Shopify offers a flexible range of pricing plans in the UK, designed to cater to businesses of all sizes—from individuals just starting out to large-scale enterprises. Whether you need a simple way to sell via social media or a fully customisable online store, Shopify has an option that aligns with your needs and budget. Choosing the right plan is crucial to ensuring your business operates efficiently, remains scalable, and maximises profitability. Below, we break down the features and benefits of each plan to help you make an informed decision.
Starter Plan (£5/month)
The Starter Plan is the most affordable way to sell online without setting up a full Shopify store. Instead of having a dedicated website, you can generate product links that allow you to sell through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This is ideal for creators, small businesses, or anyone testing the waters before committing to a full e-commerce setup.
Key Features:
- Access to Shopify’s secure checkout system
- Ability to sell through social media, messaging apps, and emails
- Basic inventory and order management tools
- Shopify POS Lite for in-person sales
This plan is a great low-cost option for those who primarily sell via social platforms and don’t need a traditional e-commerce website. It’s perfect for dropshippers, affiliate marketers, or influencers looking to monetise their audience with minimal effort. However, it lacks advanced customisation and analytics, so businesses looking to scale may quickly outgrow this plan.
Basic Plan (£19/month, billed annually)
The Basic Plan is the first tier that includes a fully functional online store, complete with website customisation, blogging capabilities, and essential e-commerce features. It’s a solid choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a dedicated online presence but don’t require complex features.
What’s Included:
- A fully customizable online store with a built-in blog
- Unlimited product listings, making it ideal for growing inventories
- Abandoned cart recovery to re-engage potential customers
- Up to 10 inventory locations to track stock across different sites
- 24/7 customer support
- A free SSL certificate for secure transactions
This plan offers great value for businesses that are serious about online selling. While it provides the fundamental tools needed to run an e-commerce store, it lacks the detailed reporting and lower transaction fees found in higher-tier plans. If your business is processing a growing number of orders, upgrading to the Shopify Plan may be a better long-term solution.
Shopify Plan (£49/month, billed annually)
The Shopify Plan is designed for businesses that have outgrown the Basic Plan and need more advanced tools to optimise operations and increase sales. It offers better reporting, additional staff accounts, and lower transaction fees, making it ideal for businesses processing a steady flow of orders.
Key Benefits:
- Everything included in the Basic Plan, plus more advanced features
- Five staff accounts to allow better team collaboration
- Professional reports with deeper sales insights and customer analytics
- Lower credit card processing fees, reducing transaction costs
- International domain and pricing support for global selling
This plan is perfect for growing businesses that want more control over their operations. The professional reporting features provide valuable insights that help refine marketing strategies and improve sales performance. Additionally, lower transaction fees make a significant difference for stores with higher revenue, ensuring more profit is retained with each sale.
Advanced Plan (£259/month, billed annually)
The Advanced Plan is built for businesses that require more complex reporting, advanced shipping options, and greater operational flexibility. If you’re managing a large inventory, shipping products worldwide, or have a team that needs custom access controls, this plan is well worth the investment.
What You Get:
- Everything from the Shopify Plan, plus enhanced features
- Up to 15 staff accounts for larger teams
- Advanced report builder, allowing for custom analytics
- Third-party calculated shipping rates to offer real-time shipping costs
- Even lower transaction fees for better cost efficiency
This plan is best suited for businesses experiencing rapid growth. The advanced reporting tools enable data-driven decision-making, while the ability to display calculated shipping rates ensures transparency for customers. If your business relies on international sales, this plan’s global selling features can help you expand seamlessly into new markets.
Shopify Plus (£1,750+/month)
Shopify Plus is Shopify’s premium, enterprise-level solution designed for high-volume merchants and global brands. With powerful automation tools, enhanced security, and full customisation capabilities, it provides a scalable infrastructure for businesses that demand peak performance.
Why Choose Shopify Plus?
- Unlimited staff accounts for large teams managing multiple locations
- Lower transaction fees compared to standard Shopify plans
- Access to Shopify’s API for custom integrations and automation
- Dedicated account management and priority support
- Fully customisable checkout experience to optimise conversions
Shopify Plus is built for brands that require complete control over their online store. It allows businesses to handle large spikes in traffic, integrate seamlessly with third-party tools, and automate various workflows. While the cost is significantly higher than other plans, the added capabilities can drive higher revenue and efficiency for businesses processing millions in sales.
Transaction Fees & Payment Processing
When using Shopify Payments, businesses can avoid additional transaction fees. However, if you opt for a third-party payment provider like PayPal or Stripe, Shopify charges transaction fees based on your plan:
- Basic Plan: 2.0% per transaction
- Shopify Plan: 1.0% per transaction
- Advanced Plan: 0.5% per transaction
For businesses processing high volumes of orders, Shopify Payments can provide significant cost savings. Additionally, Shopify Payments ensures a seamless checkout experience, reducing the likelihood of abandoned carts due to complicated payment processes.
Shopify POS (Point of Sale) for In-Person Sales
For businesses operating both online and in physical locations, Shopify offers a POS system that synchronises inventory and sales data across all channels.
- POS Lite (included in all plans) allows businesses to accept payments in person with basic transaction tracking.
- POS Pro (£69/month per location) offers advanced features such as custom staff permissions, detailed reporting, and omnichannel selling tools.
Having a unified sales system means businesses can manage online and offline sales from one platform, ensuring a seamless customer experience. This makes Shopify an excellent option for retail stores, pop-up shops, and businesses that sell through multiple channels.
Global Selling & Multi-Currency Support
Shopify provides built-in tools for businesses looking to expand internationally. With features like multi-currency pricing, region-specific payment options, and international domains, businesses can create localised shopping experiences for different markets.
- Multi-currency support allows customers to see prices in their local currency, reducing friction in the buying process.
- Localized checkout experiences improve conversion rates by offering region-specific payment methods.
- International domains enable businesses to tailor their storefronts for different countries.
These features make it easier for brands to scale globally without needing separate websites for each region. By localising pricing and payments, Shopify helps businesses reach international customers more effectively.
Which Plan is Right for You?
Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on your business goals, size, and budget.
- If you’re just starting out and selling on social media, the Starter Plan is the most affordable option.
- If you need a full online store but are on a budget, the Basic Plan provides all the essentials.
- If your business is growing and you want better reporting and lower fees, the Shopify Plan is the best balance of features and cost.
- If you’re scaling fast and need advanced analytics and shipping options, the Advanced Plan is ideal.
- If you’re running a high-revenue brand and need enterprise-level tools, Shopify Plus is the ultimate solution.
🚀 Need help choosing the right Shopify plan? Contact Haydon Power, and we’ll guide you towards the best solution for your business!