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, All retail e-commerce sales are projected to reach $6.55 trillion with the aid of 2023, underscoring the giant increase in the online market. In highlight of this demand, a diverse marketplace of e-commerce platform development 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 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 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 business’s needs. These features may include product listing, shopping cart, payment processing, order fulfilment, and inventory management.

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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 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 It provides a wide range of technical features and functionalities, such as advanced search capabilities, flexible product catalog management, multiple payment gateway integrations, and comprehensive reporting and analytics tools. 

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: 

Ecommerce platforms Shopify Plus break down geographical barriers, allowing businesses to reach a larger customer base. Companies can tap into new markets and customers that were previously inaccessible.

 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 businesses with tools to optimize their 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 website variations and tailoring customer experiences.

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.

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 marketing strategies, product offerings, and customer targeting.

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

Famous Apps that Use Ecommerce Platforms on Shopify Plus

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 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.

4 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.

• 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, the cost will be higher.

• Integrations:

 If the ecommerce platform requires integration with other software or apps, the cost of building the platform will also increase.

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. The cost breakdown of building an e-commerce platform on Shopify Plus is as follows:

1. Design and Development: The cost of design and development can range from $5,000 to $25,000.
2. App Integration: The cost of integrating third-party applications can range from $500 to $10,000.
3. Hosting: The cost of hosting can range from $200 to $1,000 per month, depending on the features required.
4. Maintenance and Support: The cost of maintenance and support can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month.
5. Advertising and Marketing: The cost of advertising and marketing can range from $500 to $10,000 per month.

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 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 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 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: Example: If you have basic web development skills, use Shopify Plus’s user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop 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.

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. 

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.