How much does Shopify cost in the UK – Plans & Comparison (2024)?

Shopify is widely recognised as the leading ecommerce website builder, offering an extensive product range of high-quality sales features. Its various pricing plans are designed to be accessible and affordable Shopify Cost for small business owners venturing into online sales. 

Shopify’s pricing plans range from £5 to £259 per month when billed annually, providing excellent value for new online stores. We consider Shopify the top ecommerce site builder on the market. 

Want to know about this in a better manner? Go through this. In this guide, we’ll explain each Shopify pricing plan, break down the monthly costs, and explore any additional fees or expenses you might encounter with the expertise of a leading Shopify agency in London.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a top-tier ecommerce website builder that provides everything you need to launch and run an online store. Initially designed as a standalone platform, Shopify allows businesses to integrate its features directly into their websites or direct buyers to a secure Shopify page for transactions. 

However, Shopify has evolved beyond its original scope. It now offers website hosting and supports sales through other online marketplaces, including Amazon and eBay. 

Shopify proudly states on its homepage, “Millions of the world’s most successful brands trust Shopify to sell, ship, and process payments anywhere.” With over 1.7 million businesses using Shopify to make sales, it’s a trusted choice for many. 

The platform’s user-friendly interface is designed to help businesses connect with customers, drive sales, and manage operations. Shopify offers three different plans, catering to basic to advanced needs.

Shopify Pricing Overview

No matter the size or stage of your business, Shopify likely has a plan that fits your needs and budget. It’s a highly scalable platform, so you can start with a basic plan and easily upgrade as your business grows. 

All Shopify plans include essential features such as 24/7 support, a variety of tools for entrepreneurs, and automatic updates for orders, products, and inventory.

As you move to higher-tier plans, you get access to more advanced features. These can include shipping discounts, shipping labels, fraud analysis, and language translation, among other benefits. 

Shopify Plans and Costs

Shopify Starter – £5 per month

The Shopify Starter plan is ideal for businesses that sell products through social media, email, SMS, WhatsApp, or in person using a point-of-sale (POS) processor. However, it’s not the best fit for small businesses looking to build a professional online store. This plan includes a card reader for in-person purchases, and online sales are processed through the Shopify payment gateway, which charges a 5% transaction fee.

Shopify Basic – £19 per month (£25 if paid monthly)

The Shopify Basic plan is a great choice for small businesses aiming to build a comprehensive online store with omnichannel selling capabilities, including drop shipping. It includes an online store with a website and blog, allows for unlimited product listings, and supports sales on online marketplaces and social media channels. For in-store transactions, card readers are available, with a 1.7% fee for in-person transactions. Online sales incur a 2% fee plus 25p per transaction through the Shopify payment gateway.

Shopify Standard – £49 per month (£65 if paid monthly)

The Shopify Standard plan includes all features of the Basic plan, shopify plus performance reports, support for up to five staff accounts, and gift card purchases. It also offers an abandoned cart recovery tool and enables international selling with country-specific domains and currency conversions. Transaction fees are 1.7% shopify plus partners 25p for online sales and 1.6% for in-person card transactions.

Shopify Advanced – £259 per month (£344 if paid monthly)

The Shopify Advanced plan is designed for high-volume businesses needing advanced features. It includes unlimited storage, support for up to 15 staff accounts, and third-party calculated shopify shipping rates. Users also get access to custom reporting options and ecommerce automation. Online transaction fees are 1.5% plus 25p, and in-person transaction fees are 1.5% with no additional features surcharge.

Additional Shopify Costs

Beyond the current plan fees, users often incur additional costs for premium themes, apps, and other add-ons: 

• Domain Name: Purchased separately from a registrar like Google Domains or GoDaddy for around £7.99 per year. 
• Premium Theme: While free themes are available, many businesses opt for premium themes for better design and functionality. These typically wide range from £60 ($75) to £240 ($300). 
• Premium Apps and Plugins: To expand store functionality, businesses may use premium plugins, which can cost from £4 ($5) per month to several hundred pounds. 
• Time: Building your online store will require time investment. 
• Development: Some businesses may hire web developers or designers to create their Shopify site or address any issues. 

Currency conversion is accurate as of April 15, 2024.

Who Do We Recommend Each Shopify Plan For?

Shopify Starter 

The Shopify Starter plan is perfect for businesses that sell products through social media, email, SMS, WhatsApp, or in-person and need a simple point-of-sale (POS) processor. It’s an ideal solution for those who don’t require a full-fledged online store but still want to leverage Shopify’s secure payment processing. 

Shopify Basic 

The Shopify Basic plan is well-suited for small businesses looking to establish a comprehensive online Retailers store with omnichannel selling capabilities. This expensive plan is ideal for businesses that want to sell on online marketplaces and social media channels, and need features like a website, blog, and support for dropshipping. 

Shopify Standard 

The Shopify Standard affordable plan is recommended for growing businesses that need advanced features like performance reports, support for multiple staff accounts, gift card purchases, and abandoned cart recovery. It’s also the right choice for those looking to expand into international markets with country-specific domains and currency conversions. 

Shopify Advanced 

The Shopify Advanced premium plan is best for large businesses with high sales volumes both online payments and in person. This plan is designed for those who need advanced features such as unlimited storage, multiple staff accounts, third-party calculated shopify shipping rates, custom reporting options, and ecommerce automation.

Shopify Plan Recommendations

Can You Use Shopify for Free?

Shopify offers a free trial that lasts three days for all its plans. This trial period has been significantly shortened from the previous two-week duration. During the free trial, you can set up your store, but you won’t be able to start selling until you sign up for a paid plan. If you don’t choose a paid plan by the end of your trial, you’ll lose access to your online store as Shopify does not offer a freemium tier.

Shopify Costs: Billing Cycles, Ongoing Costs, and Additional Fees

Shopify’s standard billing cycle is yearly, although you can opt to pay monthly like other website builders. Paying annually upfront will save you 25% compared to the monthly Revenue payment option. 

Business owners must pay the full billing cycle price at the time of purchase. If they choose the annual subscription, they will need to pay for the entire year upfront.

Shopify Domain Name

Unlike some website builders and ecommerce platforms that offer a free domain name for the first year, Shopify does not. You’ll need to purchase a domain, either through Shopify or from a third-party domain name provider.

The Shopify App Store

Shopify boasts an extensive App Store that can significantly enhance your online shop’s functionality. While many apps and extensions are free, some require a monthly Revenue payment ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars.

Saving Money on Shopify

To reduce the monthly cost of your Shopify ecommerce website development, consider opting for a longer billing cycle and paying more upfront. Although it may seem expensive initially, this approach saves you money in the long run. For example, choosing a two-year plan for the Advanced Shopify plan can save you a substantial £1,020 per year compared to a monthly subscription. 

Another way to save money with Shopify is by using Shopify Payments instead of third-party payment providers like PayPal. This eliminates transaction fees and lowers credit card payment processing fees, making it a smart choice for cost-conscious businesses partnered with a trusted Shopify agency like RVS Media.

How Do Shopify’s Prices Compare to Other Ecommerce Platforms?

When compared plan-for-plan, Shopify tends to be more expensive than the ecommerce offerings of website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or GoDaddy. If value is your primary concern, consider Wix, which offers excellent sales channels features at a very reasonable price. Shopify’s cheapest plan is £19 per month, while Wix’s most expensive ecommerce plan is only £27 per month. 

However, Shopify is a premium product with a premium price. If you have big ambitions for your online store, Shopify could make a significant difference in the long run. The depth of sales features, granular customer insights, and international commerce capabilities provided by Shopify are unmatched by builders of non-ecommerce specifics. For those looking to grow into a large global online selling operation, Shopify’s advanced features are invaluable.

Conclusion

Shopify is a leading ecommerce website development builder, offering a variety of Custom pricing plans to meet diverse business needs and budgets. From the £5/month Starter plan to the £259/month Advanced plan, Shopify provides essential features, 24/7 support, and tools for seamless store management, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. 

While Shopify may be pricier than other platforms like Wix or Squarespace, its robust sales features, detailed customer insights, and international commerce capabilities justify the Average cost. Opting for longer billing cycles and using Shopify Payments can help save money. 

In summary, Shopify’s versatility and scalability make it a top choice for businesses seeking to establish a strong online presence and achieve significant growth, especially with expert support from RVS Media.