Shopify vs Shopify Plus eCommerce Platform Comparison

In this eCommerce platform comparison, we’re going to show you how Shopify Plus differs from the basic Shopify package.

Shopify’s kit is highly beneficial for smaller to medium-sized business or sole entrepreneurs who have a desire to do online selling. What about for large corporations that sell millions in revenue? Well, that’s where Shopify Plus comes in. Plus is a more premium option for these enterprises, and it comes with more customizations and options.

Whilst keeping the main features that make Shopify great, as well as rocking the same familiar UI, Shopify Plus provides even more features, support, integrations, access to store code for customization options, etc.

Because Shopify Plus is basically an upgraded version of Shopify, it possesses all the main features “plus extra”. Here we’re going to compare it to the base version of Shopify. We’ll discuss what those additions are, and their advantages. By the end of this, we hope that you will at least be sufficiently knowledgeable about the differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus.

Dedicated Account Manager 

Sometimes we need an extra pair of eyes. One of the very helpful features of Shopify is the support they offer to users. You can contact a member of their help team through phone, email, and even talk to a representative through live chat. Not only that, but they even offer an option to hire Shopify Experts should the need arise.

Shopify Plus not only provides a fresh pair of eyes but an extra set of hands too! They provide users with a Launch Engineer who assists in migration, onboarding, integrations, partnerships and other forms of support catered to the needs and goals of your Shopify store.

Added Theme Customization Plus Liquid

The base Shopify build has an editor that gives users some creative freedom to customise their store with themes, but it is quite limited.

Shopify Plus makes switching themes up to the user and their ability to code in the customised elements they want via Liquid. (Liquid is the name of Shopify’s theme language and gives users the reins to tinker with the code and personalise the theme of their store.)

Unlimited User Access

Want your team to have access to your account? Well, Shopify allows you to add staff members to work on your account and store. However, there is a limit to the number of accounts.

With Shopify Plus, you can have as many staff accounts as you need. Users also gain access to more extensive permission settings and, thus, can dictate what their staff is allowed to work on in the store.

With Shopify Plus, customization extends all the way to the checkout page, allowing store owners to provide a unique and cohesive experience for their customers from the moment they land in the store till the moment they leave. This is only possible through specific apps on the base plan.

Shopify’s Script Editor gives store owners the ability to customise and fine-tune certain options for payment, shipping, and customer information.

Integrations

Shopify’s API allows for seamless third-party app integration.

Shopify Plus gives increased API access, the ability to integrate with custom apps, and the ability to build your own personal apps.

You can technically add as many apps as you like to your Shopify store. The only concern would be to make sure that they all play together nicely. For larger businesses, however, especially those that are growing rapidly and have complex elements, it may be a better option to integrate the existing platform using Shopify’s API. This is the simple option, as opposed to recreating the entire store on a new platform.

Wholesale Channel

Something that you get exclusively on Shopify Plus is the wholesale channel.

Large enterprises typically sell wholesale and it’s likely that some customers would want to bulk order products from these enterprises.

Shopify Plus gives users the ability to create a wholesale channel specifically to offer the same products for wholesale purchasing. This includes the ability to include exclusive deals and discounts for bulk orders. This means the ability to conduct business-to-business transactions in a way not possible with the base Shopify plan.

The Shopify Plus Merchant Success Program is a great help to users. It allows them to squeeze the best value from the platform. This, by itself, almost makes the higher costs of Shopify Plus worth it. This program boasts a team of specialists in areas like product setup and third-party integrations. When you join, they are on standby, ready to help you and even provide any training that you might want so that you can be the best seller you can be.

You will be assigned a Merchant Success Manager whose job it is to help you with anything that you need. The program will certainly help you to keep up with industry trends and keep you in the know about flash sales, exclusive beta programs, and other events. You also get access to a special Facebook community where you can share ideas and experiences with other users. In addition, there’s round-the-clock support from a special Merchant Success (on top of the regular support), and a Shopify Plus Academy that you can tap into for advice on how to best make use of the Shopify Plus platform.

If the Merchant Success team can’t help you or know an approved Shopify Plus Partner who can do a better job, they will not hesitate to help you get connected. (You have open access already, of course, to the Partner directory and can contact them any time for help with technology and to access other solutions.) The team’s goal is to get your problems solved as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Expanded Analytics 

Shopify analytics shows you statistics relating to your store. From product analytics to sales reports and even customer behaviour reports, Shopify gives you access to the necessary information you need for evaluating outcomes and determining areas for improvement.

Shopify Plus gives you full access to all these reports and works with leading analytics companies as well to provide even more in-depth analyses.

Shopify and Shopify plus share all the main features that make this platform an eCommerce giant. However, Shopify Plus has some extra features that might prove useful for some. While the Shopify base plan suits small to mid-sized businesses, Shopify Plus has offerings that large enterprises can take advantage of. Should you consider Shopify as your eCommerce platform, we hope that you have gained a substantial enough understanding of the two to make an informed decision on which is a better fit for your online business.