Shopify Vs Shopify Plus 

Shopify v. Shopify Plus: The debate is peripheral – given the fact that both Shopify and Shopify Plus are subscription-based eCommerce website software catering to different business models. 

Shopify is for small to midsize businesses, and Shopify Plus is for large enterprise ventures. 

Since we have to stick to our subject matter in hand – Shopify V. Shopify Plus, we’ll talk about the critical differences between unique benefits and features. All in all, after this elaborate take on Shopify and Shopify Plus, you’ll be able to decide for yourself whether to choose Shopify or Shopify Plus. 

Shopify 

What is unique about Shopify? 

Whether you’re starting an eCommerce business or are already a pro in the niche – with Shopify, you can build online stores to sell your products without any hassle, especially in the “coding” aspect. Shopify is also unique as an eCommerce platform because you don’t require any hosting service or software installation. 

The direct definition of “What is Shopify?” is SaaS or Software-as-a-Service, a cloud-based eCommerce platform – offering themes, templates, hosting, payment gateway integrations, and marketing tools. You can also access its 24/7 customer support team via email and phone. 

Why choose Shopify for your eCommerce startup business?

According to a recent report by Wall Street Journal – Shopify is a clear-cut winner in the eCommerce industry amidst the current pandemic – with a valuation of $117 Billion! As one of the Silicon Valley leaders, Shopify was amongst the early adopters of Work-from-Home models and contributed (continues to date) to the community. 

Why are we trumpeting about Shopify? Well, it aligns to our core point and question – 

Why choose Shopify for your eCommerce business? 

1. Affordable
2. Easy to use
3. Built-in core marketing tools
4. Responsive, user-friendly themes
5. 24*7 customer support system 
6. A robust data security system 

Affordable eCommerce solution 

Shopify –  a cloud-based eCommerce platform, is an affordable solution. Choosing the platform to start your online store means not going through a hassle of hosting, development expenses, and server costs because it’s fully hosted. It offers a 14-day trial plan and a $9 / month starter plan. 

Easy to use

The interface of Shopify is concise, simple, and easy to work with. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, you can set up your store with any hassle. It’s editor is polished and easy to use. 

Solid Marketing Integration 

Shopify offers a dynamic marketing integration, tools and apps that’ll make your online store’s presence online significant. And SEO for Shopify is one of the marketing integration – all complete with the best of SEO tools for optimizing meta titles, descriptions, page titles, URLs and more to make your ecommerce store visible and accessible by your users online. 

You don’t have to invest your time or effort to work with robot.txt and sitemap.xml file because it’s part of automatic integration. There are third-party tools and Shopify marketing apps available for developing and executing the online marketing aspect of your ecommerce business – ranging from reporting tools, email marketing, blogging to multilingual tools. 

Responsive, user-friendly and beautiful themes

Shopify offers both free themes (limited number though) and premium themes. Each one of them is mobile-responsive, feature-integrated and designed by professionals. You can opt for a free version of Shopify theme, but personally the premium ones are upgraded in design and come with multiple customization options, which is detrimental to ensure the best customer experience. 

24*7 Customer Support 

One of the best aspect of choosing Shopify is its approachable, accessible 24*7 customer support system. You can connect with the team through phone, live chat, social media, and email. Another awesome thing that makes Shopify a commendable eCommerce platform is its expansive, super connected and tight community. Check out the community forum, video tutorials and even help center for resolving your doubts and queries.

Strong data security system 

Data security system which is built-in is why you should choose Shopify to build your online store. The system adheres to every vital regulation and protocol, as well as, updated to maintain safety of user data. The built-in security system protects against cyber attacks. Backup is also done automatically. However, it’s recommended to maintain regular site backups. 

Irrespective of the Shopify plan you opt for, it’ll be inclusive of the SSL – which is Secure Sockets Layer – that works as a data encryption system between websites and users and protects sites from cyber threats. And finally, with Shopify your eCommerce site will become PCI compliant automatically. It’s possible because Shopify holds Level 1 PCI DSS or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliant (Solid payment and transaction security guaranteed) 

Shopify Plus 

What is Shopify Plus?

The enterprise offer of Shopify is Shopify Plus. It’s also a fully hosted eCommerce platform like Shopify but only for high growth enterprises, brands and merchants. The platform is a combination of agility, security and customizability when it comes to being a small business eCommerce solution provider and an enterprise level of scalability and technology. 

What do you get with Shopify Plus?

When you upgrade to Shopify Plus, you gain access to enterprise-level features – including advanced applications for high-growth and scalability, and access to Shopify organization administration that allows you store management via a single location. 

Is Shopify Plus worth it? 

Whether Shopify Plus is worth it or not – the response will depend on your requirement and objectives. If you are looking for multiple store management via a single platform, then choosing Shopify Plus will prove to be beneficial. Along with this, you will also enjoy a premium support system. 

Shopify Plus plan starts from $2000 / month. 

When should you upgrade to Shopify Plus? 

Here’s when you should upgrade to Shopify plus – when your annual revenue is in millions, you have multiple stores that need core management and maintenance, when you want to expand globally and when your team exceeds existing platform accounts. 

What’s the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus? 

Shopify V. Shopify Plus 

• Shopify Plus themes unlike Shopify are designed and developed with checkout page edit system and a launch manager 
• Shopify offers multiple features, sales and marketing tools, which are co-existent with Shopify Plus. However, Shopify Plus is built-in with advanced tools like the Shopify Flow and script editor
• Shopify comes with amazing marketing and analytics tools and features built-in. But Shopify Plus is integrated with advanced analytics system that provides in-depth information and data procured at an expert level.
• Shopify provides 24*7 customer support – which is great. But Shopify Plus offers personalized and immediate support, with its integrated customer support tools – the Launch Manager and Merchant Support Manager
• Shopify beats the Price Tag out of Shopify Plus, with a 14-day trial and plans starting from $9/ month. Whereas, Shopify Plus pricing structure is on an uber high level – usually starting from $2000, which is not visible in the plan structure. In fact, you need to seek a personalized quote for the Shopify Plus plan 

So, is it Shopify or Shopify Plus?

Shopify is for small to midsize businesses and Shopify Plus for enterprise-level eCommerce ventures. The clientele and their requirements determine the choice of platform. If you have a single store without the need for global expansion, then Shopify is ideal for you. 

However, if you sell hundreds and thousands of products per day, have multiple team accounts, and store, Shopify Plus is the platform to choose for your eCommerce business.