Scaling Up - Why Big Brands Choose Shopify Plus

With its unique ability to address the pressing pain points of scalability, integration, security, and migration, Shopify Plus stands as an inviting proposition for businesses aspiring to thrive in the current digital climate and is seen as a beacon of reliability and innovation in the world of enterprise-level eCommerce solutions.

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind Shopify Plus's prominence in the market and discover how it can pave the way for your eCommerce success.

• Shopify Plus at a Glance
• Reasons Why Big Brands are Migrating to Shopify Plus
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Conclusion
• How Absolute Design Can Help

Shopify Plus is quickly establishing itself as a leading eCommerce solution, tailor-made for businesses with an unwavering commitment to growth and success. It's not merely another platform; rather, it's a comprehensive ecosystem meticulously crafted to meet the unique demands of scaling businesses head-on.

At its core, Shopify Plus is an enterprise-level eCommerce platform, offering an array of features and benefits that set it apart from the competition. One intriguing aspect worth noting is the origin of Shopify itself. The company was founded in Canada in 2006 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake. They originally created the platform to sell snowboarding equipment online, but soon realised its potential to serve a wider audience. This entrepreneurial spirit and experience have deeply influenced the platform's development and understanding of eCommerce dynamics.

Key among Shopify Plus's strengths is its unmatched scalability, capable of effortlessly handling surges in traffic and accommodating extensive product catalogues without missing a beat. With its robust infrastructure and cloud-based technology, Shopify Plus ensures your website remains fast, reliable, and available 24/7.

Moreover, it's renowned for its simplicity, offering a user-friendly interface that minimises the learning curve for teams and empowers them to focus on what truly matters—innovating and growing your business. In this article, we delve deeper into these distinguishing features and explore how Shopify Plus can revolutionise your eCommerce journey.

Big brands are increasingly making the strategic shift to Shopify Plus for a multitude of compelling reasons, with scalability being a standout factor. Shopify Plus is engineered to effortlessly handle the challenges of high traffic and expansive product catalogues. Its robust infrastructure ensures your online store remains responsive and reliable even during traffic surges. Real-world success stories from industry leaders like Gymshark and Kylie Cosmetics underscore the platform's ability to seamlessly scale and accommodate substantial growth, making Shopify Plus the go-to choice for big brands looking to elevate their eCommerce game.

In addition to understanding the strengths of Shopify Plus, it's worth noting that while Magento, one of Shopify's key competitors, has been a formidable player in the eCommerce space, it has faced challenges in terms of scalability and ease of use, which has led many businesses, including big brands, to seek more flexible and user-friendly alternatives like Shopify Plus.

Customisation and flexibility are paramount for these brands, and Shopify Plus delivers on this front as well. With advanced API capabilities and access to an array of exclusive tools, Shopify Plus empowers businesses to tailor their online presence to match their unique brand identity. This means more than just an online store; it's an opportunity to create truly distinctive and branded online experiences that resonate deeply with their target audience. The ability to craft these exceptional experiences positions Shopify Plus as the platform of choice for those seeking to differentiate themselves and thrive in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

The platform boasts Level 1 PCI DSS compliance, coupled with continuous risk management protocols. For big brands, this translates into a fortified data protection solution, instilling trust, and confidence among their customers. The peace of mind provided by Shopify Plus's unwavering commitment to security is invaluable in an era where data breaches loom large, making it the top choice for those who prioritise the safety and privacy of their customer data.

Dedicated support and expertise provide further reasons behind the migration of big brands to Shopify Plus. The platform offers 24/7 priority support, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed, regardless of the time or day. Furthermore, businesses gain access to a dedicated Merchant Success Manager, a strategic partner who understands their unique requirements and guides them toward success. This personalised support and expertise elevate Shopify Plus as the preferred choice for brands seeking a comprehensive and reliable eCommerce solution.

Shopify Plus also offers streamlined operations through Shopify Flow, its powerful automation tool. Brands can automate a multitude of tasks, from inventory management to personalised marketing campaigns, enhancing the overall customer experience and saving valuable time and resources. This level of operational efficiency positions Shopify Plus as the ideal choice for big brands aiming to optimise their processes and focus on innovation and growth in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

In addition to scalability, customisation, security, dedicated support, and streamlined operations through Shopify Flow, Shopify Plus offers comprehensive international expansion capabilities. The platform provides multi-currency and multi-language support, ensuring that big brands can effectively reach global audiences. Additionally, localised marketing and payment solutions enable seamless entry into new markets, breaking down geographical barriers and establishing Shopify Plus as the ultimate choice for businesses seeking to grow and prosper on a global scale.

One of the standout advantages of Shopify Plus lies in its cost-effectiveness, making it an enticing choice for big brands aiming to optimise their ROI. When considering the potential return on investment, Shopify Plus's pricing structure aligns seamlessly with its rich feature set and scalability.

While the $2,000 per month licence fee may initially appear substantial, it's imperative to adopt a holistic perspective and factor in the concept of "total cost of ownership" when evaluating the value of Shopify Plus in comparison to other eCommerce platforms.

The "total cost of ownership" (TCO) encompasses not just the upfront licensing cost but also the comprehensive calculation of all expenses tied to the development and ongoing operation of your eCommerce store.

When weighing the merits of Shopify Plus against alternative platforms, it's important to acknowledge that TCO analysis involves various elements, including:

• Platform Customisation: Beyond the licensing fee, consider the costs associated with customising your online store to align with your brand and unique business requirements. Shopify Plus offers extensive customisation capabilities, often reducing the need for costly development work that might be essential on other platforms.
• Development and Maintenance: Assess the expenses associated with website development, maintenance, and updates. Shopify Plus streamlines these aspects, potentially saving you significant costs on hiring developers for complex coding tasks.
• Scalability: Evaluate the cost implications of scaling your business. With Shopify Plus, you benefit from an infrastructure designed for scalability, reducing the need for substantial investments in additional servers or hardware as your business grows.
• Hosting: Hosting is a critical component of TCO. Consider the expenses related to hosting services, including server setup, maintenance, and data storage. Shopify Plus includes fully managed hosting, alleviating the need for separate hosting costs and technical expertise to maintain server infrastructure.
• Security and Compliance: Consider the expenses involved in maintaining high-level security and compliance standards. Shopify Plus offers Level 1 PCI DSS compliance and robust security measures, potentially eliminating the need for expensive security solutions or audits.
• Customer Support and Training: Consider the value of 24/7 priority support and the guidance provided by a dedicated Merchant Success Manager, both included with your Shopify Plus subscription. This support can significantly reduce the costs associated with troubleshooting issues and implementing strategies for growth.
• Operational Efficiency: Recognise the savings generated by Shopify Plus's automation capabilities through Shopify Flow. By automating tasks such as inventory management and marketing campaigns, you can optimise your operations and reduce labour costs.
• International Expansion: Factor in the costs associated with expanding your business internationally. Shopify Plus simplifies this process with multi-currency support and localised checkout experiences, potentially saving you substantial expenses in setting up multiple storefronts.

In essence, while the monthly fee for Shopify Plus may seem high at first glance, the comprehensive TCO analysis reveals that the platform's efficiency, scalability, and included services can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. It's not merely an expense but an investment that can enhance your profitability and overall business success.

In the ever-evolving realm of eCommerce, the migration of big brands to Shopify Plus stands as a testament to the platform's undeniable allure. The scalability that effortlessly handles surging traffic, customisation and flexibility that empower brands to craft unique online experiences, unyielding security and compliance standards, dedicated support, and streamlined operations through automation – these are just a few of the compelling reasons why Shopify Plus has become the trusted choice of industry giants.

The platform's cost-effectiveness further sweetens the deal, promising a remarkable return on investment. As we conclude this exploration, we encourage businesses, both aspiring and established, to evaluate their eCommerce needs carefully. Consider whether Shopify Plus aligns with your vision for growth and innovation. In a digital landscape where success is shaped by the tools you choose, Shopify Plus shines as a beacon of reliability and opportunity, beckoning big brands to scale new heights in the dynamic world of eCommerce.

At Absolute Design, we understand the power of Shopify Plus and its potential to transform your eCommerce journey. Our team of Shopify Plus designers are well-versed in harnessing the full potential of this platform to meet your unique business needs. Whether it's leveraging its scalability, crafting unforgettable user experiences, ensuring top-notch security, or automating operations, we're here to guide you every step of the way.