Shopify Plus Pricing: Maximizing Value and Growth
Are you an ecommerce business owner wondering if it’s time to switch platforms? If so, you likely share the top concern of every owner: cost. When we say cost, we’re not just talking about platform fees; we’re talking about the true cost.
In today’s article, we outline everything you need to know about Shopify Plus pricing. We go over why they keep their prices under wraps, explain the variability in their fees, and discuss any additional costs you can expect when you make the switch.
Why Shopify Plus Keeps Its Pricing Plans Under Wraps
If you’ve visited Shopify Plus’s site in search of their pricing, you may have been disappointed to see that there’s not much there. Trust us, there’s a good reason.
They do this to keep potential clients from eliminating Shopify Plus as a platform choice based on the flat fees alone. The truth is that most companies would save money switching to Shopify Plus once the lower transaction fees and decreased HR and technology costs are factored in.
However, when comparing flat fees, it initially may seem “expensive,” depending on the price you’re paying for your current platform.
Shopify encourages potential customers to speak with them to gain a true understanding of their business and help determine whether Shopify Plus is right for them and whether it’ll save them money. Shopify Plus salespeople are great. In the rare case that Shopify Plus really isn’t right for you, they’re happy to refer you elsewhere.
Understanding the Variability of Shopify Plus Fees
Another concern with the fees not being published is whether the fees are standard for all businesses. Whatever you’re shopping for, there are few things worse than buying something and then realizing your neighbor paid half for the same thing.
However, it’s good to keep in mind that your store isn’t your neighbor’s store. Since every ecommerce business has unique needs and varying levels of complexity, Shopify Plus tailors its pricing to reflect these differences, resulting in different rates for different businesses.
Although the fees aren’t readily published, Shopify Plus generally follows a standard structure with a base platform fee per month and a percentage fee per transaction. However, the exact rates can vary based on the unique requirements and revenue levels of each ecommerce store.
Shopify Plus Fees Explained
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Shopify Plus fees and all other potential costs associated with the platform.
Platform Fees
For most stores, the platform fee is $2,000 per month. This covers up to $800,000 in monthly sales ($9,600,000 per year). Above that level, Shopify Plus charges 0.25% on all eligible transactions.
In terms of percentage, this fee is minimal. Most Shopify customers pay $79 to $149 per month for a $5,000 per month business, which is almost 3%. On the other hand, $2,000 per month for a business generating $300,000 per month is less than 1% (.67%).
While the flat fee for Shopify Plus may be slightly higher than competitors like BigCommerce, once you factor in the payment processing fees with Shopify Payments, Shopify Plus emerges as the lowest-cost enterprise option, offering (in our opinion) the best performance. What a great combination!
App Fees
With Shopify Plus (and most other platforms), it’s common to use apps built by other developers to enhance your store experience or integrate with external programs.
To be clear, you don’t need any apps to run your store. However, most people use them to add additional functionality that would otherwise be costly to develop from scratch. Instead, you can enhance your store’s functionality with just the click of a button.
Apps can be used for a range of purposes, from front-end improvements like personalization, price customizations, subscriptions, and marketing tools to back-end integrations with accounting and fulfillment services.
An added bonus is that apps are typically low-cost. You should expect to spend a few hundred dollars a month on app fees, which is a small price to pay compared to the several thousand dollars it would cost to develop and run these features on your own.
Payment Gateway Transaction Fees
Payment gateway transaction fees charged by Shopify Plus depend on your specific payment gateway of choice. With Shopify Payments, there are no additional fees beyond their low credit card processing fees (2.15% + $0.30).
For external gateways, the additional transaction fees are very low at just 0.15%. The savings in gateway fees with Shopify Payments can often offset the $2,000 platform fee for Shopify Plus.
Maintenance Fees
With Shopify Plus, traditional IT and maintenance are no longer needed. The vast majority of IT and maintenance resources, which were previously dedicated to store scalability and security, are now managed by Shopify Plus. This eliminates a significant expense that most enterprise stores currently incur.
Additional Costs to Consider With Shopify Plus
Other costs you might encounter when switching to Shopify Plus include migration and integration costs. These expenses aren’t paid to Shopify but could be out-of-pocket as you get your new store up and running.
In our experience, these costs are typically insignificant, and businesses quickly recoup them through the savings gained from moving to the Shopify Plus platform.
If you’re hesitant about the complexity of moving your store to Shopify Plus, get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help you determine whether switching to Shopify Plus is a smart investment for your business.
Save Money With Shopify Plus and a Trusted Partner
Obviously, saving money is a benefit in itself. However, the real advantage of saving time and money with a stable, secure platform like Shopify Plus is that these resources can be redirected toward scaling your store.
That’s where a partner like Metacake can make a significant difference. We’re averaging 2x growth for the brands we manage. So, don’t just switch to Shopify Plus and pocket the extra money. Find a growth partner who can help you take your store to the next level.
Shopify Plus Pricing: Final Thoughts
In our opinion, Shopify Plus is the best functioning platform available, offering exceptional value for the price you pay.
Every day, we see the value of Shopify Plus far exceed the expense associated with moving to the platform.
While some competitors may have lower monthly platform fees, they also offer less in return. Shopify Plus is well worth the cost, providing power, security, scalability, customizability, and agility — a combination we haven’t seen with any other platform.
If you’re ready to make the move, we’re ready to help! If you’re still unsure, let us help you navigate any obstacles you may perceive. Our expert team is always ready and waiting.
