Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platforms for retailers worldwide. Since 2006, the platform has become popular for both small and widely prominent businesses. Now, if you are reading this article, you already know that. This write-up will focus on Shopify vs Shopify Plus differences.
Both platforms work similarly. Nonetheless, Shopify Plus stands out as the most cost-effective ecommerce platform for high-growth businesses. You might be wondering: When is the best time to upgrade to Shopify Plus? Is Shopify Plus worth it? To answer these questions, we will explore the key differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus.
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is an ecommerce platform that has been developed explicitly for high-growth enterprises and merchants. It was launched in 2014 and improved all of Shopify's key features to meet the demands of high-volume stores. The enterprise platform has attracted huge players such as Nestle, Kylie Cosmetics, Tesla Motors, Redbull, and Gymshark.
Most of the Shopify Plus features focus on improving the basic systems by adding:
- Faster speed
- Better customization and control
- Upgraded multichannel and omnichannel functions
- Ability to manage high-growth brands with high traffic and sales
Generally, Shopify Plus is the most logical choice for brands seeking to turbo-charge growth and maximize their marketing efforts. With this platform, you can market quicker, integrate various business functions and focus more of your budget on increasing store traffic.
Shopify vs Shopify Plus: What are the Key Differences?
Since its launch, Shopify Plus has experienced staggering sales growth, demonstrating that it is a stellar ecommerce tool. This comparison of Shopify vs Shopify Plus essentially highlights the benefits of Shopify Plus. Let's check out the ten differences between the two.
1. Customization Capacity
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus offer over 100 customizable free and premium themes. However, Shopify Plus allows access to a broader range of options. The package offers complete site control through editable CSS files and Shopify scripts, allowing you to customize your brand entirely.
Shopify Plus checkout customization allows you to optimize the store layout and check-out process to match your brand's needs. Using Shopify scripts, you can identify regular customers and assign customized discounts right at the checkout. This feature allows businesses to take a more personal approach to customer service, boosting the repeat customer rate.
Shopify Plus also offers more robust language support. Basic Shopify allows up to five language translations. However, Shopify Plus offers 20 languages, allowing you to personalize your store more and increase customer engagement.
2. A Dedicated Launch Manager
Shopify is well known for its top-notch customer services. It offers user support through live chat, phone, and email. In case of any issues, merchants can always communicate with Shopify experts to sort the problems.
However, Shopify Plus provides more personalized customer support for your retail store. Notably, it assigns a launch manager to offer strategic coaching and help set up your store. The launch manager guides you on how to maximize the benefits of Shopify Plus and predict business trends. He/She also offers overall business guidance if you need it.
3. Store and Product Features
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus have a lot of store management features that are critical in powering your store. Nonetheless, Shopify Plus allows you to access exclusive apps specialized for high-growth brands. These apps include Shopify Flow, Bulk Account Inviter, and Shopify Script.
Shopify Flow enables you to create an automatic workflow to cater to customer transactions. With this app, the retailer can monitor the store's triggers, conditions, and actions. This makes it easier to provide a good shopping experience.
The Shopify Script Editor enables a store to customize its checkout page and cart. It is only available for Shopify Plus users. The Bulk Account Inviter allows you to invite many consumers to activate accounts on your brand. The feature is ideal for businesses with stores on other platforms and those with a broad and loyal customer base.
4. Shopify Plus Pricing
The Shopify plans are public and come in three different offers: Basic Shopify at $29/month, Shopify at $79/month, and Advanced Shopify at $299/month. Check out the Shopify Plus pricing. The more you pay, the more you get. You can always upgrade your package to access more features.
While Shopify plans are public, the Shopify Plus pricing requires you to negotiate with Shopify Plus directly. Usually, Shopify Plus plans cost approximately $2,000 per month, but the amount varies depending on your store's sales volumes. The ceiling price is $40,000 per month.
Although Shopify Plus pricing is high, you receive all the enterprise power you need to manage your business effectively. With this package, you receive customer support for your entire business, not just the store.
5. Shopify vs Shopify Plus Multi-Currency
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants can sell in multiple currencies and operate in international markets. However, Shopify Plus automatically selects the suitable currency for your customers based on location. In this case, there is no need for you or the customer to manually change the currency when shopping.
Additionally, Shopify Plus customizes the rounding rules depending on your preference. You can choose how the product's price will be displayed in different currencies. This feature allows for a seamless buyer experience.
6. Merchant Success Program
We cannot leave out the Merchant Success Program when discussing Shopify vs. Shopify Plus. This package is offered exclusively on Shopify Plus. In this case, every Shopify Plus store has a merchant success manager who helps the overall business, not just the store. The Program enables retailers to get the most of the benefits of Shopify Plus.
The Merchant Success Program assists retailers with third-party integrations, platforms, and products. It also offers training to help your brand achieve its full potential. The manager helps you find the best Shopify Plus partners to aid your business keep up with the dynamic economic trends. Some of the best Shopify stores have thrived with the help of the Merchant Success program.
7. Shopify vs Shopify Plus Global Expansion Features
Shopify and Shopify Plus are both global ecommerce platforms that offer access to international markets for retail businesses. They both provide dedicated storefronts for various nations and regions. Shopify Plus is different because it provides up to ten additional clone stores on top of your original brand store. You can operate up to 11 different storefronts with a single Shopify Plus account.
Shopify plus offers GeoIP Country Redirect to redirect the customer to a store based on their location depending on their IP address. For example, if the customer is in France, the store shifts to French and Euros. Also, every storefront has a backend, allowing you to manage the inventory and orders separately.
8. Omnichannel Sales Features
When comparing Shopify vs Shopify Plus omnichannel sales features, Shopify Plus takes the cake because it offers various options for how customers can buy and receive their goods. The Shopify Plus omnichannel platform enables merchants to provide a convenient shopping experience. Enterprises can allow their customers to:
- Purchase online and pick up in a physical store
- Purchase in-store and have the products shipped
- Browse and order online
You can use omnichannel analytics to analyze the data from every channel's sales and compare how they relate to each other. This makes it easier to understand your business. Although Shopify's other plans allow companies to sell on various platforms, they do not connect the data for easier analysis of the business operations. The lower-priced Shopify plans do not offer a comprehensive analytics picture.
9. API Access
While Shopify's lower-priced plans also come with API access, Shopify Plus offers a higher API access call limit. This feature is critical when managing bulk orders with integrated third-party software, including the manufacturing ERP system. More API access means that high-growth stores can collaborate with third-party apps to improve customer experience and keep up with the business trends.
The increased access comes with other exclusive Shopify Plus APIs, including multipass, user, and gift cards. API access is essential in ensuring all systems are in sync with your workflow. It also enables you to create custom solutions if there is no app to solve them.
10. Bandwidth
High-growth enterprises require a staggering amount of bandwidth to support the high traffic in Shopify stores. With Shopify Plus, you can access unlimited bandwidth and over 200TB of storage. This feature increases the functioning levels and reliability of your brand's website. Your store can handle extremely high traffic influxes and over 8,000 checkouts per minute without system failures mid-transaction.
Shopify Plus supports 4 million hits per second and 99.99% uptime. This means that your store will remain consistent for your consumers. You do not have to worry about your servers failing during a massive traffic influx, such as on Black Friday.
Is Shopify Plus Worth it?
From the differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus, the best platform for your business depends on your needs. If you want to enjoy the basic ecommerce features, Shopify’s plans are ideal. However, Shopify Plus is your best bet if you have a higher sales volume and want to enjoy better customization, more flexibility, better control, and higher functions.
The benefits of Shopify Plus stand out for high-growth brands. You can use Shopify Plus to manage high-volume customers and large inventory. Generally, this platform allows full automation of business processes and thus creating an outstanding buying experience.
