Shopify Advanced Plan Review: Power Up your Online Business

shopify-advanced-plan-review

As your business scales new heights, your online store needs to keep pace. Shopify offers a range of plans to cater to businesses of all sizes, but for those experiencing significant growth, the Advanced Plan might be the missing piece. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dissect everything you need to know about the Shopify Advanced plan. We’ll delve into its features and pricing structure and compare it to other plans to help you determine if it’s the perfect fit for your flourishing business. So buckle up and get ready to unlock the potential of your Shopify store with the power of the Advanced Package!

1. What is the Shopify Advanced plan? 

Shopify Advanced plan is one of the higher-tier plans designed for stores that require more advanced features and capabilities. If your venture is growing and looking for more features to scale up, this plan is right for you. It includes all the features of the Basic Shopify plan and the Shopify plan, plus some additional benefits, which will be discussed later in this post.

This plan costs $299 monthly, but the price might vary slightly depending on your region. Additionally, Shopify often offers introductory discounts or promotions, so be sure to check their website for the latest pricing details.

Like the other Shopify subscription plans, the Advanced plan offers a 3-day free trial to explore its functionalities and see if it aligns with your business goals. This allows you to test the platform before committing to a paid subscription.

Check out our detailed Shopify review for guidance in using this platform. It offers a thorough examination of Shopify’s pricing structure and features.

2. What does the Advanced Shopify Plan include?

The Shopify Advanced plan equips you with a robust set of features designed to empower your growing business. This package goes beyond the basic functionalities of selling products online. It provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to help you manage a complex business, optimize performance, and achieve lasting growth.

Here’s a breakdown of Shopify Advanced plan features that unlock new possibilities for your business:

FeaturesDescription
Online storeBuild, customize, and manage your online store through an intuitive theme editor in the Shopify admin interface.
Brand assetsEasily add and manage your brand assets like logo, colors, and slogan.
BlogPublish articles, promote events, and engage with customer feedback.
Unlimited productsSell unlimited products and services.
Unlimited bandwidthNo charges for the number of visitors or uploaded files/photos.
Fraud analysisAutomatically detect and prevent potentially fraudulent orders.
Manual order creationEasily create new orders and input payment details directly from your Shopify admin.
Discount codesOffer discount codes and allow combining discounts to attract more customers.
Custom pricing by marketSet custom prices and percentage adjustments for specific countries or regions.
Abandoned cart recoveryRe-engage customers who exit the checkout process prematurely.
Shopify POSSell in physical stores or pop-up setups, all manageable through your Shopify admin and accessible via any browser.
Staff accountsAdd and manage up to 15 staff accounts.
Collaborator accountsGrant restricted access to your store to designers, developers, and marketing experts with collaborator accounts (These accounts do not count toward staff account limits).
Customer supportEnjoy 24/7 chat support for troubleshooting and guidance.
ReportsAccess detailed insights to track business performance.
Inventory locationsManage inventory, fulfill orders, and sell products across up to 10 locations, including retail stores, warehouses, and pop-ups
Checkout capacityIncrease 10x checkout capacity during sales events and queue excess shoppers to a waiting room.
Competitive transaction feesEnjoy the competitive transaction fees compared to other lower plans.
Carrier-calculated shippingIntegrate third-party shipping services for up-to-date shipping rates and options with carrier-calculated shipping.
International commerceExpand internationally with Shopify Markets effortlessly.

3. Shopify Advanced plan pricing breakdown

shopify-advanced-plan-pricing

 

💡 Subscription fee:

  • Monthly: $399 per month
  • Annual: $299 per month (billed annually). Choosing the annual plan saves you $1,200 per year, a significant 25% discount.

💡 Transaction fee:

  • Online credit card transactions: 2.5% + $0.30 USD per transaction.
  • In-person transaction fees: 2.4%. Notably, the Shopify Advanced plan waives the in-person transaction surcharge.
  • Third-party payment processors: Shopify also supports third-party payment processors, with transaction fees of 0.6%.

💡 Total cost breakdown:

Calculating your total cost depends on your sales volume and transaction types. Here’s a simplified example:

  • Monthly subscription: $299 (assuming you opt for the annual plan)
  • Let’s say you process 1000 online credit card transactions in a month with an average value of $50.
  • Transaction fees break down as follows:
    • Online credit card fees: [(2.5% x $50) + $0.30] x 1000 = $1550
    • Third-party payment processor fees: 0.6% x $50 x 1000 = $300 

Adding your subscription fee and estimated transaction fees, your total monthly cost would be around:

  • $299 (monthly subscription) + $1550 (online credit card fees) = $1799 if you use Shopify payments
  • $299 (monthly subscription) + $1550 (online credit card fees) + $300 (third-party payment processor fees) = $2149 if you use third-party payment gateways

Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shopify Website in 2024

4. Try before you buy: Does the Shopify Advanced plan offer a free trial?

shopify-advanced-plan-review

 

Before diving headfirst, Shopify understands the importance of trying before you buy. That’s why they offer a free trial for the Advanced plan (and all their other plans) to give you a taste of the platform’s functionalities and see if it aligns with your business needs.

The Advanced plan’s free trial typically lasts three days. This gives you a valuable window to explore the platform’s features and see how they can benefit your business. You can test features like the Advanced Report Builder, experiment with creating custom shipping options, or even see how additional staff accounts streamline your workflow.

Keep in mind that the free trial may have some limitations. For instance, processing live transactions might not be possible. However, this shouldn’t hinder your ability to explore the platform’s functionalities and assess its suitability for your needs.

To activate your free trial, visit the Shopify website, enter your email, and voila. Within seconds, you’ll be ready to explore the power of the Shopify Advanced plan. 

5. Who should consider the Shopify Advanced plan? 

The Shopify Advanced plan bridges the gap between basic plans and enterprise-level solutions. It’s ideal for businesses experiencing significant growth and facing limitations with their current plan. Here’s how you can determine if the Advanced plan is the right fit:

💡 Outgrowing the Basic Shopify plan: If you’re exceeding the sales volume or staff account limitations of the Basic Shopify plan, the Advanced plan offers more breathing room and advanced features to support your growth.

💡 High sales volume and transaction fee savings: With higher sales volume comes the potential for significant savings on transaction fees. The Advanced plan boasts lower rates compared to lower tiers.

💡 Need for advanced features: Do you crave deeper data analysis with custom reports? Do you require a larger team with assigned roles or want to explore international sales opportunities? The Advanced plan offers features like advanced reporting, increased staff accounts, third-party calculated shipping rates, and global commerce tools to empower your growth. 

6. Comparison of Shopify Advanced plan to other Shopify pricing options

Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on your business needs and growth stage. Here’s a breakdown of how the Shopify Advanced plan compares to other popular options:

6.1. Advanced Shopify Plan vs Shopify Plan

FeatureShopify PlanShopify Advanced Plan
Monthly price(annual payment)$79$299
Ideal forGrowing businesses with moderate sales volumeEstablished businesses with high sales volume.
Additional staff accounts515
Customer supportGet 24/7 support through live chatGet 24/7 support through enhanced live chat
Reporting & analyticsBasic reportsAdvanced reporting & analytics with custom reports
Checkout capacityStandard10x
3rd-party calculated shipping rates
Online standard card rates2.7% + 30¢2.5% + 30¢
Online premium card rates3.3% + 30¢3.1% + 30¢
In-person credit/debit transaction rates2.5% + 10¢2.4% + 10¢
Third-party transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments1%0.6%
Localized selling with custom markets3 markets included3 included + $59/mo per added active market
Duties and import taxes

The Shopify Plan is a good starting point for businesses that are just getting started or have a moderate sales volume. It offers all the essential features you need to launch and run your online store. 

However, if you’re an established business with high sales volume, the Advanced Shopify plan is a better option. It provides lower transaction fees, waives the in-person transaction surcharge, and unlocks advanced features like in-depth reporting, third-party calculated shipping rates, and full access to the Shopify API for deeper customization. The increased staff accounts also allow for better team management for larger businesses. 

Ultimately, the best plan for you depends on your specific business needs and growth trajectory.

6.2. Advanced Shopify vs Shopify Plus. Should you upgrade to Shopify Plus?

FeatureShopify Advanced planShopify Plus
Monthly price(annual payment)$299Starting at $2,300 USD/mo on a 3-year term
Ideal forGrowing businesses with high sales volumeLarge enterprises with very high sales volume and complex business needs
Additional staff accounts15Unlimited
Customer supportGet 24/7 support via enhanced live chatGet priority support by phone or live chat
Headless storefronts125
Inventory locations10200
Checkout capacity10x40x
Shopify POS Pro (per location)$89/mo20 locations included or 200 with Shopify Payments
Shopify PaymentsCompetitive ratesMost competitive rates
Third-party transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments0.6%0.2%
Localized selling with custom markets3 included + $59/mo per added active market50 markets included
Checkout extensibility
Sell wholesale and DTC
Find high-intent customers at lower cost
Free expansion stores9
ShopifyQL Notebooks
Protects your online store from bots during flash sales
Exclusive API access and endpoints
Feature test drives
Schedule automated promotions, product releases, and online store updates
Custom app built with Shopify Functions
Shopify organizational admin
Shopify Plus Certified App Partners
Shopify Plus Academy
Shop Cash campaigns

The Advanced Shopify plan is a step up from the Shopify plan, offering lower transaction fees, advanced features like in-depth analytics, and support for high sales volume. However, Shopify Plus caters to a whole different level. It’s ideal for large, high-growth businesses with complex needs. 

Shopify Plus offers significant advantages, such as potentially even lower transaction fees based on negotiation, highly customizable reporting tools, advanced support for complex shipping scenarios, and extensive B2B functionalities. Additionally, Shopify Plus allows for managing multiple stores under one roof and provides dedicated support for custom app development. 

The key difference lies in scalability and customization. While Advanced Shopify helps established businesses thrive, Shopify Plus empowers them to excel at an enterprise level. For more details on this ultimate package, check out our Shopify Plus plan review and gain insightful information on how it can elevate your e-commerce business to new heights.

7. Conclusion

To wrap it up, eComStart has walked you through an in-depth look at the Shopify Advanced plan review, which bridges the gap between basic plans and enterprise-level solutions. With its robust features, cost-saving benefits, and support for growth, it offers a competitive edge in the ever-evolving landscape of online commerce. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your business with the Shopify Advanced plan today. Take the next step towards success and unlock the full potential of your e-commerce venture. Sign up now and start maximizing your growth potential with the Shopify Advanced plan!

8. FAQs

Author:
Kathy Ella is an eCommerce expert with nearly 5 years of experience helping businesses start and grow online stores. She gives simple advice to make launching and managing an online store easier for everyone. See her LinkedIn profile here

Enquire now

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we will contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.