Unravel the World of Shopify Pricing: Dive into Plans and Costs with Engaging Insights
What do you get when you mix ambition with a sprinkle of e-commerce dreams? Shopify! But before diving into digital storefronts, let’s decode the compelling mystery of Shopify’s Pricing: Plans and Costs. Brace yourself because in this retail rollercoaster, every cent counts, and we’re here to help you navigate the thrilling twists and turns of online entrepreneurship without breaking the bank!
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is an advanced e-commerce platform that can be used by businesses of any size to launch and manage their own online stores. It provides everything you need to sell your products or services, from website design and hosting to payment processing and marketing tools.
But why is Shopify so popular? It’s not just for the catchy name (although that helps). With its user-friendly interface, customizable themes, and extensive features, Shopify makes creating a professional and successful online store easy. Plus, its dropshipping capabilities make it a favorite among entrepreneurs looking to start their own e-commerce business without the hassle of managing inventory.
As an added bonus, Shopify provides pricing plans that are flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of any size. And with its user-friendly platform and extensive customer support, it’s no wonder that Shopify has become the go-to choice for many online retailers. So whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your existing business, Shopify has everything you need to succeed in e-commerce.
How Does Shopify Work?
To put it simply, Shopify works like a well-oiled machine. You provide the products, and Shopify takes care of everything else. Shopify handles all aspects of your online store, from storefront creation to managing payments and shipments, allowing you to concentrate on running your business.
But don’t worry, Shopify isn’t just one-size-fits-all. With its customizable themes and extensive range of features, you can make your store stand out and cater to the specific needs of your business. Plus, Shopify integrates with various apps and plugins that can further enhance your store’s functionality. Whether you’re an established business owner or just getting your feet wet, Shopify has the resources to succeed. That is some serious collaboration!
How Much Does Shopify Cost?
Now that you know what Shopify is and how it works, let’s get down to pricing. Shopify offers different plans to fit every budget and business size. Five primary Shopify pricing plans range from $9 to $2,000 monthly.
The Basic plan starts at $25 per month, while the most popular plan, the Shopify plan, is priced at $65 per month. For larger businesses with high sales volumes, there’s the Advanced Shopify plan, which costs $399 per month.
Aside from the monthly fee for your chosen plan, there may be additional costs, such as domain name registration and premium themes or apps. But with its affordable plans and extensive features, Shopify is a cost-effective solution for any online business owner looking to succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce.
Confusing? Let’s dive into more details about Shopify’s pricing plans and additional costs. Keep reading to find out which plan best fits your business.
How Much Does It Cost To Build a Shopify Website?
As we discussed, various costs are associated with building a Shopify store, from monthly plan fees to transaction and processing fees. But what about the actual cost of designing and launching your website? That depends on several factors, such as your desired functionality, design quality, and additional features.
A basic eCommerce website with average functionalities typically costs between $3,000 to $6,000. This includes website hosting for up to one year, professionally written content, a five-field contact form, and an eCommerce website design that can accommodate up to 30 products. However, it’s important to note that this is just a general estimate, and the price may vary depending on your specific needs.
But what about advanced features and designs? Well, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. A more sophisticated and polished website with features like a product filter or an advanced eCommerce checkout will come at a higher cost. A full-fledged Shopify website with high-quality design and outstanding features can cost anywhere between $7,000 to $12,000.
While this may seem like a large sum of money at first, remember that Shopify is a robust and flexible platform that may aid in the expansion of your business. In addition, hiring a web developer or designer might save you time and effort if you need more skills to create a website on your own.
And if you’re looking for even more advanced features and functionalities, such as custom payment gateways or abandoned cart recovery, be prepared to invest even more. But trust us, it will be worth it in the long run.
Shopify Pricing Plans
Whether you’re a small startup or a well-established business, Shopify has pricing plans to suit your needs and budget. Plus, with its scalable platform, it’s easy to upgrade as your business grows.
All Shopify plans include 24/7 support and essential tools for entrepreneurs, such as automatic orders, products, and inventory updates. However, the higher-tier programs offer even more features, including shipping discounts, fraud analysis, and language translation. So, let’s find out about the plans.
Shopify Lite – The Starter Pack
The monthly fee is $9 per month.
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of e-commerce, the Shopify Lite plan is a great place to start. It offers only $9 monthly basic features, like a buy button for your existing website and a card reader for in-person transactions.
This plan also includes the core sales functionalities of Shopify, making it perfect for selling through social and messaging apps like Facebook or Messenger. It’s a cost-effective option for those who don’t need a full-fledged online store but still want to start selling their products.
And with 24/7 support and essential tools, you’ll have everything you need to kickstart your e-commerce journey. However, there are better solutions for small businesses looking to build a professional online store.
Shopify Basic – The Heart of E-commerce
The monthly fee is $25 ($19 if paid annually).
The Shopify Basic plan is excellent for entrepreneurs who want to go beyond the basics and create a professional online store. The full e-commerce website with unlimited product listings and sales channels is included in this plan, which costs $19 per month (billed annually) and provides everything the Lite plan does.
With the help of in-depth reporting and analytics, you can keep tabs on your store’s performance and make well-informed choices.
Plus, with in-person transaction fees of only 2.7%, this plan is perfect for businesses that want to sell at physical locations. It is the beating heart of e-commerce for startups and small businesses without breaking the bank.
Shopify Standard – The Most Popular Plan
$65 monthly (or $49 monthly if paid annually)
The Shopify plan, priced at $49 per month (billed annually), is the most popular choice among online business owners. It includes all the basic plan features plus additional functionalities such as abandoned cart recovery and gift cards.
This plan is tailor-made for rapidly expanding companies that want to provide their consumers with a streamlined shopping experience while simultaneously taking advantage of Shopify’s robust advertising feature.
The 2.5% transaction cost can quickly add up to significant savings for high-volume merchants, making this a terrific option for any business.
Advanced Shopify – For High-Volume Merchants,
A monthly fee of $399 (or $299 if paid annually) is charged.
If your business has a high sales volume and needs advanced features to manage it all, then the Advanced Shopify plan is for you.
This package, which costs $299 per month (paid annually) and contains all the Standard plan features plus an advanced report builder and shipping pricing produced by a third party, is called the Premium plan.
It also includes lower transaction fees of 2.4%, making it cost-effective for businesses with high sales volumes. This plan is perfect for established businesses that want to take their e-commerce game to the next level.
Shopify Plus – The Enterprise Solution
$2,000 per month (plus transaction fees)
For larger businesses with high sales volumes and complex structures, Shopify offers its enterprise solution – Shopify Plus. This plan, which has a monthly starting price of $2,000, is made to address the requirements of large-scale e-commerce businesses specifically.
A dedicated launch engineer will assist you with website setup, and it comes with all the features of the Advanced Shopify plan plus extra benefits like reduced transaction fees.
With the ability to customize critical aspects of your site, like the checkout experience, Shopify Plus gives high-volume merchants more control over their online store. Plus, with access to exclusive resources and support from a team of experts, this plan is perfect for businesses looking to take their e-commerce game to the next level.
Shopify Plans Comparison
So far, we’ve covered the different Shopify pricing plans and their features. However, a few technical aspects are different in each plan, and if you are about to start fresh, they may be overwhelming. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose the best plan for your business based on your technical needs:
Features | Lite | Basic | Standard | Advanced | Plus |
Online Credit Card Processing Fees | 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.6% plus 30 cents per transaction | 2.4% plus 30 cents per transaction | Negotiated |
Pricing | $9 per month | $25 per month | $65 per month | $399 per month | $2k/month |
Build Online Store | No – add a Shopify button to the existing site | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Storage and Bandwidth | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Staff Logins | 2 | 2 | 5 | 15 | Unlimited |
Max. Inventory Locations | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | Unlimited |
Unlimited Products | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Abandoned Cart Recovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Duties and Import Taxes | X | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
E-commerce Automations | X | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
Reports | Basic | Basic | Standard | Advanced | Advanced |
Shopify Additional Costs and Fees
While the pricing plans for Shopify are a great starting point, there are a few additional costs and fees to keep in mind when building your online store. These costs may vary depending on your specific needs and goals, but it’s important to consider them before deciding.
Learning About Financial Charges
There is a transaction fee, in addition to the monthly plan fees, for each sale made on your Shopify store. These fees range from 2.7% for the Basic plan, 2.5% for the Standard plan, and 2.4% for the Advanced plan. However, these transaction fees can be significantly reduced or eliminated if you use Shopify Payments as your payment processor.
Credit Card Processing Fees:
Shopify adds a credit card processing fee to every purchase made in your store on top of the standard transaction fee. This fee varies based on the payment processor you choose but can range from 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction for the Basic and Standard plans to 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction for the Advanced plan.
Custom Domain Name:
While Shopify provides a free subdomain for your store (e.g., myshop.myshopify.com), purchasing a custom domain name is highly recommended to establish a professional online presence. It will cost you around $15 yearly to use a domain registrar like Google Domains or DreamHost.
Premium Themes:
Although free themes are available on Shopify, many businesses opt for premium themes to give their store a unique and professional look from the start. These themes can range from $75 to over $300, but they can save you time and effort in designing your website.
Premium Apps and Plugins:
Consider purchasing paid Shopify apps and plugins to expand the features available on your online shop. These vary depending on their features and functionalities, ranging from $5 per month to hundreds of dollars.
Time:
While building your own online store can save you money in hiring a web developer or designer, it will cost you time. It’s important to consider the value of your time and whether it’s worth investing in a professional to help build your store.
Development:
In some cases, businesses may hire a web developer or designer to assist with creating their Shopify site. This can be an additional cost, but it may be worth it for those who need to become more familiar with website development or want a more custom and polished site.
Shopify Pricing Calculator:
Shopify’s pricing calculator can help you choose the best plan for your business based on your unique requirements, so there is no need to guess which one to get. This calculator uses information like your expected monthly sales and average order value to help you find the plan that will save your business the most money. It is a great way to get an idea of how much money you need to invest in Shopify for your specific needs.
Shopify Apps – Pricing and Functionality
As mentioned, Shopify offers a wide range of apps that can enhance your store’s functionality and help you achieve your business goals. However, it’s important to note that these apps come at an additional cost.
The Shopify App Store currently boasts over 6,000 apps, with prices ranging from free to hundreds of dollars per month. Depending on your needs and budget, you may use just a few apps or invest in several to optimize your store’s performance.
Some popular categories of Shopify apps include:
- Marketing and sales: These apps can help increase conversions, improve search engine rankings, and boost social media sales through features such as pop-ups, email marketing, and referral programs.
- Inventory management: These apps assist with managing product inventory, tracking stock levels, and automating order fulfillment processes.
- Customer service: These apps provide customer support tools such as live chat, email automation, and review management to improve the overall shopping experience for your customers.
Selecting which apps to use on your Shopify store requires careful consideration of your business requirements as well as your financial constraints. While they can significantly enhance your store’s functionality, it’s crucial to consider the additional costs involved.
Shopify Domain Pricing:
As mentioned, Shopify offers a free subdomain for your store (e.g., myshop.myshopify.com), but purchasing a custom domain name for a more professional and branded online presence is highly recommended. Purchasing and registering a custom domain generally ranges from $11-$20 per year.
It costs an additional $13 to link an existing domain to your Shopify store; however, this is a one-time cost. However, additional fees may be involved if you want to transfer your domain registration to Shopify.
Overall, investing in a custom domain can greatly benefit your business by making your store more recognizable and trustworthy to customers. It’s a small cost that can make a big impact on the success of your online store.
What is Shopify POS? How To Get POS Features in Shopify Plans?
Shopify POS (Point of Sale) is an additional feature for businesses with physical storefronts. It allows merchants to process in-person payments using their Shopify store, seamlessly integrating online and offline sales.
Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system that combines inventory management, customer information management, and payment processing into a single interface. You can also use it to create a personalized shopping experience for your customers by offering customized discounts and promotions.
To access POS features in your Shopify plan, you will need to add the Shopify POS Pro subscription for an additional $89 per month per location. As a result, access to sophisticated features like multi-location inventory management, omnichannel reporting, and staff roles and permissions will be granted.
In addition to the monthly fee, you may also incur transaction fees when using Shopify POS for in-person sales. These fees vary depending on your chosen payment processor and plan but can range from 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction for the Basic and Standard plans to 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction for the Advanced plan.
Furthermore, all Shopify plans have reasonably comprehensive POS features (excluding Shopify Starter). Therefore, adding Shopify POS Pro is optional and dependent on your business needs. It’s important to carefully consider the costs and benefits before making a decision.
Tips For Saving Money on Shopify:
With all of these costs in mind, it’s understandable that some businesses may be hesitant to invest in a Shopify store. However, there are ways to save money while still building a successful online business.
- First and foremost, take advantage of Shopify’s free trial period. Before committing to a monthly membership, you may discover if the platform works for your needs with this free trial.
- Consider starting with a lower-tier plan and upgrading as your business grows. This will allow you to save money in the beginning while still having the option to access more advanced features in the future.
- Opt for Shopify Payments as your payment processor to save on transaction fees. Also, consider using Shopify’s recommended shipping carriers to receive discounted rates.
- Instead of investing in premium themes and apps from the start, try using free alternatives or wait until your business has grown to justify the cost.
- Utilize Shopify’s marketing tools and resources to promote your store and attract customers. This can save you money on external marketing efforts.
- Seek out the help of experts or platforms selling pre-built Shopify stores, or attend Shopify workshops and webinars to learn tips and tricks for building a successful online store. This can save you time and money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes.
FAQs about Shopify Pricing:
Can we change our plan on Shopify?
Sure, you can modify your Shopify plan whenever you would like. Go to your account settings and select the plan that best suits your current needs. Remember that changing your plan may affect your monthly and transaction fees. You can also upgrade or downgrade your plan if your business grows or slows down.
Where can I find the best pre-built Shopify store?
BeBiggy is a one-stop shop for pre-built Shopify stores, offering a wide range of professionally designed and developed websites at affordable prices. You can browse their collection or even request a custom store that fits your needs and budget.
Do I need coding skills to build a Shopify website?
No, you do not need coding skills to build a Shopify website. With its simple drag-and-drop editor, the platform makes website creation a breeze. However, if you have coding skills or want to customize your website further, Shopify offers the opportunity to edit the CSS and HTML of your theme. Additionally, plenty of resources are available online for learning how to code on Shopify.
How much does it cost to have multiple stores on Shopify?
Depending on your unique requirements and the features you want for each store, having multiple Shopify stores will cost different amounts. However, you can save money by using Shopify’s “Multiple Stores” feature, which allows you to manage multiple stores under one account and only pay the add-on fee for each additional store. This feature starts at $14 per month for up to 4 additional stores.
Is Shopify POS included in all plans?
No, Shopify POS is not included in all plans. This feature can be added to your plan for a fee starting at $89 per month. However, this feature can benefit businesses with physical locations by allowing you to sell products and accept payments in person using the Shopify app on your phone or tablet.
Conclusion:
While initial costs are associated with building a Shopify website, these are greatly outweighed by the advantages and growth potential these platforms offer. By carefully weighing your options and budget, you can create a professional yet reasonably priced online store that will help your business succeed in the cutthroat world of eCommerce. So go ahead and start building your Shopify dropshipping business today! Happy selling!