- What makes an ecommerce platform the best?
- What Goes into Calculating the Cost of an eCommerce Platform?
- Shopify Plus: The Premium Plan
- Shopify Advanced: A Feature-Rich Option
- Shopify Advanced vs Plus: Key Differences
- How Wide Ripples Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the differences between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus?
- How does Shopify Advanced support business growth?
- Which features are unique to Shopify Plus?
- What are the costs associated with Shopify Advanced?
- How can Shopify Advanced help scale my ecommerce business?
- What support does Shopify provide for Advanced plan users?
- How do Shopify themes impact store performance on these plans?
- Can I upgrade from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus?
- What are the limitations of Shopify Advanced compared to Shopify Plus?
- What are common challenges when migrating to Shopify Advanced or Plus?
The eCommerce industry has transformed how we shop, making it possible to buy anything with just a few clicks. As the sector continues to grow, with an expected growth of 8.4% from 2024-2028, more businesses are turning to platforms like Shopify to build their online stores.
Choosing the right Shopify plan can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re scaling up or just starting, understanding the key differences between Shopify Advanced vs Plus is crucial. Both plans offer robust features, but they cater to different business needs.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of Shopify Advanced vs Plus to help you decide which one suits your business best!
What makes an ecommerce platform the best?
Before we discuss Shopify Advanced vs Plus let’s take a moment to understand what makes an excellent ecommerce platform. Here are a few elements that count:
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Understanding the TCO of an eCommerce platform helps determine which one fits your needs and budget.
A leading independent consulting firm researched five platforms: Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce (Magento), WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
We’ll break down their TCO to show how each platform impacts your bottom line.
The Speed of an eCommerce Platform
Site and server speeds are crucial. Time to First Byte (TTFB) measures how quickly a server responds to a browser request, while First Contentful Paint (FCP) measures how fast the first content appears to visitors. Faster speeds improve user experience and conversion rates.
The Conversion Rate of an eCommerce Platform
An efficient checkout process can significantly boost conversion rates. Shopify’s Shop Pay can lift conversions by up to 50% compared to guest checkouts. Features like Shop Pay Installments and Shop Cash enhance the checkout experience, integrating innovative financial services and loyalty programs.
What Goes into Calculating the Cost of an eCommerce Platform?
Calculating the TCO involves more than just the initial setup costs. It includes:
- Implementation and Setup Costs: Customize and integrate third-party applications and plugins.
- Platform Fees and Ecommerce Stack Costs: Subscription fees, transaction fees, and costs of third-party applications.
- Operational and Support Costs: Hosting, security, maintenance, and support services.
- Gained or Lost Conversion: Potential revenue changes based on the platform’s conversion rate.
Shopify Plus: The Premium Plan
Shopify Plus is the highest tier of Shopify’s offering, designed for the functional needs and scale of larger retailers. Success stories include Gymshark, Kylie Cosmetics, AllBirds, Colour Pop, Fashion Nova, and many others.
It has a base license fee of $2,000 per month, which moves to a GMV percentage (0.25%) when you exceed $800,000 gross turnover in any given month.
This remains competitive against most other mid-market and enterprise-level platforms when considering licensing or broader TCO comparisons.
Features
- Customization: Complete control over store appearance and functionality.
- Cost Effectiveness: Ten stores for the price of one, ideal for expanding brands.
- B2B Features: Manage prices and discounts for B2B customers, automate tasks with Shopify Scripts and Launchpad, and integrate with Google Tag Manager.
- Multiple Payment Gateways: Accept payments in multiple currencies.
- Improved API and Store Migration: Faster API calls and easy migration from other platforms.
- Extensive Support: Access to Shopify experts, resources, and Merchant Success Programs.
Shopify Advanced: A Feature-Rich Option
Shopify Advanced is a feature-rich version of Shopify’s powerful SaaS-based platform but with less functionality and benefits compared to Shopify Plus.
It costs a flat $299 per month, with Shopify Payments rates being the same as Plus but with higher costs for using an external gateway.
You’re also limited to one store, meaning a retailer with two stores would be paying $598 per month for two Shopify Advanced accounts.
Features
- Rapid Growth with API Integration: Shopify Advanced simplifies online store growth with easy API integration, connecting payment and courier services to create unique functionalities. For extensive custom solutions, Shopify Plus is recommended.
- Multiple Sales Channels: Shopify Advanced supports various sales channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Shopify POS, and syncs with Google Ads and Google Merchant Center. The wholesale extension is exclusive to Shopify Plus.
Shopify Advanced vs Plus: Key Differences
| Feature | Shopify Advanced | Shopify Plus |
| Clone Stores | Does not allow multiple stores under one license | Allows multiple stores under one license |
| Advanced Design | Limited customization options | Offers full HTML and CSS access for greater customization |
| Advanced Themes | Offers a range of themes not tailored for larger businesses | Provides exclusive themes for high-volume merchants with advanced features |
| Payment Gateways and Fees | Fewer gateways, charges transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments | Access to over 100 payment gateways with no transaction fees |
| Pricing | Starts at $299 per month | Starts at $2,000 per month |
| Support | Support through resources and documentation | Offers a dedicated account manager for personalized assistance |
| Checkout | Uses a standard checkout | Enhanced, customizable checkouts for a unique and streamlined customer experience |
| Languages and Currencies | Does not offer extensive international support | Supports multiple languages and currencies for global markets |
| Marketing Tools | Basic marketing through social channels and Google ads | Includes advanced marketing features like customizable checkout and automated workflows |
| SEO | Strong SEO capabilities with customizable meta tags and URLs | Strong SEO capabilities with customizable meta tags and URLs; more advanced features like custom SEO landing pages |
| Dropshipping | Supports dropshipping but lacks fulfillment automation | Supports dropshipping with the ability to automate fulfillment orders |
| Technical Support | Offers 24/7 support without a dedicated account manager | Offers 24/7 support with a dedicated account manager |
| Integration | Integrates with third-party apps and services | Advanced integration capabilities, including custom integrations for large stores |
| Inventory Management | Advanced inventory management, but fewer features | Advanced inventory management, including multiple locations for large stores |
| Mobile Responsiveness | Mobile-responsive design | Mobile-responsive design with advanced mobile features, like mobile-specific layouts |
Subscription Plans Shopify Offers
The discussion about Shopify Advanced vs Plus cannot be completed without the other pricing plans available.
Shopify is a Canadian eCommerce SaaS app that is growing in popularity.The platform offers five plans with distinct prices and features. These plans are:
Starter
The Starter plan costs $5 monthly and includes essential features such as an online store, a mobile app, and 24/7 customer support.
This plan suits small businesses and individuals starting with an online store.
Basic Shopify
The Basic Shopify plan costs $29 monthly and includes features such as an online store, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support, and additional features such as gift cards, professional reports, and abandoned cart recovery.
It is for small businesses looking to grow their online presence.
Shopify
The Shopify plan costs $79 per month and includes all the features of the Basic Shopify plan plus additional features such as advanced report building and third-party calculated shipping rates.
This plan suits growing businesses that need more advanced features.
Advanced Shopify
The Advanced Shopify plan costs $299 per month and includes all the features of the Shopify plan plus additional features such as advanced report building and third-party calculated shipping rates.
It’s suitable for large businesses needing even more advanced features.
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus is an enterprise-level plan with custom pricing based on the business’s needs.
This plan includes all the features of the Advanced Shopify plan plus additional features such as customizable checkout, advanced report building, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
It is suitable for large enterprises and high-volume businesses needing even more advanced features.
How Wide Ripples Can Help
Wide Ripples specializes in Shopify development, helping businesses leverage the full potential of Shopify Advanced vs Plus.
Our team of experts can tailor the platform to meet your specific needs, ensuring a seamless and powerful eCommerce experience.
Whether you need custom integrations, design enhancements, or advanced marketing tools, we’ve got you covered. Let us help you create an online store that stands out and drives sales.
Book your FREE consultation call TODAY!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus?
Shopify Advanced offers essential ecommerce features with some customization, while Shopify Plus provides advanced customization, exclusive themes, multiple store support, and enhanced checkout options.
How does Shopify Advanced support business growth?
Shopify Advanced supports growth through multiple sales channels, advanced reporting, and integration with third-party apps, making it easier to scale and manage your business.
Which features are unique to Shopify Plus?
Unique features of Shopify Plus include customizable checkout, advanced API integration, support for multiple stores, and access to over 100 payment gateways without transaction fees.
What are the costs associated with Shopify Advanced?
Shopify Advanced costs $299 per month, plus transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
How can Shopify Advanced help scale my ecommerce business?
Shopify Advanced can scale your business by providing robust sales channels, advanced reporting, and integration capabilities, all essential for managing and growing an ecommerce store.
What support does Shopify provide for Advanced plan users?
Shopify Advanced users get 24/7 support through documentation, resources, and customer service.
How do Shopify themes impact store performance on these plans?
Shopify Plus offers exclusive themes designed for high-volume merchants, enhancing performance and customization. Shopify Advanced has a range of themes but lacks the advanced features needed for larger businesses.
Can I upgrade from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus?
Yes, you can upgrade from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus as your business grows and requires more advanced features.
What are the limitations of Shopify Advanced compared to Shopify Plus?
Shopify Advanced is limited in customization, theme options, payment gateways, and does not support multiple stores or advanced checkout customization.
What are common challenges when migrating to Shopify Advanced or Plus?
Common challenges include data migration, theme customization, integration with existing systems, and ensuring that all features are optimized for the new plan.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. For professional assistance and advice, please contact experts.
