Besides the standard version with three levels of pricing plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced, Shopify launched Shopify Plus in 2014. If Standard Shopify is an optimised platform for all who want to open an e-commerce online store with no-code skills, Shopify Plus will be a level-up solution for businesses wanting to scale up revenues and expand to international markets.
The Difference Between Standard Shopify & Shopify Plus
Before deciding which one is better, let’s find out the differences between Standard Shopify and Shopify Plus!
Standard Shopify
Shopify Plus
As a level-up of the standard Shopify version, Shopify Plus brings a lot of extra things that are suitable for businesses that want to get higher revenues with large-scale operations. Additionally, they only support B2B and D2C businesses for Shopify Plus, which means if you want to expand your business to international markets, this helps a lot.
The same meaning as the name Shopify Plus is that numerous pluses will be offered with this advanced solution. Shopify Plus brings to your business extra features, support, automation, customization, etc. Everything is optimised to help grow a global brand with high revenues, reaching thousands or millions of orders per month.
Shopify Plus also includes multiple options that can easily add many CRM (Customer Relationship Management System) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems to Shopify Plus. Additionally, instead of paying more for the standard Shopify version, you will have access to the in-built Shopify POS system.
Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of staff accounts on Shopify Plus. You can control staff activities via the Shopify organisation admin and implement additional permission settings.
On the other hand, with Shopify Plus you can customise every step of the checkout process, and the app script editor offers specific audiences in each market. This is a big plus for Shopify Plus because it optimises for global brands.
Moreover, in Shopify Plus you don’t need to pay more for premium apps than in the standard version. They are already included in a collection of the most used apps to customise your online store, for example, Launchpad, Script Editor, etc. In particular, you can integrate multiple sales channels with only a single buy button managed from the backend.
By choosing Shopify Plus, you will have premium support from Shopify’s expert team. You will have personal help from the support team and engineering team to assist you during the entire process. Explained in a simple way, it means that you are a VIP business and will get the highest level of personal support from Shopify experts for reaching a successful business.
Additionally, Shopify Plus offers B2B (Business To Business) and D2C (Direct To Consumer) that allow you to have a dedicated wholesale channel to cater to the wholesale market, with many features supporting your business operations. You can also apply custom pricing, place volume discounts, configure shipping, and market particular wholesale products.
However, there is no fixed price for Shopify Plus because it depends on the revenue, number of orders, or personal request from you. But Shopify is now offering a starting price of $2000 per month for Shopify Plus. A high price but get a lot of extra offers and benefits, right?
How To Upgrade From Standard Shopify To Shopify Plus
You can upgrade from the standard version to the Plus version anytime you want, just contact Shopify Plus support. You need to place your information and request, and then the support team will revert to you with all the terms and conditions, policies, and formalities you need to know and complete.
Then, after Shopify Plus is activated, you can see all the additional features available on your Shopify dashboard.
Which Standard Shopify or Shopify Plus Is Suitable For You?
If you are a beginner in the e-commerce business, the answer is to start with Shopify Standard. On the other hand, if you are planning to expand your business into a global brand, choose Shopify Plus.
Shopify Plus is an extra solution for big and high-revenue enterprises. Therefore, you need to ensure that the model of your business at the moment is ready to grow in international markets or not. You also have to look at your revenue and number of orders every month to ensure that you can cover the cost of Shopify Plus.
If your business needs a boost to increase thousands to millions of orders per month, it’s time to choose Shopify Plus. If not, you should keep the standard Shopify version, and ask Shopify’s expert team for more useful advice to increase sales.
In Conclusion
Standard Shopify and Shopify Plus target different audience segments, which means you should carefully consider which one matches your current business.
If you are a beginner and need more information about each plan that Shopify offers, read the blog, Which Shopify Plan Should I Choose?