Shopify Plus: The Enterprise E-Commerce Platform Explained

Shopify is seen as one of the most popular platforms for businesses looking to sell online. This platform is taken a step further with the new iteration to Shopify called Shopify Plus. According to studies, there are currently 48,426 Shopify Plus stores active in 175 countries as of 2024. This number is set to increase in the coming years. 

In this article, we will discuss the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus, the benefits of Shopify Plus and how it can help you improve your online business. 

Shopify Vs. Shopify Plus 

Before we can get into the discussion of how Shopify Plus is benefiting businesses, we need to understand the difference between Shopify Plus and Shopify. 

Benefits of Shopify Plus 

Shopify Plus has made drastic changes in the online business market by offering benefits for business owners looking to expand their online store. The following are some of the benefits you can enjoy by integrating Shopify Plus. 

Scalability 

Shopify Plus offers a highly scalable platform that can accommodate large volumes of traffic, transactions, and product SKUs. This scalability ensures that your online store can grow seamlessly as your business expands. 

Advanced Customisation 

With Shopify Plus, you have access to advanced customisation options, including custom scripts, workflows, and checkout experiences. This allows you to tailor your online store to meet the specific needs and preferences of your target audience. 

Enhanced Performance 

Shopify Plus provides advanced performance optimisation features, including dedicated infrastructure, content delivery network (CDN) support, and automatic scaling. These features ensure fast page load times and a smooth shopping experience for your customers. 

Multi-Channel Selling 

Shopify Plus offers advanced multi-channel selling capabilities, allowing you to sell across multiple channels such as social media, marketplaces, and brick-and-mortar stores. This enables you to reach a broader audience and increase your sales opportunities. 

Dedicated Support 

With Shopify Plus, you receive dedicated account management and priority support from Shopify’s team of experts. This ensures that you have access to timely assistance and guidance whenever you need it, helping you resolve issues quickly and effectively. 

Advanced Marketing Tools 

Shopify Plus provides access to advanced marketing tools, including Shopify Flow for automation, Launchpad for managing flash sales and product launches, and Scripts for customising checkout experiences. These tools help you streamline your marketing efforts and drive more sales. 

Robust Security 

Shopify Plus offers enhanced security features, including DDoS protection, PCI compliance, and SSL encryption. This ensures that your customers’ sensitive information is protected, building trust and confidence in your brand. 

Customisable Checkout 

With Shopify Plus, you have the flexibility to customise the checkout experience to align with your branding and user experience goals. This helps reduce cart abandonment rates and improves conversion rates. 

Advanced Reporting & Analytics 

Shopify Plus provides access to advanced reporting and analytics features, including Shopify Plus Reports and Insights. These tools offer valuable insights into your store’s performance, customer behaviour, and sales trends, helping you make data-driven decisions to grow your business. 

Exclusive Apps and Integrations 

Shopify Plus offers access to exclusive apps and integrations designed specifically for enterprise-level businesses. These apps help streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. 

Steps to Migrate To Shopify Plus 

Migrating to Shopify Plus involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a general outline of the process. 

Evaluate Your Current Platform 

Assess your existing ecommerce platform to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Identify the reasons for migrating to Shopify Plus and set clear objectives for the migration. 

Choose a Migration Partner 

Consider hiring a Shopify Expert or Agency with experience in migrating to Shopify Plus. They can provide valuable guidance, expertise, and technical support throughout the migration process. 

Select a Migration Date 

Choose a date for the migration that minimises disruption to your business operations. Consider factors such as seasonality, sales cycles, and workload capacity when scheduling the migration. 

Prepare Your Data 

Gather and organise your store data, including product information, customer records, order history, and inventory data. Ensure that your data is clean, accurate, and compatible with Shopify’s data format. 

Set Up Your Shopify Plus Account 

Sign up for a Shopify Plus account and configure your store settings, including payment gateways, shipping options, tax settings, and store policies. Customise your store’s design and layout to match your branding and aesthetic preferences. 

Import Your Data 

Use Shopify’s data migration tools or third-party apps to import your store data into Shopify Plus. Follow the migration instructions carefully to ensure that your data is transferred accurately and without errors. 

Configure Apps and Integrations 

Set up and configure any apps and integrations that you were using on your previous platform. Install Shopify-compatible apps from the Shopify App Store to add additional functionality and features to your store. 

Test Your Store 

Thoroughly test your Shopify Plus store to ensure that all data, functionality, and integrations are working correctly. Test the shopping experience from the perspective of a customer to identify any issues or areas for improvement. 

Train Your Team 

Provide training and support to your team members to familiarise them with the Shopify Plus platform and its features. Ensure that they understand how to manage orders, products, customers, and other aspects of the store. 

Launch Your Store 

Once you’re confident that your store is ready, officially launch your Shopify Plus store to the public. Monitor your store closely during the launch phase to address any issues or concerns that arise. 

Optimise and Iterate 

Continuously monitor and optimise your Shopify Plus store to improve performance, user experience, and sales. Use Shopify’s built-in analytics tools to track key metrics and make data-driven decisions to grow your business. 

Conclusion 

Shopify is already making an impact for online businesses and the Shopify Plus iteration takes it to the next level. If you are looking to take the full advantage of Shopify Plus it is best to recruit the help of Shopify Plus development services by a top service provider. 

FAQs 

Who is Shopify Plus suitable for? 

Shopify Plus is ideal for established businesses with high sales volumes, complex ecommerce requirements, and a need for scalability and flexibility. It caters to a wide range of industries, including retail, fashion, consumer goods, and B2B. 

What are the key features of Shopify Plus? 

Shopify Plus offers a range of advanced features, including customisable checkout, unlimited bandwidth and products, advanced analytics and reporting, dedicated account management, access to Shopify Scripts for customisations, and enterprise-grade security and compliance. 

How does Shopify Plus pricing work? 

Shopify Plus operates on a tiered pricing model based on monthly sales volumes. Pricing starts at a fixed monthly fee and scales with your business’s sales. Additional fees may apply for customisations, integrations, and other services. 

What are the advantages of Shopify Plus over regular Shopify? 

Shopify Plus offers several advantages over regular Shopify, including higher scalability, more advanced customisation options, dedicated account management and support, access to exclusive features like Shopify Scripts, and priority support. 

Can I migrate my existing store to Shopify Plus? 

Yes, you can migrate your existing ecommerce store to Shopify Plus. Shopify offers migration tools and support to help you seamlessly transfer your store data, settings, and content to the Shopify Plus platform.