The world of eCommerce is booming for good reason. It offers great opportunities for businesses of all sizes to reach more customers and growth. But for entrepreneurs and small business owners new to online space, it can feel overwhelming. Where do you even get started?
The answer is Shopify, a leading eCommerce platform that offers a variety of plans to empower businesses at every stage. In this blog, we will walk you through the Shopify Basic Plan review, covering everything you need to know about this subscription, including its features, pricing, and free trial.
This guide will help you decide if it’s the right choice to jumpstart your business dream. So, get ready to unlock the potential of your online venture with us now!
Contents
- 1. What is the Shopify Basic Plan?
- 2. What does the Basic Shopify Plan include?
- 3. Breakdown of Basic Shopify Plan cost: Subscription & transaction fees
- 4. Does the Shopify Basic Plan offer a free trial?
- 5. Who is Shopify Basic for?
- 6. What is the difference between Shopify Basic and Shopify Plan?
- 7. Conclusion
- 8. FAQs
1. What is the Shopify Basic Plan?
The Shopify Basic Plan is your stepping stone to eCommerce success. At $29 per month, if paying annually (with potential variations depending on your region), it offers all the tools needed to create a professional online store and manage your sales. You can conveniently handle all your products, orders, and customer details directly through the Shopify admin panel.
This plan is a step up from the Shopify Starter Plan ($5/month), which focuses primarily on adding sales channels to existing platforms like social media. Unlike the Starter Plan, the Basic Plan allows you to build a full-fledged online store, complete with product listings, order processing, and marketing features. Choosing between Shopify Starter Plan vs Basic depends on your business goals and current sales strategy.
To start your experience, Shopify offers a 3-day free trial for all its plans, including the Basic Plan. This allows you to explore the platform’s functionalities and see if it’s right for you. Additionally, Shopify may offer introductory discounts or bundled services depending on the current promotions.
2. What does the Basic Shopify Plan include?
With Basic Plan, you’ll get everything you need to launch and manage a thriving online store. Let’s delve into the Shopify Basic Plan features that empower your eCommerce journey:
Features | Description |
|---|---|
Online store | Build and manage a beautiful online store with customizable themes through the Shopify admin. |
Brand assets | Customize your store’s look and feel with your logo, colors, and slogan. |
Unlimited products | Sell as many products as you want in your Shopify store. |
Collaborator accounts | Securely share specific access to your store with partners like designers or marketers. |
Customer support | Get help 24/7 through Shopify’s chat support or connect with an advisor. |
Sales channels | Sell your products across various platforms like social media and marketplaces to reach a wider audience. |
Analytics | Track your store’s performance with key sales, order, and visitor data. |
Reports | Gain valuable insights into your business performance with a wide range of reports (sales, analytics, etc.). |
Inventory locations | Manage inventory across multiple locations (up to 10 stores) for a smooth and efficient operation |
Manual order creation | Create and manage orders directly in your Shopify admin. |
Marketing features | Get your store discovered with basic marketing tools like discount codes and gift cards to attract new customers and reward existing ones. |
Abandon cart recovery | Win back sales with automatic emails reminding customers of their abandoned carts. |
Shopify POS | Expand your reach by integrating a mobile point-of-sale (POS) system, which allows you to seamlessly accept in-person payments. |
Shipping discount (from DHL Express, UPS, or USPS) | up to 77% |
Custom pricing by market | Set prices and adjust them for specific regions, even showing local currencies. |
Blog | Engage with customers and promote your brand with a built-in blogging platform. |
SSL certificates | Secure your store and build trust with automatic SSL certificates (displayed as a padlock icon in the address bar). |
Fraud analysis | Get built-in protection against fraudulent orders. |
International commerce | Expand your reach to global markets with Shopify Markets, a tool for managing international sales. |
Unlimited bandwidth | Don’t worry about extra charges for website traffic or uploads. |
To sum up, the Shopify Basic Plan features enable you to focus on what matters most: creating high-quality products and delivering exceptional customer service.
3. Breakdown of Basic Shopify Plan cost: Subscription & transaction fees
Launching your online store with Shopify Basic Plan requires considering both the monthly subscription fee and transaction fees applied to each sale. Let’s break it down:
3.1. Subscription fee
The Shopify Basic Plan costs $39 monthly, but this price might vary slightly depending on your region. Additionally, Shopify offers discounts for annual billing, bringing the cost down to around $29 per month.
For more insights to help you choose the best plan for your eCommerce needs, click here to see a full Shopify Pricing Plan review, including features, pricing tiers, and everything you need to know.
3.2. Transaction fees
Transaction fees are a percentage of each sale you make through your online store. These fees include the processing costs which is associated with credit card payments. Here’s the detail of the Basic Shopify Plan cost:
- Shopify Payments: If you choose to use Shopify’s own payment processing service, Shopify Payments, the transaction fee is 2.9% of the sale amount plus an additional $0.30 per transaction for online sales.
- Selling in person: In-person transactions using Shopify POS benefit from a lower rate, starting at 2.6% of the sale amount plus $0.10 USD per transaction.
- Third-party payment processors: You can also integrate your store with third-party payment processors. In this case, card rates start at 2% for the Shopify Basic Plan.
3.3. Total cost estimation
The total Basic Shopify Plan price to run your online store depends on your sales volume. Here’s a rough estimate based on hypothetical scenarios:
- Low sales volume (under $1,000/month): In this case, the subscription fee will likely be your biggest expense, although transaction fees might be minimal.
- Medium sales volume ($1,000 – $5,000/month): The subscription fee remains constant, but transaction fees become more noticeable.
- High sales volume (above $5,000/month): Transaction fees can add up significantly.
✨Explore more: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Shopify Website?
4. Does the Shopify Basic Plan offer a free trial?
Before diving headfirst, Shopify lets you experience the power of the Basic Plan (and all their other plans) with a free trial.
3 days to explore: The free trial grants you access to the Shopify Basic Plan for a duration of 3 days. This gives you ample time to tinker around and get a feel for the platform’s functionalities.
Test the waters: During the free trial, you can build your online store, experiment with product listings, and explore marketing tools. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see if Shopify aligns with your vision and workflow.
Limitations to keep in mind: While the free trial offers a great introduction, it’s important to note that you won’t be able to process live transactions with customers. This is to ensure a smooth experience for both you and your potential customers during the trial period.
Getting started: Activating the free trial is a breeze! Simply head over to the Shopify website and create an account. In no time, you’ll be on your way to building your dream online store.
5. Who is Shopify Basic for?
The Shopify Basic Plan is the perfect springboard for aspiring entrepreneurs and blossoming businesses. Choosing this plan if you:
- Are a new business launching your first online store: The Basic Plan offers a user-friendly platform and all the essentials to get started without a hefty investment.
- Have a small business with a limited product range: With the Basic Plan, you can showcase your focused selection and manage inventory efficiently.
- Want to start your eCommerce journey and test the waters: This plan is perfect for dipping your toes into online sales and building your online presence. Learn the ropes, establish your customer base, and easily scale up to a more advanced plan as your business grows.
With its affordability and core functionalities, the Shopify Basic Plan empowers you to lay a solid foundation for your online business venture. If you want to consider more options before diving into Shopify, you can explore Shopify alternatives to have a broader understanding of eCommerce platforms.
6. What is the difference between Shopify Basic and Shopify Plan?
6.1. Basic Shopify vs Shopify Plan
Feature | Basic Shopify Plan | Shopify Plan |
|---|---|---|
Monthly price (annual payment) | $29 | $79 |
Transaction fees (if using third-party payment) | 2% | 1% |
Online standard card rates | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% + 30¢ |
Online premium card rates | 3.5% + 30¢ | 3.3% + 30¢ |
In-person credit/debit transaction rates | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ |
Additional staff accounts | ❌ | 5 |
Shipping discount from DHL Express, UPS, or USPS | up to 77% | up to 88% |
USPS small-package discounts | ❌ | ✅ |
Shipping insurance (get up to $200 coverage with each eligible Shopify Shipping label (for Shopify Payments only) | ❌ | ✅ |
The Basic Shopify vs Shopify Plan offers similar features for building your online store but caters to businesses at different stages. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Shopify Basic Plan: Ideal for startups or small businesses with a limited product range. It provides the essentials for launching your store and managing sales at a budget-friendly price. However, you’ll have higher transaction fees and limited staff accounts.
- Shopify Plan: Perfect for growing businesses that require lower transaction fees, the ability to add team members (staff accounts), and access to more advanced features like discount code creation and in-depth reports. It caters to businesses ready to scale their online presence.
6.2. Should you upgrade to the Shopify Plan?
The Shopify Basic Plan has been a fantastic springboard for launching your online store. It offers a user-friendly platform, essential tools, and a manageable cost structure. But as your business flourishes, you might wonder if it’s time to explore more advanced options.
Consider upgrading to the Shopify Plan if:
- Your sales are soaring: As your sales volume increases, transaction fees on the Basic Plan can become more noticeable. Upgrading to the Shopify Plan offers lower transaction fees, potentially saving you money in the long run.
- You need more helping hands: Expanding your business often means adding team members. The Shopify Plan allows you to create additional staff accounts, ensuring everyone has the access they need to manage your store effectively.
- Advanced features are calling: The Shopify Plan unlocks a wider range of functionalities, from more sophisticated discount codes to detailed reports and analytics. These features can empower you to optimize your marketing strategies, refine your customer experience, and scale your business to new heights.
In short, the Shopify Basic Plan has been a valuable springboard for your online store, but as your business thrives, it’s time to unlock even greater potential. By upgrading to the Shopify Plan, you will enjoy lower transaction fees, multiple staff accounts, and advanced features.
7. Conclusion
Through this article, eComStart has explored everything about Shopify Basic Plan, a powerful springboard for your eCommerce journey. With its affordability and user-friendly interface, the Basic Plan is a great choice to test the eCommerce scene and establish your brand online.
Remember, your online business journey is a marathon, not a sprint. As your business grows, you’ll need to explore the potential of upgrading to a higher Shopify plan that aligns with your goals. Shopify offers a variety of plans to meet your growing needs, ensuring you have the right tools to thrive in the ever-evolving world of eCommerce.
So, are you ready to turn your dream into a reality? Take advantage of Shopify’s free trial and see for yourself how the Basic Plan can empower you to build a successful online store. The world of eCommerce awaits – come join us and make your mark!
8. FAQs
