If you’re thinking about starting an online store or already have one, you’ve probably heard of Shopify. It’s a popular platform that helps businesses sell products online. But before you jump in, it’s important to understand how much is Shopify and what you get for your money.
In this article, we’ll break down Shopify’s pricing plans in simple terms. You’ll learn about the different options available and what features come with each plan. We’ll also show you ways to save money while using Shopify.
So whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your existing store, knowing these details will help you make smart choices.
AdvertisementHow Much is Shopify Pricing Plans
Shopify offers five main pricing tiers to fit various business needs and budgets. The cheapest option is Shopify Starter, which costs $15 per month. This plan is great if you’re just beginning or want to sell through social media.
Next up is Basic Shopify at $39 per month. But here’s a money-saving tip: if you pay for a whole year upfront, it drops to $29 per month. For growing businesses, there’s the standard Shopify plan. It’s priced at $105 monthly, or $79 if you pay annually.
If your business is booming, you might want to consider Advanced Shopify. This plan costs $399 per month, or $299 with annual billing. Lastly, there’s Shopify Plus for big companies. The price for this plan isn’t fixed – it depends on your specific needs.
Remember, each plan comes with different features and tools. As you move up in price, you’ll get more advanced options to help run your online store. In the next sections, we’ll dive deeper into what each plan offers so you can decide which one is right for you.
Detailed Breakdown of Shopify Subscription Fees
Now that you’ve seen the basic pricing, let’s take a closer look at what you get with each Shopify plan. We’ll explore the specific features, tools, and benefits that come with each option. This will help you understand which plan might be the best fit for your online store and business goals.
Shopify Starter Plan
The Shopify Starter plan is perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into e-commerce. With this plan, you can sell products through social media platforms and messaging apps. You’ll get a simple link to share your products, making it easy for customers to buy from you directly.
This plan includes basic features like inventory management and the ability to accept payments. However, it doesn’t come with a full online store or website. You’re limited to selling up to 1,000 products, which is usually enough for beginners.
Keep in mind Shopify charges a 5% transaction fee on each sale with this plan unless you use Shopify Payments. This fee is higher than other plans, but it might be worth it if you’re just starting out and want to keep your monthly costs low.
The Starter plan is great for testing your product ideas or for side hustles. If your business grows, you can easily upgrade to a more comprehensive plan later.
Basic Shopify Plan
The Basic Shopify plan is a step up from Starter, giving you a full-fledged online store. With this plan, you get your own website and can use a custom domain name. This means customers can find your store easily online.
You’ll have access to tools that help you run your business smoothly. These include a blog to share updates, discount code creation for sales, and the ability to print shipping labels. You can also add up to two staff accounts, which is handy if you have someone helping you with your store.
One big advantage of this plan is the lower transaction fees. If you use Shopify Payments, you won’t pay any extra fees on sales. If you use other payment methods, the fee is 2%, which is less than the Starter plan.
Basic Shopify also lets you sell in person if you have a physical store or attend markets. You’ll get basic reports to track your sales and customer behavior, helping you make smart decisions for your business.
This plan is great for new businesses that are serious about growing their online presence and want more control over their store’s look and feel.
Standard Shopify Plan
The standard Shopify plan is designed for growing businesses that need more advanced features. With this plan, you’ll get everything in the Basic plan, plus some extra tools to help your store thrive.
One of the biggest perks is the ability to add up to five staff accounts. This is great if you have a team helping you run your store. You’ll also get professional reports that give you deeper insights into your sales and customers. These reports can help you make smarter decisions about your products and marketing.
Another cool feature is gift cards. You can create and sell gift cards, which can bring in new customers and boost sales. Plus, you’ll have access to better shipping rates, which can save you money on deliveries.
The standard plan also lowers your transaction fees if you’re not using Shopify Payments. You’ll only pay 1% instead of 2% on other payment methods. This can add up to big savings as your sales grow.
If you sell in person, you’ll get hardware support for point-of-sale systems. This makes it easier to manage both your online and offline sales in one place. This plan is perfect if your business is growing quickly and you need more advanced tools to keep up with demand.
Advanced Shopify Plan
The Advanced Shopify plan is packed with powerful features for larger businesses or those growing rapidly. This plan gives you everything from the previous plans, plus some extra tools to take your store to the next level.
One of the standout features is advanced report building. You can create custom reports to dig deep into your store’s performance. This helps you spot trends and make data-driven decisions to boost your sales.
You’ll also get access to third-party calculated shipping rates. This means you can show your customers the exact shipping costs from different carriers, which can help reduce cart abandonment.
With Advanced Shopify, you can add up to 15 staff accounts. This is great if you have a bigger team managing different aspects of your store. The plan also includes an advanced calculator for duties and import taxes, which is super helpful if you sell internationally.
Another big plus is the even lower credit card rates and transaction fees. If you’re not using Shopify Payments, you’ll only pay a 0.5% transaction fee, which can save you a lot of money on high-volume sales.
AdvertisementThis plan is ideal if you’re running a larger operation, selling in high volumes, or if you need detailed analytics and international selling features to grow your business.
Shopify Plus Plan
Shopify Plus is the top-tier plan, designed for big businesses and high-volume sellers. Unlike the other plans, you won’t find a set price for Shopify Plus on the website. That’s because the cost is customized based on your specific business needs.
With Shopify Plus, you get access to some really powerful tools. You can handle huge amounts of orders, even during busy times like Black Friday. The plan also lets you customize your checkout process more than other plans do.
One cool feature is the ability to create up to 10 different store versions. This is great if you sell in different countries and need separate stores for each. You also get a special tool called Launchpad, which helps you plan and run big sales events easily.
Shopify Plus gives you more control over your store’s code, so you can make it look and work exactly how you want. You’ll also get a dedicated support team to help you with any issues.
This plan includes advanced features for wholesale selling, managing multiple stores from one dashboard, and handling complex shipping needs. It’s perfect for large companies or fast-growing businesses needing extra power and flexibility in their online store.
Additional Shopify Costs to Consider
When you’re planning your budget, it’s important to think about more than just Shopify monthly rates. There are a few extra expenses you might need to factor in as well.
First, you’ll need a domain name for your store. While Shopify offers a free .myshopify.com domain, you might want a custom one that matches your brand. This usually costs around $14 to $20 per year.
Next, think about your store’s design. Shopify has free themes, but you might want a premium theme for a unique look. These can cost anywhere from $100 to $350 as a one-time fee.
Apps are another potential expense. While many basic apps are free, some of the more advanced ones that add extra features to your store can cost from $5 to $250 per month, depending on what they do.
Don’t forget about marketing costs. You might want to spend money on ads to attract customers to your store. This cost can vary a lot based on your strategy.
Lastly, if you’re selling physical products, remember to account for shipping costs and packaging materials. These aren’t part of your Shopify plan but are necessary for running your business.
Shopify Payments vs. Third-Party Payment Gateways
When setting up your Shopify store, one important decision you’ll need to make is how to handle payments. You have two main options: Shopify Payments and third-party payment gateways.
Shopify Payments is the easiest option because it’s built right into the platform. With Shopify Payments, you can accept all major credit cards without needing to set up an external account. This makes the checkout process smoother for your customers. Plus, using Shopify Payments means you won’t have to pay extra transaction fees, which can save you money.
On the other hand, third-party payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net offer more flexibility. If you already have an account with one of these providers or need specific features they offer, using a third-party gateway might be the right choice for you.
However, keep in mind Shopify charges additional transaction fees if you use these gateways. These fees can range from 0.5% to 2%, depending on your Shopify plan.
How to Reduce Shopify Costs
Even though running an online store comes with costs, there are ways you can save money on your Shopify expenses.
One effective way to save is by opting for annual billing. If you pay for a whole year upfront, you can save up to 25% compared to monthly payments. This is a great deal if you’re sure about sticking with Shopify for the long haul.
When it comes to your store design, consider starting with a free theme. Shopify offers several good-looking free themes you can use to get started. You can always upgrade to a paid theme later when your business grows.
Be selective about the apps you use. Only add apps you really need for your store. Many tasks can be done without extra apps, so think carefully before adding any paid ones.
Using Shopify Payments can also help you save money. If it’s available in your country, this payment method allows you to avoid extra transaction fees that come with using other payment methods.
For marketing, look for free or low-cost methods. Try using social media, starting a blog, or sending emails to your customers. These can be effective ways to promote your store without spending a lot of money.
If you’re just starting out, consider beginning with the Starter or Basic plan. You can always upgrade later when your business needs more features.
Taking Your Business to the Next Level
Choosing the right Shopify plan is an important decision for your online business. Now that you understand how much is Shopify and what each plan offers, you can make a smart choice fitting your needs and budget. Remember, as your business grows, you can always upgrade your plan to get more features.
Running an online store takes work, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can succeed. Keep learning about e-commerce and stay up to date with the latest trends to make your store stand out.
If you want to learn more about running an online business, check out more of our blogs. We have lots of helpful articles and tips for entrepreneurs like you. Don’t stop here, keep exploring and learning to make your online store the best it can be.
