What is Shopify Plus
20/10/2024
10 min
Bartosz Lewandowski
What is Shopify Plus
20/10/2024
10 min
Bartosz Lewandowski
Technology continuously revolutionizes the ways businesses operate, and online platforms have become crucial for retail success. In response to the needs of growing businesses, Shopify has created its advanced version – Shopify Plus. But what makes Shopify Plus unique, and why is it such a valued tool among the biggest companies in the market?
Shopify Plus is an advanced e-commerce solution for dynamically growing businesses. This platform not only expands the standard features of Shopify but also provides extensive customization, integration, and scalability options, essential for complex commercial operations. For global enterprises, Shopify Plus becomes a strategic partner, supporting efficient sales and creating personalized shopping experiences.
Large companies face increasing technical demands, and Shopify Plus meets these needs with a robust infrastructure capable of handling high traffic and advanced automation processes. This makes it possible to handle thousands of transactions every minute, easily integrate with internal systems like ERP or CRM, and utilize advanced analytical options for monitoring and optimizing business activities.
Shopify Plus also provides full control over the e-commerce platform. Users can customize the checkout process, utilize advanced marketing tools, and receive expert support, enabling the building of strong customer relationships. Shopify Plus's scalability allows for the dynamic expansion of activities without sacrificing performance and security.
In modern commerce, leveraging artificial intelligence for data analysis and personalized offerings is becoming crucial. Shopify Plus allows for AI integration, enabling tailored offers to individual customer needs and marketing automation. These capabilities are constantly being developed, and their practical applications will be detailed in further sections of the article, showing how Shopify Plus can be a tool for success in a dynamically changing business environment.
Shopify Plus features list
Shopify Plus offers advanced features allowing large enterprises to maximize sales effectiveness and optimize e-commerce operations. With its unique capabilities, Shopify Plus supports brands in adapting to the dynamic needs of the market and building advanced shopping experiences for customers. Here are the key features that set Shopify Plus apart from other platforms:
Checkout Extensibility
One of the most significant aspects differentiating Shopify Plus in the market is Checkout Extensibility. This feature allows for converting more buyers through advanced checkout process customization options. With efficient applications and branding tools, companies can create unique shopping experiences that reflect their brand. This allows for full control over the look and functionality of the checkout process, which is crucial for increasing conversion rates.
Read more https://www.shopify.com/plus/upgrading-to-checkout-extensibility
Dedicated Manager
One of the standout services offered by Shopify Plus is a dedicated account manager. This feature is a key advantage for large companies requiring personalized support in managing and optimizing their e-commerce presence.
B2B on Shopify
The integration of wholesale and DTC (direct-to-consumer) sales in one admin panel and store is another feature that distinguishes Shopify Plus. It allows simultaneous management of retail and wholesale sales, which is especially important for companies operating in both market segments. This solution allows companies to offer diverse shopping experiences for both individual and business customers without the need to manage multiple systems.
Read more https://www.shopify.com/plus/solutions/b2b-ecommerce
Free expansion stores
Shopify Plus enables the establishment of additional stores under the same brand, which is extremely useful in the case of international expansion. This feature allows for sales in different languages or currencies, essential for companies operating in multiple markets. This way, businesses can increase their international presence by tailoring their offerings to local consumer needs.
Bot protection
In times when quick sales and limited-edition products become increasingly popular, bot protection is essential. Shopify Plus offers advanced security mechanisms that protect online stores from bot attacks during high-sales periods, ensuring that real customers have a fair chance to make a purchase.
Higher API call limits
For companies using extensive integrations and process automation, higher API call limits in Shopify Plus are a crucial benefit. They enable more effective data management and integration with various external systems, leading to better operational efficiency and the ability to scale activities.
Launchpad
Launchpad is a tool for planning and automating promotions, product launches, and online store updates. With this feature, companies can precisely manage peak moments of their marketing campaigns, minimizing manual work and eliminating real-time errors.
Shopify functions
Shopify Plus enables the creation of custom applications using Shopify Functions, allowing for flexible customization of purchase processes. This allows brands to design unique shopping experiences that set them apart from the competition and engage customers more through personalized purchase paths.
Organization settings
Management of administrative tasks, such as staff handling or billing in multiple stores, is significantly simplified with the organization settings feature. Centralizing these duties saves time and reduces operational complexity, which is particularly important for large enterprises with multiple locations.
Shopify Plus certified app Partners
Shopify Plus offers access to applications from certified partners, carefully selected for quality and the ability to meet complex business needs. With trusted app providers, companies can easily extend the functionality of their store and adapt it to specific market requirements.
These key features make Shopify Plus a solid tool for companies planning scaling and international expansion, allowing them to effectively manage and grow their business in an online environment.
Shopify Plus cost
Shopify Plus, as a premium solution in the Shopify ecosystem, provides advanced features and tools that justify the investment, especially for large and complex companies. But what exactly are the costs associated with this platform?
Shopify Plus is available in various time packages, offering more flexibility depending on the client's business needs. The most durable option, generally the most economical in the long term, is a 3-year subscription starting at $2300 per month. This price structure is attractive for companies planning long-term activities and who are ready to commit to a long-standing e-commerce strategy with Shopify Plus.
The subscription price includes a wide range of advanced features and applications that might otherwise only be available through costly customizations and external integrations. The advantage is also in providing dedicated support and access to unique services, such as a personalized account manager, which are not standard in lower Shopify packages.
In summary, while the price of $2300 per month (with a 3-year agreement) may seem significant, the benefits of fully leveraging the Shopify Plus platform are hard to overestimate for companies seriously interested in maximizing their e-commerce potential and seeking long-lasting business solutions.
When not to use Shopify Plus
While Shopify Plus offers a wealth of advanced features and dedicated support for large enterprises, it's not always the best solution for every company. There are situations where investing in Shopify Plus may not be feasible or effective. Here are some scenarios when other options should be considered:
- For smaller businesses just starting with e-commerce, standard Shopify plans may suffice. The cost of Shopify Plus starting at $2300 per month can be disproportionately high relative to expected revenues at the initial stage. Small businesses typically do not need the advanced features and level of support that Plus offers.
- If a company operates on a limited scale, with a small number of transactions and simple e-commerce operation needs, the higher cost of Shopify Plus may not yield a proper return. In such cases, using lower Shopify plans, which still offer a solid infrastructure for running an online store, can be more economical.
- Not all businesses require advanced automation, B2B integrations, or a dedicated account manager. Companies that do not plan to use these features might not gain full value from investing in Shopify Plus and should consider less advanced plans.
- Companies with limited budgets needing to prudently plan technology expenses might not be able to allocate funds for a more expensive plan like Shopify Plus. In such cases, focus should be on maximizing the use of cheaper options, which can still support a growing online business.
- If a company operates commercially in one country or region and doesn't need additional international or currency-specific stores, features like free expansion stores may be unnecessary. In such cases, standard Shopify plans may be sufficient.
Shopify Plus is a fantastic tool for large companies with demanding e-commerce needs, but for smaller firms or those with simpler sales structures and operations, choosing a smaller package might be more appropriate and cost-effective. The decision of which plan to choose should depend on current needs and the company's long-term development strategy.
Who is Shopify Plus for?
Shopify Plus is designed for large enterprises and dynamically developing companies needing advanced tools and features to efficiently manage their large-scale e-commerce operations. Here is who Shopify Plus is an ideal solution for:
Large Brands
Companies with an established market position handling high online traffic and transactions will benefit most from Shopify Plus. The platform offers robust infrastructure capable of handling thousands of transactions per minute, essential for large players in the retail industry.
International Companies
Enterprises operating in multiple international markets need the ability to easily handle multiple currencies and languages. Shopify Plus offers free expansion stores, allowing for tailoring the offer to local customer preferences without needing to create new websites from scratch.
Stores with High Personalization Needs
Companies requiring significant customization of the shopping experience, such as fashion or luxury industries, can benefit from options like Checkout Extensibility or Shopify Functions, enabling the creation of unique shopping paths and process customization specific to the brand.
Brands Needing Scalable Solutions
Rapidly growing enterprises predicting an increase in operation scale in the coming years will find in Shopify Plus the support that allows seamless scaling without the need to change the e-commerce platform.
Summary
Shopify Plus provides businesses with the tools and resources necessary to compete effectively on the global e-commerce stage, offering advanced features that support dynamic growth and expansion. It is a solution for those seeking not only efficiency but also full flexibility and personalization to achieve ambitious business goals.