Online shopping is inevitable in this digital era. We can see the growing number of buyers every day and the number of online stores increasing faster than ever. To meet the customers’ requirements, online stores need to upgrade not only their brick-and-mortar stores but also their digital ones. To do that, merchants must consider using some eCommerce platforms, namely Shopify and Shopify Plus.
In this post, we will give you a detailed comparison between Shopify Plus vs Shopify, so that you can understand and know exactly which one is the best for your business.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify – Overview
What is Shopify?
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that helps users to open an Internet-based store and sell their products. Shopify shop owners may also sell in physical places by using Shopify POS (Point of Sale), and related hardware. Your inventory and stock are synchronized so you can manage your store(s) (online and offline) from a single account on any device.
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is Shopify’s advanced version. It acquires all the best functions of Shopify. The primary distinction between these two platforms is the audience for which they are designed. Shopify is an excellent solution for all small, medium, and big companies due to its low cost and efficiency. On the other hand, Shopify Plus is the perfect solution for enterprise-level ones who want a more robust platform to cater to their intense operation.
Now, let’s dive into the main differences between Shopify Plus vs Shopify.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify: What is the difference?
1. Pricing Plans
Shopify
Shopify packages are one of the most significant changes you should consider. As a Shopify user, you have 3 pricing packages to select from.
Basic ($29/month), Standard ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month) are the three most used options. And the availability of extra features depends on your Shopify budget. The POS system or third-party determining shipping prices are included in specific professional reports. These tools will help you run your business.
If you are unsure which package is right for you, try the Shopify 14-day free trial. By signing up with your email address, you can access hundreds of themes and extensions.
Shopify Plus
With Shopify Plus, you need to contact them directly for negotiation. Tap the “Get Pricing” button and fill in the contact form to get a precise quotation.
So, how much does Shopify Plus cost? It is hard to answer. Depending on their sales volume, merchants will pay at least $2000 monthly. When you reach $800,000 in monthly sales, their billing system will be converted to a revenue-based approach. You will pay 0.25% of your monthly income as Shopify Plus fees but no more than $40,000 of your monthly revenue. On Shopify Plus, the transaction charge can be adjusted based on the sales volume of your store.
2. Support
Shopify
Shopify provides 24/7 live support via phone, email, and live chat. The live chat is probably the great difference between Shopify and other eCommerce platforms.
Shopify Plus
Like Shopify, Shopify Plus offers you the same support. Store owners will also receive further merits with this version.
Shopify Plus provides fixed remote assistance as a Launch Manager, who will get your business up and running in 90 days or less. With experienced planning and service, your Merchant Success Manager will try to maximize your potential. They devote to your performance by guiding you on improving Shopify Plus, strategic coaching, forecast, and analysis of market trends.
3. Themes and Design
Shopify Themes
To update HTML or CSS, you may alter the theme with Shopify Liquid, an open-source template language. You’ll need a basic grasp of Liquid code to create the custom adjustments. Don’t worry, step-by-step instructions are always available.
Shopify Plus Themes
Large merchants often use top-tier Shopify features like theme and design flexibility. The Launch Manager is responsible for making code and specific adjustments for you using Shopify Plus. A professional Launch Manager will save enterprise-level organizations hundreds of dollars and a massive amount of time.
Another merit of Shopify Plus is the ability to adjust your checkout page using Script Editor, which is not accessible on other Shopify versions. Shopify Scripts, which are simple pieces of code, allow you to create unique customer experiences and alter the Shopify checkout page.
You may create three types of scripts: line item scripts, shipping scripts, and payment scripts. You may:
- Change the discount for selected goods by a percentage or a fixed amount;
- Run promotions;
- Provide volume-based pricing;
- Change, conceal, and reorder shipping choices, pricing, and payment gateway methods.
Thanks to the customized checkout page, your buyers will have a better experience on your site. Shopify Plus sellers may even use bot challenges on the checkout page. When you allow this, consumers must prove they are human before purchasing their orders. Bot challenges are required while hosting an online event to avoid robots or opponents’ clicks.
4. More API integrations
On any website, the APIs ease integrations with third-party apps.
To help users use third-party apps, Shopify Plus includes enhanced API resources such as GiftCard, User, and Multipass.
A gift card is a payment method. Multipass login seamlessly redirects website visitors to the Shopify store (without separate login credentials or the need to synchronize any customer database). User lets you add, remove, edit, and retrieve information about staff accounts.
Shopify Plus lets you integrate with custom apps or build your apps.
5. Shopify Plus vs Shopify – eCommerce Features
Shopify Plus subscribers can get access to several unique Shopify apps through their app store that Shopify users do not have:
- Users with a significant volume of B2B sales might benefit from Wholesale channel.
- Shopify Flow, a platform for eCommerce automation. It helps automate many customer-facing operations and office procedures within your business and across your apps by using a simple visual builder. It saves and carries out triggers, conditions, and actions that you set to conduct various activities, such as labeling loyal customers and sending reorder requests. All of this is done without any code on your side.
- Launchpad is perfect for making and automating flash sales, product debuts, and sales campaigns. You may easily undo all of the modifications when the event is done.
- The Script Editor allows you to build unique shopping cart/checkout experiences. Small pieces of code assist in applying discounts or customizing shipping and payment choices for clients. This helps decline the number of abandoned carts.
- Import customer, product, and order records into your Shopify store using the Transporter app. This makes it simple to transfer client records between stores.
- Bulk Account Inviter is a tool that allows you to invite clients imported from another platform or shop to activate their accounts for your online company. This tool comes in handy when you’ve imported client accounts from another platform or store.
6. Wholesale channels
The wholesale channel is another feature in this Shopify vs Shopify Plus comparison.
As a business expands, consumers will wish to buy in bulk from you. Predicting that an enterprise-level platform will support wholesale sales is logical.
Based on your online shop, the wholesale channel allows you to construct a second, password-protected site. This implies you may sell the same items at special wholesale rates or exclusive wholesale-only products to wholesale buyers.
You can also provide customized price lists or discount coupons. Shopify Plus merchants can issue invoices, track orders, leverage current product data and connectors, and manage B2C and B2B enterprises from one location.
Merchant Success Program
Shopify Plus offers a Merchant Success Program to assist users in getting the most out of the platform. It is prepared to assist you with third-party integrations, products, and platforms, as well as training to help you maximize your potential. You’ll work with a Merchant Success Manager who will help you with everything you may want.
Besides providing 24-hour assistance, the staff is eager to help locate approved Shopify Plus Partners to keep you up with industry trends and aid with events such as flash sales.
Exclusive access to additional materials
Shopify Plus subscribers can access more resources than only the Merchant Success Program. They can also access a Facebook group to share their experiences with other Shopify Plus members.
- You may find technology, agency, and solution partners in the Partners Directory.
- Access to special beta programs.
- Access to the Shopify Plus Academy for help with the Shopify Plus platform.
A unified dashboard to control multiple stores
Shopify Plus now includes a new dashboard for managing your stores, statistics, staff accounts, user permissions, and automation tools (Shopify Flow).
This dashboard provides intense business knowledge, encourages collaboration, and increases automation. This is true if you manage many companies or locations.
More thorough analytics options
Shopify has a comprehensive analytics dashboard where you can analyze data like sales, popular goods, landing sites or referrers, returning customer rates, and more. Therefore, you may create professional reports and get the latest information about your shop.
Internationalization
Multi-Currency
Grasping the need for Shopify merchants to attract foreign clients, Shopify has offered the option to sell in many currencies with Shopify Payments from 2019. Your online business may vary the money displayed for your products based on the customer’s location. Customers can request repays in their home currency.
Because it simplifies the payment procedure for clients, this innovation paves the way for merchants that want to sell abroad. The list of recognized currencies has now grown to 133, allowing anybody to access your items easily.
Unlike Shopify, where consumers must actively pick the right currency, Shopify Plus automatically determines the right money for buyers depending on their IP addresses.
When the system translates the origin price into a target currency, Shopify Plus allows you to define the rounding rules for your site. Instead of creating a new account, your clients may pay using local payment options. If you are considering entering the overseas market, this is a benefit of Shopify Plus.
Omnichannel (Shopify Plus function)
Omnichannel is crucial in giving buyers a consistent experience throughout your website, social media accounts, physical locations, and more. Shopify Plus merchants may contact their clients by diversifying their “storefronts,” leading to a strong interaction between the brand and the customers.
With over 100 social media networks and over 80 online marketplaces, you can increase the visibility of your items in front of more prospective buyers. Shopify Plus may help you attract more clients by automating messages and emails using Shopify Flow.
Tax
- Shopify
Shopify reduces your tax concerns by including a built-in tax engine that automatically computes basic sales tax computations. You may configure tax overrides to cope with unique tax rules and conditions.
Shopify applies various default updated sales tax rates; you should double-check to ensure they are new and perfect for your circumstance. When required, Shopify allows you to override them.
On the other hand, Shopify will not submit or refund your sales taxes. You may need to register your business with the proper state or federal tax authorities to handle your Shopify sales tax. When it comes time to file and pay your taxes, Shopify’s calculations and reports will be helpful.
- Shopify Plus
Avalara AvaTax, on the other hand, calculates and submits taxes for you on the Shopify Plus plan.
Avalara AvaTax is a paid service available only on Shopify Plus. You may purchase Avalara AvaTax after enrolling for Shopify Plus. You’ve activated Avalara, you can find it in the Shopify admin to begin charging taxes. Avalara AvaTax works with Shopify POS on both Android and iOS smartphones.
Avalara AvaTax is helpful as follows:
- Collecting correct and up-to-date tax codes from over 12,000 countries
- Changing a set of tax regulations to meet the needs of your firm.
- Creating proper tax records for your company
Despite a few minor drawbacks, retailers say Avalara AvaTax is cost-effective.
Conclusion
Regarding the dashboard and fundamental eCommerce features, Shopify and Shopify Plus share the same core offering. The key difference is that Shopify Plus provides greater flexibility, support choices, and access to your store’s core code.
While this is fantastic, it is also expensive, with a minimum monthly cost of $2,000. Unless your business already makes millions of dollars in sales, you should continue with the original Shopify platform unless you genuinely require the capability that comes with Shopify Plus and believes those extra capabilities will pay for themselves.
If you desire to apply Shopify to develop your business but you don’t know how to build a great eCommerce website that can turn to high revenue, we – Magesolution can help you. As one of Vietnam’s leading Shopify development experts, we provide Shopify Plus Development services and the best advice for your business. CONTACT US now for a free consultation.
