How Much Does It Cost to Build an Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus?

Summary

Building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus is a strategic investment for businesses aiming to scale in the digital marketplace. With global retail e-commerce sales projected to hit $7.9 trillion by 2025, Shopify Plus stands out for its enterprise-grade features, scalability, and multi-channel selling capabilities. The cost of development, however, depends on factors like licensing fees, design, integrations, payment processing, and ongoing support. While the Shopify Plus license starts at $2,000/month, additional expenses for customization, apps, and compliance can raise the total investment significantly. Businesses can adopt smart strategies like starting small, using templates, or outsourcing to make development more affordable. Partnering with QSS Technosoft ensures cost-optimized, scalable, and secure Shopify Plus solutions tailored to business growth.

Introduction

Are you a commercial enterprise owner looking to establish an internet presence and tap into the enormous capacity of the virtual marketplace? With the sector shifting closer to a generation of digitization, Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus have grown to be an important avenue for organizations to promote their products and reach a wider patron base.

According to Statista, global retail e-commerce sales are projected to reach nearly $7.9 trillion by 2025,underscoring the giant increase in the online market. In highlight of this demand, a diverse marketplace of e-commerce platform development cost services has emerged, with Shopify Plus leading the manner. 

However, many companies face a not-unusual venture: figuring out the price of developing an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus. Make sure to read this blog till the end because here we are going to address this problem head-on, we can gain insights into the financial investment required for a successful venture into the world of online selling.

This blog will explore the cost breakdown of building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus and how ecommerce businesses can make it more affordable.

Understanding E-commerce Platforms and Their Purpose:​

An e-commerce platform built on Shopify Plus is a software application that enables companies to sell their products and services online through a basic website. These platforms are designed to provide an online shopping experience that's easy for the users.

Shopify Plus comes with a range of features that can be customized to cater to the ecommerce business's needs. These features may include product listing, shopping cart, payment processing, order fulfilment, and inventory management.

Read Also : Cost Analysis of eCommerce App Development like Amazon Marketplace

What is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is a complex software system that facilitates the management and operation of online businesses. 

• It usually consists of multiple components, including a front-end user interface, a back-end database, and a middleware layer that connects them. 

• The front-end interface is responsible for displaying products and enabling users to browse, search, and select items to purchase. The back-end database online stores product information, customer data, and order details.

• The middleware layer handles the communication between the front-end and back-end, ensuring smooth data flow and processing.

Shopify Plus is not actually an open-source platform. It is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that provides a range of features and functionalities for large enterprise businesses. It is built on Shopify's core infrastructure, which is a proprietary platform developed by Shopify .Shopify Plus allows businesses to sell across multiple channels, including social media and online marketplaces.

It provides a wide range of technical features and functionalities, such as advanced search capabilities, flexible product catalog management, multiple payment gateway integrations, comprehensive reporting and analytics tools, and enhanced SEO tools to improve online visibility and search engine rankings.

Key Differences Between Shopify and Shopify Plus

Why Global Brands Prefer Shopify Plus

Global brands choose Shopify Plus for its robust scalability, allowing seamless handling of high sales volumes and traffic spikes. The platform offers advanced customization to tailor unique brand experiences and integrates effortlessly with multiple sales channels worldwide.

Additionally, Shopify Plus provides dedicated support and enterprise platform -grade security, ensuring reliability and trust for large-scale ecommerce operations.

Benefits of Shopify Plus for Companies and Businesses:

Shopify Plus has revolutionized the way companies and businesses operate, providing numerous benefits and opportunities for growth. These platforms enable businesses to establish an online presence and sell their products or services to a global audience. Here are some key benefits of using ecommerce platforms:

Expanded Customer Reach: 

Shopify Plus charges a fixed monthly license fee starting at $2,000, which provides access to the platform's enterprise-level features and dedicated support. Shopify Payments is the default third party payment processor integrated into the platform, offering competitive payment processing monthly fees and seamless checkout experiences for merchants.

Businesses can conveniently pay Shopify for these services through their integrated billing system, ensuring a streamlined payment process. This fee scales based on your monthly sales volume, ensuring flexibility for growing ecommerce brands. For instance, Shopify, one of the leading ecommerce platforms, allows businesses to sell globally and even provides language options for international customers.

Read Also : Top 7 Reasons Why eCommerce Business Needs Mobile App

Seamless Inventory Management:

 Ecommerce platforms provide integrated inventory management systems that automate various tasks, such as tracking inventory levels, managing stock-outs, and generating purchase orders. This streamlines the entire inventory management process, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring accurate stock information for businesses. Shopify Plus, an enterprise-level ecommerce platform, offers robust inventory management capabilities.

Increased Conversion Rates: 

Ecommerce platforms provide ecommerce businesses with tools to optimize their existing websites for better conversion rates. According to a study by BigCommerce, ecommerce websites using conversion rate optimization techniques experienced an average increase of 223% in their conversion rates.

For example, platforms on Shopify Plus optimizely offer A/B testing and personalization features to help businesses improve conversion rates by testing different ecommerce website variations and tailoring customer experiences for their ecommerce store. Unlike other platforms, Shopify Plus provides built-in tools and integrations that simplify this optimization process, allowing businesses to achieve better results with less effort.

Mobile Commerce Growth: 

With the increasing use of smartphones, ecommerce platforms enable businesses to tap into the growing mobile commerce market. According to Statista, mobile commerce is projected to reach 73% of total ecommerce sales by the end of 2021. 

Ecommerce platforms offer responsive design templates that ensure seamless mobile browsing and purchasing experiences for customers through ecommerce store.

Access to Customer Analytics:

 Ecommerce platforms provide businesses with valuable customer analytics and insights. For example, platforms like Google Analytics and Kissmetrics allow businesses to track customer behavior, traffic sources, and conversion rates. 

By using this data, businesses can make informed decisions regarding their digital marketing strategies, product offerings, and customer targeting.

Technical Advantage

Shopify Plus offers a robust, cloud-based infrastructure that ensures high scalability and reliability for enterprise-level ecommerce stores. Its built-in tools and advanced APIs facilitate seamless integration with third-party apps and custom solutions. The platform provides enhanced security features and PCI compliance, safeguarding customer data and transactions.

Additionally, Shopify Plus guarantees 99.99% uptime, delivering a consistent and seamless shopping experience that often outperforms other platforms in reliability and performance.

Enhanced Support & Reliability.

Shopify Plus offers enhanced support with 24/7 dedicated account management, ensuring businesses receive timely assistance whenever needed. This premium support reduces downtime and accelerates problem resolution. The platform guarantees 99.99% uptime, providing reliable performance even during traffic surges. Regular maintenance and security patches are handled seamlessly by Shopify, minimizing operational burdens. Together, these features ensure a stable and trustworthy ecommerce environment for enterprise brands.

Read Also : Top 5 Ways AI Will Affect the Ecommerce Industry

Real-World Examples of Shopify Plus Stores

Examples of leading brands using Shopify Plus

Many eCommerce brands have migrated to Shopify Plus due to its robust features and ease of use.Several famous apps are using e-commerce platforms Shopify Plus to sell their products online. Some of the most popular ones include:

Gymshark: Gymshark is a fitness apparel brand that sells its products on Shopify Plus. The company has generated billions in revenue by using the platform's features.

Kylie Cosmetics: Kylie Cosmetics is a beauty brand that has taken the beauty world by storm. It uses Shopify Plus to sell its products online and has become an industry leader in the beauty world.

Allbirds: Allbirds is a sustainable footwear brand that has taken the world by storm. They use Shopify Plus to provide a seamless shopping experience to their customers.

Nike: Nike, the leading athletic footwear and apparel company, uses an e-commerce platform to sell its products online. They have their own e-commerce platform called Nike.com, which allows customers to browse and purchase their products directly from the ecommerce website.

Warby Parker: Warby Parker is a popular eyewear brand that offers prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. They use an e-commerce platform to sell their products online and provide a virtual try-on feature to help customers choose the right glasses for them.

Insights into how cost relates to performance and ROI.

Understanding the relationship between cost and performance is crucial when building an ecommerce platform on Shopify Plus. Higher investment in custom features, design, and integrations often leads to improved site performance, user experience, and scalability.

However, balancing additional costs with expected returns is key. Effective platform optimization can boost conversion rates and customer retention, enhancing ROI over time. Businesses should focus on strategic spending that aligns with growth goals to maximize profitability.

Important Factors Affecting the Cost of Building an Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus :

Several factors affect the cost of building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus. Some of these factors include:

Business Requirements

The cost of building the ecommerce platform will largely depend on the business's requirements. If the business requires a lot of customization and advanced features, the cost will be higher.

Design 

The design of the ecommerce platform will also impact the cost. If the business requires a complex web design, the cost will be higher. Additionally, integrating payment processing through a third party payment provider can increase development cost complexity and overall expenses.

Shopify Plus License Fee

Shopify Plus charges a fixed monthly license fee starting at $2,000, which provides access to the platform's enterprise-level features and dedicated support. Compared to other platforms, Shopify Plus offers a comprehensive package that includes hosting, security, and scalability, often reducing the need for additional expenditures common with alternative solutions.

Shopify Payments is the default third-party payment processor integrated into the platform, offering competitive payment processing monthly fees and seamless checkout experiences for merchants.This fee scales based on your monthly sales volume, ensuring flexibility for growing ecommerce brands.

Store Design and Customization

Designing your Shopify Plus ecommerce website involves selecting or creating custom themes that reflect your brand identity and effectively showcase your online store.

Agency costs for custom design and development cost can vary significantly based on the complexity and scope of the project, impacting the overall budget for building your ecommerce platform.Customization includes UI/UX enhancements and branding elements to deliver a seamless and engaging shopping experience tailored to your customers' needs.

Features

The ecommerce platform's features will also determine the cost. If the platform requires advanced features like order tracking, inventory management, and payment processing through a third party processor, the cost will be higher for your ecommerce website.

Integrations

 If the ecommerce platform requires integration with other software or shopify app cost , the cost of building the platform will also increase.Payment gateway integration is crucial and impacts the overall cost of Shopify Plus development.

Custom Development Needs

Unique business workflows and automation often require tailored solutions advice to optimize operations and enhance user experience.The introduction of advanced features in Shopify Plus increases user engagement and development complexity.

Migration Costs

Transitioning from another platform involves data transfer, system integration, and potential downtime, which can add to overall expenses.Ongoing maintenance and updates are necessary investments to ensure the performance of a Shopify Plus site.

Maintenance and Support

Ongoing updates, monitoring, and scaling are essential to ensure platform security, performance, and accommodate business growth.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance requirements ensure that your Shopify Plus ecommerce platform adheres to industry standards and legal regulations, safeguarding customer data and business operations. Meeting these requirements may involve additional development efforts and costs to implement necessary features and security measures.

Breakdown of Cost to Build Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus:

Building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus can range from a few thousand dollars to over a million dollars, depending on the factors mentioned above. Shopify Plus itself comes with a cost of $2,000 per month. Payment processing costs for Shopify Payments range from 2.4% to 3.5% depending on the payment method and plan tier. Additionally, businesses should consider peripheral costs such as app integrations, marketing support, and ongoing maintenance when budgeting. The cost breakdown of building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus is as follows:

• Design and Development: The cost of design and development can range from $5,000 to $25,000.

• App Integration: The cost of integrating third-party applications can range from $500 to $10,000.

• Hosting: The hosting cost range from $200 to $1,000 per month, depending on the features required. Additionally, payment processing costs are an essential consideration, as they vary based on the payment gateway and methods used, impacting the overall expenses of running an ecommerce platform on Shopify Plus.

• Maintenance and Support: The cost of maintenance and support can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month.

• Advertising and Marketing: The cost of advertising and marketing can range from $500 to $10,000 per month. Additionally, businesses should factor in payment processing costs, which vary depending on the payment gateways and methods used, impacting the overall operational expenses of an ecommerce platform on Shopify Plus.

  Shopify Plus Pricing Breakdown

  Cost Category	Description	Estimated Cost Range
  Shopify Plus License Cost	Monthly subscription fee granting access to enterprise features and dedicated support.	Starting at $2,000/month
  Design & Development Costs	Charges by development agencies or developers for custom themes, UI/UX design, and bespoke development.	$10,000 – $100,000 depending on complexity
  Integration Costs	Expenses for API integrations, third-party apps, and add-ons to extend platform functionality.	Varies widely based on needs; typically $500 – $10,000+
  Ongoing Expenses	Recurring costs including ecommerce website hosting, security patches, maintenance, and updates.	$200 – $1,000+ per month

  Example Pricing Scenarios

  Business Type	License Cost (Monthly)	Design & Development	Integration Costs	Ongoing Expenses (Monthly)	Total First Year Estimate
  Small Brand	$2,000	$10,000	$1,000	$200	Approx. $36,400
  Enterprise-Level Build	$2,000+	$75,000	$10,000	$1,000	Approx. $106,000+

  Note: Actual costs may vary based on specific project requirements and scale.

Read Our Page : Complete Guide to Mobile App Development in 2023

Strategies to Build Affordable Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus:

Building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus can be an expensive undertaking. However, there are strategies that businesses can use to make the process more affordable.

 Some of these strategies include:

1. Start Small:

• Begin by creating a basic e-commerce platform with essential features only.

  • Focus on the primary functionalities such as product listing, shopping cart, and payment processing.

  • Gradually add advanced features as your business grows and requires them.

  • Prioritize features that directly impact sales and customer experience to maximize your budget.

For example : Example: Begin by creating a basic ecommerce platform with essential features like product listing, shopping cart, and payment processing. As your business grows, you can add advanced features such as customer reviews, personalized recommendations, and social media integration.

2. Use an Existing Template:

• Take advantage of the pre-designed templates available on Shopify Plus.

  • Select a template that aligns with your brand and industry.

  • Customize the template's visual elements, fonts, and colors to match your brand identity.

  • Utilize the built-in functionalities of the template to reduce the need for custom development.

  • Save time and money by leveraging the template's responsive design and UX/UI best practices.

For example : Choose a pre-designed template from Shopify Plus that suits your industry. Customize the template with your branding elements, logo, and colors. Add your product images and descriptions to get your online store up and running quickly.

3. Do It Yourself:

• If you have a basic understanding of ecommerce website development, consider building the e-commerce platform yourself.

• Use the extensive documentation, tutorials, and support available from Shopify Plus.

• Utilize Shopify's drag-and-drop ecommerce website builder and visual composer to simplify the development process.

• Optimize your time and resources by focusing on the critical aspects of the platform and outsourcing complex tasks or functionalities.

Example: If you have basic web development skills, use Shopify Plus's user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop ecommerce website builder to create your e-commerce platform. Customize the design, layout, and navigation to match your brand. Integrate your chosen payment gateways and configure shipping options. (Make sure to only try! Don't complicate the process by doing it yourself) 

4. Outsource to a Developing Nation:

• Consider outsourcing the development work to a developing nation like India or the Philippines.

  • Research reputable agencies or freelancers with expertise in Shopify Plus development.

  • Benefit from cost savings due to lower labour and operational costs in developing nations.

  • Ensure effective communication and project management through clear specifications and regular updates.

  • Verify the quality of their work and review their portfolio before making a hiring decision.

Example: Outsource the development work to a reputable agency in a developing nation such as India. They can handle tasks like theme customization, plugin integrations, and performance optimization at an affordable cost. Maintain clear communication and provide detailed specifications for the desired outcome.

5. Use App Integrations:

• Explore Shopify Plus' extensive marketplace of third-party apps and integrations.

  • Look for apps that offer the desired functionalities at a lower cost than custom development.

  • Prioritize apps with positive reviews, frequent updates, and good customer support.

  • Maximize the value of the apps by configuring them to meet your specific requirements.

  • Regularly review and optimize your app usage to avoid unnecessary expenses and streamline your platform's performance.

Example: Instead of custom app development cost, utilize existing third-party apps from the Shopify App Store. For example, you can integrate apps like MailChimp for email marketing, Oberlo for dropshipping, or Yotpo for product reviews. This allows you to extend your platform's functionality without incurring the expense of custom development.

How QSS Technosoft Helps in Shopify Plus Development

• Expertise in Custom Shopify Plus Store Development: Skilled in creating tailored Shopify Plus stores to meet unique business needs.

• End-to-End Services: Offering comprehensive solutions including consultation, design, integrations, migration, and ongoing support.

• Proven Track Record: Successfully delivering robust ecommerce platform development projects across various industries.

• Cost-Optimized Solutions: Providing budget-friendly development options suitable for startups to large enterprises.

• Commitment to Scalability and Security: Building Shopify Plus platforms that are scalable, secure, and optimized for high performance.

Conclusion:

Building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus can be quite an investment, but hey, who needs money anyway?! Jokes aside, despite the potential costs involved, businesses will find that it's a worthwhile endeavour to move their sales online.

It's important to understand the factors that can impact the cost (which we can help you with, by the way) so that businesses can make informed decisions and avoid any unexpected surprises.

Now, we get it, nobody wants to break the bank. That's why at QSS Technosoft, we pride ourselves on offering affordable e-commerce solutions without compromising on quality. Seriously, we've got a team of expert developers who can create a customized e-commerce platform that perfectly suits your business needs.

So, if you're ready to start on this e-commerce journey, which may or may not require a small fortune. Reach out to us today and let's make your online selling dreams a reality. Partner with QSS Technosoft to build a powerful Shopify Plus ecommerce platform that scales with your business growth.

We are proud to mention that our work has been recognized by leading B2B reviews and research platforms like GoodFirms, Clutch, MirrorView, and many more.

FAQs Section

Q :What is the minimum cost to build on Shopify Plus?

The lower cost to build an ecommerce platform on Shopify Plus typically starts with the monthly licensing fee of $2,000. Additional costs include design and development, app integrations, hosting fees, and ongoing maintenance. Overall, initial project costs can range from $10,000 to $25,000 for basic setups, but more complex enterprise-level online stores may require significantly higher budgets.

Q : How long does it take to launch a Shopify Plus store?

The time to launch a Shopify Plus online store varies depending on the project’s complexity, customization needs, and integrations. Typically, a well-planned Shopify Plus ecommerce website hosting can be launched within 2 to 3 months. More extensive projects with custom development and multiple integrations may take longer.

Q :Is Shopify Plus worth the investment for startups?

Shopify Plus is primarily designed for enterprise merchants and high-growth ecommerce brands due to its pricing structure and advanced features. While startups may find the monthly fee and additional project costs high, it offers scalability, dedicated support, and robust ecommerce solutions that can benefit fast-growing businesses aiming for large-scale operations.

Q :Can QSS Technosoft help with migration from Magento/WooCommerce to Shopify Plus?

Yes, QSS Technosoft specializes in Shopify Plus development and offers comprehensive migration services from platforms like Magento and WooCommerce. Their team ensures a seamless transition of product data, customer information, and order history while optimizing the new Shopify Plus ecommerce platform for performance and scalability.