Does Shopify take a Percentage of Sales?
As a business owner exploring e-commerce platforms, you’re likely wondering, Does Shopify take a percentage of sales? This is a critical question when choosing a platform to power your online store, especially if you’re considering ecommerce website design in Perth or seeking affordable website design packages. As a Shopify Partner and Squarespace Circle Platinum member based in Margaret River, Western Australia, I’m here to break down Shopify’s pricing structure, clarify transaction fees, and help you make an informed decision for your business.
Understanding Shopify’s Pricing Model
Shopify does not take a percentage of your sales as a flat rule, but there are transaction fees to consider depending on your plan and payment gateway. Let’s dive into the details.
Shopify Plans and Transaction Fees
Shopify offers several pricing tiers, each with different features and fee structures tailored to businesses of all sizes. Here’s a quick overview:
Basic Shopify ($39/month): Ideal for new businesses, this plan includes a 2% transaction fee if you use a third-party payment gateway (e.g., PayPal or Stripe) instead of Shopify Payments.
Shopify ($105/month): A mid-tier plan with a 1% transaction fee for third-party gateways, perfect for growing businesses needing website design & development services.
Advanced Shopify ($399/month): Designed for scaling businesses, this plan has a 0.5% transaction fee for third-party gateways.
Shopify Plus (starting at $2,000/month): For enterprise-level stores, fees are customized, often with no transaction fees when using Shopify Payments.
If you use Shopify Payments, Shopify’s built-in payment gateway, there are no transaction fees across all plans, only standard credit card processing fees (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction for the Basic plan). This makes Shopify Payments a cost-effective choice for businesses looking for affordable website designs.
Additional Fees to Consider
Beyond transaction fees, Shopify charges for certain add-ons or services:
App Subscriptions: Many Shopify apps, which enhance functionality like Shopify support for inventory or marketing, have monthly fees.
Domain and Hosting: Shopify offers domains starting at $14/year, and hosting is included in all plans.
Point of Sale (POS): Shopify’s POS system may incur additional fees for hardware or in-person transactions.
These costs are separate from sales percentages but should be factored into your budget when exploring website design packages.
How Shopify Compares to Other Platforms
When evaluating Shopify, it’s helpful to compare it to alternatives like Squarespace or Wix, especially if you’re weighing Shopify vs. Wix vs. Squarespace. Unlike Shopify, Squarespace doesn’t charge transaction fees on its Commerce plans, but its e-commerce features are less robust. Wix, while offering affordable website designer options, may charge transaction fees depending on the payment processor and plan.
Shopify’s strength lies in its scalability and e-commerce focus, making it ideal for businesses prioritizing ecommerce website design in Perth. My clients, for example, have seen a 237% increase in sessions and 142% in total sales after transitioning to Shopify with tailored website design & development services.
Tips to Minimize Shopify Fees
As an affordable website designer in Margaret River, I’ve helped businesses optimize their Shopify setups to reduce costs. Here are actionable tips:
Use Shopify Payments: Eliminate transaction fees by opting for Shopify’s native gateway.
Choose the Right Plan: Start with the Basic plan for affordable website design packages and upgrade as your sales grow.
Optimize Apps: Regularly audit your Shopify apps to avoid unnecessary subscriptions. Need help? I offer Shopify support to streamline your setup.
Leverage Free Themes: Shopify’s free themes can reduce design costs while maintaining a professional look, perfect for affordable website designs.
Why Shopify’s Fee Structure Works for Businesses
While transaction fees may seem like a drawback, Shopify’s robust features—such as customizable storefronts, secure hosting, and 24/7 support—justify the cost for many businesses. For example, my retail clients have achieved a 199% increase in website traffic within a year by leveraging Shopify’s tools alongside strategic website design packages.
If you’re still unsure whether Shopify’s pricing aligns with your goals, consider booking a free call with me. As a Shopify Partner, I can assess your needs and recommend website design & development services that maximize ROI.
Get Started with Shopify Today
Understanding Shopify’s fee structure is key to building a profitable online store. While Shopify doesn’t take a flat percentage of sales, transaction fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments. By choosing the right plan and optimizing your setup, you can keep costs low and performance high.
Ready to launch your Shopify store with ecommerce website design in Perth? Contact me, Kirstie, your local affordable website designer, for personalized Shopify support and website design packages. Book a free call to discuss your vision, or explore my Shopify services for tailored solutions.
