Shopify vs Shopify Plus.

Are you considering a platform migration but need to know whether Shopify or Shopify Plus is the best option? In this post, we’ve unpacked the key features and differences between the two options, compared costs, and recommended when it is best to upgrade. Let’s get started!

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: key features.

1. Dedicated account manager.

On Shopify, users can hire Shopify Experts who provide support via platforms such as phone calls, emails, live chats, etc.

On Shopify Plus, dedicated account managers offer customised and dedicated support for the store. Users get access to a Launch Engineer to handle their website from start to finish - including setup, migration, identifying partners, etc.

2. Theme customisation.

Theme customisation allows users to customise the themes that are available on Shopify, but they can’t switch to a brand-new theme.

However, Shopify Plus offers a higher level of customisation. A bespoke Shopify theme provides your store with a custom design that perfectly reflects your brand and coding built from the ground up, making it unique to your website. To achieve this, you’ll need the help of Shopify experts with considerable platform and design experience. Read more about the differences between standard and custom themes.

3. Staff accounts.

Shopify permits users to limited staff accounts, 15 to be exact.

With Shopify Plus, users can add an unlimited number of staff accounts and enable additional settings. For example, store owners can control staff actions.

4. Customisable checkout with Checkout Extensibility.

On Shopify, users do not have the option to offer a customised checkout experience.

On Shopify Plus, retailers have exclusive access to Checkout Extensibility, which enables them to customise their checkout to suit their needs without touching the code. This could mean making changes to reflect the brand’s style better, adding new functionality with checkout apps, increasing the average order value, adding bespoke logic with apps, and tracking user behaviour. Shopify Plus merchants also get 24/7 priority tech support directly from the Shopify Plus admin. Read more on Checkout Extensibility.

5. eCommerce Automation Tools

Shopify doesn’t offer any automation tools, whereas Shopify Plus offers two important ones:

• Launchpad. Allows businesses to handle event tasks like scheduling and to track the performance of event progress.

• Shopify Flow. Enables businesses to automate key eCommerce systems, such as customer service, marketing, inventory tracking, and more.

6. B2B & DTC in one place.

Unlike Shopify Plus users, Shopify users don’t have access to the rapidly expanding Shopify B2B functionality and the myriad features that come with it.

With Shopify B2B, merchants can access impressive wholesale features that are out of the box. For example,

• Personalisation. Merchants can customise their storefront and checkout for each customer.

• Supercharged workflows. Merchants can streamline their B2B processes across multiple brands and sites with automation tools.

• Self-serve dashboard. Merchants can quickly scale B2B operations as customers can serve themselves with purchasing and order tracking.

Research shows that B2B customers are now looking for a DTC experience, so combining the two on Shopify Plus gives merchants an advantage in terms of cost/time savings (fewer platforms to pay for and fewer resources in managing B2B accounts) and offers the end-user a superior experience.

7. API integration.

On Shopify, API integration is very limited and is not as exclusive as API integration on Shopify Plus. Shopify Plus offers enhanced API resources and allows users to integrate with custom apps or to even create their own private app.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: pricing comparison.

Shopify’s pricing is based on your monthly subscription plan. See the details below comparing the difference in prices between Shopify and Shopify Plus.

Shopify pricing.

• Price: from GBP 49 per month

• Online credit card rates: 1.7% + 25 pence

• Online international & AMEX credit card rates: 2.7% + 25 pence

• In-person credit card rates: 1.60%

• Transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments: 1.00%

Shopify Plus pricing.

• Price: from USD 2,300 per month

• Online credit card rates: negotiated

• Online international & AMEX credit card rates: negotiated

• In-person credit card rates: negotiated

• Transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments: negotiated

When should you upgrade to Shopify Plus?

The right Shopify plan for you depends purely on your business size and goals. If you are a small—or medium-sized business or just starting out, Shopify is likely the best plan for you.

If you are a larger brand that deals with high-volume sales and orders each month, it would be a smart decision to opt for Shopify Plus. For context, Shopify advises that brands typically upgrade when their online sales reach about US 80,000 per month, but individual needs may vary. For example, rapidly growing brands may need the advanced features and support options Shopify Plus offers sooner.

Upgrade to Shopify Plus with blubolt.

As an accredited Shopify Plus agency, blubolt offers a comprehensive suite of eCommerce services tailored to your needs. So whether you're looking to migrate to Shopify Plus or redesign your existing site, we’ll help you extract maximum value from your investment. Browse our work for Shopify inspiration; our clients include top brands like RIXO, Never Fully Dressed, Green People, WatchHouse Coffee, Abbott Lyon, Teapigs and Robert Welch. Get in touch to discuss your requirements. We would love to help!