How to choose between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

According to BuiltWith, there are 4,147,766 websites live on Shopify. We always believe when we think of easy-peasy commerce solutions that drive the business for not-that-tech-savvy merchants! Shopify is a go-to solution for small to medium-scale companies for now. But trust us, they are changing the definition. Their partner eco-system and the platform is shaping the business model from D2C to Dropshipping to B2B and, not to forget- headless. It is always a million-dollar question for merchants willing to start their e-commerce store on Shopify or to have a re-platform: How to choose the preferred Shopify plan? This article profoundly dives into Shopify and explains the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus to help shop owners choose the right plan. What is Shopify, and how is it different from Shopify Plus? As a common understanding, Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows merchants to create online stores. It has gained popularity in the last 4 to 5 years and has become a preferred commerce solution for merchants. Shopify equips powerful features, an admin dashboard, and a range of themes and applications to choose from in the Shopify market. It is a pre-built platform for merchants to create online stores and connect their social channels. Where in the case of Shopify Plus, it is proficiently built for large-scale business to enterprise-level organizations. To distinguish it from Shopify, Shopify Plus provides more robust features, performance, and access to Shopify's experts to drill down the custom needs. Shopify Plus allows Shopify developers to create and amend the code to an as certain level, and they can get the help of the Shopify team. Both platforms follow a similar process for development, yet, they depart in terms of features and tools. Shopify Plus allows merchants access to exclusive tools, enhanced store performance, and advanced support from Shopify.

1) What are the differences between Shopify and Shopify plus?

Don't juggle between Shopify and Shopify plus. Both are different in many ways, and you need to know the difference before deciding. The listed points help you define the right choice for your online shop. We at Navigate Commerce are experts in Shopify development services from templet to custom. Let's see each point one by one that sets Shopify and Plus apart.

1.1) Shopify Theme Development and Customization

Navigate always choose to have fewer dependencies of third-party unless it is necessary. Regarding Shopify, merchants always prefer a theme available in the Shopify market and have the branding done. Theme customization is a part of Shopify store development, and developers are keen to expertise in this skill. Shopify allows merchants to choose from various themes from the Shopify market and ask developers to customize the look and feel. On the flip side, if merchants want specific customization, let's say on a Checkout, the only option they could have is to move to Shopify plus. Shopify Plus allows a source code of Shopify that gives a certain level of flexibility to Shopify developers, yet they have to rely on the Shopify team too. Shopify plus users can access product tagging, custom checkout page designs, and enhanced analytics. This kind of leverage allows Shopify merchants to have tailored Shopify store specifications per their needs and stay ahead of the competition.

1.2) API Integrations

Integrations are vital for any business selling online. Merchants want to sync everything for ease and proper operational management. Remember, such integrations can be done via API. By looking at the Shopify and Shopify plus API integration offerings, Shopify plus evidently holds more profound capabilities than Shopify. To provide a better customer experience and well-processed orders, Shop owners want to connect the store with third-party solutions like accounting, CRM, ERP, marketing automation, and shipping solutions. Making sure of the requirements and how much flexibility merchants want to have while connecting with third-party solution providers helps them choose between Shopify and Shopify plus. If shop owners are sure to have complete control over operations and automation processes with total flexibility in API integration and customization, Plus is the option for them. On the same note, if merchants are looking for the basics of the business and simple operations can go with the Shopify plan.

1.3) Multi-Language and Currency Support

Merchants willing to sell in multiple markets based on different regions always need to have a storefront in the native language of the shoppers. Correct? Regarding various languages, Shopify supports five languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. In contrast, Shopify Plus provides twenty languages. Shopify Plus offers a multilingual shop capability that helps merchants customize languages per country. Merchants can handle the built-in currency converter. Shopify provides conversion in the correct currency for the customers. But, if merchants want to take the currency further with real-time rate updates and automated pricing changes as per the location, mate, Shopify plus is your choice. This feature allows the most current prices to the shoppers and reduces the manual efforts of admin while working with different currencies. Leverage it to the fullest for better conversions.

1.4) Exclusive Shopify Apps

As mentioned above, many Shopify applications are available exclusively for Plus merchants. To name a few, check the list below:

• Shopify Flow: To manage the workflow and streamline the processes and ease of store organization.
• Launchpad: For new product launches and promotional activities with campaign management.
• Bulk Account Inviter: Allows merchants to edit bulk products.
• Scripts and Script Editor: For better customer deals and rewards via custom price and discount rules.
• Transporter: For data migration from one store to another.
• Wholesale channel: B2B-focused business. If you are looking for an online store where everything should be under your control and with the flexibility to amend as needed, Shopify plus is the option. Merchants can take advantage of these powerful applications to build the most thriving stores for better productivity and ROI.

1.5) Wholesale Channel

To sell online, Shopify and Shopify plus differ in their comprehensive selling capabilities. Both are equal when it comes to selling online with commerce tools. However, Shopify plus leads with added and advanced features, one of them being an in-built wholesale channel. Shopify Plus allows store owners to set up a wholesale store and help merchants to manage their relationships with multiple vendors. This helps the store owners create multiple storefronts focusing on different types of customers, i.e., wholesalers, retailers, or b2b. Not only for customers, but this wholesale feature also allows merchants to manage and track inventory levels across all sales channels smoothly. Shopify Plus helps businesses with several things, such as Wholesale stores, multi-languages, multi-currency with real-time rates, and many more. The only thing that now matters is the cost of ownership. We will take a look at it in the other section below. Want to know about our Shopify store development services and experts? Check the Shopify service We provide.

1.6) Pricing plans from Shopify to Shopify Plus

Ultimately, the choice of the plan depends on merchants and how the cost of ownership is calculated based on the number of applications and themes bought. Shopify provides various plans ranging from $29 to $2000 a month. Even a "Buy Button" helps you initiate your online journey. Depending on the size of the businesses, complexity, and scalability, merchants can opt for the plan. If you are willing to explore the plans that Shopify offers and what are the differences, you can visit the Shopify site. Even on their marketing campaign, they sometimes provide merchants a three-month free trial to run the store. Shopify and Shopify Plus offer many different pricing plans. The most significant difference between the two plans is that Shopify offers a range of plans for different businesses. At the same time, Shopify Plus is designed for larger enterprises and offers enterprise-level pricing. In this article, we are concentrating more on Shopify and Shopify Plus plans; the cost from Shopify to plus differs considerably as one is for small to medium size businesses while the other one is dedicated to enterprise merchants with enhanced security and fraud protections. For merchants willing to have a Shopify plan, including setup fees, it ranges from $79 to $299, while the plus merchants' monthly fees start from $2000 per month, depending on the applications and themes they have. Apart from this, another cost to count is related to Shopify store development. Agencies should focus on Shopify experts for a standard store setup and custom development.

2) Want to Upgrade to Shopify Plus?

Before deciding to move with Shopify plus or upgrade to Shopify plus, have a thorough analysis of the existing business and scalability; if you are running the store on any of the Shopify plans and want to grow the business, Shopify Plus provides enterprise-level e-commerce solutions. With priority support and a dedicated Shopify team, there are many other benefits with Shopify Plus. If you are looking for the process to upgrade Shopify Plus, count the narrated points below.

Understand the business goals:

Upgrade to the Shopify Plus plan but scrutinize the need and evaluate the business goals. What is your business goal? What custom requirement needs heavy customization in the Shopify base code? These questions need to be answered before heading up for Shopify plus. Once you are determined, Choose the Shopify experts and follow the steps:

2.1) Comparison

Drill down your requirements and what you have in your existing Shopify store. This will lead you to upgrade to Shopify Plus and let you think about the investment's worth.

2.2) Contact the Shopify Plus experts

Once you are ready to upgrade the Shopify store with Shopify Plus, contact experienced Shopify Plus development experts to get started. It helps you drive this upgrade smoothly and hassle-free.

2.3) Store Launch

Once the agency is done with the development work, they can transfer the ownership to you, and all is set to launch the store. This gives you access to all the advanced tools and features to understand customers better and help them with stellar shopping experiences. Being a Shopify merchant, you know the process and how Shopify works. A noticeable difference separates Shopify and Shopify plus in terms of tools, applications, themes, support, and integrations with third-party solutions. Once you know it, you can decide which is the right fit for your business.

3) The Final Call

Selecting the right platform for your business, merchants should consider the business needs and unique requirements to meet the platform's offerings. Shopify, as depicted, is perfect for Small to medium-scale companies and limited-budgeted stores. On the other hand, Shopify Plus is crafted to provide enterprise-level solutions to merchants. There are several decision-making factors, such as budget, scalability, support, and development team. The final thought is how you want to drive your business in the longer run. If you want assistance to make the right choice, we can help you with our Shopify experts to excel in the store by maximizing the business.