Shopify Plus Development: what you need to know (2025)

As your eCommerce business grows, so do the challenges of scaling, managing high sales volume, and delivering a seamless customer experience. While Shopify is widely regarded as one of the best platforms for eCommerce, the decision to move to Shopify Plus, its enterprise-grade solution, is not always straightforward. For thriving eCommerce businesses, choosing the right platform and determining when to transition can be critical to future success.

In this article, we’ll break down key factors to consider when deciding if Shopify Plus is the right move for your business in 2025, from costs to functionality and scalability. Plus, we’ll provide expert tips to guide your decision.

1. Cost: Weighing the Financial Commitment

One of the first questions most businesses ask when considering an upgrade to Shopify Plus is: Is it worth the cost? The base fee for Shopify Plus is significantly higher than standard Shopify plans, starting at around $2,000 per month. However, Shopify Plus offers lower transaction fees, which can offset the higher base cost for businesses with high transaction volumes.

Shopify typically suggests upgrading when your monthly sales exceed $800,000, but this tipping point also depends on the complexity and frequency of your transactions. If your business is seasonal and generates the bulk of its revenue in just a few months, upgrading to Shopify Plus may not make sense year-round.

Tip: Conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the reduced transaction fees and operational efficiencies make the upgrade financially viable.

2. Scalability: Prepare for Future Growth

If your eCommerce site is handling a high volume of traffic, and you expect rapid growth, scalability is a crucial factor. Shopify Plus is designed to handle large sales volumes without compromising on performance, ensuring stability during peak periods, like flash sales or holiday shopping sprees.

This platform supports unlimited transactions and offers high bandwidth to ensure a smooth shopping experience for your customers. Shopify Plus also allows for multiple storefronts, making it ideal for businesses expanding into international markets.

Tip: If you’re anticipating significant growth or see frequent spikes in traffic, upgrading to Shopify Plus may help you avoid potential crashes and slowdowns.

3. Functionality: Unlocking Advanced Features

This is where Shopify Plus truly outshines its standard counterpart. Here are some advanced features exclusive to Shopify Plus:

• Customizable Checkout: Shopify Plus allows you to fully customize the checkout process, making it possible to provide a checkout experience tailored to your brand and customer preferences. You can modify payment methods, offer personalized discounts, and integrate third-party payment solutions.
• Ecommerce Automation with Shopify Flow: Automating repetitive tasks is a major efficiency boost. With Shopify Flow, you can set up workflows to automatically segment customers, manage inventory, or trigger marketing actions based on customer behavior. These automations help you scale operations without increasing manual work.
• Shopify Functions (Replacing Scripts): This feature allows for deeper customizations, including custom fulfillment, delivery strategies, and payment systems. Shopify Functions enables developers to code specific functionalities without limitations, replacing Shopify Scripts by August 2025.
• Wholesale Capabilities: With Shopify Plus, you can create a separate password-protected storefront for wholesale customers, complete with custom pricing and tiered discounts. However, keep in mind that there are custom-built solutions for wholesale needs if you don’t require the other features of Shopify Plus.

Tip: Evaluate the specific features your business needs and determine whether Shopify Plus provides functionalities that could drastically improve operations and the customer experience.

4. Dedicated Support: A Lifeline for Growing Businesses

One of the most valuable benefits of Shopify Plus is access to dedicated priority support. Shopify Plus customers receive a dedicated account manager to resolve any issues quickly, which is critical for enterprises where even short downtimes or technical glitches can result in lost revenue.

Additionally, Shopify Plus provides exclusive apps and integrations that are specifically built for large-scale eCommerce operations, such as Launchpad (to automate product launches and flash sales) and Shopify Scripts (for creating custom discounts and pricing).

Tip: If your business relies on having round-the-clock support and custom solutions, Shopify Plus offers a level of service that can safeguard your operations.

5. Wholesale & B2B Features

Many growing eCommerce businesses also operate in the wholesale space. Shopify Plus allows you to manage a wholesale storefront separate from your retail site. You can customize everything from pricing tiers to product offerings, streamlining B2B operations. This is especially helpful for businesses that need to keep wholesale and retail inventories distinct while managing both on one platform.

Tip: If you're primarily upgrading for wholesale features, consider whether a custom-built solution on standard Shopify could serve your needs without the additional cost.

Expert Tips to Help You Decide:

1. Evaluate Current and Future Business Needs: Start by identifying your business’s short- and long-term needs. If you require advanced customization, scalability, or international selling capabilities, Shopify Plus is a great investment. However, if you’re still in the early stages, it might be too early to upgrade.
2. Analyze Your Budget: Consider the cost not only in terms of the monthly fee but also how Shopify Plus’s automation and transaction fee savings could impact your overall profitability.
3. Consider Growth Projections: Are you planning a significant expansion in the near future? If you expect rapid growth, upgrading to Shopify Plus sooner could set your business up for success by providing the tools and infrastructure to scale efficiently.
4. Consult Shopify Experts: Speak with Shopify Plus experts to get a tailored recommendation based on your industry, business size, and specific needs.

Conclusion:

Choosing to upgrade to Shopify Plus is a significant step for any business. By evaluating factors like cost, scalability, functionality, and future growth, you can make a well-informed decision. Remember, it’s not just about what your business needs today but what will help you thrive tomorrow.

If you're ready to scale and enhance your eCommerce operations with Shopify Plus, consulting with an expert team can ensure a smooth transition.