Shopify vs Shopify Plus – Deep Dive to Elevate Your Business

As if it weren’t tough enough trying to decide whether to build your online store using Shopify or one of the other similar services, once you’ve decided on Shopify, you then have to consider Shopify vs Shopify Plus! Well, we’re going to try to make that decision a little (or maybe a lot) easier for you in this article.

Overview of Shopify vs Shopify Plus

You might consider Shopify if you have a small to medium-sized business and you’re looking to establish an online presence and start selling products quickly and easily. Shopify gives you a user-friendly interface, customizable themes, and a range of built-in features to help you set up your online store efficiently.

Shopify Plus is worth a look if you have a larger enterprise, high-volumes, and you need more advanced features and customization options. With Shopify Plus, you have access to tools such as dedicated account managers, advanced automation, and unlimited bandwidth to support your growth. This enterprise-level solution is ideal if your company has complex requirements and a need for scalability.

If you don’t have anyone on your team who is especially technical, you might want to think about the level of support you get with each service. While Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via chat, email, or phone, Shopify Plus goes a step further by assigning you a dedicated launch engineer who assists with onboarding, customizations, and ongoing support. This personalized approach ensures that your Shopify Plus store receives the attention and assistance you need to succeed.

What are the Features Unique to Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is essentially an advanced version of Shopify, tailored specifically for high-growth businesses and enterprise-level companies. If you’re not at that level yet, Shopify Plus may be overkill. On the other hand, maybe you’ll be at that level soon and should get ready for it now.

With Shopify Plus, you have the ability to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions without compromising on performance. This is essential if your company is experiencing rapid growth and expecting heavy website traffic during peak seasons or promotions.

Check out the customizable checkout features of Shopify Plus. You have more flexibility in creating a branded checkout experience for your customers. You can add custom fields, offer multiple payment options, and optimize the checkout flow to reduce cart abandonment rates. This helps improve conversion rates and enhance the overall customer experience, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Shopify Plus gives you automation through its integration with tools like Launchpad and Flow (which is now available on all Shopify plans as of 2023). These automation features allow you to streamline your operations, automate repetitive tasks, and create personalized customer experiences at scale. For example, you can set up automated workflows for order processing, inventory management, and email marketing campaigns. This can save you time and resources while delivering a more efficient and targeted shopping experience to your customers.

Launchpad App

We briefly mentioned Launchpad earlier. Let’s take a closer look at what this app is all about and why it might lead you to go with Shopify Plus over basic Shopify. The Launchpad app lets you schedule and execute flash sales, product launches, and other marketing campaigns fairly easily.

You can set up pre-planned events without the need for manual intervention. By automating tasks such as inventory management, pricing adjustments, and theme changes, you can focus on creating compelling marketing strategies while Launchpad handles the execution.

With Launchpad you can create custom landing pages and set up unique discounts and promotions. You have full control over the look and feel of your marketing initiatives. You can personalize every aspect of a campaign through Launchpad and thus deliver targeted messaging to your customers and drive higher engagement and conversions.

You get detailed analytics and reporting features that give you valuable insights into the performance of your campaigns. With real-time data on sales metrics, customer behavior, and campaign effectiveness, you can make informed decisions about optimizing future marketing efforts. By leveraging this data-driven approach, you can continuously improve your strategies and achieve better results over time.

The Launchpad app should be considered a game-changer if you’re looking to elevate your marketing efforts with automation and customization tools.

Shopify Plus Partners Program

Did you ever wish you could have someone (virtually) at your side who’s been through this all before? This is a big differentiator for Shopify vs Shopify Plus. With Shopify Plus, you can have such a partner guide you every step along the way.

The Shopify Plus Partners Program is designed to provide you with access to a curated network of expert agencies, freelancers, and technology partners who specialize in providing services tailored to high-growth, enterprise-level businesses. By partnering with these specialized professionals, you can leverage their expertise in areas such as design, development, marketing, and strategy to enhance your store and drive growth.

These partners have proven track records in working with high-volume e-commerce businesses. They’re carefully vetted by Shopify for their expertise and experience in delivering exceptional results for Shopify Plus merchants. Whether it’s designing a custom theme for your online store, implementing complex integrations with third-party systems, or optimizing your conversion rates through targeted marketing campaigns, the partners in this program have the skills and knowledge necessary to help you achieve your business goals.

If you’re in the Partners Program, you have access to exclusive resources and support from Shopify itself. This includes early access to new features and tools being developed by Shopify specifically for high-growth businesses, as well as dedicated account management services that can help streamline communication and collaboration between merchants and their chosen partners.

This program can be a valuable ecosystem that fosters collaboration and innovation among top-tier e-commerce professionals, enabling you to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive online retail landscape.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Price Comparison

So many things come down to the money in the end. Depending on your current budget, this choice may end up being decided that way too.

Shopify Plus is the premium option targeted at high-volume merchants. The pricing for both services is based on monthly subscriptions, but there are significant differences in terms of cost and features offered.

You can have Shopify starting from $29 per month for the Basic plan up to $299 per month for the Advanced plan. These plans come with varying levels of features and functions, allowing businesses of all sizes to find a suitable option based on needs and, of course, budget. There can be additional costs for add-ons such as transaction fees, credit card rates, and app subscriptions.

Shopify Plus operates on a custom pricing model tailored to your unique requirements. While exact pricing details aren’t publicly disclosed by Shopify, we’ve found that Shopify Plus typically starts at around $2,000 per month. This higher price point reflects the advanced capabilities and personalized services that you get, making it a viable choice for enterprise-level businesses looking for (as we’ve mentioned) scalability and support.

While Shopify may be more accessible to you right now in terms of pricing, remember that Shopify Plus offers a suite of features and support for those willing to invest in such a solution. You’ll have to decide which platform aligns best with your budget and objectives.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Next we’ll show you a few case studies that exemplify the uses of Shopify and its Plus cousin. These may lead you to see even more clearly which solution will be best for you.

Gymshark is a renowned fitness apparel brand that saw exponential growth after migrating to Shopify Plus. By leveraging its advanced features and scalability, Gymshark was able to handle high traffic volumes during sales events. This transition not only improved their website’s performance but also enhanced the overall customer experience, resulting in a significant boost in sales and customer satisfaction.

Allbirds is a sustainable footwear company that made a remarkable impact within its industry by using basic Shopify. Through strategic use of Shopify’s customizable features, Allbirds saw an increase in online sales and brand visibility. This success story underscores how integrating Shopify’s platform can empower you to innovate, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and achieve sustainable growth.

Kylie Cosmetics shows how Shopify can support brands during periods of rapid expansion and high demand. When Kylie Jenner’s cosmetics line skyrocketed in popularity, she turned to Shopify Plus to manage her online store efficiently. Kylie Cosmetics was able to handle massive order volumes without any disruptions or delays. This not only solidified the brand’s reputation for reliability but also enabled them to capitalize on increasing market demand.

Verdict on Shopify vs Shopify Plus

You may not want to hear this, but it depends. Your choice depends on your business goals and (probably just as importantly) how much capital you’re willing to invest.

Shopify Plus is designed for high-volume merchants who require advanced customization and flexibility to support their growing business needs. You have access to dedicated account managers, increased API limits, and the ability to handle large spikes in traffic during sales events. If your business is experiencing rapid growth or expects significant increases in website traffic, Shopify Plus may be the better option due to its scalability.

While Shopify offers affordable pricing plans suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, Shopify Plus comes with a higher price tag due to its enterprise-level features and support services. However, if you have an established business and you’re looking to take your online presence to the next level, the additional investment in Shopify Plus may be justified by the platform’s ability to drive growth and provide a tailored solution that meets your business requirements.

Customization and flexibility are also key factors in evaluating which service is right for your business. While both Shopify and Shopify Plus offer extensive customization options through themes and apps, Shopify Plus gives you greater flexibility for creating unique experiences tailored to your brand’s identity. If your business requires advanced customization options or integration with existing systems, Shopify Plus may offer the level of control needed to deliver a truly personalized shopping experience for your customers.

Conclusion

Shopify is a good solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish an online store, with its user-friendly features and affordable pricing plans. Shopify Plus offers you enterprise-level capabilities that can scale with a growing business, providing customization options, dedicated support, and enhanced security features.

Both platforms have their strengths and cater to different segments of the e-commerce market. Choosing between them will depend on your unique needs and aspirations in the digital marketplace.

Do you want to put your money where your store is? Or would you rather save some of it for a rainy day? Or a sunny day when business is booming? The choice obviously is yours. We hope we’ve helped sway you in one direction or the other.