Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables entrepreneurs and small business owners to create and manage online stores. It offers a range of features and tools to help businesses sell products and manage their operations, including website design and hosting, payment processing, and inventory management.
If you're considering using Shopify to launch or grow your online business, it's essential to understand the monthly costs involved. Shopify offers three pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify, each with its own set of features and fees. Additionally, there are additional costs you may incur, such as transaction fees and app fees.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down each Shopify pricing plan, highlighting its features, costs, and benefits. We'll also cover the additional costs you may encounter and provide tips for optimizing your Shopify spending.
how much is shopify a month
Shopify offers three main pricing plans with varying features and costs.
- Basic Shopify: $29/month
- Shopify: $79/month
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month
- Shopify Plus: Custom pricing
- Transaction fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- App fees: Vary depending on the app
- Domain name: $14-$20/year
- SSL certificate: Included with all plans
Additional costs may include payment processing fees, shipping costs, and marketing expenses.
Basic Shopify: $29/month
The Basic Shopify plan is the most affordable option, starting at $29 per month. It's ideal for entrepreneurs and small business owners just starting out or who have a limited budget. With the Basic Shopify plan, you get the following features:
- Unlimited products: You can sell as many products as you want, with no limits.
- Online store: You can create a professional and mobile-responsive website to sell your products.
- Payment processing: You can accept major credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payment methods like PayPal.
- Shipping and delivery: You can set up shipping rates and options, including local pickup and delivery.
- Basic reports: You can track your sales and website traffic.
- Customer support: You have access to Shopify's customer support via email, chat, and phone.
The Basic Shopify plan is a good starting point for businesses with a limited product offering and a relatively low sales volume. However, it's important to note that this plan has some limitations. For example, you can only have two staff accounts, you can't sell products in person, and you have limited access to third-party apps.
Shopify: $79/month
The Shopify plan is the most popular option, starting at $79 per month. It's ideal for growing businesses that need more features and flexibility. With the Shopify plan, you get everything in the Basic Shopify plan, plus the following additional features:
- Five staff accounts: You can add more team members to help you manage your store.
- In-person selling: You can use Shopify POS to sell products in person at pop-up shops or physical retail locations.
- Gift cards: You can create and sell gift cards to your customers.
- Abandoned cart recovery: You can send automated emails to customers who abandon their carts, reminding them to complete their purchase.
- Professional reports: You have access to more detailed sales and website traffic reports.
- More third-party apps: You have access to a wider range of third-party apps to extend the functionality of your store.
The Shopify plan is a good choice for businesses that are growing and need more features to manage their operations. It's also a good option for businesses that want to sell products in person or offer gift cards.
Advanced Shopify: $299/month
The Advanced Shopify plan is the most comprehensive plan, starting at $299 per month. It's ideal for large businesses and high-volume merchants who need the most advanced features and functionality. With the Advanced Shopify plan, you get everything in the Shopify plan, plus the following additional features:
- Fifteen staff accounts: You can add even more team members to help you manage your store.
- Advanced report builder: You can create custom reports to track your sales and website traffic in more detail.
- Third-party calculated shipping rates: You can offer real-time shipping rates from major carriers.
- Gift card discounts: You can offer discounts on gift card purchases.
- Customer loyalty program: You can create a loyalty program to reward your repeat customers.
- Lower transaction fees: You pay lower transaction fees on each sale.
The Advanced Shopify plan is the best choice for businesses that need the most advanced features and functionality to manage their online store. It's also a good option for businesses that have a high volume of sales and want to save money on transaction fees.
Shopify Plus: Custom pricing
Shopify Plus is a premium e-commerce platform designed for high-volume merchants and enterprise businesses. It offers a wide range of features and functionality, including:
- Unlimited staff accounts: You can add as many team members as you need to help you manage your store.
- Advanced customization: You have more control over the design and functionality of your store.
- Wholesale channels: You can sell your products to other businesses at wholesale prices.
- Subscription selling: You can offer subscription-based products and services.
- Multi-currency support: You can sell your products in multiple currencies.
- Priority support: You have access to priority customer support.
Shopify Plus is a highly customizable platform that can be tailored to the specific needs of your business. However, it comes with a custom price tag. The cost of Shopify Plus depends on your business's size, sales volume, and specific requirements. You can contact Shopify directly to get a custom quote.
Shopify Plus is the best choice for large businesses and enterprise merchants who need a powerful and scalable e-commerce platform. It's also a good option for businesses that have complex requirements or need to sell their products in multiple countries.
Transaction fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
In addition to the monthly subscription fee, Shopify also charges transaction fees on each sale you make. These fees vary depending on your Shopify plan and the payment gateway you use.
- Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
- Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction
- Shopify Plus: Custom pricing
These transaction fees can add up, especially if you have a high volume of sales. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce your transaction fees:
- Choose a lower Shopify plan: The higher your Shopify plan, the higher your transaction fees will be. If you're on a tight budget, you can choose a lower Shopify plan to save money on transaction fees.
- Use a payment gateway with lower fees: Some payment gateways charge lower transaction fees than others. Do some research to find a payment gateway that offers competitive fees.
- Negotiate your transaction fees with Shopify: If you're a high-volume merchant, you may be able to negotiate your transaction fees with Shopify. Contact Shopify directly to see if you can get a better deal.
App fees: Vary depending on the app
Shopify offers a wide range of apps that can extend the functionality of your online store. These apps can help you with tasks such as marketing, shipping, customer service, and more. However, some apps are not free. App fees can vary depending on the app and the features it offers.
When choosing an app, it's important to consider the following factors:
- Cost: How much does the app cost? Some apps are free, while others charge a monthly or annual fee.
- Features: What features does the app offer? Make sure the app has the features you need to improve your online store.
- Reviews: What do other Shopify users say about the app? Read reviews to get an idea of the app's quality and customer support.
If you're not sure whether an app is worth the cost, you can usually find a free trial or demo. This will allow you to try the app before you commit to a paid subscription.
Here are a few tips for saving money on app fees:
- Look for free apps: There are many free apps available in the Shopify App Store. These apps can provide basic features and functionality without costing you anything.
- Use apps that offer a free trial: Many paid apps offer a free trial period. This allows you to try the app before you commit to a paid subscription.
- Negotiate with app developers: If you're a high-volume merchant, you may be able to negotiate a lower price on app fees. Contact the app developer directly to see if you can get a better deal.
Domain name: $14-$20/year
When you create a Shopify store, you need to choose a domain name. This is the web address that customers will use to access your store. You can purchase a domain name through Shopify or a third-party domain registrar. The cost of a domain name varies depending on the registrar and the domain name extension you choose. Most domain names cost between $14 and $20 per year.
When choosing a domain name, it's important to consider the following factors:
- Brandability: Your domain name should be easy to remember and spell. It should also reflect your brand identity.
- Keywords: If possible, choose a domain name that includes relevant keywords. This can help your store rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Length: Keep your domain name short and sweet. A long domain name is difficult to remember and type.
Once you've chosen a domain name, you need to register it. This process is usually quick and easy. Once your domain name is registered, you can connect it to your Shopify store.
Here are a few tips for choosing a domain name:
- Use a keyword-rich domain name: This can help your store rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Keep it short and simple: A long domain name is difficult to remember and type.
- Make it easy to spell: Avoid using uncommon words or spellings.
- Choose a domain name that reflects your brand: Your domain name should be a reflection of your brand identity.
SSL certificate: Included with all plans
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to and from the website. This helps to protect customers' personal and financial information, and it also helps to improve a website's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Encryption: SSL certificates encrypt data sent between a customer's browser and your Shopify store. This helps to protect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and addresses, from being intercepted by hackers.
- Authentication: SSL certificates verify the identity of your Shopify store. This helps to prevent customers from being redirected to a fake website that looks like yours.
- Trust: SSL certificates show customers that your Shopify store is secure and trustworthy. This can help to increase customer confidence and sales.
- SEO: SSL certificates can help to improve your Shopify store's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). Google and other search engines give preference to websites that are secure.
Shopify provides a free SSL certificate with all plans. This means that you don't have to worry about purchasing and installing an SSL certificate yourself. Your Shopify store will be secure and trusted from the start.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Shopify pricing and billing:
Question 1: How much does Shopify cost per month?
Answer 1: Shopify offers three main pricing plans: Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month). Shopify Plus is a custom plan with pricing based on your business's needs.
Question 2: What's the difference between the Shopify plans?
Answer 2: The Shopify plans differ in terms of features, staff accounts, and transaction fees. The Basic Shopify plan is suitable for new businesses and entrepreneurs, while the Shopify plan is ideal for growing businesses. The Advanced Shopify plan is best for high-volume merchants and businesses that need advanced features.
Question 3: Do I have to pay transaction fees?
Answer 3: Yes, Shopify charges transaction fees on each sale you make. These fees vary depending on your Shopify plan and the payment gateway you use. The Basic Shopify plan has a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Question 4: Can I save money on Shopify fees?
Answer 4: Yes, there are a few ways to save money on Shopify fees. You can choose a lower Shopify plan, use a payment gateway with lower fees, or negotiate your transaction fees with Shopify.
Question 5: What is an SSL certificate?
Answer 5: An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to and from the website. This helps to protect customers' personal and financial information, and it also helps to improve a website's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Question 6: Does Shopify provide an SSL certificate?
Answer 6: Yes, Shopify provides a free SSL certificate with all plans. This means that you don't have to worry about purchasing and installing an SSL certificate yourself.
Question 7: How do I choose the right Shopify plan for my business?
Answer 7: To choose the right Shopify plan for your business, consider your business's size, sales volume, and specific needs. If you're not sure which plan is right for you, you can contact Shopify directly for help.
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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Shopify pricing and billing. If you have any other questions, you can visit the Shopify Help Center or contact Shopify directly.
Now that you know more about Shopify pricing, you can start planning your budget and choosing the right plan for your business.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you save money on Shopify and get the most out of your subscription:
Tip 1: Choose the right Shopify plan for your business:
Carefully consider your business's needs and choose the Shopify plan that offers the features and functionality you need. If you're not sure which plan is right for you, you can contact Shopify directly for help.
Tip 2: Use a payment gateway with lower fees:
Some payment gateways charge lower transaction fees than others. Do some research to find a payment gateway that offers competitive fees. You can also negotiate your transaction fees with Shopify if you're a high-volume merchant.
Tip 3: Take advantage of free trials and demos:
Many Shopify apps and themes offer free trials or demos. This allows you to try before you buy. Take advantage of these free trials and demos to make sure that the app or theme is right for your business.
Tip 4: Use free resources:
Shopify offers a variety of free resources to help you learn about Shopify and grow your business. These resources include webinars, articles, and courses. Take advantage of these free resources to get the most out of your Shopify subscription.
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By following these tips, you can save money on Shopify and get the most out of your subscription. Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that can help you grow your business. With careful planning and budgeting, you can use Shopify to achieve your business goals.
Now that you know more about Shopify pricing and how to save money, you can make an informed decision about which Shopify plan is right for you.
Conclusion
Shopify offers a range of pricing plans to suit businesses of all sizes and budgets. The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month, the Shopify plan starts at $79 per month, and the Advanced Shopify plan starts at $299 per month. Shopify Plus is a custom plan with pricing based on your business's needs.
In addition to the monthly subscription fee, Shopify also charges transaction fees on each sale you make. These fees vary depending on your Shopify plan and the payment gateway you use. The Basic Shopify plan has a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
There are a few ways to save money on Shopify fees. You can choose a lower Shopify plan, use a payment gateway with lower fees, or negotiate your transaction fees with Shopify.
Shopify also provides a free SSL certificate with all plans. This helps to protect your customers' personal and financial information and improves your website's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
When choosing a Shopify plan, it's important to consider your business's size, sales volume, and specific needs. If you're not sure which plan is right for you, you can contact Shopify directly for help.
Closing Message:
Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that can help you grow your business. With careful planning and budgeting, you can use Shopify to achieve your business goals.