If you’re a former Magento user looking for a new e-commerce platform, Shopify Plus could be the perfect solution for you. With its advanced capabilities and dedicated support, Shopify Plus offers numerous benefits that can help streamline your business operations and drive growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of Shopify Plus for former Magento users, highlighting why it’s a compelling choice for your e-commerce needs.
1. What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform company headquartered in Canada. It started by serving small retailers and has grown over time to become a globally recognized brand. Shopify provides a user-friendly platform for businesses to create and manage their online stores, offering a wide range of features and customizable options.
Shopify Plus, also known as Shopify+, is a premium version of Shopify specifically designed to cater to more complex brands and offer additional resources. This platform provides advanced capabilities and support for larger businesses with higher demands.
2. What is Magento?
Magento was developed in 2007 by Varien and gained popularity in its early years. In 2018, it was acquired by Adobe. Magento 2, released in 2015, is the successor to Magento 1 and is available as open source or Magento Commerce, which can be on-premise or cloud-based.
There are two options for Magento to consider: Magento Open Source and Magento Commerce designed for large businesses with developers at hand. Magento Commerce offers powerful features but comes with a high price tag. It allows extensive customization, including security protection and various built-in features.
Key Advantages of Shopify Plus
1. Ease of use
Shopify Plus is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use. The platform offers an intuitive design that makes it easy for retailers to navigate and manage their online stores. It allows users without extensive technical knowledge to customize pages at their disposal. The drag-and-drop store builder simplifies the process of customizing the store’s appearance, enabling retailers to stay agile and focus on growth-oriented activities.
On the other hand, Magento, particularly Magento Enterprise, is considered more complex and challenging to use. It is aimed at large ecommerce businesses and requires technical proficiency, especially in backend development. Non-technical team members may find it difficult when navigating Magento’s content management system. Making simple changes or customizing the site often necessitate developer involvement, leading to longer delays and higher costs.
In summary, Shopify Plus stands out for its simplicity, agility, and accessibility, making it an attractive choice for retailers of all sizes. Magento, while powerful, can be more challenging to navigate and requires a higher level of technical expertise.
2. Pricing
When comparing the costs of Magento 2 Commerce and Shopify Plus, it becomes evident that Magento is the more expensive option at the beginning. The average cost breakdown for Magento includes an average build cost of $120,000, annual hosting fees of $24,000, annual maintenance retainer of $24,000, annual licensing cost of $22,000, and BAU development costs of $36,000. This totals to $226,000 for the first year and $438,000 after three years.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus has an average build cost of $85,000, annual licensing cost starting at $24,000, BAU development costs of $36,000, and app costs of $3,000. This amounts to $148,000 for the first year and $267,000 after three years. Additionally, Shopify Plus incurs transaction fees of at least $2,000, while Magento has no transaction fees.
In terms of hosting, Magento users must find and pay for their own hosting service, which can start at a minimum of $100 per month. This cost can increase significantly for larger businesses. In contrast, Shopify Plus is a SaaS platform and provides hosting as part of its package, eliminating the need for separate hosting costs. As a result, many businesses opt for migration from Magento to Shopify Plus for more affordable prices.
Considering all these factors, Shopify Plus offers a more cost-effective and hassle-free solution compared to Magento in the short-term plan. It is important to note that pricing may vary based on individual business operations and needs, but the general consensus is that Shopify Plus tends to be more affordable.
3. Themes and Templates
Magento 2 offers limited themes, and themes of Magento 2 may not be compatible with future versions of Magento, requiring developers to start from scratch when migrating to a new version.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers a wide selection of apps and integrations that can enhance the functionality of the ecommerce platform. With up to 100 themes available, including seasonal variations, and a network of certified Plus Partners specializing in themes, app integration, and customizations, Shopify Plus retailers can benefit from a rich ecosystem of tools and expertise to design their ecommerce websites.
However, the customization options for Shopify Plus themes are somewhat limited compared to Magento. Despite this, Shopify Plus allows some customization of the online store checkout view within certain limits.
4. Help & Support
Magento 2 primarily offers developer support, and users have the option to purchase the services of a Magento Technical Account Manager at an additional cost. Additionally, Magento users can rely on the support of the community of certified partners worldwide.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus provides 24/7 support to merchants via phone, email, or live chat. The support covers general platform-related queries, simple bug technical issues, and guidance on marketing. However, if you need support at the development level for implementing complex changes, you may need to pay additional costs to Shopify for development services. It’s recommended to have a development retainer in place to avoid substantial overhead costs.
Both platforms offer application-level support but in different ways. Shopify Plus clients can access support through various channels, while Magento Commerce clients primarily rely on developer support, which may not have the best reputation. Shopify Plus is known for providing dedicated account management functions as part of the license fee, which can assist with technical issues, platform-related questions, bug fixes, marketing guidance, and more.
In summary, while Magento 2 primarily offers developer support and relies on third-party agencies or integrators for ongoing expertise, Shopify Plus provides a comprehensive support network that includes launch engineers, solution engineers, front-end developers, and dedicated support staff. Shopify Plus aims to ensure a smooth and painless transition, offering ongoing support and resources to help merchants scale their businesses effectively.
Bottom Line
Making the switch from Magento to Shopify Plus can be a game-changer for former Magento users. The advanced capabilities, robust infrastructure, and dedicated support offered by Shopify Plus empower businesses to thrive in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. From enhanced scalability and flexibility to seamless integrations and simplified management, Shopify Plus provides a comprehensive solution that can fuel your business growth and deliver exceptional customer experiences. So, if you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, consider Shopify Plus as your platform of choice. With its proven track record and extensive features, it’s a compelling option for former Magento users seeking a reliable, scalable, and future-proof e-commerce solution.