Over 600,000 businesses use Shopify to power their eCommerce websites.
The online shopping platform has been a major resource for retailers since it was founded in 2004. In fact, it’s arguably the best on the market.
But as we journey further into the digital age – and eCommerce shopping surpasses brick and mortar stores – Shopify has improved its features and begun catering to larger brands and enterprises, particularly with their newest platform, Shopify Plus.
Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: Which Should You Choose?
There’s no doubt that Shopify as a whole is a great platform for brands to expand their eCommerce reach with.
The traditional Shopify platform hosts a bevy of benefits, including:
- Simple template-based web design and setup.
- A fully integrated online story with a strong user experience.
- The ability to add new features by integrated apps.
- Responsive mobile-friendly web design.
- Fast site speed.
- Strong cybersecurity.
- And more!
Ultimately, slightly smaller eCommerce stores can benefit from using Shopify. The platform allows them to build an online store and release it to the public quickly.
Plus, smaller eCommerce development companies are equipped to handle smaller projects using traditional Shopify.
Shopify Plus provides many of the same benefits as regular Shopify, including great UX design, a fast mobile-optimized website and excellent cybersecurity.
However, it is geared for large enterprise companies and is built as a better foundation for complex stores, robust inventory and sharply inclined scalability.
“Shopify Plus is a scalable e-commerce solution for high-growth and high-volume brands,” says John Surdakowski, Founder of AVEX. “There is more automation, customization and reporting on Plus as opposed to regular Shopify.”
So, if you are a larger brand with a site that needs personalized functionality and scalable options, Shopify Plus is the right platform for you!
10 Major Benefits Of Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus has only been around since 2014… but just because it is fairly new doesn’t mean its userbase is scarce.
Over 3600 businesses use Shopify Plus for their online stores – and for good reason, too.
Shopify Plus fosters revenues ranging from $1 million to more than $500 million for Fortune 500 companies and enterprises with high online shopping volumes.
Shopify Plus has dozens of features that enable long-term business growth for enterprise clients.
However, there are a few key benefits that help brands stand out from the competition AND help Shopify surpass other eCommerce platforms.
These include:
- Automation
Brands can schedule and maintain automatic campaigns, sales, timely promotions and more directly through Shopify Plus. - Wholesale Storefronts
Shopify Plus opens the door for B2B and wholesale commerce companies through their wholesale channel. According to AVEX, Shopify Plus’s wholesale channel enables users to build a password-protected store. - Mobile Optimization
As we mentioned earlier, all Shopify storefronts are mobile-friendly – but that’s so important, we wanted to reiterate. After all, 60% of online shoppers will not recommend a business that has a bad mobile platform. - Website Changes Are Easy
Users can add products, change content, improve website design and more without requiring developers to alter the code. This saves time, money and manpower! - Less IT Reliance
Because Shopify Plus is so streamlined, automated and secure, clients who use the platform rely far less on their own internal IT departments for website maintenance and general risk management. - Customizable & Scalable
Shopify Plus can be personalized even more than the traditional platform, brands can add features, customize storefronts, edit backend systems and more to suit their needs. - Multi-Channel Platform
Shopify Plus can be integrated into other marketplaces, social media accounts, brick and mortar stores and more. Plus, platforms can be optimized for many languages, process global currencies and can expand with a brand as needed. - Safe & Secure
Brands that use Shopify Plus ensure that their site is better equipped to run at optimal performance. The online stores can also withstand high traffic and swift increases in orders, such as Cyber Monday sales. - API Integrations
Shopify Plus also has an easy-to-integrate API that can connect your website with various programs, ERPs, CRMs and more. - Shopify Support
“There are a ton of benefits for brands using Shopify Plus, but the stand out benefit would be the Launch Manager that Shopify assigned to the account,” says Surdakowski. “They help support both the development team and the brand themselves as the website is bring building and pushed live.”
How Much Does Shopify Plus Cost?
Ultimately, there’s no simple answer for how much Shopify Plus might set you back. All vendors need to contact Shopify Plus directly to request a quote OR work with a trustworthy website design company like AVEX (which we recommend) to determine final costs.
But because this eCommerce platform is geared toward larger enterprise brands, you can expect to pay a pretty penny.
“Shopify Plus costs at least $2000 per month, so it is not for small businesses that are just starting out,” advises Surdakowski.
Luckily, that cost does provide a strong return on investment.
Current Shopify Plus merchants have seen an average year-over-year growth of 126%!
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3 Examples Of Shopify Plus In Action
Kith
Lifestyle and clothing company Kith partnered with AVEX to build a minimalistic online store. The image-driven product pages feature clean rollover effects and plenty of information without cluttering the screen.
Eugenia Kim
Eugenia Kim’s eCommerce site features several product images upon rollover, intuitive navigation, and an incredibly straightforward checkout process. This encourages consumers to fully complete their online purchases instead of abandoning their cart during the process.
O.N.S. Clothing
Smartly place promotions dot O.N.S. Clothing’s homepage, which showcases their value to potential customers. The website, which was created by AVEX, also includes brand-building text and simple calls to action to increase conversions.
Shopify Plus Creates A Strong eCommerce User Experience
Ultimately, brands that use Shopify Plus as the foundation to their eCommerce websites build user-friendly and highly functional platforms that encourage conversions.
In fact, in the second quarter of 2018 alone, Shopify fostered over $55 billion in sales.
By partnering with a top web development agency that is knowledgeable in Shopify Plus, you’ll be able to tap into the latest features and newest integrations that will improve your online branding, increase conversions and boost your bottom line.
Are you ready to enhance your online store? AVEX designs, builds and optimizes, Shopify Plus websites for high-growth brands. Contact AVEX HERE for a customized quote.
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