What Shopify Plan Is Best for Dropshipping: The Complete Guide
Introduction: Why Your Shopify Plan Matters for Dropshipping Success
Choosing the best Shopify plan for dropshipping is one of the first—and most important—decisions you'll make as a new or growing dropshipper. While Shopify is renowned for its user-friendly ecommerce platform, the subscription plan you select can significantly impact your store’s costs, features, and long-term scalability.
If you’re launching your first dropshipping store or looking to optimize an existing one, it’s tempting to grab the cheapest plan and get started. But Shopify’s plan structure is nuanced. Each tier—Starter, Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus—comes with specific features, transaction fees, and limitations that may either help or hinder your dropshipping ambitions.
In this guide, you’ll get a step-by-step walkthrough of:
- The differences between Shopify plans for dropshipping
- Which plan best fits your business stage (beginner, scaling, or enterprise)
- Real-world scenarios, pricing breakdowns, and feature comparisons
What You’ll Learn
By the end of Part 1, you will:
- Understand why Shopify plan selection is critical for dropshipping success
- Recognize the common challenges and opportunities faced by dropshippers when choosing a plan
- Know what to expect from this tutorial and how it will help you confidently choose the right Shopify plan
Why Plan Selection Matters
- Transaction fees and monthly costs can eat into your margins if you pick the wrong plan.
- Some Shopify features (like advanced reporting, international pricing, or automation) are only available on higher tiers.
- The wrong plan can limit your ability to scale, offer certain products, or implement key dropshipping apps.
Common Challenges and Opportunities
- Beginners often overpay or miss out on essential tools by picking the wrong plan.
- Growing stores may hit feature or order limits, requiring a timely upgrade.
- High-volume or international dropshippers need advanced features for automation and localization.
Throughout this tutorial, you’ll follow a practical, scenario-based approach. You’ll be able to compare Shopify plans side by side, understand their impact on your dropshipping business, and make informed decisions—no guesswork required.
What’s Next?
In the next sections, you’ll get a clear overview of Shopify’s subscription options, then dive deep into each plan’s pros, cons, and real-world use cases for dropshipping. By the end of this part, you’ll be equipped to choose the plan that fits your business best—and know how to adjust as your store grows.
Further Reading
- Shopify Dropshipping Guide — Shopify’s official introduction to dropshipping basics.
Understanding Shopify: Plans, Pricing, and Features Explained
Before you can choose the best Shopify plan for dropshipping, you’ll need to understand what each plan offers—and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t. Shopify structures its subscription options to scale with your business, but the differences between the plans aren’t always obvious at first glance.
Let’s break down Shopify’s core plans, monthly costs, and the features most relevant to dropshippers. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or planning to scale into a larger operation, this section will help you find the right starting point.
Shopify’s Main Subscription Options
Shopify offers five primary plans:
- Starter
- For social selling, simple checkout links, and ultra-lean setups
- Basic
- Full online store, suitable for most new dropshipping stores
- Shopify (Standard)
- More advanced reports, better rates, and additional staff accounts
- Advanced
- Advanced reporting, automation, and international capabilities
- Plus
- Enterprise-grade features, custom automation, dedicated support
Here’s a quick reference table (prices as of 2024):
| Plan | Monthly Cost (USD) | Online Storefront | Staff Accounts | Reports | Transaction Fees* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | No | 1 | None | 5% |
| Basic | $39 | Yes | 2 | Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Shopify | $105 | Yes | 5 | Standard | 2.6% + 30¢ |
| Advanced | $399 | Yes | 15 | Advanced | 2.4% + 30¢ |
| Plus | Custom (starts ~$2,000) | Yes | Unlimited | Custom/Enterprise | Negotiable |
*Transaction fees apply if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments. Actual fees may vary by country.
Comparing Plan Features: What Matters for Dropshipping?
For dropshipping, certain features will be more important than others. Focus on these key areas:
- Online Storefront: Needed for a full-featured ecommerce website.
- Staff Accounts: Useful if you have a team managing orders or customer service.
- Reports and Analytics: Vital for tracking profits, products, and customer behavior.
- Third-Party App Support: Essential for dropshipping automation (Oberlo, DSers, Spocket, etc.).
- Shipping and Internationalization: Important if you plan to ship to multiple countries.
- Automation and Advanced Tools: For scaling and optimizing operations.
Step-by-Step: Evaluating Plans for Your Dropshipping Needs
- List your business needs: (e.g., international shipping, advanced reporting, automation)
- Match needs to plan features: Use Shopify’s feature comparison.
- Consider monthly cost and transaction fees: Calculate expected order volume vs. plan cost.
- Check app compatibility: Ensure your preferred dropshipping apps are supported at your plan level.
- Think about scalability: Will you need to upgrade soon, or can your chosen plan grow with you?
Shopify Plan Breakdown (2024)
- Starter: Limited to checkout links/social selling. No full online store. Not ideal for most dropshippers.
- Basic: Entry-level plan with full store, apps, unlimited products. Popular with new dropshippers.
- Shopify: Adds better reporting, more staff, and lower payment fees—valuable as your store grows.
- Advanced: Needed for advanced automation, international pricing, and high-volume dropshipping.
- Plus: Best for large enterprises, custom integrations, and multi-store management.
Micro-Project: Tally Your Must-Have Features
Make a checklist of features you absolutely need (e.g., unlimited products, app integrations, international shipping) and compare it to each plan’s offering on Shopify’s official pricing page.
Further Reading
- Shopify Pricing — Official, up-to-date cost breakdowns and feature lists.
- Shopify Features — Compare features by plan in detail.
Shopify Starter Plan: Can You Dropship on a Budget?
The Shopify Starter plan is Shopify’s most affordable option, designed for ultra-lean businesses and creators who want to sell primarily via social media or direct links. But is it the best Shopify plan for dropshipping beginners, or will its limitations hold you back?
Let’s break down exactly what you get (and what you don’t) at the $5/month price point.
Shopify Starter Plan: Features & Restrictions
- No traditional online store: You only get a simple product page and checkout link, not a full website with collections or navigation.
- Sell through social & messaging: Perfect for selling via Instagram, WhatsApp, or DMs—but your "store" is just a checkout link.
- Limited customization: No themes, code access, or custom checkout.
- Basic order management: You can view orders and manage customers, but advanced reporting is unavailable.
- App support is limited: Most advanced dropshipping or automation apps are not compatible with the Starter plan.
- Higher transaction fees: 5% per transaction is steep for dropshipping, where margins are often thin.
Is Starter Right for Dropshipping?
Use the Shopify Starter plan if:
- You want to test a single product or very small catalog before investing in a full store
- Your marketing is 100% on social media, not via a website
- You’re validating an idea or running a side project with a minimal budget
Avoid Starter if:
- You need a customizable storefront, collections, or product categories
- You want to use popular dropshipping apps (DSers, Spocket, Oberlo, etc.)
- You plan to scale or run paid ads to your store
- You need analytics, automation, or multi-product management
Mini Checklist: Should You Start With Starter?
- Are you okay selling via links, not a website?
- Is your product catalog very small (<5 products)?
- Are you using only organic social media (no paid ads)?
- Is this a test, not a main business?
If you answered “yes” to all, Starter could work for a short-term MVP. Otherwise, you’ll likely need at least the Basic plan.
How to Upgrade Later
If you outgrow the Starter plan, Shopify lets you seamlessly upgrade to Basic or higher with all your customer data intact. You’ll just gain more features and a real storefront.
Further Reading
- Shopify Starter Plan — Official feature and pricing details.
- Shopify Community: Starter Plan — User experiences and advice.
Shopify Basic vs Shopify: Which Is Better for Dropshipping?
For most dropshippers, the real decision is between the Shopify Basic and Shopify (Standard) plans. Both offer a full-featured online store, support for all major dropshipping apps, and unlimited products—but their differences can have a real impact on your bottom line and store performance.
Let’s compare them side by side so you can confidently choose the best fit for your business stage.
Shopify Basic Plan: Dropshipping Essentials
- Price: $39/month
- Features:
- Full online store (your own domain, customizable themes)
- Unlimited products & file storage
- Access to all dropshipping apps (DSers, Spocket, Printful, etc.)
- 2 staff accounts
- Basic reporting (sales, orders, traffic)
- Manual order fulfillment or automation via apps
- Standard shipping label support
- Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction (with Shopify Payments)
- Best for:
- New dropshipping stores
- Small catalogs or businesses just getting started
- Testing product-market fit before heavy investment
Shopify (Standard) Plan: Features for Growing Dropshippers
- Price: $105/month
- Features:
- Everything in Basic, plus...
- 5 staff accounts (better for teams or VAs)
- Standard reporting (profit reports, customer reports, sales by product, etc.)
- Lower payment processing fees (2.6% + 30¢)
- Professional reports for deeper analytics
- More inventory locations
- Best for:
- Stores with consistent sales and growing traffic
- Dropshippers needing advanced analytics
- Teams with multiple staff or VAs
- Scaling up to paid traffic and optimization
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
| Feature | Basic Plan | Shopify (Standard) Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $39 | $105 |
| Staff Accounts | 2 | 5 |
| Reports | Basic | Standard/Professional |
| Transaction Fee* | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 30¢ |
| Inventory Locations | 4 | 5 |
| App Integrations | Full | Full |
| Advanced Reports | No | Yes |
*With Shopify Payments; additional fees if using other payment gateways.
How to Decide: Step-by-Step
- Estimate your monthly sales. If you’re processing enough orders, the lower transaction fees on the Shopify (Standard) plan can offset the higher monthly cost.
- Assess your need for analytics. If you want detailed reports or plan to optimize paid ads, the Standard plan’s analytics are worth it.
- Count your staff/users. More than 2? You’ll need the Shopify plan.
- Forecast your growth. If you plan to scale quickly, it may be easier to start with Shopify (Standard) and avoid a mid-launch upgrade.
- Check dropshipping app requirements. Both plans support all major apps, but advanced automation may work better with higher-tier plans.
Example Calculation: Is Shopify (Standard) Cheaper Overall?
Suppose you process $10,000/month in sales:
- Basic Fees: 2.9% of $10,000 = $290
- Shopify Fees: 2.6% of $10,000 = $260
- Monthly Savings: $30 (but you pay $66 more in subscription) Conclusion: Unless you do $20k+/month, Basic is usually cheaper overall.
Upgrade Path: Moving Between Plans
Shopify lets you upgrade or downgrade at any time. Your products, customers, and settings remain intact—you simply unlock (or lose) features according to your new plan.
Real-World Use Case
- Basic Plan: Ideal for solo founders, small teams, or those just beginning with dropshipping.
- Shopify Plan: Best for scaling stores, those running paid ads, or teams with multiple staff or VAs.
Further Reading
- Shopify Help Center: Plans — Complete details on plan features and upgrades.
- Shopify Dropshipping Community — Real dropshippers share their experiences and advice.
Shopify Advanced and Plus: Scaling Dropshipping Operations
When your dropshipping business is growing fast, or you’re serving international markets and large order volumes, it’s time to look at Shopify’s higher-tier plans: Advanced and Plus. These plans are designed for established stores that need automation, analytics, and enterprise-level capabilities.
Shopify Advanced Plan: For Growing and International Dropshippers
- Price: $399/month
- Key Features:
- Advanced reports with custom filters (profit, inventory, customer segments)
- Up to 15 staff accounts
- Up to 8 inventory locations
- Third-party calculated shipping rates (needed for some dropshipping suppliers)
- International pricing and domains (great for multi-currency dropshipping)
- Lower transaction fees: 2.4% + 30¢
- Best for:
- High-volume dropshipping stores
- International operations (multiple currencies, regions, languages)
- Stores needing detailed analytics for optimization
Shopify Plus: Enterprise-Grade Dropshipping
- Price: Custom (starts around $2,000/month)
- Key Features:
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Dedicated launch manager and priority support
- Advanced automation (Shopify Flow, custom scripts)
- Customizable checkout (for conversion optimization)
- Multi-store management (run several brands/regions under one umbrella)
- Exclusive APIs and integrations for scale
- Best for:
- Established enterprises or 7-figure dropshippers
- Complex automation, integrations, or multi-brand operations
- Businesses needing advanced security and compliance
Step-by-Step: When to Upgrade to Advanced or Plus
- Assess your sales volume. If you’re consistently processing $50k+/month, the lower payment fees alone may justify upgrading.
- Map your international expansion. If you need multi-currency, multilingual, or multi-region support, Advanced or Plus is essential.
- Review your team size. More than 5 staff? Advanced or Plus prevents bottlenecks.
- List automation and reporting needs. If you require custom workflows, detailed analytics, or third-party integrations, higher-tier plans unlock these features.
- Consider your supplier requirements. Some enterprise dropshipping suppliers require calculated shipping, only available at Advanced or Plus.
Example: International Dropshipping Expansion
If your US-based dropshipping store wants to sell in Europe and Asia, Shopify Advanced or Plus allows you to:
- Set custom pricing and language per region
- Accept multiple currencies seamlessly
- Automate taxes and duties for each market
Automation for Scaling
- Shopify Flow (Advanced/Plus only): Automate complex tasks like order tagging, fraud checks, or supplier notifications.
- Custom Checkout (Plus only): Tailor checkout flows for higher conversion rates or compliance needs.
Cost vs. Benefit
- Advanced: Worth it if you save more in transaction fees and time than the extra $294/month over Standard.
- Plus: Only for businesses with complex, global, or high-volume needs—otherwise overkill.
Micro-Project: Should You Upgrade?
Calculate your current monthly transaction fees and compare them to the potential savings (and new features) on Advanced or Plus. List which new features your business would actually use.
Further Reading
- Shopify Plus — Full overview of enterprise features and case studies.
- Shopify Advanced Plan — Details on advanced tools, reports, and international capabilities.
In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into real dropshipping workflows, app integrations, and how to optimize your Shopify plan for profit and scalability.
Shopify Fees and Cost Breakdown for Dropshipping
Understanding the true cost of running a dropshipping business on Shopify is crucial for choosing the best Shopify plan for dropshipping. Many new store owners focus on monthly subscription fees, but the reality is that you’ll need to account for several types of costs: Shopify plan pricing, transaction fees, payment processing fees, and costs for essential dropshipping apps. Let’s break down each of these cost elements so you can accurately estimate your monthly expenses and find the Shopify subscription option with the best value for your business model.
1. Shopify Subscription Costs
Shopify offers several plans, each with its own monthly cost and feature set. Here’s a quick overview as of 2024 (always check Shopify Pricing for up-to-date info):
- Shopify Starter: $5/month — For social selling, very limited for dropshipping.
- Shopify Basic: $39/month — Core features, suitable for most beginners.
- Shopify (Standard): $105/month — Advanced reporting, better rates.
- Shopify Advanced: $399/month — Lower fees, advanced features.
- Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,000/month — For enterprise-level businesses.
2. Transaction and Payment Fees
Shopify Transaction Fees
Transaction fees are charged when you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments. If you use Shopify Payments (available in many countries), you pay no extra transaction fee. If not, you’ll pay an additional fee:
- Basic: 2.0%
- Shopify: 1.0%
- Advanced: 0.5%
Credit Card Rates (Shopify Payments)
If you do use Shopify Payments, you’ll pay credit card processing fees per sale. (Rates may differ depending on your country):
- Basic: 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢
- Advanced: 2.4% + 30¢
These rates apply to every order, so they add up quickly—especially in high-volume dropshipping.
International/Alternative Payment Fees
If you sell internationally or use PayPal, Stripe, etc., you might face additional fees from those providers. Always check their documentation for exact rates in your region.
3. App Subscription Costs
Most dropshipping operations require apps for automation, product importing, and order fulfillment. Popular options like DSers, Spocket, or Printful often have the following pricing models:
- Free plans: Limited features or product numbers.
- Paid plans: Ranging from $19–$99/month (or more for advanced/enterprise features).
You may also need apps for reviews, upsells, or marketing, which can add $10–$50/month each.
4. Example: Shopify Dropshipping Plan Cost Breakdown
Let’s see a sample monthly cost calculation for a new dropshipping store using Shopify Basic:
| Cost Type | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Shopify Basic Plan | $39 |
| DSers (Advanced Plan) | $49 |
| Email Marketing App | $15 |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 30¢ per order |
| Domain | ~$1.17 (yearly $14) |
| Miscellaneous Apps | $20 |
| Total (excluding per-order fees) | $124+ |
Add your order volume and average order value (AOV) to estimate total payment processing costs.
How to Estimate Your True Shopify Dropshipping Costs
- List all fixed monthly subscriptions (Shopify, apps, domain, etc.).
- Calculate estimated transaction/processing fees:
- Multiply your AOV by number of orders and the card rate (e.g., 2.9%).
- Add 30¢ per order.
- Add variable app fees if you scale up and require more features.
- Track your monthly costs for 2–3 months and adjust your plan or apps as needed.
5. Which Shopify Plan Has the Lowest Fees for Dropshipping?
- For beginners or low order volume: Shopify Basic has the lowest upfront cost but higher payment fees per transaction.
- For growing stores: Upgrading to the Shopify or Advanced plan can save money in the long run due to lower processing fees—especially if you process $10,000+/month in sales.
- For high-volume or international dropshipping: Shopify Advanced or even Shopify Plus can offer the best value despite the higher monthly cost.
Quick Checklist: Calculating Your Shopify Dropshipping Monthly Cost
- Shopify plan monthly fee
- Dropshipping app subscription(s)
- Payment processing/transaction fees
- Additional app costs (marketing, reviews, etc.)
- Domain registration/renewal
Further Reading
- Shopify Fees Explained — Official pricing and fee structure details.
- Oberlo Blog: Shopify Fees — Third-party breakdown and real-world examples of Shopify fees.
Key Features to Look for in a Shopify Dropshipping Plan
Choosing the best Shopify plan for dropshipping isn’t just about cost—it’s about features that enable you to run and grow your business efficiently. Each Shopify plan comes with a different set of capabilities. Here, we’ll review which features are essential for dropshippers, how to match those features to your business goals, and what limitations might affect you as you scale.
1. Must-Have Features for Dropshipping
To run a successful dropshipping business on Shopify, prioritize these features:
- Unlimited Products: Ability to list as many products as you want (all paid plans except Starter support unlimited products).
- Staff Accounts: Multiple logins for your team (Basic: 2, Shopify: 5, Advanced: 15+).
- Professional Reporting: Advanced sales, customer, and profit reports (available on Shopify plan and above).
- Automated Order Fulfillment: Integration with dropshipping apps (e.g., DSers, Spocket, Printful, etc.).
- Abandoned Cart Recovery: Email customers who leave items in their cart (Basic and up).
- Third-Party App Integrations: Connect with marketing, shipping, and customer service tools.
- Discount Codes and Gift Cards: Boost conversions and run promotions.
- Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support: For international dropshipping.
2. Matching Plan Features to Your Dropshipping Goals
For Beginners or Small Businesses
- Shopify Basic: Unlimited products, 2 staff accounts, basic reports, most major dropshipping app integrations, abandoned cart recovery.
For Growing or Scaling Stores
- Shopify (Standard): 5 staff accounts, advanced reporting, better shipping discounts, international pricing and domains.
For Large or International Enterprises
- Shopify Advanced / Plus: 15+ staff accounts, custom reporting, lower fees, advanced automation, and B2B features.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Starter | Basic | Shopify | Advanced | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Products | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Staff Accounts | 0 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 200+ |
| Professional Reports | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Third-Party Apps | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automation (Workflows) | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| International Domains | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multicurrency | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
3. Evaluating Plan Limitations for Future Growth
- Starter Plan: Only supports link-based selling (no full store), no apps, not suitable for dropshipping.
- Basic Shopify: Great for starting out, but limited reporting and staff accounts can hold you back as you grow.
- Shopify Standard/Advanced: Unlocks more staff, better reporting, more powerful automation, and international features.
- Shopify Plus: For high-volume, B2B, or complex operations.
Checklist: Key Features to Prioritize for Dropshipping
- Unlimited products
- Staff accounts (for VAs, partners, or customer service)
- Access to dropshipping and automation apps
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Professional reports (when you’re ready for scaling and optimization)
- International selling tools (if targeting global markets)
Further Reading
- Shopify App Store: Dropshipping — Explore dropshipping app compatibility by plan.
- Shopify Features — Official feature list and plan breakdown.
Real-World Examples: Choosing the Right Shopify Plan for Your Dropshipping Stage
Theory is great, but seeing how dropshippers at different stages actually choose their Shopify plan brings these concepts to life. In this section, we’ll walk through three real-world scenarios: a low-budget beginner, a scaling small business, and a large enterprise going international. You’ll learn how to apply the Shopify plans comparison to your own situation and avoid common pitfalls.
Scenario 1: Dropshipping Beginner with Low Budget
Profile:
- Just starting out
- Testing product-market fit
- Limited funds (< $100/month budget)
Recommended Plan: Shopify Basic
Why:
- Lowest monthly fee with full store features
- Unlimited products and access to essential dropshipping apps
- Good enough for solo founders or small teams
How to Get Started:
- Sign up for Shopify Basic with a free trial.
- Install a free or entry-level dropshipping app (e.g., DSers Basic).
- Set up your store with up to 2 staff accounts for basic delegation.
- Focus on launching and validating your first products.
Cost Example:
- Shopify Basic: $39/month
- DSers Basic: Free or $19/month after free trial
- Transaction fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per order (Shopify Payments)
Scenario 2: Small Dropshipping Business Ready to Scale
Profile:
- Consistent monthly sales ($2,000–$10,000/month)
- Needs more automation and basic analytics
- Small team (3–5 people)
Recommended Plan: Shopify (Standard)
Why:
- Lower payment processing fees (2.6% + 30¢)
- Advanced reports for smarter marketing decisions
- More staff accounts for your team
- Access to discounted shipping rates and basic international features
How to Upgrade:
- Go to Shopify Admin > Settings > Plan.
- Click “Change plan” and select the Shopify (Standard) plan.
- Review and confirm the billing change.
- Explore advanced reporting and assign accounts to your team members.
Cost Example:
- Shopify (Standard): $105/month
- DSers Advanced: $49/month
- Email/marketing apps: $15–$30/month
- Transaction fees: 2.6% + 30¢ per order
Benefits:
- Lower fees offset higher plan cost if monthly revenue exceeds $5,000–$6,000
- Better tracking and team collaboration
Scenario 3: Established Dropshipping Enterprise (International Focus)
Profile:
- High monthly sales ($30,000+/month)
- Sells in multiple countries/currencies
- Needs advanced automation and custom reporting
- Large staff (15+ people)
Recommended Plan: Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus
Why:
- Lowest transaction and credit card fees (2.4% + 30¢ or lower on Plus)
- 15+ staff accounts, permissions, and advanced roles
- Custom reports and high-level analytics for scaling
- International domain and multicurrency support
- Access to Shopify Flow and Scripts (automation tools)
How to Upgrade:
- Assess your current and projected order volume.
- Contact Shopify Sales for Plus, or upgrade to Advanced via Shopify Admin.
- Work with your team to migrate permissions and workflows.
- Leverage advanced automation and reporting to optimize operations.
Cost Example:
- Shopify Advanced: $399/month
- Shopify Plus: $2,000+/month (custom pricing)
- Enterprise-level app subscriptions: $100–$500+/month
- Transaction fees: 2.4% + 30¢ (Advanced) or lower (Plus)
Benefits:
- Lower per-order fees mean significant savings at scale
- Professional, scalable infrastructure for international growth
Quick Comparison Table
| Business Stage | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Basic | Low cost, essential features |
| Scaling SMB | Shopify | Lower fees, reports, team access |
| Large/Enterprise | Advanced/Plus | Lowest fees, automation, international |
Further Reading
- Shopify Success Stories — Inspiration and details from real Shopify merchants.
- Oberlo: Dropshipping Stories — Case studies focused on dropshipping businesses.
How to Choose and Upgrade Your Shopify Plan for Dropshipping
As your dropshipping business evolves, you may need to change your Shopify plan to unlock new features, reduce fees, or support a growing team. Here’s a step-by-step guide for selecting, switching, and upgrading your Shopify plan with minimal hassle and cost.
1. Choosing the Best Shopify Plan for Your Needs
- Assess your current business stage:
- Are you just starting out, scaling, or already a large operation?
- Estimate your monthly order volume and gross sales.
- List required features:
- Unlimited products, advanced reports, staff accounts, automation?
- Compare your requirements with each Shopify plan’s features and fees.
- Use Shopify’s free trial and monthly billing to test before committing long-term.
2. How to Upgrade or Downgrade Your Shopify Plan
- Log in to your Shopify Admin panel.
- Go to Settings > Plan.
- Click “Change plan” or “Compare plans.”
- Review the features and pricing for each available plan.
- Select your new plan and confirm the change.
- Shopify will prorate charges, so you’ll pay only the difference for the current billing cycle.
- Check your bill and feature access after the upgrade/downgrade.
Minimizing Downtime and Costs During Transitions
- Plan upgrades/downgrades during low-traffic periods to avoid disruption.
- Communicate changes to your team, especially if staff account limits change.
- Review your app subscriptions—some features may become available or restricted.
- Back up your data if making major changes or switching to Shopify Plus.
3. When to Consider Upgrading Your Shopify Plan
- You’re regularly hitting feature or staff limits on your current plan.
- Your transaction/processing fees are overtaking the cost savings of a lower plan.
- You need advanced analytics, international selling, or automation tools.
- Your team is growing and you need more staff accounts.
Further Reading
- Shopify Help Center: Change Plans — Official instructions for upgrading or downgrading Shopify plans.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Shopify Plan for Your Dropshipping Journey
Selecting the best Shopify plan for dropshipping is a balancing act between cost, features, and future growth. You’ve learned how to break down Shopify dropshipping pricing, compare features, and match plans to your business stage. Whether you’re a beginner looking for the Shopify plan for small business, or an established entrepreneur ready to scale worldwide, Shopify offers a subscription option that can fit your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Start with the plan that matches your current needs—you can always upgrade as your sales grow.
- Factor in all costs: subscription fees, transaction fees, payment processing, and app subscriptions.
- Prioritize must-have features for dropshipping: unlimited products, staff accounts, app integrations, and automation.
- Use real-world scenarios and cost calculations to make an informed decision.
Next Steps:
- Make a checklist of your feature and cost priorities.
- Use Shopify’s free trial to test different plans and apps.
- Track your monthly costs and monitor when an upgrade could save you money on fees.
Remember: the best Shopify plan for dropshipping is the one that helps you reach your business goals today—with a clear path to scale tomorrow.
Further Learning
- Shopify Learn — Free courses and tutorials on Shopify and ecommerce to keep growing your skills.
In the next part of this guide, we’ll dive deeper into advanced optimization and scaling strategies for Shopify dropshipping businesses. Stay tuned!
About Prateeksha Web Design
Prateeksha Web Design helps businesses turn tutorials like "What Shopify Plan Is Best for Dropshipping: The Complete Guide" into real-world results with custom websites, performance optimization, and automation. From strategy to implementation, our team supports you at every stage of your digital journey.
Chat with us now Contact us today.
