Shopify offers seven different plans, and each comes with different sets of features. In this article, we'll dive deep into the most popular plan, Shopify Basic.
Intro: What is Shopify Basic
Shopify Basic should be your first choice when starting your online business. It offers everything you need for a decent price. It may not now have all the features, but it's perfect for a start, and you can always upgrade to a higher plan later.
Our data shows ~ that 45% are on the Shopify Basic plan. That means about 1.080.000 Shopify stores are using the Basic plan.
We also built several successful Shopify stores on the Basic plan. Have a look at Master & Master, for example.
Features: What does Shopify Basic Include
Shopify Basic gives you everything you need. However, there are some limits. See the features overview table below.
As you can see, the Shopify Basic plan offers plenty of features and gives you everything you need to run an online store. There are probably three features that may make you to upgrade in the future:
- Missing staff accounts – if you manage the store by yourself you don't need more staff accounts. But if you want to give access to more members of your team, you need to upgrade to Standard plan.
- Only 3 international markets – if you want to expand your business and sell internationally, 3 markets are probably not enough. Upgrading to Shopify Advanced plan gives you option to add more ($59 per month for each extra market).
- Transaction fees – if your business grow and pass a certain level, it may be cheaper to upgrade to higher plan and save on the transaction fees.
Pricing: How much is Shopify Basic
Shopify Basic starts at $39 per month or $29 per month if you upgrade to an annual subscription. The price may also vary based on your location and currency.
There is also a free trial when you start, but it's limited to 3 days. What's great is that your first month is only $1. To take advantage of this offer, use the button below.
Besides the subscription price, there is also a transaction fee. That is paid once you charge the customer. Shopify will automatically deduct the fee from your payout. There are several transaction fees, all highlighted in the table below.
The rates go down once you upgrade to a higher plan. So if your grew, it make sense to run the math and see if it's actually cheaper for you to upgrade. The "Non-Shopify Payments fee" is charged when you use a third-party payment provider, and not Shopify Payments to process the transaction.
Operating Costs: Are there any other costs with Shopify Basic
As all Shopify plans, it comes with hosting, SSL & CDN, but you need to purchase a custom domain. Or you can use the one provided by Shopify at your-store.myshopify.com, but I definitely recommend getting a custom domain for a few dollars per year. Here's also how to connect your domain to Shopify.
There are plenty of free themes, so you don't need to pay for a premium one. You also don't need a developer/coder. For advanced functionality on your store, you may use some third-party apps.
Conclusion: Is Shopify Basic worthy?
Shopify Basic is definitely worthy and should be your first choice if you are just launching your online business. If your business grows, you can always upgrade to a higher plan.
With all Shopify plans, you don't need any technical knowledge or having a developer. Starting a store, it's just a matter of a few clicks.
FAQs
Does Shopify Basic include a custom domain?
No, you need to purchase your own, and connect it to your Shopify store. But it comes with hosting, global CDN, and SSL certificate.
Does Shopify Basic have staff accounts?
No, the staff accounts are only included in the Shopify Standard plan (since February 2024). But you can have unlimited collaborator accounts.
What is the difference between Shopify Basic and Shopify Standard?
The main difference is that with Shopify Basic you can't have any staff accounts, while with Shopify Standard you can have up to 5. It's also a bit cheaper on the transaction fees.
Why not use Shopify Starter, which is only $5 per month?
Shopify Starter is not a full online store, it's basically just a checkout. It can work for someone with strong social media presence using only the direct links to purchase a specific product.
Are there any other fees/costs besides the cost for Shopify Basic subscription ($39 per month)?
Yes, there are several transaction fees (see the table in the pricing section above). But there are no other costs – you can use a free theme and free apps. However, it make sense to invest into a custom domain (few dollars per year).
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