As your business scales to new heights, the limitations of your current eCommerce platform might become apparent.
If you’re a high-growth business struggling with standard Shopify plans, there’s a powerful solution waiting: Shopify Plus plan.
This article will delve into the world of Shopify Plus, exploring its features, pricing structure, and the advantages it offers for businesses like yours.
Contents
1. What is Shopify Plus plan?
Introduced by Shopify in 2014, Shopify Plus plan is an enterprise-level eCommerce solution, designed specifically for high-growth businesses with significant sales volume. It empowers them with the tools and capabilities to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
Shopify Plus ensures a smooth customer experience even during high-traffic periods with its near-perfect uptime (99.98%) guarantee.
Backed by a large partner ecosystem, millions of users, and proven performance during peak sales periods, Shopify Plus offers the reliability and security that large businesses can depend on.
In essence, Shopify Plus goes beyond the basic features of standard Shopify plans, offering a robust suite of tools for large-scale businesses.
2. What does the Shopify Plus include?
2.1. Shopify Plus Plan features
Shopify Plus offers a comprehensive feature set designed to empower high-growth businesses with the tools and functionalities they need to scale, automate tasks, customize the shopping experience, and manage complex B2B operations.
| Areas | Features |
| Advanced Automation | – Build complex workflows with triggers, conditions, and actions. – Automate tasks beyond Shopify functionalities with API integrations. |
| Customizable Checkout | – Design a branded checkout experience. – Add custom fields for data collection. – Offer guest checkout options. |
| Staff Accounts | – Manage unlimited staff accounts. – Assign granular permissions for different user roles. – Create custom user groups for efficient workflow. |
| Wholesale/B2B Features | – Accept purchase orders for B2B transactions. – Create customer groups with tiered pricing. – Generate custom invoices. |
| Advanced Promotion Options | – Create gift cards and loyalty programs. – Offer targeted promotions based on customer data. – Schedule complex promotional campaigns with automation. – Recover abandoned carts with targeted offers. |
| Product Variants | – Manage complex products with multiple variants, options, and bundles. |
| Resources | – Access a wider range of apps in the Shopify Plus app marketplace. – Get dedicated support from merchant success managers. – Access exclusive training programs through Shopify Plus Academy. |
2.2. Inventory management on Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus offers a powerful foundation for managing inventory in a large business environment. It equips you with the tools to streamline your inventory operations and ensure efficient growth.
- Real-time visibility and control:
- Gain instant insights into your stock levels across various product variations, helping you avoid stockouts and overselling.
- Monitor inventory levels in real-time across multiple warehouses or fulfillment centers (with app integrations).
- Enhance collaboration and efficiency:
- Collaborate seamlessly with vendors, warehouses, and suppliers, ensuring everyone has access to up-to-date information on product availability and inventory levels.
- Streamline communication and processes throughout your supply chain.
- Scalability for growth: The platform scales to accommodate your growing inventory and sales volume, ensuring smooth operations as your business expands.
- Automation for efficiency: Automate tasks like order generation based on pre-defined minimum and maximum inventory levels, saving time and minimizing manual work.
- Multi-warehouse management: Monitor inventory levels across multiple warehouses simultaneously, providing a holistic view of your stock.
- Advanced order tracking (with app integrations): Track the status of orders as they move through the supply chain, providing valuable insights into product movement and delivery timelines.
2.3. Analytics & reporting
Shopify Plus empowers high-volume stores with a robust suite of analytics tools designed to provide in-depth insights into your business performance. Here’s what sets Shopify Plus apart:
- Comprehensive analytics suite:
- Trackable insights: Monitor key metrics like sales, traffic, and customer behavior to understand what drives your business.
- Advanced reporting: Generate detailed reports on customer lifetime value (CLV), PPC campaign performance, churn rate, and average order value.
- Customizable dashboards: Create personalized dashboards to visualize critical data points and track performance trends.
- Customer segmentation: Segment your customer base by demographics or behavior to personalize marketing campaigns and product recommendations.
- Predictive analytics: Leverage data to forecast future trends and make informed decisions about inventory, marketing campaigns, and product development.
- A/B testing: Test different versions of website elements (e.g., product pages, checkout flows) to identify what resonates best with your audience and improve conversion rates.
- Seamless integrations: Connect your store with popular sales and marketing channels like Google Ads and Facebook Ads for automated data feeds and multi-channel metric tracking.
2.4. API access
Shopify Plus API empowers large businesses with a powerful tool to unlock a new level of customization, efficiency, and growth for their eCommerce stores.
Shopify Plus unlocks access to a range of powerful resources that can significantly enhance your store’s functionality:
- Gift Card API: Create, manage, and update gift cards with ease, offering customers flexible payment options and boosting loyalty programs.
- Multipass API: Simplify the user experience by allowing customers to seamlessly access and navigate multiple storefronts with a single login.
- User API: Efficiently manage staff profiles and permissions within your Shopify Plus admin, ensuring secure access control.
Shopify Plus offers significantly higher API rate limits compared to the standard Shopify plan. This translates to faster communication between your systems and the platform, enabling:
- Faster data synchronization: Real-time data exchange ensures your store remains up-to-date and avoids delays.
- Streamlined processes: Automate tasks and workflows to optimize your operations.
- Reduced wait times: Deliver a smooth customer experience with faster loading times and quicker order processing.
2.5. Support
Shopify Plus offers a premium customer support experience tailored to the needs of high-volume businesses. Here’s a breakdown of what sets it apart:
- 24/7 Availability: Shopify Plus merchants receive around-the-clock phone support, ensuring immediate assistance for critical issues.
- Account Managers: You’ll be assigned a dedicated account manager with in-depth knowledge of Shopify Plus functionalities
- Knowledge Base: A vast collection of articles, tutorials, and FAQs on various Shopify Plus functionalities allows you to find quick answers to common questions.
- Training Programs: Gain in-depth knowledge through access to training programs and workshops designed for Shopify Plus users.
3. How much is Shopify plus plan?
We can see that Shopify Plus is a powerful eCommerce platform designed for high-volume businesses. It offers robust features, scalability, and dedicated support, but with great power comes a price tag.
So the question is, how much does it cost to build a Shopify website?
To answer it, let us become your Shopify Plus plan calculator and check the key costs associated with this plan. It will give you a clear picture of the investment required for your high-volume store.
3.1. Subscription fees
The standard Shopify Plus pricing has two options:
- A monthly fee of $2,300 for a 3-year contract with standard integrations and setups.
- A monthly fee of $2,500 for a 1-year contract with standard integrations and setups.
3.2. Payment processing fees
The payment processing fees on Shopify Plus depend on your chosen payment gateway. Here is a quick overview:
| Payment gateway | Fees |
| Shopify Payment | Varies by country (estimated 1.6% + $0.35 per transaction) |
| Third-party processors | Varies by provider + 0.20% Shopify Plus fee |
3.2.1. Shopify Payments
This is Shopify’s built-in payment processing solution and offers the lowest rates on Shopify Plus.
Rates vary by country, so it’s best to contact Shopify Plus for the most up-to-date information for your location. However, as an estimate, you can expect to pay around 1.6% + $0.35 per transaction.
Please note that Shopify Payments are not available in all countries. You can check the list of supported countries for Shopify Payments first before choosing the payment gateway.
3.2.2. Third-party processors
Shopify Plus integrates with various third-party payment gateways. Each provider has its own fee structure, so be sure to check their specific rates before choosing one.
In addition to their fees, Shopify Plus plan pricing charges an additional 0.20% per transaction for security and compliance costs.
3.3. Credit card transaction fees
Shopify Plus credit card rates may differ based on your location. We can take a specific example of transaction fees in the United States:
- Domestic Visa/Mastercard: 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction
- AMEX and Foreign Cards: An additional 1% on top of the domestic rate (likely 3.15% + $0.30)
When comparing Shopify Plus vs Advanced plan, it offers lower transaction fees (Shopify Advanced plan transaction fee is at 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction). This can be a significant cost-saving for high-volume stores.
3.3. Other fees
3.3.1. Shopify tax pricing
All Shopify Plus stores get a free tax calculation for the first $100,000 of US sales per calendar year. This applies to each store.
Once your store exceeds the $100,000 threshold, a 0.25% calculation fee is applied to orders with tax calculations. This is lower than the fee on the basic Shopify plans (0.35%).
There are two caps on Shopify Tax fees for Shopify Plus plan:
- Order cap: A maximum of $0.99 per order, regardless of order value.
- Yearly cap: A maximum of $5,000 per store, per calendar year.
3.3.2. Apps fees
The core Shopify Plus platform provides powerful features, but businesses often require additional functionalities to truly optimize their online store. This is where apps come in.
App fees vary significantly depending on the chosen app, its features, and your chosen plan within the app. Costs typically range from $200 to $1,000 per month, but some can be more expensive.
3.3.3. Development costs
Building a custom Shopify Plus store requires upfront investment, but the cost can vary greatly depending on your needs.
The extent of customization you desire directly affects the cost. Highly customized stores requiring unique design elements and functionalities will be more expensive than using pre-built themes.
Also, if your business requires a custom app tailored to your specific needs, expect significant development costs.
In addition, the experience level of your chosen developer can impact development costs. More experienced developers often charge higher rates.
3.3.4. Maintenance fees
One advantage of the Shopify Plus plan is its relatively low maintenance cost compared to other platforms.
Shopify Plus is a fully hosted platform, meaning Shopify takes care of server maintenance, security patches, and other technical aspects. This eliminates the need for your business to invest in a dedicated IT team for these tasks.
However, it’s important to factor in potential costs associated with maintaining custom aspects of your store and integrations with third-party apps.
If your store has custom themes or functionalities, you might incur fees for maintaining and updating those specific areas.
In addition, maintaining integrations with third-party apps may involve additional costs depending on the app and its specific requirements.
>> Besides to Shopify Plus plan, you can check out this detailed and comprehensive Shopify Pricing plan review to get an overview of all plans on this powerful platform!
4. Shopfy Plus pros & cons
4.1. Shopify Plus plan advantages
- Scalability and performance: Handles high sales volume and traffic efficiently.
- Reduced maintenance: Shopify Plus is fully hosted, minimizing your need for server maintenance and security expertise.
- Lower transaction fees: Compared to basic Shopify plans, Shopify Plus offers lower transaction fees, potentially saving you money on high-volume sales.
- Powerful built-in tools: Product management, inventory tracking, payment processing, and more streamlined operations.
- Dedicated support: Priority access to Shopify’s support team ensures you receive prompt assistance for any issues.
- Security: A PCI-compliant platform ensures secure payment transactions and data encryption.
- Various app integrations: Integrates with a vast app store, allowing you to extend functionalities to fit your specific needs.
4.2. Shopify Plus plan disadvantage
- Higher subscription fee: The base subscription fee for Shopify Plus is significantly higher than the basic Shopify plans.
- Potential for additional costs: App fees, custom development costs, and Shopify Plus variable fees for very high-volume stores can add up.
- Less customization flexibility: Compared to self-hosted platforms, Shopify Plus offers less flexibility for extensive customization outside their theme and app options.
- Migration process: Migrating your store to Shopify Plus can take time and may involve temporary double billing for both your old platform and the new Shopify Plus plan.
5. Does the Shopify Plus plan offer a free trial? How to start?
No, Shopify Plus does not offer a free trial. Shopify Plus is designed for high-volume businesses and the platform acknowledges that a free trial wouldn’t be a sufficient way to assess its functionalities for your specific needs.
Here’s how to get started with Shopify Plus login:
- Visit the Shopify Pricing page
- Choose Get in touch in the Shopify Plus plan section
- Contact Sales: There’s no option to sign up directly online. You’ll need to contact the Shopify Plus sales team through the website or by phone.
- Schedule a demo: A Shopify Plus specialist will discuss your business needs and walk you through the platform’s features in a demo.
- Review custom quote: Based on your needs and projected sales volume, Shopify Plus will provide you with a custom quote that outlines the monthly subscription fee and any other applicable charges.
- Get started and set up Shopify Plus plan: Once you accept the quote, the Shopify Plus team will guide you through the onboarding and implementation process. This may involve data migration from your existing platform and store setup.
6. Who is Shopify Plus for?
Shopify Plus is designed for high-growth businesses with large sales volumes, typically exceeding $1 million annually.
It will be ideal for:
- Large, established businesses: Companies with a proven track record of success and significant sales volume.
- Fast-growing businesses: Entrepreneurs anticipating substantial growth and needing a scalable platform.
- Businesses requiring complex features: Companies needing advanced functionalities like custom permissions, staged rollouts, or robust analytics.
- Large online catalogs: Businesses managing a vast array of products that standard Shopify plans might struggle with.
All4cycling, an online cycling equipment store, is a prime example of how Shopify Plus can benefit growing businesses.
The platform’s scalability, automation capabilities, and support for international expansion empower businesses to overcome growth hurdles and achieve remarkable results.
As All4cycling’s founder and CEO, Luca Nardello, aptly states, “Shopify Plus offers scalability and the capabilities to serve customers in the best way. Before everything was difficult, now everything has become simple”.
Thanks to Shopify Plus plan, its conversion rate skyrocketed by over 40%. All4cycling also saw a 35% growth in turnover and a 25% increase in website traffic since the migration to Shopify Plus.
7. Shopify Plus plan comparison
7.1. Shopify Plus plan vs Standard Shopify plans
Shopify offers a variety of plans to cater to businesses of all sizes.
We will show you a breakdown of the key differences between Shopify Plus and the standard Shopify plans (Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify) to help you decide which option is best for you.
>> And also, you can check out more details on key differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus plan here!
| Shopify | Shopify Plus | |
| Target audience | Startups, small & medium businesses | Large, established businesses, high-volume sellers |
| Pricing | – Basic Shopify plan: $39/month – Shopify plan: $105/month – Advanced Shopify plan: $399/month (* Pay monthly) | Custom, typically $2500+ per month (1-year term) |
| Transaction fees | – Basic Shopify plan: 2% – Shopify plan: 1% – Advanced Shopify plan: 0.5% | 0.15% |
| Features | Basic eCommerce functionalities | Extensive feature set for complex needs |
| Advanced automation | Limited automation through apps | Extensive automation with tools like Launchpad and Shopify Flow |
| Customizable checkout | Limited to theme options | Highly customizable checkout experience |
| Staff accounts | Up to 15 accounts with limited permissions | Unlimited staff accounts with permission controls |
| Wholesale/B2B features | Limited to wholesale channels app | Built-in B2B features (customer groups, pricing tiers) |
| Promotion options | Basic discounts, coupons, and gift certificates | Advanced promotional tools, targeted marketing options |
| Additional resources | – Limited (Shopify App Store, Shopify Experts) | – Shopify Plus Academy – Merchant Success Program – Partners Directory – Special beta programs – Exclusive apps & integrations |
| Scalability | Limited scalability for high traffic and sales volume, suitable for < 100,000 orders/month | Highly scalable to accommodate growth |
| Customization | Limited to themes and app integrations | Extensive customization options for storefront and workflows |
| Inventory management | Basic inventory management tools | Advanced inventory management features (multi-location inventory, real-time stock updates, seamless integrations, etc.) |
| Analytics & Reporting | Basic reports on sales, traffic, and customers | Advanced analytics with detailed insights and reporting tools |
| API Access | Limited access for developers | Full API access for custom integrations (e.g: GiftCard, User, Multipass Login, etc.) |
| Security & Compliance | Basic security features (SSL certificates and fraud protection) | Enterprise-grade security (PCI compliance, data encryption, and SOC 2 certification) |
| Support | Basic customer support (live chat, email, phone) | 24/7 dedicated account manager support |
(*) Small note: In addition to these Shopify plans, there is another option called the Shopify Starter plan for those who want to sell on social media. Let’s check it out also!
7.2. Shopify Plus vs Bigcommerce
Both Shopify Plus and BigCommerce are leading contenders, offering robust features and scalability for large businesses. Here in this article, we will offer a quick recap of a head-to-head comparison in pricing between Shopify Plus vs BigCommerce.
| Shopify Plus plan | BigCommerce | |
| Pricing model | Custom quote, starts at $2,500/month, revenue-based above $800,000/month (0.25%, capped at $40,000) | Custom quote, estimated $1,000 – $15,000/month |
| Credit card processing fees | Varies, potentially lower rates for high-volume with Shopify Payments (2.15% + $0.30) | 2.05% + $0.49 |
| Additional transaction fees | 0.15% if not using Shopify Payments | None |
| Theme costs | $140 – $380 (one-time) | $100 – $350 (one-time) |
7.3. Shopify Plus vs Magento
When choosing an eCommerce platform for your high-growth business, pricing is a crucial factor. In this article, we will shed light on the pricing structures of Shopify Plus and Magento Commerce (now known as Adobe Commerce) to help you make an informed decision.
| Shopify Plus plan | Magento Commerce | |
| Pricing model | Custom quote, starts at $2,500/month, revenue-based above $800,000/month (0.25%, capped at $40,000) | Starts at $22,000/year (varies based on GMV and company size) |
| Credit card processing fees | Varies, potentially lower rates for high-volume with Shopify Payments (2.15% + $0.30) | Varies based on payment method |
| Additional transaction fees | 0.15% if not using Shopify Payments | None |
| Hosting fees | None | Estimated minimum $1,000/month for third-party hosting, or $3,333/month for Magento Commerce Cloud |
| Development costs | $0 – $250,000+ | $100,000 – $500,000+ |
You can see that besides Shopify Plus, there are also many powerful platforms for your online business, like Bigcommerce or Magento. Each platform has different opportunities and challenges as we discussed above.
Therefore, why don’t you check out this comprehensive Shopify review with more detailed information about its functions and abilities? And you can decide whether it is the perfect fit for your online business!
8. Conclusion
We hope that this Shopify Plus plan review gives you comprehensive and in-depth insights about this powerful platform.
If you’re a rapidly growing business seeking the ultimate in features, support, and scalability, Shopify Plus is the king of the castle.
And also, you can explore our eComStart resources to collect more helpful information and choose the right fit for your eCommerce journey!
9. FAQs
