You might be wondering how much is Shopify. Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms, providing businesses of all sizes with the tools to create and manage online stores. While Shopify is known for its ease of use and scalability, pricing can vary depending on a store’s specific needs. Understanding Shopify’s pricing structure, additional costs, and long-term investment considerations will help businesses choose the right plan for their operations.
Understanding Shopify’s Pricing Plans
Shopify offers several pricing tiers to cater to different business sizes and requirements. The core plans include:
- Shopify Basic ($39/month) – Best for new businesses or small operations with minimal eCommerce needs. This plan includes a fully functional online store, two staff accounts, and basic reporting.
- Shopify Standard ($105/month) – Aimed at growing businesses, offering five staff accounts, professional reports, and slightly lower transaction fees compared to the Basic plan.
- Shopify Advanced ($399/month) – Designed for scaling businesses, this plan provides advanced reporting, third-party shipping rate calculations, and support for up to 15 staff accounts.
- Shopify Plus (starting at $2,300/month) – Enterprise-level solution offering dedicated support, advanced automation, and increased customization options for high-revenue businesses.
Each plan includes hosting, unlimited products, and access to Shopify’s powerful dashboard and integrations. However, businesses should consider additional costs that can impact the overall expenses of running a Shopify store.
Additional Costs Beyond the Monthly Subscription
The base plans cover essential features, but businesses often require additional tools and services to maximize their store’s functionality. The most common additional expenses include:
Transaction Fees and Payment Processing Costs
Shopify charges transaction fees on every sale unless Shopify Payments is used as the payment gateway. The transaction fees per sale are:
- Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
- Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction
If a business chooses an external payment processor like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net they add an extra fee (0.5% to 2%, depending on the plan). These costs add up, making it crucial for businesses to factor them into their pricing strategy.
Shopify Apps and Custom Features
While Shopify’s built-in features cover many basic needs, many businesses use third-party apps to enhance their stores. Apps for email marketing, SEO, upselling, and abandoned cart recovery range from free to $100+ per month. Additionally, businesses needing custom features may require development services, which add to long-term costs.
Custom Domain Costs
By default they provide a free myshopify.com domain, but professional businesses typically purchase custom domains to strengthen their brand identity. Domains generally cost $10–$20 per year, depending on the domain registrar and extension (.com, .store, .shop, etc.).
Themes and Design Costs
Shopify provides free themes, but premium themes, which offer more customization and advanced features, range from $180 to $350 as a one-time purchase. Hiring a Shopify developer for custom design work can further increase costs, depending on project complexity.
Comparing Shopify Costs to Other eCommerce Platforms
While Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform, businesses may consider alternatives like WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce. When comparing costs, factors like transaction fees, hosting, and required development work should be evaluated.
- WooCommerce (WordPress-based) is free, but businesses must pay for hosting ($10–$50/month), themes, and plugins.
- Magento offers a robust open-source solution, but development and maintenance costs can be high, often exceeding Shopify’s pricing.
- BigCommerce provides similar pricing but includes features like real-time shipping quotes and multi-channel selling at no extra cost.
Each platform has pros and cons, but Shopify’s simplicity, scalability, and all-in-one solution make it a preferred choice for many businesses.
Is Shopify Worth the Cost?
While Shopify may seem expensive, it provides immense value for businesses looking to streamline their eCommerce operations. Some key advantages include:
- Ease of Use: Shopify’s drag-and-drop interface and intuitive dashboard simplify store management.
- Built-in Security & Hosting: Shopify manages security, SSL certificates, and server uptime, eliminating the need for separate hosting services.
- Scalability: Whether starting small or running a large enterprise, it accommodates business growth with minimal disruptions.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Shopify provides dedicated support, including live chat, email, and phone assistance.
The total cost depends on business needs, but the investment often pays off through improved efficiency, increased sales, and enhanced customer experience.
How Best Website Builder Group Can Help
At Best Website Builder Group, we help businesses navigate Shopify’s pricing options, optimize store performance, and reduce unnecessary expenses. Whether you’re launching a new store or scaling an existing one, we provide:
- Shopify store setup and development to ensure a seamless launch.
- Custom theme design and development for a unique and branded store.
- SEO and performance optimization to drive traffic and increase conversions.
- Ongoing support and maintenance to keep your store running smoothly.
If you’re considering Shopify for your eCommerce business, our team can help you make an informed decision and set up a high-performing online store that maximizes your investment.
