Introduction: Shopify and Shopify Plus
The Shopify platform offers a variety of pricing plans for businesses of all sizes. Standard Shopify plans work great for most small and medium-sized businesses โ but as your business grows, you may find yourself asking: is it time to step up to the enterprise level with Shopify Plus?
Good to Know
Shopify Plus is not simply a more expensive plan โ it's a comprehensive enterprise solution with advanced capabilities for scaling, automating, and personalizing your business.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that empowers entrepreneurs to build and grow online stores. Standard Shopify plans include:
- Basic Shopify ($29/month)
- Shopify ($79/month)
- Advanced Shopify ($299/month)
These plans provide the essential tools to run an online store โ including hosting, security, payment processing, and basic analytics.
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is Shopify's enterprise-grade plan, built specifically for large businesses and high-volume merchants. Pricing starts at $2,000/month or 0.25% of your monthly revenue โ whichever is greater.
Shopify Plus delivers advanced capabilities for scaling, automation, personalization, and international commerce, along with dedicated support and access to exclusive features.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Shopify Advanced | Shopify Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299/month | From $2,000/month |
| Target Audience | Small and medium businesses | Large businesses and enterprises |
| Transaction Fees | 0.5% โ 2.0% | 0.15% โ 0.25% |
| Staff Accounts | 15 | Unlimited |
| Dedicated Support | No | Yes (personal account manager) |
| Automation (Shopify Flow) | No | Yes |
| Checkout Customization | Limited | Advanced |
| B2B Functionality | No | Yes |
Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: Feature Comparison
To make an informed decision about upgrading to Shopify Plus, it's important to clearly understand exactly what additional capabilities you'll gain compared to standard Shopify plans.
Core Features
Checkout Customization
Shopify Advanced: Basic customization with limited options.
Shopify Plus: Full customization via Checkout Extensions, including scripts, custom fields, and advanced branding.
Staff Accounts
Shopify Advanced: Up to 15 staff accounts.
Shopify Plus: Unlimited accounts with advanced permission settings.
Transaction Fees
Shopify Advanced: 0.5% with Shopify Payments, 1.5% with third-party payment providers.
Shopify Plus: 0.15% with Shopify Payments, 0.25% with third-party payment providers.
Analytics and Reporting
Shopify Advanced: Standard reports and custom reporting.
Shopify Plus: Advanced analytics, including Shopify Flow for automated reporting and integration with BI tools.
API Access and Integrations
Shopify Advanced: Standard access to the API with certain limitations.
Shopify Plus: Enhanced API access with higher rate limits and priority access to beta features.
Scalability
Performance and Throughput
Shopify Advanced: Standard performance, suitable for most stores.
Shopify Plus: Boosted performance designed to handle peak traffic โ including major sales events and flash sales.
Automation (Shopify Flow)
Shopify Advanced: Not available.
Shopify Plus: Full access to Shopify Flow for automating business workflows โ including order management, customer handling, and inventory control.
Multiple Stores
Shopify Advanced: One store per account.
Shopify Plus: Up to 10 stores under a single account with centralized management.
Omnichannel Selling
Shopify Advanced: Basic omnichannel capabilities.
Shopify Plus: Advanced omnichannel integration for online and offline channels, including POS Pro and specialized integrations.
Customization
Theme Customization
Shopify Advanced: Standard theme customization options.
Shopify Plus: Extended customization capabilities, including access to the Shopify Plus Partner Program for creating truly unique storefront experiences.
Scripts and Functions
Shopify Advanced: Limited scripting capabilities.
Shopify Plus: Full access to Shopify Scripts for customizing the cart, discounts, and checkout flow.
Discount Management
Shopify Advanced: Basic discount creation tools.
Shopify Plus: Advanced discount capabilities, including Launchpad for scheduling and automating promotional campaigns.
Customer Personalization
Shopify Advanced: Basic customer segmentation.
Shopify Plus: Advanced personalization powered by Shopify Flow โ including dynamic content and personalized offers for different customer segments.
International Commerce
Multi-Currency Support
Shopify Advanced: Basic multi-currency support.
Shopify Plus: Enhanced support with automatic currency conversion and localized pricing.
Multi-Language Support
Shopify Advanced: Basic multi-language support.
Shopify Plus: Advanced support with the ability to create fully localized storefronts for different regions.
International Shipping
Shopify Advanced: Standard shipping settings.
Shopify Plus: Advanced international shipping configuration, including integrations with global logistics partners.
International Compliance
Shopify Advanced: Basic compliance support.
Shopify Plus: Advanced compliance support for international regulations and requirements, including GDPR, PCI DSS, and more.
B2B Capabilities
B2B Functionality
Shopify Advanced: Limited B2B functionality via third-party apps.
Shopify Plus: Built-in B2B functionality โ create companies, manage wholesale pricing, and configure payment terms natively.
Wholesale Catalogs
Shopify Advanced: Available through third-party apps.
Shopify Plus: Native capability to create personalized wholesale catalogs for different customers.
B2B Payment Terms
Shopify Advanced: Limited options via third-party apps.
Shopify Plus: Built-in tools for configuring payment terms, including Net 30, Net 60, and more.
B2B Customer Permission Management
Shopify Advanced: Limited options.
Shopify Plus: Advanced permission management for B2B customers, including different roles and access levels.
Expert Tip
When comparing plans, pay special attention to the features that are critical to your business right now and over the next 1โ2 years. Don't pay for features you won't actually use.
When Should You Upgrade to Shopify Plus?
Moving to Shopify Plus is a significant decision that should be grounded in the specific needs and goals of your business. Here are several key indicators that it might be time to consider upgrading to the enterprise tier.
1. Revenue Volume
If your monthly revenue exceeds $800,000, upgrading to Shopify Plus may be financially advantageous due to significantly lower transaction fees.
Break-even calculation:
At $800,000/month in revenue, savings on transaction fees (0.35%) amount to approximately $2,800 โ roughly equal to the cost of Shopify Plus.
2. Business Process Complexity
If you're spending significant time on manual order, inventory, or customer management, automation through Shopify Flow can dramatically improve efficiency.
- Automated order processing
- Inventory management
- Customer segmentation
- Automated notifications
- Integration with other systems
3. International Expansion
If you're planning to enter international markets, Shopify Plus offers advanced capabilities for multi-currency and multi-language commerce.
- Up to 10 stores under one account
- Localized pricing and currencies
- Region-specific content adaptation
- International compliance tools
4. B2B Sales Channel
If you're building a wholesale or B2B channel, Shopify Plus's native B2B functionality could be the deciding factor.
- Company and location management
- Personalized catalogs and pricing
- B2B payment terms
- Integration with corporate systems
5. Personalization and Branding
If you need deep store customization and a tailored checkout experience, Shopify Plus gives you advanced tools to make it happen.
- Checkout page customization
- Cart and discount scripts
- Personalized experiences for different customer segments
- CRM and marketing system integrations
6. Support and Reliability
If store uptime and fast issue resolution are critical to your business, Shopify Plus dedicated support is a powerful asset.
- Personal account manager (Launch Engineer)
- Priority 24/7 technical support
- Access to the Shopify Plus community
- Strategic growth consultations
The Typical Shopify Growth Journey
Early Stage (Basic Shopify)
Launching your store, making your first sales, and building your customer base. Monthly revenue up to $50,000.
Growth Stage (Shopify)
Expanding your product range, ramping up marketing, and growing sales. Monthly revenue $50,000โ$150,000.
Scaling Stage (Advanced Shopify)
Optimizing business processes, growing your team, and implementing analytics. Monthly revenue $150,000โ$800,000.
Enterprise Stage (Shopify Plus)
Automating workflows, expanding internationally, and building a B2B channel. Monthly revenue over $800,000.
Important Warning
Upgrading to Shopify Plus requires more than just a financial commitment โ your team needs to be ready to leverage the platform's advanced capabilities. Make sure you have the resources to fully utilize everything the enterprise plan has to offer.
Return on Investment Calculator
To help you make an informed decision about upgrading to Shopify Plus, we've built an ROI calculator. Enter your business data to estimate the potential value of switching to the enterprise plan.
Calculation Tip
When evaluating the ROI of Shopify Plus, consider not only the direct savings on transaction fees, but also the indirect benefits: time saved by your team, improved conversion rates from a better checkout experience, and new opportunities from international expansion and B2B sales.
Shopify Plus ROI Calculator
Calculation Results
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Enter your data and click "Calculate ROI" to see your results.
Success Stories: Who Chooses Shopify Plus?
Many well-known brands and fast-growing companies choose Shopify Plus to power their businesses. Let's look at a few real-world examples of successful upgrades to the enterprise plan โ and the results they achieved.
Case 1: Fashion Brand
The Situation: A fast-growing fashion brand with monthly revenue of $500,000 was hitting walls during seasonal sales events. The site couldn't handle peak traffic spikes, leading to lost sales.
The Solution: Upgraded to Shopify Plus, using Launchpad to automate sales campaigns and benefit from enhanced performance infrastructure.
The Results:
- Conversion rate increased by 25% during sales events
- Average order value grew by 15%
- Saved 30 hours of staff time per month
- Stable store performance even during 10x traffic spikes
Case 2: Home Goods Manufacturer
The Situation: A home goods manufacturer with monthly revenue of $1.2 million wanted to develop a B2B channel but kept running into limitations on the standard plan.
The Solution: Upgraded to Shopify Plus and implemented native B2B functionality with custom wholesale catalogs.
The Results:
- Successfully launched B2B channel with a dedicated wholesale login portal
- Total revenue increased by 40% through B2B sales
- Automated the wholesale client approval process
- Integrated with clients' corporate procurement systems
Case 3: Beauty Brand
The Situation: A beauty brand with monthly revenue of $800,000 was planning international expansion but struggling with localization challenges and managing multiple storefronts.
The Solution: Upgraded to Shopify Plus and launched separate localized stores for different regions with full multi-currency support.
The Results:
- Launched 5 fully localized storefronts for different regions
- International sales grew by 120% in the first year
- Bounce rate dropped by 30% thanks to localized pricing
- All stores managed centrally from a single account
Key Takeaways from the Success Stories
- The biggest gains from Shopify Plus come from businesses that fully leverage its unique features
- Automating routine processes through Shopify Flow often leads to significant savings in time and resources
- The ability to run multiple stores is especially valuable for international expansion
- B2B functionality can unlock an entirely new and substantial sales channel
The Shopify Plus Migration Process
Migrating to Shopify Plus is a well-structured process that unfolds in clear stages. Understanding each step will help you prepare and ensure a smooth transition with zero disruption to your business.
Step 1: Consultation and Assessment
The first step is a consultation with a Shopify Plus representative to evaluate your business needs and determine whether the enterprise plan is the right fit.
- Analysis of your current store and business processes
- Identifying your key goals and objectives
- Estimating the potential value of upgrading
- Drafting a preliminary migration plan
Step 2: Migration Preparation
Once the decision is made, the preparation phase begins โ covering everything from planning to new account setup.
- Assignment of a personal account manager (Launch Engineer)
- Creation of a detailed migration plan
- Preparing your data and content
- Setting up integrations and apps
Step 3: Migration and Setup
This is the stage where the actual migration to Shopify Plus takes place, along with full configuration of all required features.
- Data migration (if moving from another platform)
- Configuration of Shopify Plus advanced features
- Integration with external systems
- Setting up automation via Shopify Flow
Step 4: Testing and Launch
Before going fully live, thorough testing of all features and workflows is conducted.
- Testing all store functionality
- Verifying integrations and automations
- Training your team on new features
- Official store launch on Shopify Plus
Step 5: Ongoing Optimization
After launch, the focus shifts to continuous optimization and growth โ supported by your dedicated Shopify Plus team.
- Regular check-ins with your personal account manager
- Business process optimization
- Rolling out new features and capabilities
- Performance analysis and scaling
Migration Tip
If you're already on Shopify, upgrading to Shopify Plus typically happens without any store downtime. That said, it's best to roll out new features gradually, starting with those that will deliver the greatest impact to your business first.
Your Shopify Plus Support Team
One of the most valuable advantages of Shopify Plus is the dedicated support team that has your back at every stage of your journey.
Launch Engineer
Your personal account manager who guides you through migration and store setup on Shopify Plus. They walk you through every step of the transition and help you get the most out of the platform's capabilities.
Merchant Success Manager
Once you've launched, you'll be assigned a Merchant Success Manager who supports your business growth, provides strategic recommendations, and ensures you have access to the full range of Shopify Plus resources.
Priority Technical Support
Shopify Plus clients get access to priority 24/7 technical support, ensuring that any technical issues are resolved as quickly as possible.
Shopify Plus Community
Gain access to an exclusive Shopify Plus community, where you can connect with other top-tier brands, share experiences, and get advice from peers who've been in your shoes.
Alternatives to Shopify Plus
Before making a final decision to upgrade to Shopify Plus, it's worth exploring alternative options that might better fit your business needs.
| Solution | Advantages | Disadvantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Shopify Advanced $299/month |
|
|
Small and medium businesses with revenue up to $800,000/month and straightforward processes |
|
Shopify Plus + Apps $2,000+/month |
|
|
Large businesses with revenue over $800,000/month, international sales, and B2B operations |
|
Shopify Advanced + Third-Party Solutions $299+/month |
|
|
Mid-size businesses with revenue $300,000โ$800,000/month with some complex workflows |
|
Custom-Built Solution From $10,000+ |
|
|
Large enterprises with highly unique requirements that no off-the-shelf solution can meet |
Selection Tip
If you're not sure whether your business is ready for Shopify Plus, consider gradually testing specific features through third-party apps on the Advanced Shopify plan. This lets you gauge the potential benefit before committing fully to the enterprise tier.
When Shopify Plus Might NOT Be Right for Your Business
Low Revenue Volume
If your monthly revenue is significantly below $800,000, the investment in Shopify Plus may not pay off through transaction fee savings alone.
Simple Business Processes
If your workflows are fairly straightforward and don't require complex automation, you may not see significant value from Shopify Plus's advanced feature set.
Lack of Resources to Utilize It
If you don't have the resources (time, staff, or budget) to fully adopt Shopify Plus, you won't be able to maximize your return on the investment.
Highly Unique Requirements
If your business has very specific requirements that even Shopify Plus cannot accommodate, you may need to explore a fully custom-built solution.
Conclusion
Upgrading to Shopify Plus is a major decision โ one that can significantly shape the future of your business. The enterprise plan delivers powerful capabilities for scaling, automation, personalization, and international commerce that can genuinely take your business to the next level.
But this decision should be rooted in a thorough analysis of your business needs, current limitations, and the potential return from making the switch. Use the insights in this article and the ROI calculator to assess whether your business is truly ready for Shopify Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify Plus delivers enterprise-grade capabilities for businesses generating $800,000+ per month
- Core advantages include automation, native B2B functionality, international commerce tools, and dedicated support
- Upgrading to Shopify Plus is financially justified at high revenue volumes due to significantly lower transaction fees
- The migration process is well-structured and backed by a dedicated Shopify Plus team
- Before deciding, always calculate your ROI and ensure your team is ready to make full use of the new capabilities
Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level with Shopify Plus?
Discover the potential benefits for your business and get an expert consultation on upgrading to the enterprise plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shopify Plus pricing starts at $2,000 per month or 0.25% of your monthly revenue โ whichever is greater. The maximum monthly fee is $40,000. In addition to the base cost, you'll want to factor in transaction fees (0.15% with Shopify Payments, 0.25% with third-party gateways), as well as the cost of any additional apps and services.
If you're already on Shopify, upgrading to Shopify Plus can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your store's complexity and the features you need to configure. If you're migrating from a different platform, the process may take 2 to 3 months, including data migration, setup, and testing.
Yes, you can downgrade from Shopify Plus to a standard plan if you decide the enterprise tier is no longer the right fit. Keep in mind, however, that doing so means you'll lose access to all Shopify Plus exclusive features โ including automation, B2B functionality, dedicated support, and more. You may also need to make adjustments to your store's settings.
Like all Shopify plans, Shopify Plus is a cloud-based solution, so there are no special infrastructure requirements on your end. You don't need to worry about hosting, security, or scaling your own servers. However, to fully unlock everything Shopify Plus has to offer, it's recommended to have team members with knowledge of Liquid (Shopify's templating language), JavaScript, and the Shopify API.
Shopify Flow is a business process automation tool available exclusively on Shopify Plus. It lets you build automated workflows based on triggers, conditions, and actions. For example, you can automatically flag high-risk orders for fraud review, send low-stock alerts, segment customers based on their behavior, and much more. Shopify Flow features a visual editor that lets you create complex automations with zero coding required.
B2B functionality in Shopify Plus lets you create companies and locations for your wholesale clients, set up personalized catalogs with custom pricing, define payment terms (Net 30, Net 60, etc.), and manage permission levels for B2B customers. You can create a dedicated B2B login portal or run both B2B and B2C through a single unified store. The B2B features are fully integrated with the rest of Shopify, so you can manage all your sales from one place.
Absolutely โ Shopify Plus fully supports multi-currency selling. You can display prices in multiple currencies and accept payments in those currencies as well. To do this, you can use Shopify Markets โ a powerful tool for managing international sales. You can enable automatic currency conversion based on live exchange rates, or set fixed prices for each currency individually.
Even with its extensive capabilities, Shopify Plus does come with some limitations:
- A maximum of 10 stores per account
- Restrictions on customizing Shopify's core architecture
- Certain API rate limits, though they are significantly higher than on standard plans
- Dependence on the Shopify app ecosystem for extending functionality
That said, for the vast majority of businesses, these limitations are not a major obstacle โ and the benefits of Shopify Plus far outweigh the drawbacks.
Shopify Plus customers receive dedicated, enterprise-grade support, which includes:
- A personal account manager (Launch Engineer) during migration and setup
- A Merchant Success Manager for ongoing strategic guidance post-launch
- Priority 24/7 technical support
- Access to the exclusive Shopify Plus community
- Priority access to beta features and upcoming capabilities
This level of support helps you get the most out of the platform and resolve any issues swiftly โ so your store never misses a beat.
Shopify Plus offers a comprehensive toolkit for international selling:
- Ability to create up to 10 stores under one account, each targeting a different region
- Full support for multi-currency and multi-language storefronts
- Integration with Shopify Markets for centralized international sales management
- Configuration of localized pricing, taxes, and shipping
- Built-in compliance with international regulations and standards
Together, these tools allow you to build a complete international expansion strategy and efficiently manage sales across every region you enter.