How Much Does It Cost to Sell on Shopify?

If you are considering showcasing your products on an established and dedicated space like Shopify where potential customers can easily explore your entire product range, it's important to understand the platform's associated costs. 

In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of Shopify pricing, taking a closer look at the expenses involved in managing a Shopify store.

Related Article: [Guide] How to Start a Shopify Store in Less Than 10 Minutes

Shopify Overview

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform used by over 3 million websites worldwide. 

It provides business owners with a dedicated space to create personalized online stores, making it distinct from other platforms.

Despite other popular alternatives, it remains a top choice. In 2022, Shopify's revenue exceeded $5.60 billion, confirming its primary 

position in the e-commerce market. 

According to Statista, it holds a 28% market share in the US, ranking second only to WooCommerce. Basically, Shopify and WooCommerce stand out as the two primary choices for e-commerce sellers.

Related Reading: History of Shopify

Shopify Pricing Plans

Shopify pricing varies based on your chosen subscription plan—Basic Shopify, Shopify, or Advanced Shopify. There's no free plan, but you can explore the features during a 14-day free trial. 

Now, let's break down what features has each plan and find the subscription that best fits your business.

Basic Shopify Plan

Shopify's Basic Plan is like the starter pack for any online store. At $29 per month, it is the cheapest plan that Shopify offers.

Basic Shopify covers the essentials, letting you set up shop and start selling with ease.

One key feature is the branded ecommerce website, accompanied by essential tools for your online store, such as:

• Unlimited product listings
• A customizable platform
• Two staff accounts
• 24/7 customer support
• Support for sales channels. 

The Shopify Basic plan includes additional features like abandoned cart recovery, discount codes, manual order creation, and a free SSL certificate.

The biggest drawback with the Basic plan is that you won’t have access to the features like performance reports.

The Shopify Basic Plan is a good choice for new ecommerce businesses on a tight budget, and it allows you to manage physical stores across different locations. 

Regarding transaction fees for online purchases are 2.9% + $0.30, while physical purchases incur a 2.7% fee. If you opt for a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, a 2% fee applies to each transaction.

Shopify Plan

For businesses experiencing substantial growth, the Shopify plan at $79/month offers a robust website basis. 

This upgraded plan includes valuable data reports, providing insights into your store's performance. Alongside standard features like gift cards, free SSL certificates, and abandoned cart recovery.

Also, Shopify's transaction fees are lower: 2.6% + 30¢ for online transactions and 2.5% + 0¢ for in-person payments.

While these features may not be immediate necessities for smaller businesses, they become increasingly beneficial as your revenue scales. 

Advanced Shopify Plan

For medium to large online businesses seeking to expand, the Advanced Shopify plan, priced at $299/month, provides an extensive set of features. 

If you're looking to grow significantly your business, this plan incorporates delivery and store pickup functionalities, along with advanced reporting tools. It also includes standard features like an SSL certificate, blogging, cart recovery, discount codes, and gift cards.

Transaction fees are low, set at 2.4% + 30¢ for online transactions and 2.4% + 0¢ for in-person payments. 

This Shopify plan is specifically designed for companies generating monthly revenues exceeding $10,000. While it comes with a higher cost, businesses utilizing this plan may recoup some or all of the monthly expenses through the additional features and lower fees.

Shopify Plans & Pricing: Alternatives

Further to the basic and advanced plans, Shopify also offers other alternatives to meet diverse business needs.

Starter Plan Pricing

For those focused on social media sales, the $5/month Shopify Starter plan offers mobile optimization and a direct store link. 

While it lacks a public website, it includes key features like unlimited products, blogging, SSL certificates, and cart recovery. 

Also, keep in mind its online-only nature, absence of discount codes and reporting, and a relatively higher credit card transaction fee of 5% + 30¢ USD for online transactions. 

Consider this Shopify plan if social media is your primary sales channel, keeping in mind its specific limitations.

Retail Plan Pricing

Designed for businesses with a physical retail presence, this plan seamlessly integrates online and in-store operations. Manage inventory, sales, and customer data effortlessly across both channels.

Shopify Plus Pricing

Tailored for enterprise-level businesses, Shopify Plus delivers a fully customizable and scalable solution. You can access advanced features, priority support, and dedicated infrastructure to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions.

Shopify Alternatives

While Shopify is a powerhouse in the e-commerce domain but isn't the sole player in the game, there are alternative platforms worth exploring.

WooCommerce, the WordPress sidekick, beckons with unparalleled customization prowess.

BigCommerce showcases its prowess in the scalability field, catering to ambitious businesses with grand visions.

Meanwhile, Magento, an open-source giant, offers a playground for developers seeking ultimate control.

Each alternative comes with its unique strengths, allowing businesses to choose the platform that aligns best with their specific needs and goals.

In the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, understanding these plans and alternatives empowers businesses to make informed decisions tailored to their growth trajectory and requirements.

Summary of Shopify Pricing

Here's a breakdown of the Shopify pricing for each plan:

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding Shopify pricing plans is crucial for e-commerce success. From the budget-friendly Basic Shopify at $29/month to the robust Advanced Shopify at $299/month, each plan caters to different business needs. 

Transaction fees vary, highlighting the importance of choosing the right plan for your revenue level. 

As you consider Shopify's options and explore alternatives, which plan aligns best with your business goals? Tell us in the comments below!