 million. Although it comes at a price, the platform offers significant value by extending the shop’s functionality, integrations, automation, and support.
The fundamental features of Shopify Plus include:
- Nine storefronts;
- Adjustable checkout;
- Multiple staff accounts;
- 24/7 support and availability of merchant support manager;
- Reduced transaction fees;
- B2B sales.
Shopify Plus vs. Shopify: Essential differences
The distinction between the two platforms is vast. However, here we’ll focus on the most significant discrepancies, to give you a general vision.
Extensive support and access to managers
Shopify Plus establishes an exclusive merchant success program that empowers entrepreneurs to communicate with managers, assisting them in achieving their ecommerce goals.
What kinds of support do merchant success managers provide?
- Participate in the setup process, delivering comprehensive assistance in the setup process and helping to optimize your store’s arrangement;
- Recommend industry best practices and tools to improve the shop’s operation;
- Involve technical and other Shopify teams in case the relevant issues emerge;
- Deliver continual support whenever you need it.
Centralized organization admin
Another considerable advantage of Shopify Plus is the unified admin for multiple stores. Thus, if you have several shops varying by language, currency, or product types, you can use a single admin to govern them all. It also organizes your control with a set of convenient tools, including Shopify Flow for process automation, Users for user permission management, and Stores for multiple storefronts’ operation.
Adjustable checkout
Smooth and straightforward checkout is paramount for successful conversions. Therefore, Shopify offers the checkout.liquid – an exclusive checkout page layout. It empowers you to align your checkout design with your brand style and consumer expectations. By granting you complete control of the checkout process, it helps elevate the user journey.
Abundance of themes
A Shopify theme is a mighty tool to captivate users. Shopify Plus grants the opportunity to add 100 Shopify themes to your account. Thus, you can customize your theme, create a seasonal version, and save it for further use. Moreover, this feature enables you to experiment with new templates, while preserving the original look of your site.
Access to specialized apps and integrations
Shopify Plus users can get advanced Shopify apps and partners’ apps on the App Store. These applications carry specific functionality to elevate the performance of large-scale venues. The available options include a wholesale channel, a script editor, a launchpad, and integrations with Avalara AvaTax services. Users can also integrate their Shopify Plus Shops with custom apps for extra opportunities, such as crafting personalized offers during holidays.
Shopify Plus vs. Shopify: The ultimate checklist
After exploring the differences between Shopify Plus and Shopify, let’s summarize the basic considerations.
Favor Shopify Plus, if:
- You run a large enterprise;
- You operate multiple stores;
- You have particular demands for functionality and support.
Favor Shopify, if:
- You run a startup or a small venture;
- Your ecommerce business is medium-sized;
- You have a large business but only one website and less than 8 people operating it.
WebMeridian can help you make your choice and establish a functional ecommerce store, with appropriate design, theme, SEO, and tech support.
Final Thoughts
For small to mid-sized businesses, Shopify’s standard plans provide a robust and affordable solution to sell online. However, if your business is rapidly growing, requires advanced customization, and needs enterprise-level support, Shopify Plus is a worthwhile investment. Carefully assess your business needs, budget, and growth trajectory before making a decision.
Still unsure? Consider a consultation with a Shopify expert to determine the best fit for your business.
