Shopify to Shopify Plus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading for UK Businesses

Shopify to Shopify Plus — Why and How

Are you considering how to upgrade from Shopify to Shopify Plus? This Shopify Plus upgrade guide covers the step-by-step process, the differences between Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus, and why upgrading could be the best move for your growing business. From enhanced scalability to advanced customisation options, upgrading offers numerous advantages tailored to high-growth eCommerce businesses.

If you’re already using Shopify and ready to elevate your store’s performance, upgrading to Shopify Plus could be the solution to take your business to the next level. From enhanced automation to exclusive support, the move offers numerous advantages tailored to high-growth businesses. We’ll guide you through the process, costs, and key decisions you need to make when making the switch.

Need help optimising your Shopify Plus store post-upgrade? Learn more about our CRO Audit Services, and let us help you get the most out of your new platform.

Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus — Key Differences

When considering an upgrade to Shopify Plus, it’s essential to understand the key differences between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant differences:

1. Pricing: Shopify Advanced is priced at $299/month, while Shopify Plus starts around £1,750/month. This cost reflects additional functionality, scalability, and enhanced support. For more details, check our Shopify Plus Pricing Guide.

2. Customisation and Control: Shopify Plus gives you full control over your checkout experience, including access to the checkout.liquid file for creating custom checkout flows and personalised pricing. Need help implementing advanced customisation? Learn more about our CRO Audit Services.

3. Scalability & Performance: Shopify Plus can handle up to 10,000+ checkouts per minute, making it ideal for businesses experiencing large-scale promotions or seasonal campaigns.

4. Merchant Success Manager: Shopify Plus provides you with a dedicated Merchant Success Manager, unlike Shopify Advanced, which is more suited to smaller businesses.

5. Advanced API Access & Automation: Shopify Plus offers more API access, enabling deeper integration and advanced automation. If you want to explore Shopify Plus’ full API capabilities, check out our Conversion Rate Optimisation Services.

6. Staff Accounts: Unlike Shopify Advanced’s limit of 15, Shopify Plus offers unlimited staff accounts, making it a better option for larger teams.

Shopify to Shopify Plus: A Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide

Upgrading from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus is a strategic move for businesses looking for advanced customisation, scalability, and enhanced support. Here's a streamlined guide to ensure your upgrade process goes smoothly:

1. Evaluate Your Business Needs: Identify whether your business is ready for Shopify Plus by evaluating key factors like transaction volume and customisation needs. Not sure where your store stands? Use our CRO Audit Services to evaluate your store’s current performance and identify where Shopify Plus could make a difference.

2. Plan the Migration: Consider operational changes, such as unlimited staff accounts, custom checkouts, and Shopify Plus’ multi-store capabilities for global expansion.

3. Contact Us to Upgrade to Shopify Plus Seamlessly: Let our team handle your Shopify Plus upgrade through our direct partnership with Shopify. Fill out our contact form, and we'll manage the process, ensuring a tailored solution for your business.

4. Migrate Data and Ensure Compatibility: Shopify Plus ensures a smooth migration of data, existing customers, and integrations. Ensure your apps and customisations are compatible with Shopify Plus.

5. Optimise and Launch: Once your migration is complete, leverage Shopify Plus’ advanced features like customisable checkout, APIs, and reporting. A CRO audit can provide insights into areas of improvement and help you take full advantage of the platform's capabilities.

6. Ongoing Optimisation: After the upgrade, continue monitoring your store’s performance. For businesses looking to maximise their store’s potential, our Conversion Rate Optimisation Packages can help unlock further growth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Upgrading from Shopify to Shopify Plus

Upgrading to Shopify Plus can significantly enhance your store's capabilities, but like any transition, there are common pitfalls that businesses should be aware of. Here’s how to avoid the most frequent mistakes:

1. Failing to Fully Utilise Customisation Features: Shopify Plus provides access to customisable checkout flows, which can improve conversion rates. Not optimising this can be a missed opportunity. Our CRO Audit Services can ensure you're using checkout customisation to its full potential.
2. Neglecting Compatibility with Existing Apps: During the upgrade process, ensure that your third-party apps are compatible with Shopify Plus. Some integrations may need upgrading or replacing to ensure seamless functionality. Our Conversion Rate Optimisation Packages can help streamline your app integrations.
3. Not Planning for Global Expansion Features: Shopify Plus is perfect for businesses looking to expand globally, offering multi-store and multi-currency features. Failing to plan for these expansions can limit your growth potential. For more details, check our Shopify Plus Overview.
4. Overlooking Data Migration Challenges: Transferring data, especially from custom apps or platforms, can be complex. Use our CRO Audit Services to assess potential data migration issues and ensure a smooth transition.

How Shopify Plus Can Boost Your Business Post-Upgrade

Once you’ve upgraded to Shopify Plus, the next step is leveraging its advanced tools to drive growth and efficiency. Here are a few ways Shopify Plus can boost your business post-upgrade:

1. Customisable Checkout for Higher Conversions: Shopify Plus’ checkout customisation features allow you to personalise the checkout process based on user data, leading to improved conversion rates. Our Conversion Rate Optimisation Packages will help you fully utilise Shopify Plus to maximise sales.
2. Expanding to New Markets: Shopify Plus makes managing multiple stores across different regions easy, enabling you to cater to local markets with region-specific pricing, languages, and currencies. Need advice on expanding globally? Check out our Shopify Plus Overview for more tips on maximising global expansion.
3. Access to Advanced APIs: Shopify Plus opens advanced API access, enabling deeper integration with third-party systems like ERPs or custom-built apps. For expert API advice, consider our CRO Audit Services.

Is It Time to switch from Shopify to Shopify Plus?

Upgrading to Shopify Plus offers a multitude of benefits for businesses that need advanced scalability, customisation, and support. Here are some key reasons why businesses choose Shopify Plus:

• Better Scalability: Handle up to 10,000+ checkouts per minute, perfect for large promotions.
• Advanced Customisation: Fully control your checkout process and customer experience.
• Dedicated Support: Access to a dedicated Merchant Success Manager for ongoing optimisation.
• Global Expansion: Multi-currency, multi-language, and multi-store capabilities to reach new markets.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level with Shopify Plus, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team can help you with the upgrade process, ensuring a smooth transition and unlocking the full potential of your Shopify Plus store.

Peter Gardner

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman

Peter is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Blend, a leading Shopify CRO Agency, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the agency's strategic direction and mentoring its leadership team. With over a decade of experience in growing DTC brands using Shopify Plus, Peter has been instrumental in Blend's success, contributing to its recognition as a multi-award-winning agency. His deep understanding of eCommerce and conversion optimization drives Blend's mission to enhance Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) for its clients.

In his current role, Peter focuses on providing strategic advisory support, ensuring that Blend remains at the forefront of industry innovation. His leadership and vision have been central to the agency's growth and its ability to deliver exceptional results for clients.

Outside of Blend, Peter co-founded the eCom Collab Club™️, a dynamic community that connects and empowers eCommerce professionals through events, networking opportunities, and educational resources.

Published: March 15, 2022

Last updated: October 09, 2024