Navigating Shopify for Small Business: Is Shopify Good for Small Businesses?

eCommerce Development
Navigating Shopify for Small Business: Is Shopify Good for Small Businesses?
Article by Maria Martin
Last Updated: March 04, 2024

With more than two billion active users worldwide, Shopify is undoubtedly one of the most widely used eCommerce platforms on the web. It has numerous features and tools to help set up your online storefront. Plus, it is accessible to 175 countries across the globe.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg! Let’s see why Shopify is the first choice for most small businesses.

Is Shopify Good for Small Businesses?

If you are looking for a way to sell your products without putting in all that time and money required for a brick-and-mortar store, an eCommerce solution could be what you exactly need. Shopify is a leading cloud-based eCommerce platform that lets you set up your online store quickly and easily.

For a small business, Shopify offers all the tools for day-to-day operations in one place, be it marketing, website maintenance, or store management — even with the Basic plan. We’ll get to the finer details in a bit, but the consensus is that Shopify is simply the best eCommerce platform for small businesses.

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How Does Shopify Work for a Small Business?

Shopify is entirely cloud-based and hosted. This means that it's accessible from connected compatible devices wherever you are. It can handle server upgrades, system updates, and maintenance, allowing flexibility in managing your enterprise.

As we mentioned, it stitches together inventory, products, payments, and shipment management, so you won’t have to spend time figuring out and putting together different website structures, technologies, and data.

Here’s an overview of how it works:

  1. Sign up for a Shopify account: Provide your email address and personal details to create an account.
  2. Select a Shopify plan: Choose a plan that suits your business needs and budget. Shopify offers various plans, from basic to advanced, with varying features and pricing.
  3. Set up an online Shopify store: Once you have your account, you can start building your eCommerce store. Choose a theme, customize your store design, and add your brand elements.
  4. Add products: Upload your product details, including images, descriptions, pricing, and other relevant information. Remember to categorize them for easy navigation and searchability.
  5. Set up payment options: Shopify supports multiple payment gateways.
  6. Configure shipping settings: Define your shipping strategy based on product weight, location, and customer preferences.
  7. Launch the Shopify store: Once everything is set up, review your store, make sure everything works as expected, and then publish your store.

Once live, the next logical step is to market your Shopify store. This could include SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and more, but Shopify also has a few tricks up its sleeve with integrated marketing solutions.

All in all, the platform has everything you need to make it work for your small, evolving business. However, if you want to take your brand to the next level, a Shopify web agency can help optimize the platform's existing features to suit your offerings better.

Distinct Layers of Shopify for Small Business

Here are the three Shopify products you can think of as layers to choose from, depending on how you intend to grow your business:

Core Product

The eCommerce platform’s core product includes all that it takes to turn your business idea into a thriving company that sells, such as:

  • Templates for your store’s interface
  • Tools for selling in multiple locations, in-person, and online
  • Integrated payment processing
  • Convenient checkout conversion on the internet
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Marketing features

These are the foundation on which Shopify’s other products are built. If you want to finetune your shop and the customer experience, it can grant you access to application programming interface (API) and other development instruments to take customization capabilities further

Add-On Products and Services

Shopify provides a wide array of additional services and products to help you carve a niche in the market. Some of the most impressive ones are:

  • Logo and slogan makers
  • Business and domain name generators
  • WHOIS domain lookup
  • Pay stub generator and accelerated payment options
  • QR code and barcode generator
  • Business card design and creation
  • Invoice generator
  • Purchase order, bill, and shipping label templates
  • Refund policies
  • Capital loan calculator

Applications

If that wasn’t enough, more than 2,200 third-party applications are available on the Shopify App Store. These are tools featuring cutting-edge functionalities to help expand your online enterprise.

You will find customized business solutions — from SMS marketing apps to the newest social network advertising tools — in abundance on Shopify’s one-stop App Store.

The platform even allows you to dabble with simple coding on your own.

Benefits of Shopify for Small Business

Here are the most notable strengths of using Shopify for small business:

Easy Usage

With Shopify, you do not have to learn any extra skills to launch and customize your site. It is a drag-and-drop software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that lets you create your eCommerce shop effortlessly. It has the needed frontend and admin facilities for convenient use without requiring specialized technical proficiencies.

Shopify handles these functions for small businesses exceptionally well:

  • Execute software updates
  • Maintain security
  • Provide hosting services
  • Run independent servers

Feature-Rich & Adaptable Built-In Tools

Regarding the visuals, it’s all almost plug-and-play. You can load themes automatically and give the website your preferred look and feel that fits your branding style, but you can also modify typography and color palette as you please.

Here are some additional functionalities at reasonable fees:

  • Multiple payment processors
  • Thousands of plug-ins
  • Hosting and data safety
  • Detailed Shopify admin access
  • Cloud-based access

Cost-Effective Entry

While Shopify charges a fee monthly for the use of its core products, it remains a low-cost, high-quality open-source eCommerce platform with professional hosting services.

It comes with an array of features, like reporting and integrated marketing, so you can execute important tasks to run your enterprise efficiently.

Extremely Secure

As a small business owner, you need an eCommerce platform that guarantees the safety of your transactions, and Shopify delivers on this front. It's Level 1 PCI DSS-compliant, offering the same level of security as banks and large businesses. This means your sensitive data, as well as your customers' data, remains safe from potential threats.

Guaranteed Uptime

Online stores can't afford downtime, as it can lead to lost customers and revenue. Shopify's impressive uptime record ensures that this seldom happens. It has a robust infrastructure capable of handling sudden spikes in traffic, ensuring your online store remain

Reliable 24/7 Client Support

Stumbling upon IT issues when operating an online business is inevitable. If you find yourself stuck at any point, you can rest assured that Shopify extends help on an around-the-clock basis. You can reach them via phone, live chat, and email.

Additionally, you can also look up common queries on their FAQs page. This database is packed with information, minus the spam. For even more comprehensive support, partnering with the best IT services companies can help you better navigate the Shopify platform.

Best Shopify Agencies to Hire in 2024

If all of this seems like a bit too much, there are many Shopify agencies to hire that will take care of all the heavy lifting for you.

We’ve vetted hundreds of agencies that specialize in Shopify web development, and these are the ones that stand out as the best:

1. The Digital Hacks

  • Location: 114 Mare Street, LONDON, E8 4RU, United Kingdom
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20/hr
  • Expertise: Business Consulting, Creative, eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, WordPress Website Design, Shopify, Digital Marketing, Digital Advertising, Legal Digital Marketing, SEO, Facebook Marketing, Instagram Marketing, and Web Design.

Founded in 2016, The Digital Hacks is a digital marketing and growth hacking firm based in London, operating across Europe.

Its team of experienced digital professionals has the skills and knowledge to help businesses grow. TDH is committed to your success, by providing you with the best service available in today’s market. Services include business consulting, eCommerce development, eCommerce web design, WordPress website design, Shopify, and digital marketing.

Some of TDHs’ most notable clients are Milk Concept, Boutique Lupine Canine, and farmamare.com.

2. Web-Systems Solutions

  • Location: Kamyanetska Street, 137, Khmelnitsky, 29000, Ukraine
  • Average Hourly Rate: $35/hr
  • Expertise: Web Design, Responsive Website Design, Small Business Website Design, eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, Small Business eCommerce Development, eCommerce App Development, Website Development, WordPress Development, WordPress Website Design, Shopify, UI/UX Design, eCommerce Consulting, and IT Staffing.

Web-Systems offers a wide range of web services, including eCommerce development, responsive website design, and small business website design.

Nowadays, most people are using the internet to find the products they need to buy. That is why a company must have a website that can provide an exceptional customer experience and help users find your products quickly and easily. Web-Systems helps you create an eCommerce site that will give your customers the best possible customer experience on every visit.

Since its establishment in 2009, Web-Systems has worked with a variety of clients, some of which include MarieMur, Shell, Toyota, and TomTailor.

3. JS Web Design Agency

  • Location: Cebu Business Park, Cebu, 6000, Philippines
  • Average Hourly Rate: $30/hr
  • Expertise: Creative, Web Design, Dental Website Design, Law Firm Web Design, Financial Services Web Design, Restaurant Website Design, Construction Web Design, Responsive Website Design, Small Business Website Design, eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, WooCommerce Development, WordPress Website Design, and Website Development.

JS Web Design Agency can provide you with everything from a sleek WordPress website design to a high-functioning eCommerce website design. Having been in the business for over 12 years, JS Web Design Agency has seen many trends come and go, which gives it a keen insight as to what works.

JS Web Design Agency is one of the leading web design agencies in the Philippines and has experience working in the dental, restaurant, law, small business, and financial industries.

Some of JS Web Design Agency’s most prominent clients include ACEN Website Rebrand, ACEN Integrated Report 2020, Data Search Consulting, and The Lifestyle Store.

4. NANOWEBGROUP Ltd.

  • Location: 224 west 30 street Suite 206, New York City, New York 10001, United States
  • Average Hourly Rate: $150/hr
  • Expertise: Product Design, Web Design, eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, and Shopify.

NANOWEBGROUP Ltd. is a web design and development company that specializes in product design, web design, and eCommerce web design, and development, with expertise in Shopify.

NANOWEBGROUP Ltd. has been in the industry since 2007 and has since helped many businesses grow their online presence through carefully thought-out strategies and by leveraging the latest software technologies, such as AI and Subject-Matter.

NANOWEBGROUP Ltd. has a team of experts who are passionate about what they do, which is why they can provide the best service to their clients, some of which include Glamorise, Gemlok, and CINER.

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5. CraftBerry

  • Location: Bul. Hristo Botev 3, Varna, 9000, Bulgaria
  • Average Hourly Rate: $25
  • Expertise: eCommerce SEO, SEO, Shopify

A team of developers, designers, project managers, quality assurance specialists, and Shopify experts that work with ambitious e-commerce brands. They do not just build beautiful websites, they build their clients' business. CraftBerry is based in Bulgaria and collaborates with brands all over the world.

The solutions they deliver are growth-oriented and designed to crush key metrics.

6. Miracuves

  • Location: 15th Avenue Park, New York City, New York 11219, United States
  • Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
  • Expertise: Mobile App Development

Founded in 2010, Miracuves is a provider of IT solutions that helps businesses streamline their operations and stay competitive.

Their team is composed of experienced web and mobile developers who are passionate about creating innovative solutions for their clients, be it for eCommerce, food delivery or on-demand services. Miracuves's products and services are regularly updated with the latest technologies to meet the needs of its customers and help entrepreneurs succeed with high-quality IT solutions.

Their clients span various sectors, from food and grocery to media, rentals and ridesharing.

7. Ambient Infotech

  • Location: Shipra Path, Mansorvar, Jaipur, Jaipur, 302020, India
  • Average Hourly Rate: $15/hr
  • Expertise: Graphic Design, Web Design, B2B Website Design, Responsive Website Design, eCommerce Development, Website Development, SEO, Magento Development, WordPress Website Design, WordPress Development, Shopify Mobile App Development, Direct Marketing, B2B Advertising, eCommerce App Development, UI/UX Design…

Ambient Infotech is a team of skilled professionals in the fields of eCommerce development, design, software development and marketing. The company has a strong track record, having delivered over 1,000 websites in the past year with high levels of customer satisfaction.

Ambient Infotech specializes in creating responsive, user-friendly websites and is experienced in working with a range of technologies, including WordPress, PHP, Shopify and Magento. They also offer comprehensive documentation, a learning portal, a community of Shopify experts and priority support to its clients.

The company's Shopify services include eCommerce development, store setup, shopping cart development, theme development and customization, upgrade and maintenance and migration.

8. SumatoSoft

  • Location: One Boston Place, Suite 2602, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, United States
  • Average Hourly Rate: $45/hr
  • Expertise: eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, Mobile App Development, Website Development, Ruby on Rails, UI/UX Design, Software Development, Software Testing, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, AWS, Staff Augmentation, IT Staffing

SumatoSoft is a software development company that helps businesses leverage the latest IT innovations to gain a competitive edge, improve efficiency and enhance the quality of their products and services.

The agency offers full-cycle software development, with a focus on transparent processes that ensure clients are involved in the development process from start to finish. The company utilizes Spree Commerce or Shopify to deliver fast eCommerce website launches, out-of-the-box solutions and customizable design and functionality.

Their clients include Toyota and Lexus, Beiersdorf, Dexai Robotics, Cornerstone OnDemand, TL Nika Group and Dragon Sourcing.

9. Magenest JSC

  • Location: GP Invest Building, 170 De La Thanh O Cho Dua, Dong Da, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
  • AverageHourly Rate: $50/hr
  • Expertise: eCommerce Consulting, AWS, Cloud Consulting, CRM Consulting, ERP Consulting, SEO Consultants, SEO, Inbound Marketing, Legal Digital Marketing, Digital Marketing, Web Design, Shopify, Magento Development, eCommerce App Development, Mobile App Development…

Magenest is a digital solutions provider focused on eCommerce systems, ERP/CRM platforms, cloud infrastructure, and digital marketing. Founded in 2015, the company has established itself as a leading provider of eCommerce and digital transformation solutions in the APAC region.

The agency partners with top technology companies such as Adobe, Odoo, HubSpot and AWS to offer eCommerce development, CRM, ERP, mobile app development, cloud hosting and digital marketing services. They help clients drive success through omnichannel solutions, digital enablement, improved customer experience and conversion rate optimization.

Magenest’s Shopify services include custom development, theme and UI design, app development and API integration, migration, audit and optimization and maintenance.

10. SpurIT

  • Location: 2155 N Ginger Cir, Palatine, Chicago, Illinois 60074, United States
  • Average Hourly Rate: $60/hr
  • Expertise: eCommerce Development, eCommerce Web Design, Shopify, eCommerce Consulting

SpurIT is an IT service and consulting agency composed of certified Shopify experts with a proven track record in the industry.

The agency offers a range of services related to Shopify, including complex theme and app development, store customizations and technical support. As a full-cycle eCommerce agency, SpurIT can also assist with digital marketing activities and design services. The company’s products and services are used by over 91,000 stores worldwide, with 15 million engaged users.

Aside from Shopify theme and app development, they also offer theme customizations, platform migration, integration with third-party modules and payment systems and eCommerce accessibility audit and implementation.

Is Shopify Good for Small Business: Final Verdict

Shopify for small businesses is an all-in-one online business solution that empowers merchants.

If you are starting a brand online, it can help you build a store from the ground up and sell in no time. Whether you run a newly established company or want to extend a physical shop online, it has the capabilities required to support your launch or transition.

With discounted carrier rates and app integration capacities, Shopify can help grow your brand without the exorbitant expenditure. And it may just be the most ideal for you.

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a shop on Shopify?

The cost to run a shop on Shopify varies depending on your specific needs and the pricing plan you choose. Moreover, prices may vary depending on your location. With that said, here are the three primary subscription options:

  • Basic Shopify at $32/month
  • Shopify at $92/month
  • Advanced Shopify at $399/month

If you choose a yearly plan, you can save 25% on all plans. These subscription plans include access to an online store platform and blog, unlimited product listings, and 24/7 support. Additional costs may include transaction fees, third-party app usage, and expenses related to your chosen domain

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