If you're an entrepreneur looking to launch an online store, Shopify is likely near the top of your list of potential eCommerce platforms. With its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalable pricing plans, Shopify has become a go-to solution for businesses of all sizes.
One of the key considerations when choosing an eCommerce platform is the cost. Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans, each with its own set of features and fees. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive breakdown of Shopify cost per month, so you can make an informed decision about which plan is right for your business.
Before we dive into the details of Shopify's pricing plans, let's take a moment to understand the different factors that affect the monthly cost. This includes the base plan fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees, and any additional costs associated with apps and themes.
shopify cost per month
Pricing plans for every need.
- Base plan fees vary.
- Transaction fees apply.
- Payment processing fees.
- Additional costs for apps.
- Extra charges for themes.
- Enterprise plan available.
- Free trial period offered.
- Consider business needs.
Shopify's pricing structure allows businesses to choose the plan that best fits their budget and sales volume, ensuring that they only pay for the features and functionality they need.
Base plan fees vary.
Shopify offers three main pricing plans, each with its own set of features and fees. The base plan fees for these plans vary depending on the level of functionality and support you need for your online store.
The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month. This plan includes all the essential features you need to launch an online store, such as the ability to add products, process orders, and accept payments. However, it has limited customization options and reporting capabilities.
The Shopify plan is the most popular option, starting at $79 per month. This plan includes all the features of the Basic Shopify plan, plus additional features such as gift cards, abandoned cart recovery, and professional reports. It also has more customization options and allows you to sell on multiple channels.
The Advanced Shopify plan is the most comprehensive plan, starting at $299 per month. This plan includes all the features of the Shopify plan, plus additional features such as third-party calculated shipping rates, advanced reporting, and the ability to create custom user permissions. It also has the highest limits on storage and bandwidth.
In addition to the base plan fees, Shopify also charges transaction fees for each sale made through your online store. These fees vary depending on the payment gateway you use and the type of transaction. For example, Shopify Payments charges a 2.9% + $0.30 fee for online credit card transactions.
Transaction fees apply.
In addition to the base plan fees, Shopify also charges transaction fees for each sale made through your online store. These fees vary depending on the payment gateway you use and the type of transaction.
- Shopify Payments:
Shopify Payments is Shopify's own payment gateway, which is integrated directly into the platform. It offers competitive rates and allows you to accept credit cards, debit cards, and other popular payment methods. The transaction fee for Shopify Payments is 2.9% + $0.30 for online credit card transactions and 2.4% + $0.30 for in-person credit card transactions.
- External payment gateways:
You can also choose to use an external payment gateway, such as PayPal or Stripe. Shopify supports a wide range of external payment gateways, each with its own fees and features. The transaction fees for external payment gateways vary, so it's important to compare them before making a decision.
- Shopify Payments Advanced:
Shopify Payments Advanced is a premium payment gateway that offers additional features and lower transaction fees. It's available to Shopify Plus merchants and merchants who meet certain eligibility criteria. The transaction fee for Shopify Payments Advanced is 2.4% + $0.30 for online credit card transactions and 1.8% + $0.30 for in-person credit card transactions.
- Transaction fee exemptions:
Shopify offers transaction fee exemptions for certain types of transactions, such as gift card purchases and sales made through Shopify POS. You can also qualify for transaction fee exemptions if you meet certain sales volume thresholds.
It's important to factor transaction fees into your overall Shopify costs. If you process a high volume of sales, these fees can add up quickly. However, Shopify's transaction fees are generally competitive with other eCommerce platforms.
Payment processing fees.
In addition to Shopify's transaction fees, you will also need to pay payment processing fees to your payment gateway provider. These fees vary depending on the payment gateway you use and the type of transaction.
- Credit card processing fees:
Credit card processing fees are charged by credit card companies and payment gateways for each credit card transaction. These fees typically range from 1.5% to 3% of the transaction amount.
- Debit card processing fees:
Debit card processing fees are typically lower than credit card processing fees, ranging from 0.5% to 2% of the transaction amount.
- International transaction fees:
If you sell to customers in other countries, you may be charged international transaction fees. These fees can vary depending on the payment gateway and the country where the transaction is taking place.
- Additional fees:
Some payment gateways may charge additional fees for features such as PCI compliance, fraud prevention, and chargebacks. It's important to compare the fees and features of different payment gateways before making a decision.
Payment processing fees can add up quickly, especially if you process a high volume of sales. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce your payment processing fees, such as choosing a payment gateway with low fees, negotiating rates with your payment gateway provider, and using a payment method that has lower processing fees, such as debit cards or ACH transfers.
Additional costs for apps.
Shopify offers a wide range of apps to extend the functionality of your online store. These apps can add features such as customer reviews, product recommendations, shipping rate calculators, and more. While many apps are free, some apps require a monthly subscription fee. The cost of these apps can vary depending on the features and functionality they offer.
For example, a popular app like Oberlo, which allows you to import products from AliExpress and sell them on your Shopify store, has a monthly subscription fee starting at $29. Another popular app, Klaviyo, which offers email marketing and automation features, has a monthly subscription fee starting at $20.
The cost of apps can add up quickly, especially if you install multiple apps. It's important to carefully consider which apps you need and to choose apps that offer the best value for your money. You can also save money on apps by taking advantage of free trials and discounts.
Here are some tips for managing the cost of apps on Shopify:
- Start with free apps: There are many free apps available in the Shopify App Store. These apps can provide basic functionality and help you get started without spending any money.
- Choose apps wisely: Before installing an app, take the time to read reviews and compare features. Choose apps that are reputable and offer the features you need at a reasonable price.
- Take advantage of free trials: Many apps offer free trials, which allow you to try the app before you buy it. This is a great way to test out an app and make sure it's right for your store.
- Look for discounts: Shopify often offers discounts on apps, especially during sales and promotions. You can also find discounts on apps by signing up for email lists or following app developers on social media.
By following these tips, you can keep the cost of apps under control and ensure that you're only paying for the apps that you need and use.
Extra charges for themes.
Shopify offers a variety of themes that you can use to customize the look and feel of your online store. These themes can be free or paid. Free themes are a great option for budget-conscious businesses, while paid themes offer more features and customization options.
The cost of paid themes varies depending on the theme developer and the features it offers. Simple themes can start at around $100, while more complex themes can cost upwards of $500. Some theme developers also offer premium support and customization services for an additional fee.
It's important to choose a theme that is responsive, mobile-friendly, and easy to customize. You should also make sure that the theme is compatible with the apps and plugins you plan to use.
Here are some tips for choosing a Shopify theme:
- Consider your budget: Shopify themes can range in price from free to several hundred dollars. It's important to set a budget before you start shopping for a theme.
- Choose a responsive theme: A responsive theme will automatically adjust its layout to fit different screen sizes, including smartphones and tablets. This is important for providing a good user experience on all devices.
- Look for a mobile-friendly theme: More and more people are shopping online using their mobile devices. Make sure the theme you choose is mobile-friendly and easy to use on a small screen.
- Consider your customization needs: Some themes are more customizable than others. If you need a lot of customization, you'll need to choose a theme that gives you the flexibility you need.
- Read reviews: Before you purchase a theme, read reviews from other Shopify users. This will give you a good idea of the quality of the theme and the level of support you can expect from the developer.
By following these tips, you can choose a Shopify theme that meets your needs and budget.
Enterprise plan available.
Shopify Plus is Shopify's enterprise-level plan, designed for high-volume merchants and businesses with complex needs. Shopify Plus offers a wide range of features and benefits, including:
- Unlimited products and storage: Shopify Plus merchants can sell an unlimited number of products and store unlimited files.
- Advanced reporting and analytics: Shopify Plus merchants have access to advanced reporting and analytics tools that can help them track their sales, customers, and marketing performance.
- Multiple storefronts: Shopify Plus merchants can create multiple storefronts for different brands or regions.
- Wholesale channels: Shopify Plus merchants can sell their products wholesale to other businesses.
- Custom checkout: Shopify Plus merchants can customize the checkout process to match their brand and improve the customer experience.
- Priority support: Shopify Plus merchants receive priority support from Shopify's team of experts.
The cost of Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 per month. However, the exact cost of Shopify Plus will vary depending on the features and services you need. Shopify Plus merchants also have access to a dedicated account manager who can help them customize their plan and get the most out of Shopify.
Shopify Plus is a good option for businesses that need a scalable, enterprise-level eCommerce platform. It offers a wide range of features and benefits that can help businesses grow and succeed.
To learn more about Shopify Plus, you can visit the Shopify website or contact Shopify's sales team.
Free trial period offered.
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial to all new users. This gives you the opportunity to try out the platform and see if it's the right fit for your business before you commit to a paid plan.
- No credit card required: You don't need to provide a credit card to sign up for the free trial. This gives you the freedom to explore the platform without any risk.
- Full access to all features: During the free trial, you'll have access to all of Shopify's features, including the ability to add products, process orders, and accept payments.
- No obligation to continue: At the end of the free trial, you can choose to continue with a paid plan or simply cancel your account. There's no obligation to continue using Shopify after the free trial ends.
- Support during the free trial: Shopify offers support during the free trial period. This means that you can get help from Shopify's team of experts if you have any questions or problems.
The free trial period is a great way to test out Shopify and make sure it's the right platform for your business. It also gives you the opportunity to learn how to use the platform and get your store up and running before you commit to a paid plan.
Consider business needs.
When choosing a Shopify pricing plan, it's important to consider the needs of your business. Here are some factors to think about:
- Sales volume: If you expect to sell a high volume of products, you'll need to choose a plan that can handle the increased traffic and transactions.
- Number of products: If you plan to sell a large number of products, you'll need to choose a plan that allows you to add more products without paying extra fees.
- Features and functionality: Make a list of the features and functionality that are important to your business. This will help you choose a plan that has the features you need at a price you can afford.
- Growth potential: If you expect your business to grow in the future, you should choose a plan that can scale with you. This will save you from having to upgrade to a more expensive plan later on.
By considering the needs of your business, you can choose a Shopify pricing plan that's right for you. This will help you avoid paying for features and functionality that you don't need, and it will also ensure that your store can handle the growth of your business.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Shopify cost per month:
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). There is also a Shopify Plus plan for high-volume merchants, which starts at $2,000/month.
Question 2: What is included in the Basic Shopify plan?
Answer 2: The Basic Shopify plan includes all the essential features you need to launch an online store, such as the ability to add products, process orders, and accept payments. However, it has limited customization options and reporting capabilities.
Question 3: What is the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?
Answer 3: Shopify Plus is Shopify's enterprise-level plan, designed for high-volume merchants and businesses with complex needs. It offers a wide range of features and benefits, including unlimited products and storage, advanced reporting and analytics, multiple storefronts, wholesale channels, custom checkout, and priority support.
Question 4: Does Shopify offer a free trial?
Answer 4: Yes, Shopify offers a 14-day free trial to all new users. This gives you the opportunity to try out the platform and see if it's the right fit for your business before you commit to a paid plan.
Question 5: What are the transaction fees on Shopify?
Answer 5: Shopify charges transaction fees for each sale made through your online store. The transaction fee varies depending on the payment gateway you use and the type of transaction. For example, Shopify Payments charges a 2.9% + $0.30 fee for online credit card transactions.
Question 6: Can I use a custom domain with Shopify?
Answer 6: Yes, you can use a custom domain with Shopify. However, you will need to purchase the domain name separately from Shopify. You can then connect your custom domain to your Shopify store by following the instructions in the Shopify Help Center.
Question 7: How do I cancel my Shopify subscription?
Answer 7: You can cancel your Shopify subscription at any time by following the instructions in the Shopify Help Center. If you cancel your subscription before the end of your billing cycle, you will not be charged for the next month.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Shopify cost per month. For more information, please visit the Shopify pricing page or contact Shopify support.
In addition to the FAQs above, here are a few tips for choosing the right Shopify pricing plan for your business:
Tips
Here are a few tips for choosing the right Shopify pricing plan for your business:
Tip 1: Start with a basic plan and upgrade as needed.
If you're just starting out, the Basic Shopify plan is a good option. It gives you all the essential features you need to launch your online store. As your business grows, you can upgrade to a higher plan that offers more features and functionality.
Tip 2: Consider your sales volume.
If you expect to sell a high volume of products, you'll need to choose a plan that can handle the increased traffic and transactions. The Shopify and Advanced Shopify plans offer higher transaction limits and more features for managing a high-volume store.
Tip 3: Choose a plan that includes the features you need.
Make a list of the features and functionality that are important to your business. This will help you choose a plan that has the features you need at a price you can afford. For example, if you plan to sell products in multiple currencies, you'll need a plan that supports multiple currencies.
Tip 4: Take advantage of the free trial.
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial to all new users. This gives you the opportunity to try out the platform and see if it's the right fit for your business before you commit to a paid plan. Use the free trial to test out different features and make sure that Shopify is easy to use and meets your needs.
By following these tips, you can choose the right Shopify pricing plan for your business and avoid paying for features and functionality that you don't need.
Now that you know more about Shopify cost per month and how to choose the right plan for your business, you can start building your online store and growing your business.
Conclusion
Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans to suit the needs of businesses of all sizes. Whether you're just starting out or you're a high-volume merchant, Shopify has a plan that's right for you.
When choosing a Shopify pricing plan, it's important to consider your sales volume, the features and functionality you need, and your budget. You should also take advantage of the free trial to try out the platform before you commit to a paid plan.
By following the tips in this article, you can choose the right Shopify pricing plan for your business and avoid paying for features and functionality that you don't need.
With Shopify, you can easily create a beautiful online store and start selling your products or services to the world. So what are you waiting for? Start your Shopify journey today!