Introduction
When setting up an online store on Shopify, selecting the right plan is crucial to ensure that you have the necessary features to operate smoothly, and that you aren't overpaying for things you don't need.
This article comes from years of clients asking the question, "which plan should i choose on shopify"?
In this guide, we'll help you understand how to choose the Shopify plan that best suits your needs, focusing on two main aspects - features and costs.
Detail
Key Takeaways (see detailed steps below this)
- Shopify offers various plans including Basic Shopify, Shopify, Advanced Shopify, and Shopify Plus.
- Each plan comes with a different set of features, such as staff accounts, report builders, and third-party shipping rates.
- You will have to pay a monthly fee for the plan you choose.
- Transaction fees are charged per order, and vary depending on the plan so you will want to also make a simple calculation on your orders to know which plan is best to select.
- Shopify Plus is an enterprise solution for larger businesses with additional features and more customization options.
Detailed Steps
1. Understand Your Requirements
Start by understanding what you need for your online store. For instance, if you’re a small business, you may not require advanced features that are meant for larger operations.
2. Compare The Plans
Basic Shopify:
- Monthly Fee: $29
- Online Store
- Unlimited Products
- 2 Staff Accounts
- Support
- Sales Channels
- Discount Codes
- SSL Certificate
- Basic reports
Shopify:
- Monthly Fee: $79
- All features in Basic Shopify
- 5 Staff Accounts
- Gift Cards
- Professional reports
- Lower transaction fees compared to Basic
Advanced Shopify:
- Monthly Fee: $299
- All features in Shopify
- 15 Staff Accounts
- Advanced report builder
- Third-party calculated shipping rates
- The lowest transaction fees among the three
Shopify Plus:
- Monthly Fee: Starts at $2000
- Meant for enterprise-level businesses
- Unlimited Staff Accounts
- Custom Checkout Page
- Multiple Stores Management
- Wholesale channel for B2B
- Lower transaction fees
- Additional APIs
- Automation Integrations
3. Consider The Costs
Look at the monthly fees and the transaction fees for each plan. If you choose Shopify Payments, your transaction fee will be lower. However, if you use a third-party payment gateway, transaction fees will be higher.
For a simple calculation, use our template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oHh0V1_VtiXn5Thx4VcHAWp6VY-K2uz2/edit#gid=1519473813
4. Make A Choice
Choose the plan that aligns with your needs and budget. Remember that you can always upgrade or downgrade your plan as your business evolves.
Summary
Choosing the right Shopify plan is about understanding your requirements and matching them with the features and costs of each plan. For small businesses, Basic Shopify or Shopify might be sufficient. As your business grows, you might find it beneficial to upgrade to Advanced Shopify or even Shopify Plus for enterprise solutions. Always keep an eye on the costs, including transaction fees, to ensure that your choice remains cost-effective.
