Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced

Shopify has emerged as a leading platform in the e-commerce world, powering over a million online stores globally. 

Catering to businesses of all sizes – from small startups to large enterprises – Shopify meets the varying needs of merchants across a range of industries.

Shopify provides a variety of plans, but the two most popular options for growing businesses are Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced. Both provide advanced tools for scaling, but which is the best fit for your business?

Keep reading to find out more.

What is Shopify Advanced?

Shopify Advanced is one of Shopify’s higher-tier plans, designed for medium-sized businesses that require more robust features. It offers advanced reporting, third-party calculated shipping rates, and a higher level of customisation compared to Shopify’s basic plans.

Key features of Shopify Advanced:

• Advanced reports: In-depth reporting features that provide insights into sales, customers, and marketing performance.
• Third-party shipping rates: Allows for real-time shipping rates from external shipping carriers, which is beneficial for businesses shipping globally.
• Customisable checkout: Limited ability to tweak your store’s checkout experience.
• Up to 15 staff accounts: Perfect for growing teams with multiple users needing access to the Shopify admin.

Shopify Advanced is a powerful option, but for larger enterprises with complex needs, Shopify Plus could be the next logical step. So, what’s the difference?

What is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is an enterprise-level plan aimed at large-scale businesses and those with high sales volumes. It comes with all the features of Shopify Advanced, plus additional benefits tailored for fast-growing businesses.

Key features of Shopify Plus:

• Customisable checkout: Full control over your checkout experience, allowing you to modify the entire process based on your specific needs.
• Automation: Shopify Plus provides access to Shopify Flow, an automation tool that helps streamline and automate tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and customer segmentation.
• Dedicated support: Access to a Launch Manager and a Merchant Success Manager for hands-on support during setup and beyond.
• Unlimited staff accounts: No limit on the number of staff accounts, making it ideal for large teams.
• Higher API limits: For businesses using multiple integrations, Shopify Plus allows for greater API call volumes, enabling smoother integration with third-party apps.
• B2B features: Shopify Plus offers exclusive tools for B2B transactions, including wholesale channels and customised pricing for different customers.
• Access to Shopify’s organisation admin: Manage multiple stores and permissions across an organisation from a single admin dashboard.

Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Key Differences

1. Cost

• Shopify Advanced is priced at £344 per month, while Shopify Plus starts at £2,000 per month, depending on the business’s revenue.
• Shopify Plus is more expensive but offers a greater return on investment for businesses generating significant revenue.

2. Customisation and scalability

• Shopify Plus offers far more customisation, especially when it comes to checkout pages. It’s designed for businesses that need a highly tailored experience and complex workflows.
• Shopify Advanced is more limited in terms of checkout customisation and scaling capabilities but is still ideal for medium-sized businesses with moderate growth.

3. Automation

• Shopify Plus shines when it comes to automation, with tools like Shopify Flow and Launchpad to automate promotions, store events, and workflows.
• Shopify Advanced doesn’t include these automation tools, which may be a drawback for businesses looking to streamline repetitive tasks.

4. Support

• While both plans offer support, Shopify Plus provides a dedicated Merchant Success Manager, ensuring that you have a point of contact for any issues.
• Shopify Advanced comes with standard support, which is still helpful but lacks the personalised guidance that Plus users receive.

5. B2B functionality

• Shopify Plus provides more comprehensive B2B functionality, including wholesale channels and custom pricing for different customer groups.
• Shopify Advanced is primarily geared towards B2C operations, though B2B is still possible with third-party apps.

Which plan is best for your business?

 Choose Shopify Advanced if:

• Your business is medium-sized and growing steadily.
• You need advanced reporting and shipping features but don’t require extensive customisation or automation.
• You can manage with limited support and fewer staff accounts.

Choose Shopify Plus if:

• You’re running a high-volume e-commerce business and need advanced customisation.
• Automation is a key part of your business strategy.
• You require B2B functionality and need to cater to wholesale customers.
• You need dedicated support to help manage your growth.

Talk to our Shopify experts

Both Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced are powerful platforms that can take your business to new heights. 

The key is to assess your business’s current needs and future growth potential. Shopify Advanced is perfect for mid-level growth, while Shopify Plus offers unparalleled customisation and scalability for larger enterprises.

At Paramount Digital, we specialise in helping businesses maximise their e-commerce potential, whether you’re on Shopify Advanced or considering the leap to Shopify Plus. Get in touch today to learn how we can help optimise your Shopify store for success!

Either send us an email at marketing@paramountdigital.co.uk or call us on 01744 747 474.