Shopify FAQ - We clarify frequently asked questions about Shopify and Shopify Plus.

Especially companies that want to get fresh into e-commerce or online merchants that want to switch from another store system like Magento, WooCommerce or Shopware deal intensively with Shopify. Shopify is a cloud-based commerce platform from Canada that is now used by more than one million merchants worldwide.

As one of the first recognized Shopify experts in Germany, with more than 200 online stores under management and as the first official Shopify Plus agency in the DACH region, we have gathered a wealth of expertise over the past seven years. To some extent, we try to pass this on. That's why we would like to address the most frequently asked questions about Shopify and Shopify Plus in the following article.

How does Shopify work?

As mentioned before, Shopify is a cloud-based system and a pure SaaS solution. The hosting, operating systems, servers, and thus the entire operational technology of your Shopify store is managed by Shopify itself, which means you don't have to worry about backups, updates, or implementing new versions.

To use Shopify, you log in to your browser or Shopify app and access their backend and admin area from there. Here you can add products and categories, place legally relevant information on additional pages, and change the design using drag and drop. In the theme and app store you will find many free as well as paid designs as well as extensions for your store.

With 99.98% uptime and a free SSL certificate, Shopify is a secure solution that won't let you down even with high traffic.

How much does Shopify cost?

Shopify is available in different plans, whose costs are due per month. The cheapest version is Shopify Starter with 5€ per month. Here you get the possibility to use Shopify without a complete store. Shopify Lite allows you to add an e-commerce functionality on an existing website via buy button or sell on Facebook.

Furthermore, Shopify plans include the Basic plan for 36€ per month plus 2% transaction fee and the Shopify plan with 105€ /month (plus 1% transaction fee). With Shopify Advanced, currently the most comprehensive standard tariff, a monthly payment of 384€ plus 0.5% transaction fee is due.

Those who are confident with Shopify can also save if annual subscriptions are taken directly. There is a 10% discount on the annual plan and 20% on the two-year plan.

Note that a Shopify subscription can currently only be paid for with dollars and you must have a credit card. Of course, you can run your store itself in your country's currency without any problems!

Can I test Shopify before selecting a plan?

Yes! Shopify offers you the option of a 14-day trial period. This way you can first familiarize yourself with the features and scope of Shopify.

Is Shopify cancellable on a monthly basis?

If Shopify is not for you after the initial trial period, you can cancel your account at any time on a monthly basis. To do so, you need to contact Shopify Support and follow the instructions for the cancellation procedure.

Is Shopify good?

Our years of working with Shopify and feedback from numerous merchants and retailers has shown that Shopify is one of the best hosted solutions to quickly build a stylish store that is stable, scalable and easy to manage.

Shopify not only allows its customers to sell digital and physical products through their own online store, but also offers the ability to be active on major marketplaces through interfaces with eBay and Amazon. Sales on Facebook and Instagram as well as in stationary stores through the Shopify POS can also be implemented.

Shopify offers many options and connections, from marketing to payment to shipping, so that merchants and traders can start trading online without any problems. Shopify supports over 100 payment processes worldwide and is used by large companies like Tesla or Red Bull as well as startups and local businesses.

Who is Shopify suitable for?

Thanks to the different plans, Shopify is suitable for any size of business. Since Shopify is easy to set up and use, and requires no technical knowledge, it's also great for e-commerce beginners.

Is Shopify customizable?

Shopify, with its now over 5,000 apps in the Shopify App Store, has a whole range of design options at the ready, allowing you to design your store entirely according to your wishes. Themes are also customizable, so that they match your corporate design and you can optimally build your brand and adapt it to your target group.

However, there is a downer in the checkout, which is only customizable to a limited extent in Shopify's standard plans. Additional fields, logos, information or payment methods cannot be easily inserted here. You only have this option when using Shopify Plus, which we will discuss later in this article.

Besides Shopify's theme editor, where design templates can be customized, there are also other tools to work and code at the code level. Shopify provides Theme Kit, a cross-platform tool for theme development at the local level. In addition, Shopify keeps releasing tools such as the Liquid template language.

We have explained how to create professional themes with Theme Kit and GIT in this blog post.

Do I need to ship with Shopify itself?

Not mandatory. You can also outsource logistics to a third-party fulfillment service. They prepare and ship incoming orders.

Is Shopify GDPR compliant?

Over the past three years, Shopify has placed great emphasis on providing its customers in Europe, and thus also in the DACH region, with everything they need to create a DSGVO-compliant online store. The protection of personal data has top priority. Shopify has integrated functions that allow merchants to guarantee their customers transparency and control over their data.

However, some measures must be implemented independently by you as a merchant, for example the creation of a complete privacy policy. No matter which system you use, you should always seek the assistance of a lawyer or secure additional advice from experts such as the Händlerbund or the IT-Recht Kanzlei.

What is Shopify Payments?

Shopify Payments is the payment option directly from Shopify. It allows you to offer credit card payment and payment via other popular payment methods without having to negotiate a contract and arrange activation with every single third-party provider. Klarna, Sofortüberweisung, Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay, for example, can be easily offered with it. Shopify Payments is integrated directly into your Shopify admin area, so all payments can be viewed at a glance.

Is there an enterprise solution from Shopify?

With the previously mentioned Shopify Plus, Shopify has created an omnichannel enterprise platform that allows companies to grow and scale their business. The enterprise version of Shopify can be implemented in a fraction of the time compared to other large enterprise solutions. A support and expert team helps Shopify Plus customers achieve their goals with special service and advice. First and foremost, Shopify Plus gives merchants more leeway when it comes to automation, customization, and online store management.

How much does Shopify Plus cost?

The cost of Shopify Plus is calculated based on a store's monthly revenue and is 0.25%. The price for the Enterprise solution is at least $2,000 per month.

For example, if you make $900,000 in revenue per month, the monthly payment to Shopify is $2,250.

What is the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

When it comes to the differences between the standard Shopify plans and Shopify Plus, it can generally be said that Shopify Plus gives merchants and retailers a much greater hand over customizations in their store.

With Shopify Plus, for example, the checkout can be customized, spiked with additional information, logos can be deposited and trust-building statements can be placed.

Another big difference is the personalized support that Shopify Plus customers are entitled to. You'll get a Launch Manager to help you get your store off the ground. After that, you'll be assigned your own Merchant Success Manager to help you run the day-to-day operations in the best possible way and have sustainable success with your online store. Coaching is also available here so you can make important business decisions with verified data.

Of course, with Shopify Plus you also get more e-commerce features like faster store speed and the ability to customize themes, payment methods, or any other aspect of your store down to the last detail with the Script Editor.

How can I integrate a FAQ into my Shopify store?

You can add the FAQ as a page to your Shopify store. To do this, follow these steps: In your Shopify admin area, go to your online store. Then click on Add pages and page. Here you can now integrate all FAQ to your online store and then add the page to your footer or header.

Alternatively, you can also use apps from the Shopify App Store to integrate your FAQ into Shopify.

You want to start with Shopify or Shopify Plus, but need experts with many years of experience at your side? The team at Latori will be happy to support you! Simply contact us.