The Shopify Starter plan is your golden ticket. At an easy-on-the-wallet rate of $5 a month, you unlock the door to endless selling possibilities. This plan might skimp on some of the bells and whistles compared to its pricier counterparts, but it hits just right for those eager to spread their sales wings across social media.
If that sounds like your next adventure, stick with us. We’re about to dive deep into the Shopify Starter plan, showing you exactly how it stands to line your pockets without breaking the bank.
Ready to dive in?
MAJOR POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- The Shopify Starter plan is the entry-level option from Shopify, costing only $5/month.
- Ideal for budding sellers aiming to conquer the social media selling scene without needing a standalone website.
- It includes access to Linkpop, a bio link tool in partnership with Shopify. This tool allows users to turn social media bio links into monetized gateways to their Shopify product listings.
Let’s unpack all this and get you on your way to online selling success with the Shopify Starter plan!
Shopify Starter Plan: What exactly is it?
The Shopify Starter Plan is like the training wheels for ecommerce, perfect for beginners who want to sell through social media channels like Instagram, Facebook or even messaging apps like WhatsApp.
It’s the most affordable Shopify plan at just $5 a month, with no surprise fees hidden in the fine print. There is a separate fee for processing payments, but that’s pretty standard.
Starter as its cooler, more feature-packed little sibling. It’s ideal if you’re new to Shopify or have been testing the waters with their free trial.
Maybe you’ve already built a loyal following online and want to turn those fans into paying customers. a Starter. It lets you do just that without needing a fancy website.
Here’s the coolest part: Shopify gives you a free subdomain (like a mini-website address) with the Starter plan. This makes creating product listings and sharing links directly on social media or messaging apps easy. No website building is required!
You can focus on what you do best: creating excellent products and connecting with your audience.
All Key Features of the Shopify Starter Plan
| Feature | Description |
| Products & Checkout | Sell unlimited products. Secure checkout with Shopify subdomain and SSL certificate. |
| Online Store | Basic store setup with product pages, shopping cart, contact page, and Shopify inbox. Product listings with images, titles, descriptions, reviews, and payment options. |
| Linkpop Integration | Create clickable links to products directly in social media posts. Shorten product links for easy sharing. |
| Order Management | Manage orders from online store, social media, and email. Track orders, fulfill them, integrate with shipping carriers, process refunds/exchanges. (Note: Lacks advanced features like order automation or multi-channel selling.) |
| Sales Analytics | Gain insights on store performance. Identify top-selling products and adjust marketing strategies. Track sales data over time to understand buyer trends and peak seasons. |
| Fulfillment Network (Bonus) | Access the Shopify Fulfillment Network for storage and shipping (additional fees may apply). |
| Mobile POS (Bonus) | Sell offline using the Shopify POS app on your smartphone. Accept payments via Tap to Pay on iPhone or card readers. |
| App Store Access (Bonus) | Download and install apps from the Shopify App Store to add marketing, accounting, and customer service features. |
Drawbacks of the Shopify Starter Plan
The Shopify Starter Plan is a fantastic way for social media stars and budget-conscious entrepreneurs to launch their online selling journey. However, like any good starting point, it has its limitations. Here’s what to consider before diving in:
- No Abandoned Cart Recovery: Have you ever added something awesome to your online cart, only to get distracted and forget about it? Unfortunately, the Starter Plan can’t help you recover those lost sales. This feature is only available on higher-tier plans.
- Higher Transaction Fees: While the $5 monthly fee is sweet, the Starter Plan has a slightly higher transaction fee (5%) than other Shopify plans. This can eat into your profits, especially if you have a high sales volume.
- Limited Features: It offers the basics but lacks some bells and whistles you might want down the road. This includes things like gift cards, creating shipping labels, and dropshipping options.
- No Customization: You can’t customize the basic features or design of your store.
Cost of the Shopify Starter Plan 2024
This plan boasts the lowest monthly fee among all Shopify options. It’s a fixed price, meaning no hidden fees or surprise upgrades. You pay $5 and unlock all the Starter Plan features.
But Wait, There’s More (Fees)
There’s a catch (it wouldn’t be real life without one, right?). While the plan is just $5, you’ll still pay transaction fees whenever you make a sale. These fees are a bit higher on the Starter Plan than pricier options, 5% per transaction.
Despite the transaction fees, the Starter Plan is a fantastic way to try selling merchandise online. Unsure if Starter is the right fit? Shopify offers a generous 14-day free trial to test the waters. You get the core tools to sell online, like product listings, a shopping cart, and order management.
The Starter Plan keeps things simple and affordable, allowing you to focus on building your audience and making those first sales.
Remember: Don’t blame the plan if your sales aren’t booming during the trial. Focus on building a solid social media presence and crafting irresistible product offerings!
Comparison: Shopify Starter Plan vs. Other Shopify Plans
Starter vs. Basic Plan
- Cost: The starter plan has an advantage: only $5 a month! The Basic Plan jumps to $29 a month.
- Website or No Website? Starter lets you sell without a website, using social media channels. Basic assumes you have a website.
- Inventory and Marketing Muscle: Both offer unlimited products and storage, but Basic ups the game with marketing automation tools to help you outshine competitors.
- Who’s it For? Starter is ideal for absolute beginners selling on social media. Basic caters to small businesses with existing websites seeking a website-based sales solution with some marketing muscle.
The Verdict: Starter wins on affordability and social media selling, while Basic takes the crown for established small businesses needing website integration and marketing automation.
Starter vs. Advanced Plan
- Price Powerhouse: Starter stays at $5, while Advanced is a big jump to $399 monthly.
- Features for Expansion: Advanced offers a custom report builder for in-depth analysis and allows up to 15 staff accounts to manage your growing empire. Starter has basic reporting and no staff accounts.
- Who’s it For? Starter is for social media sellers just starting out. Advanced is for established businesses with ambitions for large-scale growth, needing advanced analytics and a team to manage it all.
The Verdict: This is a clear case of different leagues. Starter is the training wheels for your online business. Advanced is for seasoned businesses ready to race ahead.
Who Should Consider the Shopify Starter Plan?
The Shopify Starter Plan is like the launchpad for your social selling journey. It’s perfect for a specific group of merchants:
- New Shopify Sellers: This plan welcomes beginners who are just getting their feet wet with Shopify. Even if you’re still in the trial phase, you can use the Starter’s features.
- Social Media Sales Stars: Are you a social media influencer, blogger, or creator with a dedicated following? The Starter Plan lets you turn those fans into paying customers by creating monetized links to your Shopify products directly within your social media posts.
- Simplicity Seekers: Don’t need a complex online store with all the bells and whistles? Starter keeps things basic with simple product pages and easy-to-share links. Perfect if you just want to showcase your products and get started selling.
- Budget-Conscious Entrepreneurs: Are you on a tight budget and don’t have a lot of inventory to manage? The Starter Plan’s low monthly fee ($5!) lets you dip your toes into ecommerce without breaking the bank.
- Messaging App Mavens: Do you have a robust social network built on messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram? Starter lets you share monetized links with your contacts, opening up a new sales channel.
Conclusion
In summary, the Shopify Starter plan is tailor-made for social media sellers, offering a low-cost entry point without the burdens of upfront expenses or website management. It provides essential tools for budding eCommerce ventures, making it a standout option in its category.
With its user-friendly approach, it’s a perfect gateway for newcomers to explore lucrative opportunities on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Get ready to sell effortlessly with the Shopify Starter plan!