HOW MUCH IS SHOPIFY?

So, you’ve decided to start an online store, and Shopify looks like the golden ticket to your e-commerce dreams. But before you start picking out luxury yachts with your future millions, there’s one important question, how much is Shopify going to cost you? Is it a bargain? A bank-breaker? Or one of those sneaky subscriptions that seem cheap until you add up all the extras? Let’s break it down.

Shopify Pricing Plans: What’s the Damage?

Shopify has a few pricing plans to suit different budgets. The basic cost starts at £25 per month for Basic Shopify, which gives you everything you need to get started. If you’re a bit more serious about your business, the Shopify plan at £65 per month adds extra features like better reports and lower transaction fees. And if you’re planning world domination, there’s Advanced Shopify at £344 per month, offering even more detailed analytics and cheaper payment processing rates.

For the high rollers, there’s Shopify Plus, which is a bespoke enterprise solution. It’s so expensive they don’t even list the price on the website (which is never a good sign) but expect to pay around £2,000 per month. Perfect if you have a thriving empire or just enjoy spending money.

Hidden Costs: Because Nothing is Ever That Simple

Ah, but there’s more. The monthly fee is just the beginning. Want a fancy theme? That could set you back up to £250. Need extra functionality? Many Shopify apps charge a monthly subscription, and they add up faster than you’d think. Also, if you don’t use Shopify Payments for transactions, Shopify will take an additional cut of every sale.

Does Shopify Take a Cut?

Yes, Shopify wants its share. If you use Shopify Payments, you only pay standard credit card rates (starting at 2.2% + 20p per transaction on the Basic plan). But if you prefer PayPal, Stripe or any other third-party payment provider, Shopify charges an extra transaction fee, up to 2% depending on your plan. So, if you’re selling a lot, those fees can start nibbling away at your profits.

Is Shopify Worth the Price?

Shopify isn’t the cheapest way to sell online, but you get what you pay for. It’s user-friendly, packed with features and saves you from the headache of managing your own website security and hosting. If you’re serious about running an online store, the cost is an investment rather than an expense. If, however, you’re just looking to sell a few handmade candles to your nan and her book club, there might be cheaper options out there.

Final Thoughts

So, how much is Shopify? It depends on what you need. At the very least, expect to pay £25 per month, but the actual cost can be much higher once you factor in themes, apps and transaction fees. The key is to pick the right plan for your business and avoid signing up for unnecessary extras that drain your budget faster than you can say “checkout.”