As your Shopify Store grows, you might start to feel a wee bit constrained in terms of scaling up your functions (be it tech, API flexibility, analytics / reporting or order volume handling etc). Shopify’s core platform is ideal for starting and running small to medium-sized businesses - however, when your brand starts getting bigger, it may be time to consider an upgrade. 

Shopify Plus, the enterprise-level version of Shopify, offers a suite of advanced features that go beyond the standard platform to provide enhanced performance, customization, and support.

This article will explore the top nine reasons why migrating from Shopify to Shopify Plus could be the best decision for your eCommerce business.

1. Scalability for High-Volume Stores

As your business grows, managing it becomes increasingly difficult- sales volume, traffic, and products can strain the capabilities of your standard Shopify store. Shopify Plus is designed specifically to handle high-volume businesses without compromising performance. The platform supports up to 10,000 transactions per minute, making it ideal for brands that experience significant surges in traffic during flash sales or high-demand periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

How Shopify Plus Handles Scale:

• Dedicated Resources: Shopify Plus provides more server capacity and resources to ensure your store remains fast and responsive, even during peak traffic.
• Multi-Channel Selling: The platform supports selling across multiple channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, and others, without slowing down the backend.
• Flexible APIs: Access to more advanced and flexible APIs (e.g., Shopify GraphQL) ensures better data handling and scalability for large inventories and product catalogs.

If your business is expanding internationally or experiencing rapid growth, Shopify Plus ensures your eCommerce site won’t hit any bottlenecks.

2. Advanced Customization with Shopify Scripts and Flow

One of the most significant advantages of upgrading to Shopify Plus is the increased control over how your store operates. Shopify Plus offers tools like Shopify Scripts and Shopify Flow, which allow for deep customization and automation, something standard Shopify plans do not provide.

Shopify Scripts:

• With Shopify Scripts, you can create custom code that modifies your checkout, cart, and product page experiences based on your business needs. For example, you could offer personalized discounts, create tiered pricing for specific customer segments, or even implement custom shipping rules for VIP customers.

Shopify Flow:

• Shopify Flow is an automation tool that simplifies many of your backend processes. You can set up workflows that automatically tag customers, adjust inventory, send notifications, or trigger specific marketing actions based on customer behavior. Flow reduces manual tasks, giving you more time to focus on scaling your business.

These tools offer limitless opportunities for personalizing the shopping experience and streamlining operations without the need for third-party apps.

3. Optimized Checkout Experience

One of the most crucial aspects of any eCommerce site is the checkout process. Shopify Plus allows you to customize the checkout experience beyond what’s possible on the standard Shopify plan. This is essential for optimizing conversions and minimizing cart abandonment.

Key Checkout Enhancements:

• Custom Checkout Design: With Shopify Plus, you have the freedom to modify the checkout page with custom branding, messaging, and design elements that match your store’s identity.
• One-Click Checkout: Leverage Shopify Pay and Shopify Plus’ accelerated checkout options, which reduce friction for returning customers, enabling them to complete their purchases in one click.
• Integrated Payment Gateways: Shopify Plus allows you to use custom payment gateways and even set up multiple currencies, a must-have feature for international businesses.

A smoother, faster checkout process can lead to higher conversion rates and improved customer satisfaction.

4. Enhanced Security and Compliance

For businesses processing thousands of transactions or dealing with sensitive customer information, security is paramount. Shopify Plus offers enhanced security features that meet rigorous standards, ensuring both your store and customers are protected.

Security Features Include:

• Level 1 PCI DSS Compliance: Shopify Plus is certified as a Level 1 PCI DSS compliant platform, the highest level of security certification available for processing credit card transactions.
• Fraud Prevention Tools: Shopify Plus offers built-in tools like fraud analysis, which flags suspicious orders and helps prevent fraudulent activities.
• Custom SSL Certificates: Shopify Plus allows you to install custom SSL certificates, ensuring secure data transmission between your site and its visitors.

Additionally, Shopify Plus offers full compliance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for European markets, making it easier to adhere to global privacy laws.

5. Dedicated Account Management and Priority Support

One of the most appealing aspects of Shopify Plus is the dedicated account management and priority support it offers. When your business reaches enterprise levels, having a direct line to support and account managers who understand your unique needs becomes essential.

Account Management:

• With Shopify Plus, you receive a Launch Engineer who helps manage the migration process and optimize your store for Shopify Plus features.
• Solution Engineers are available for ongoing support and strategic advice, helping you integrate apps, develop custom solutions, and make the most of Shopify Plus features.

Priority 24/7 Support:

• You also get priority access to Shopify’s 24/7 support team, ensuring that any technical issues are resolved quickly. The faster your issues are addressed, the less downtime your store experiences, resulting in higher sales and customer satisfaction.

This hands-on support can be invaluable, especially when rolling out new features, handling complex integrations, or managing high-traffic events.

6. Multi-Store Management

As businesses grow, they often expand into multiple markets or create separate stores for different customer segments, such as B2B and B2C. Shopify Plus supports multi-store management, allowing you to operate multiple stores / shops from a single account.

Benefits of Multi-Store Management:

• Localized Stores: You can create stores with local language, currency, and content, catering to specific international markets.
• Centralized Control: Manage product catalogs, orders, customers, and inventory from one dashboard, making it easy to keep track of everything across multiple stores.
• Customization by Store: Each store can have its own unique design and content tailored to its audience, while still being managed from a single, user-friendly platform.

This multi-store functionality is especially useful for brands expanding globally or wanting to differentiate between various customer groups.

7. Wholesale Channel for B2B Sales

For businesses selling to both retail customers and wholesale buyers, Shopify Plus offers a built-in wholesale channel that allows you to manage B2B transactions directly from your Shopify dashboard.

Key Wholesale Features:

• Dedicated Wholesale Storefront: Shopify Plus allows you to create a separate, password-protected wholesale storefront. Wholesale customers can log in, view custom pricing, and place bulk orders.
• Custom Pricing: Set up different price lists for different customer segments or even individual clients. This can include tiered pricing, bulk discounts, or special deals for high-volume buyers.
• Seamless Order Management: Wholesale orders are managed alongside your retail orders, streamlining your backend operations.

By integrating wholesale capabilities into your Shopify Plus store, you can simplify operations and better manage both B2B and B2C sales in one place.

8. Exclusive Access to New Features and APIs

Shopify Plus users often receive early or exclusive access to new features, APIs, and integrations, ensuring that you stay ahead of the competition. These advanced tools can enhance your marketing, sales, and operational processes in ways that aren’t available on the standard Shopify platform.

Key Features Available to Shopify Plus Users:

• Customizable Checkout via APIs: Integrate third-party services into your checkout process, like loyalty programs, special shipping options, or custom tax rules.
• Exclusive Integrations: Shopify Plus integrates with powerful third-party platforms for ERP, CRM, and marketing automation, allowing you to scale without patching together different tools.
• Enhanced Analytics: Access to Shopify’s advanced reporting tools and analytics allows you to dive deeper into customer data and store performance metrics.

These features give your business the flexibility to innovate and optimize your store without limitations.

9. Cost Efficiency at Scale

Although Shopify Plus comes with a higher price tag than the standard Shopify plans, it offers a compelling cost-to-value ratio for businesses at scale. As your sales volume grows, the features and support provided by Shopify Plus can lead to substantial cost savings and efficiency gains over time.

Ways Shopify Plus Saves You Money:

• Reduced Transaction Fees: Shopify Plus lowers credit card processing fees, which can lead to significant savings when you’re processing large volumes of sales.
• Increased Efficiency: Automation tools like Shopify Flow and advanced reporting reduce the need for manual labor, decreasing operational costs.
• Better Integrations: Built-in wholesale functionality, multi-store management, and powerful APIs can eliminate the need for multiple third-party apps, reducing your overall tech stack costs.

For businesses reaching enterprise levels, the cost of Shopify Plus often justifies itself through the value of its features, improved efficiency, and reduced third-party app dependence.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from Shopify to Shopify Plus is a major step that can take your eCommerce business to the next level- With enhanced customization, better support, multi-store functionality, and advanced automation tools, Shopify Plus provides everything you need to scale and optimize your business operations.

While the decision to upgrade should be based on your business goals and growth trajectory, Shopify Plus offers enterprise-grade features that can significantly impact your store’s performance, customer experience, and bottom line. If your business is growing and you’re ready to take the next step, Shopify Plus might just be the perfect fit for you.