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Choosing the right Shopify plan for dropshipping depends on your business size, budget and features required.
This article compares each Shopify plan so you can find the best one for your dropshipping needs whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seller looking to scale.
Quick Summary
- Shopify has plans for different stages of business growth from the affordable Shopify Starter Plan at $5 / month, Basic Shopify Plan at $39 month to the full featured Shopify Plus Plan at $2,300/month.
- Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on your business size, sales volume, budget and features required. For small businesses just starting out the Shopify Starter or Basic Plan may be enough, for larger businesses the Advanced Shopify or Shopify Plus Plan may be more suitable.
- Dropshipping can be successful with good marketing and customer engagement strategies as shown by case studies like Subtle Asian Treats using niche markets and social media and Cole Turner’s store using targeted ads to get huge sales.
Which Shopify Plan is Best for Dropshipping?
Based on our research the Shopify Basic plan is the option if you;re starting a dropshipping business. Priced at $25 a month, the Shopify plan is an affordable entry point for any entrepreneur, and has all the features you need to get your store up and running.
It includes a website, which is a must have for your online presence. Financially it’s still good even when your annual income increases, so you won’t be hit with high transaction fees.
The Shopify Basic plan is the sweet spot between cost and functionality for new dropshipping entrepreneurs.
Shopify Pricing Plans Explained
Shopify has plans for different business needs:
- Shopify Starter Plan: $5 / month
- Shopify Basic Plan: $29 / month
- Shopify Plan: $79 / month
- Advanced Shopify Plan: $299 / month
- Shopify Plus Plan: $2,300 / month
Each plan has its own features to support businesses at different stages of growth, including apps for integrations, 24/7 support and website builder.
Let’s dig in.
Shopify Starter Plan
The Shopify Starter Plan is for those just testing the dropshipping waters. Priced at $5/month, the Shopify Starter plan has all the essential features to get your dropshipping business up and running.
With this plan you can:
- List up to 20 products
- Have multiple sales channels
- Secure shopping cart
- Get up to 77% shipping discounts
The Shopify Starter Plan is an great option for new entrepreneurs to start their dropshipping journey without breaking the bank. It includes up to 60 reports and 24/7 support so you have the tools and guidance to start your store and manage orders.
Basic Shopify Plan
The Basic Shopify Plan includes:
- Price: $39/month or $29/month if billed annually
- For small to medium sized businesses
- Unlimited products
- Built-in abandoned cart recovery
- Create discount codes and gift cards
If you need more features to handle growing sales volume this plan might be the one. With a mobile friendly Shopify store and support tools the Basic Shopify Plan helps businesses to streamline their dropshipping and customer retention.
Shopify Plan
For businesses with higher sales volume the Shopify Plan is worth it at $79/month if billed annually or $105/month if billed monthly. It has advanced reporting, real-time carrier shipping and up to 5 staff accounts.
Businesses that need advanced inventory management and shipping options will find this plan fits their needs. Features like professional reports, gift cards and up to 88% shipping discounts makes it easier to manage bigger operations and scale.
Advanced Shopify Plan
The Advanced Shopify Plan includes:
- Unlimited storage
- Up to 15 staff accounts
- Third-party calculated shipping rates
- Customizable reports
Priced at $299/month or $399/month if billed annually. For businesses with high sales volume and complex needs.
As your dropshipping business grows our scaling plan will:
- Better support
- More automation
- More streamlined operations
- More insights into your business
These features might be what you need.
Shopify Plus Plan
For big businesses with high sales volume and custom needs the Shopify Plus Plan is the ultimate solution starting at $2,300/month. This plan has extensive customization options, priority support and dedicated account managers for businesses that need advanced features.
Shopify Plus has advanced automation tools like Shopify Flow and additional APIs so you have ultimate flexibility and control over your dropshipping business. Designed for high volume merchants this plan is to make operations seamless and scalable for businesses with complex needs.
What to Consider When Choosing a Shopify Plan
Several things to consider when choosing the right Shopify plan for your dropshipping business. Business size and sales volume, budget and the features you need to support your dropshipping. By considering these factors you can choose the right plan for scalability and profit.
Business Size and Sales Volume
When choosing a Shopify plan your business size and sales volume matters. Shopify’s scalability makes it easy to upgrade as you grow so you have access to the features and support you need at every stage.
For smaller dropshipping operations you might start with a more affordable plan like Shopify Starter or Basic Shopify Plan. But as your business grows and you handle more orders you can upgrade to higher plans like Shopify or Advanced Shopify Plan to get the advanced features and lower transaction fees that’s best for dropshipping business.
Budget
Consider your budget as a factor when choosing a Shopify plan. You need to choose a plan that fits your budget and has the features you need for your business. Matching your business needs with your budget will avoid financial stress and you get the best value for your money.
Features
You need to identify the features your dropshipping store needs. Make sure the plan you choose has integration with the dropshipping apps and features like abandoned cart recovery which can increase sales,.
More advanced plans have more features that might be important for your business as it grows.
Shopify Plans for Dropshipping Cost Analysis
To manage your expenses you need to understand the cost of each Shopify plan. This means considering monthly fees, transaction fees and additional costs like premium themes and add-ons. A cost analysis will help you choose a plan that fits your budget and has the features for your dropshipping business.
Monthly Fees and Transaction Costs
Monthly fees for Shopify plans are:
- $1 for Shopify Starter Plan
- $29 for Basic Shopify Plan
- $79 for Shopify Plan
- $299 for Advanced Shopify Plan
Shopify Plus Plan pricing is based on monthly sales volume starting at $2,000 plus 0.25% of sales after $40,000 in monthly revenue.
Transaction fees also varies depending on the plan and payment gateway used. For example Basic Shopify Plan charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, Advanced Shopify Plan has the lowest transaction fee at 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction. Using Shopify’s payment gateway can help reduce these fees.
Additional Shopify Costs
Apart from monthly fees and transaction costs there are other expenses to consider. Premium themes for Shopify can cost between $150 to $380 and POS hardware like card readers and cash drawers are one time costs,. These additional costs should be included in your overall budget so you can plan thoroughly.
Start Dropshipping with Shopify
To start a dropshipping business with Shopify there are several steps to follow. First make sure you have a domain name and an accepted payment gateway so you can use Shopify’s trial period and money-back guarantee fully. During the trial period you can access all features of the plan you selected, set up your dropshipping store, add products and process orders.
Product selection is key to your dropshipping business. Having a solid order fulfillment strategy will make operations smooth and you can manage orders efficiently and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Shopify plan is crucial to your dropshipping business. By considering business size, budget and features required you can choose a plan that will grow with you and be profitable. Shopify has different plans each with its own benefits so there’s one for every stage of your dropshipping journey.
FAQs
What Shopify plan is good for new dropshipping business?
Shopify Starter Plan is good for new dropshipping business because it’s affordable and has the essentials.
What are the differences between Shopify plans?
The differences between Shopify plans are the features, monthly fees and transaction costs, higher plans have more features and lower transaction costs.
Can I upgrade my Shopify plan as I grow?
Yes, Shopify is scalable you can upgrade your plan as you grow.
Are there extra costs with Shopify?
Yes, there are extra costs with Shopify like premium themes, POS hardware and add-ons.
How long is the trial period for Shopify store??
The trial period is important for Shopify store because you can try features, set up the store and make sure everything works before you pay.
