Shopify is highly popular among small businesses worldwide. Millions rely on its user-friendly interface and tools to power their digital stores. But as companies grow, they find that Shopify’s standard features aren’t enough to meet their evolving needs. This is when Shopify Plus becomes a valuable option. It caters to larger businesses with its advanced capabilities, handling increased volumes and more complex e-commerce demands. Let’s compare the key features of Shopify vs. Shopify Plus so you can understand their differences and make an informed choice.
Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: Key Features
Before we discuss the core functionalities of Shopify vs Shopify Plus, let’s have a quick overview of each platform:
What is Shopify?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform widely recognized for its user-friendly tools and interface. It allows businesses to sell their products everywhere—online, in stores, and across channels like Facebook and Amazon. This flexibility is perfect for businesses of all sizes.
Shopify’s features include:
POS system
Shopify offers a robust point-of-sale (POS) system for making in-person sales. It seamlessly integrates with Shopify’s core platform, meaning you can manage inventory and sales from one centralized dashboard.
Mobile functionality
Shopify also has a mobile app that allows you to manage your business on the go. You can use it to track orders, handle payments, and execute loyalty programs from any location.
Security
Shopify is one of the most secure e-commerce platforms around. It uses protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) and SSL (Security Socket Layer) to secure all connections to its users’ stores.
International selling
Shopify simplifies international selling with its ‘Shopify Markets’ feature. This allows you to define selling areas based on countries, and manage currencies, languages, and payment processors effortlessly.
Easy to customize your brand loyalty program
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is an enterprise e-commerce platform catering to merchants generating millions in gross merchandise value (GMV). It comes at a higher price but offers advanced storefront functionality, automation features, top-notch support, and a wide range of integrations, surpassing what standard Shopify plans provide.
Shopify Plus features include:
Shopify’s Organization Admin
Shopify Plus users get access to the organization admin. This is a centralized dashboard that allows you to manage all your stores in one place. Businesses running multiple stores can take advantage of this feature to consolidate and streamline their sales.
Expansion stores
Another key feature of Shopify Plus is the expansion of stores. These are additional stores you create besides your main one. Shopify Plus users can create up to 9 additional stores with distinct products, domain names, and branding.
B2B channels and apps
Shopify Plus provides you with specialized tools that support high-volume selling. These include apps and channels like ShopifyQL Notebooks, Wholesale channel, and Bulk Account Inviter.
Customizable checkout
Shopify Plus allows you to customize the checkout using custom logic. Using apps like Shopify Functions, you can add custom shipping rules, payment methods, and discount options to the checkout.
Success Programs
Besides offering great customer support, Shopify Plus gives you access to the Shopify Plus Facebook Community, the Shopify Plus Partner Program, and a Merchant Success Program.
11 Main Differences Between Shopify & Shopify Plus
Now that you have a basic idea of the two platforms, let’s get a bit granular with our comparison. Here are the main differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus:
Customer Support
Shopify and Shopify Plus both provide support via live chat, phone, and email. However, Shopify Plus offers access to a Merchant Success Manager who guides you through the features of the platforms. You can also count on the manager to connect you with approved Shopify Plus Partners, plus offer comprehensive support in the form of training videos, checklists, online courses, and more.
Automation Tools
Shopify does not offer any automation tools. Shopify Plus, meanwhile, offers access to two critical tools: Launchpad and Shopify Flow. LaunchPad enables businesses to manage event tasks like coordinating and scheduling, whereas Shopify Flow helps them automate key systems and processes like inventory tracking, order management, customer service, etc.
Cart Recovery
Shopify offers only basic cart recovery. In comparison, Shopify Plus offers a range of advanced cart recovery features. Shopify Plus users can send automated emails to remind customers about their unfinished checkouts, run retargeting ads on platforms like Facebook and Google, and set up smart workflows that react to specific actions (like sending a special deal after a few abandoned cart emails).
Customization & Scripts
Shopify allows users to add their brand’s logo and customize the font and color of the checkout. But for advanced customization, you’ll need special apps to tweak different elements. Shopify Plus lets you customize the checkout based on shopping cart values right out of the box. Plus, it provides access to Shopify Scripts—a tool that offers more granular control and lets users customize payment options, shipping fields, and more.
Analytics & Reports
Shopify offers basic sales reports, whereas Shopify Plus provides in-depth insights into sales patterns and customer behaviors. You get richer analytics, can fine-tune what you see, and even link up with other analytics tools through an API for a complete picture of your store’s performance.
APIs
Shopify has a ton of apps, but Shopify Plus takes it further with more API options. You can link up with ERP or CRM systems, something you can’t do with standard Shopify. This includes APIs for things like unique gift cards or synchronizing customer accounts.
Headless Commerce
Shopify Plus lets you build with headless commerce. This means you can design your store’s front end however you like, while the back end keeps everything running smoothly. Regular Shopify plans, on the other hand, limit you to using pre-made themes and designs, which might not be enough if you’re trying to design a custom storefront.
Additional Stores
Shopify doesn’t let you create additional stores for selling merchandise to wholesalers. With Shopify Plus, you can juggle multiple stores and even set up separate shops for wholesale buyers. You also get detailed reports to track how your business is doing. Plus, Shopify Plus comes with exclusive apps like Launchpad that let you schedule big sales events for different kinds of customers.
Apps
Shopify has a ton of apps, but Shopify Plus takes it further with more API options. You can link up with ERP or CRM systems, something you can’t do with standard Shopify. This includes APIs for things like unique gift cards or synchronizing customer accounts.
Staff Accounts
On Shopify, you can only create up to 5 staff accounts on the Basic Plan and 8 staff accounts on the Advanced Plan. In comparison, Shopify Plus places no limits on staff accounts, meaning you have the flexibility to grow your team without incurring extra costs.
Pricing
Shopify offers plans for small or growing businesses with prices ranging from $5 to $399 a month. This setup is clear and suits many types of businesses. Shopify Plus is for larger companies, starting at $2,000 a month. The cost depends on how much the company sells and if it needs special features or extra help. So Shopify has straightforward fixed prices, while Shopify Plus provides flexible pricing for bigger businesses.
Conclusion
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus come packed with features to help grow your business.
Shopify Plus provides added functionalities like advanced promotional tools, enhanced B2B features, and the flexibility of headless commerce. However, you can also get more out of Shopify by using an all-in-one solution like Channelwill.
Channelwill boosts your store’s capabilities, from improving conversion rates and automating marketing to providing social proof and round-the-clock support. With such tools at your disposal, you can elevate your online store to new heights.
FAQs About Shopify vs Shopify Plus
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