Shopify Plus
As your business grows, you may find that the basic features of Shopify are no longer enough to handle your increasing traffic and operational complexity. That’s where Shopify Plus benefits come into play. Offering advanced tools and features designed specifically for high-growth businesses, Shopify Plus features include scalability, customisation, and automation—perfect for taking your eCommerce store to the next level in 2024..
Whether you're managing large transaction volumes, expanding into new markets, or customising your checkout experience, Shopify Plus provides the flexibility and power needed to support enterprise-level operations. In this article, we’ll break down what Shopify Plus is, its key features and benefits, and why it’s an ideal platform for UK businesses in 2024 looking to scale and optimise their eCommerce operations.
To see how Shopify Plus fits into your broader optimisation efforts, consider learning more about our services as a Shopify CRO Agency.
In the next part of our Shopify Plus trilogy, we'll explore how to upgrade to Shopify Plus from a standard Shopify plan and what to expect.
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus Overview
So, what is Shopify Plus? It is more than just an upgraded version of Shopify; it is a complete platform designed for scaling businesses. Shopify Plus is an advanced eCommerce platform designed for high-growth businesses and enterprises that need more than the standard Shopify plans can offer. While Shopify provides a great solution for small to medium-sized businesses, The platform delivers additional power, flexibility, and customisation—core Shopify Plus benefits—to support companies handling large volumes of sales and traffic.
At its core, Shopify Plus is a scalable SaaS (Software as a Service) platform that helps businesses automate operations, streamline workflows, and expand into new markets. With features like customisable checkout, advanced API integrations, and dedicated support, Shopify Plus equips businesses with everything they need to grow efficiently. To enhance your eCommerce performance, learn more about our Conversion Rate Optimisation Packages.
Unlike the standard Shopify plans, Shopify Plus is built to handle the complexities of larger, more demanding businesses, offering the tools and support needed to stay competitive in an ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.
How Shopify Plus Has Evolved and Remains a Top Choice in 2024
Since its launch, Shopify Plus has continuously evolved to meet the needs of fast-growing businesses, offering cutting-edge features that enable eCommerce brands to scale globally. As businesses face increasing competition and demand for seamless customer experiences, Shopify Plus has introduced several enhancements to make it the platform of choice in 2024 for enterprise-level eCommerce.
Some of the key updates include:
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Advanced Customisation Tools: Among the most notable Shopify Plus features in 2024 are its advanced customisation tools and expanded API capabilities, allowing businesses to integrate bespoke third-party tools and create bespoke experiences for their customers. This is especially important for brands that need highly customised workflows and checkout processes to stand out in a competitive market.
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Enhanced Automation: With the rise of automation, Shopify Plus offers advanced API integrations and automation tools that enable businesses to streamline complex tasks such as inventory management, customer segmentation, and fraud detection. These updates are critical for brands handling high volumes of transactions and scaling rapidly.
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International Selling Capabilities: For UK businesses in particular, post-Brexit trade requires a platform that can handle multi-currency, multi-language, and international tax compliance with ease. Shopify Plus has introduced features to support global expansion, making it easier for businesses to reach new markets across Europe and beyond.
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Data Security & GDPR Compliance: As regulations around data protection tighten in the UK and Europe, Shopify Plus has increased its security features to ensure full GDPR compliance and safeguard customer information, an essential requirement for UK businesses handling large datasets.
Looking ahead to 2024, Shopify Plus continues to roll out features that focus on enhancing user experience, improving conversion rates, and providing businesses with the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing markets. These ongoing developments make it a future-proof solution for businesses looking to stay ahead in the eCommerce landscape.
Shopify Plus Features
Shopify Plus offers a variety of advanced features designed to help high-growth businesses manage complexity, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. As part of its recent evolution, Shopify Plus has introduced enhanced automation tools, expanding its already robust list of Shopify Plus features to include multi-currency support and seamless third-party integrations.
Here’s a breakdown of the key features that set Shopify Plus apart from standard Shopify plans, with a focus on UK-specific needs and 2024 updates:
Customisable Checkout: One of the Top Shopify Plus Features
One of the most powerful Shopify Plus features is the ability to fully customise your checkout process, providing flexibility and enhanced user experience. With access to the checkout.liquid file, businesses can tailor the entire checkout experience to meet the specific needs of their customers. This includes offering personalised pricing, custom discount rules, or dynamic checkout flows based on cart value or customer segmentation.A well-optimised checkout process is key to improving conversion rates.
For UK businesses, this means greater control over VAT handling, shipping rates, and currency conversions—critical for businesses looking to expand into Europe post-Brexit.
Unlimited Staff Accounts
As your team grows, so does the need for managing permissions and access. Shopify Plus provides unlimited staff accounts with customisable roles, allowing businesses to control who has access to specific areas of the store. Whether you’re running multiple teams for customer support, inventory management, or marketing, this feature ensures your expanding team can work seamlessly without restrictions. For large UK-based companies, this feature supports efficient scaling while maintaining tight security over critical functions.
Advanced API Integrations
For businesses requiring custom solutions, Shopify Plus offers advanced API integrations. Explore our expert CRO Audit Services to uncover additional areas for improvement in your Shopify store. These APIs enable businesses to build bespoke applications, automate workflows, and integrate with third-party services. Whether you need to sync with custom inventory systems, build a loyalty programme, or implement advanced marketing tools, Shopify Plus gives you the flexibility to tailor these solutions to your business. This is particularly important for UK businesses navigating the complexities of VAT, tax reporting, and post-Brexit international trade compliance.
If you're serious about optimising your eCommerce store, you may want to explore our CRO Audit Services to identify key areas for improvement.
Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support
Expanding internationally is a major goal for many high-growth UK businesses, and Shopify Plus offers the tools to do it smoothly. You can offer multi-currency support, allowing customers to pay in their local currency, and integrate multi-language support to create tailored experiences for different markets. For UK businesses looking to expand into Europe and other global markets post-Brexit, Shopify Plus makes it easier to localise their offerings, comply with local tax regulations, and simplify cross-border sales.
Built-In Security & Compliance
As data protection laws such as GDPR continue to evolve, ensuring your business is compliant with these regulations is essential, particularly for UK-based businesses. Shopify Plus includes robust data security features to help you protect customer data and stay compliant with UK and EU regulations. Regular updates to security features also ensure that your platform stays protected from the latest threats, providing peace of mind for businesses managing large volumes of sensitive data.
In summary, the features of Shopify Plus are designed to give high-growth businesses the control and flexibility they need to scale seamlessly.
Shopify Plus Benefits
For businesses looking to scale, Shopify Plus offers a range of benefits that go beyond standard eCommerce platforms. These benefits allow enterprises to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. Here are the most significant advantages of Shopify Plus, tailored to UK businesses in 2024:
More Control Over Your Brand
Among the key Shopify Plus benefits are greater control over every aspect of your store, from checkout customisation to custom scripts that enhance customer experience and streamline operations. With custom scripts and APIs, you can build tailored solutions for discounts, promotions, or even unique product offerings, giving your brand an edge in the market. This is especially beneficial for UK-based brands looking to stand out in both local and international markets.
Improved Customer Experience
Delivering a seamless and personalised customer experience is crucial for retaining customers. This Shopify Plus benefit allows businesses to customise the checkout, apply personalised discounts, and use Shopify Scripts to automate various elements of the customer journey. For example, UK businesses can set up location-based shipping rates, manage VAT inclusions for international customers, and create loyalty programmes that increase retention rates.
Multi-Currency and Multi-Channel Sales
For UK businesses expanding internationally, multi-currency and multi-channel selling is essential. Shopify Plus enables you to offer customers the ability to pay in their local currency, and you can integrate multiple sales channels, including social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This functionality helps businesses manage cross-border transactions with ease, making it simpler to scale into European markets post-Brexit.
Global Expansion Capabilities
As the global market becomes increasingly interconnected, Shopify Plus makes it easier for UK businesses to expand internationally. The platform supports multi-language and multi-store capabilities, which are vital for businesses looking to reach customers across different countries and regions. With Shopify Plus, you can manage multiple stores from one centralised location, ensuring consistency across markets.
Enhanced Data Security and GDPR Compliance
With data protection regulations such as GDPR remaining a top priority for UK and European businesses, Shopify Plus offers enhanced data security features to ensure compliance. From secure payment gateways to robust fraud prevention tools, Shopify Plus helps businesses safeguard customer data while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. This is particularly important for UK companies managing high volumes of sensitive data in 2024.
Dedicated Support
One of the key benefits of Shopify Plus is access to a dedicated Merchant Success Manager. This personalised support ensures that businesses receive expert guidance tailored to their growth objectives, helping them navigate any challenges they may face as they scale. For UK businesses, this can mean getting support for region-specific regulations, such as VAT and shipping compliance, as well as international market strategies.
Built-In Scalability
Shopify Plus is designed to handle large volumes of traffic and transactions, making it a perfect fit for fast-growing UK businesses. Whether you experience a sudden surge in traffic due to a product launch or a seasonal sale, Shopify Plus can handle up to 10k+ checkouts per minute without compromising performance. This scalability ensures that businesses can grow without worrying about the limitations of their eCommerce platform.
Wholesale Channels
Shopify Plus offers the ability to create a separate wholesale channel, giving UK businesses the flexibility to manage both retail and wholesale operations under one platform.
Who Should Consider Shopify Plus in 2024?
Shopify Plus is designed for businesses experiencing rapid growth, those handling complex operations, or those expanding internationally. While the standard Shopify plans are great for small to medium-sized enterprises, Shopify Plus caters to the specific needs of larger companies that require more flexibility and scalability. Here’s who should consider upgrading to Shopify Plus:
For those looking for Shopify experts, you may want to check out our guide to the Top Shopify Agencies to find the right partner for your needs.
High-Growth Businesses
If your business is growing quickly and experiencing an increase in traffic and transactions, Shopify Plus is the ideal platform. It’s built to handle large volumes of traffic—up to 10,000+ checkouts per minute—and offers unlimited bandwidth, ensuring your site stays fast and reliable even during peak sales events. For UK-based brands planning seasonal promotions or expanding into new markets, Shopify Plus can seamlessly support that growth.
Enterprises with Complex Needs
Larger enterprises often face complex business requirements, such as multiple teams needing different levels of access to the backend, or intricate workflows for inventory, fulfilment, and customer management. Shopify Plus allows for unlimited staff accounts and offers Shopify Plus exclusive tools and apps, making it easier to manage complex operations. This is especially valuable for UK businesses dealing with post-Brexit regulatory changes, such as VAT handling and cross-border shipping.
Businesses Expanding Internationally
For UK-based businesses looking to expand into European or global markets, Shopify Plus provides features like multi-currency and multi-language support. These capabilities allow you to tailor the shopping experience to each market, while managing all your stores from a single dashboard. Shopify Plus also simplifies tax compliance across regions, which is crucial for UK businesses navigating international trade.
Companies Requiring Custom Solutions
If your business has unique operational needs, Shopify Plus offers advanced API access and the ability to build custom apps that integrate seamlessly with your store. This is ideal for UK businesses with bespoke requirements, such as integrating third-party logistics providers or managing complex customer data flows.
Enterprise-Level Support
One of the key benefits of Shopify Plus is the dedicated support provided by a Merchant Success Manager. This service ensures you have expert guidance to help you make the most of the platform, whether it’s for optimising your store, expanding internationally, or improving customer experiences. This level of personalised support can be crucial for UK-based businesses dealing with regulatory changes or scaling across borders.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced
If you're currently on Shopify Advanced and wondering whether it's worth moving to Shopify Plus, take a look at our article comparing Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced for a detailed breakdown.
Is Shopify Plus Worth the Investment in 2024?
For businesses that are scaling rapidly or dealing with complex operational needs, the question of whether Shopify Plus is worth the investment comes down to its unique features, enhanced support, and scalability. Let’s evaluate why Shopify Plus could be the right choice for your business in 2024:
Cost vs. Features
Starting at $2,300 (circa £1,750) per month, Shopify Plus is a significant investment compared to Shopify’s standard plans. However, it delivers considerable value in return. The platform includes features like customisable checkout, and advanced API access, which are not available on lower-tier plans. Additionally, Shopify Plus allows businesses to operate up to 9 additional stores, making it ideal for enterprises with global expansion plans.
For a deeper understanding of the pricing structure, visit our detailed article on Shopify Plus Pricing.
Scalability and Reliability
For high-growth businesses that experience frequent sales spikes or operate across multiple regions, Shopify Plus is built to scale. With the ability to handle 10,000+ checkouts per minute and unlimited bandwidth, businesses can be confident that their website will remain fast and reliable, even during busy periods like Black Friday or new product launches. This scalability is crucial for UK businesses that need to cater to both local and international customers without sacrificing performance.
Scaling effectively also means improving conversion rates. Learn about our Conversion Rate Optimisation Packages to enhance your site’s performance.
Dedicated Support and Resources
One of the standout benefits of Shopify Plus is the access to a Merchant Success Manager—a dedicated resource who helps businesses maximise their use of the platform. For UK businesses dealing with challenges like VAT regulations, international shipping, or multi-currency payments, having a direct line of support ensures smoother operations. Additionally, Shopify Plus users gain access to the Shopify Plus Academy and the Launch Team, which provide expert guidance on scaling and optimising your eCommerce store.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
As businesses face increasing scrutiny around data privacy and security, particularly in the UK and Europe with GDPR compliance, Shopify Plus delivers advanced security features. This includes PCI DSS Level 1 compliance to protect transactions and customer data, ensuring that your business meets all regulatory standards while safeguarding customer trust.
Flexibility for Custom Solutions
For businesses that require unique functionalities or integrations, Shopify Plus offers advanced API access and the ability to create custom apps. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor the platform to meet their specific needs, whether it’s integrating with a third-party logistics provider, creating a bespoke loyalty programme, or automating complex workflows.
Is Shopify Plus Worth It?
In 2024, Shopify Plus is absolutely worth the investment for high-growth businesses that need a platform capable of scaling with their growth while offering comprehensive customisation, security, and support. However, for smaller businesses or startups that don’t yet need these advanced features, it may make more financial sense to remain on the standard Shopify plans until they are ready to scale.
Now that you’ve chosen your eCommerce platform, let us help you make the most of it! Whether you're looking to optimise your Shopify Plus store or need expert guidance on how to scale your business, our team is ready to assist. Chat with us today about how we can support your growth and make your Shopify Plus experience seamless and successful. Get in touch with us to start the conversation.
Published: December 10, 2021
Last updated: October 21, 2024
