Looking to sell your products online without a big budget or complex setup? The Shopify Starter Plan could be the answer.
Designed for social media and entry-level sellers, this $5/month plan makes it easy to start selling directly through platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
The Starter Plan provides basic tools to help you share product links and manage sales without needing a full online store.
It’s a simple, affordable way to get started with Shopify and reach customers right where they spend their time online. Let’s get into all the details above this plan.
Shopify Starter Plan – Quick Verdict
Based on the analysis, here’s my quick verdict for the Shopify starter plan;
- Best For – Social sellers and influencers, small businesses, event sellers with temporary product lines, and part-timers eager to sell online.
- Price & Benefits – Priced at $5 a month, it’s a super affordable option for online selling, packed with features like the buy button, linkpop, and 24/7 customer support.
- Limitations – Focussed on social selling rather than full e-commerce operations and a hefty 5% transaction charge.
What Is The Shopify Starter Plan
Shopify Starter Plan is the successor of the Shopify Lite Plan, which used to cost $9 a month.
The starter plan ditches the complex modality of store creation and customization; instead, it focuses on social selling.
I’d say it’s great since you don’t have to deal with the clutter of store management.
You can create product links in a snap and share them across social media, emails, and messaging apps.
The primary idea is to tap into the audience you have already built on social media and messaging platforms and push your product via links and buy buttons.
Customers can then purchase products via Shopify’s smooth and secure checkout process.
Do you sell offline, too? Worry not, as Shopify’s starter plan also caters to in-person selling through Shopify POS. We
In essence, with the Shopify starter plan, selling is easy for the merchants, and buying is a breeze for customers.
Who Is The Plan For?
The starter plan is only available if you are a new merchant or have signed up for the trial offer.
But is the plan right for you?
To know, answer these questions;
- Are you a hobbyist looking to sell your creations online?
- Are you an influencer who wants to monetize your audience by selling directly on social media?
- Are you a part of online forums where people regularly discuss your products?
- Do you want to sell online without a dedicated website?
- Are you a small business like a boutique, wanting an online store without burning a hole in your pocket?
- Do you sell periodically, like event-related merchandise, and enjoy a quick online setup for selling?
If your answer is ‘Yes’ for any of the above profiles, I think the Shopify Starter Plan is right for you, and the $5 spent will be worthwhile.
Who Is This Plan Not For?
Onboarding the plan is indeed a breeze; however, I won’t suggest the starter plan if you fall into any of these categories;
- You need a dedicated store with extensive features like abandoned cart recovery, discount codes, etc.
- The starter plan doesn’t support a staff account. If you need to add staff, go with higher plans.
- The starter plan is particularly suitable for social selling. If social media isn’t your forte, I think other plans might be more viable.
Note: If you want to know more about Shopify and how you can use its features, then check our detailed Shopify review.
How Much Does The Starter Plan From Shopify Cost?
The Starter Plan from Shopify costs a mere $5, and the subscription lasts a month. That’s significantly less than other Shopify plans, costing between 8x and 50x more than the starter plan.
That said, the starter plan cuts a flat 5% transaction fee, almost double that of the other plans. But I think the simplicity of the plan, coupled with a non-existent upfront cost, still makes it an affordable option.
Besides, with the current introductory offer, you can enjoy the starter plan free of cost for three days, and then it’s just $1 for the first month.
Honestly, it’s the best way for new entrepreneurs to dip their feet in the e-commerce world.
What Are The Features That Shopify Starter Plan Offers?
- Reports and analytics for tracking business performance.
- International commerce through Shopify Markets.
- The simple spotlight theme for quick store creation.
- Linkpop tool for simplified social selling
- Order management tool to manage orders
- Unlimited product pages to cater to an extensive product range.
- Shopify cart to facilitate order processing.
- A contact page to address customer inquiries.
- Round-the-clock customer support.
How Is The Shopify Starter Plan Different From The Standard Plans?
Shopify starter plan differs from other Shopify offers in many aspects. Here’s a quick comparison of the starter plan with the Shopify Basic Plan.
| Shopify Starter Plan | Shopify Basic Plan | |
| Pricing | $5 per month | $39 per month |
| Staff Accounts | Not Available | Up to 2 staff accounts |
| Features | Linkpop, customer support, order management, analytics | Dedicated storefront, multiple inventory locations, blog, manual order creating, Gift Cards and more. |
| Ecommerce Automation | Not Available | Available |
| Themes | Single Theme Available | Multiple Themes Available |
| Customization | Limited to Logo, color, and social media links | Extensive customization options available. |
Shopify starter and Shopify standard plan are fundamentally different. However, I think it’s not the feature or pricing that matters here – it’s the purpose.
Shopify’s starter plan has an entirely different approach to e-commerce.
It’s a well-crafted plan with the entire focus on social selling. The simplicity, the scope, and the features, mainly the ‘Linkpop’ tool, serve the purpose well.
In contrast, standard Shopify plans are for full-fledged e-commerce operations and are well-equipped for customization, branding, and scalability.
Get Started With The Shopify Starter Plan – Easy Steps To Follow!
Signing up for the Shopify starter plan is straightforward. I am sure you won’t hit a bump.
Here’s the process you should follow to get started;
Step 1 – Open a browser and enter shopify.com/starter in the URL box. It will take you directly to the signup page.
Step 2 – Here, hit the ‘Get Started Free Button.’
Step 3 – The setup will ask you a few questions to understand your preferences regarding the Shopify store.
Step 4 – Next, choose the country where you reside. It’s an essential step since it governs Shopify policies and determines shipping, tax and duty obligations, and localization.
Step 5 – Next, you need to pick the signup option.
Step 6 – Once the signup is complete, you will be taken straight to the Shopify admin page.
The admin page has everything for you to launch your store and get started with online selling. We have also explained other plans of Shopify in detail here.
Shopify Starter Plan – What Are Its Pros and Cons?
Like any subscription, the starter plan has its advantages and drawbacks. Here’s where it hits the mark and where it misses, in my opinion;
Pros
- An affordable entry point at just $5 a month gets you started in no time.
- The Buy Buttons allow you to sell instantly. Share them across social media profiles, emails, messages, and forums – possibilities are numerous.
- A central admin dashboard brings everything together, making online selling a hassle-free experience.
- Quick store setup – all you need is an image and a killer description, and you are good to sell online.
- Shopify-powered checkouts for faster and more secure transactions.
Cons
- The 5% transaction fee indeed felt high, particularly when compared to other Shopify plans, where the charges are 2.5% to 2.7% per transaction.
- There’s only one theme available, Spotlight;
- Buy Buttons are indeed a novelty in the starter plan, but you can’t create standalone online stores. It limits branding opportunities, which hurts in the long run.
Shopify Starter vs Shopify Basic Plans: Features Comparison
Here is the side-by-side comparison between Shopify Starter and Shopify Basic plans to help you choose.
| Features | Shopify Starter | Shopify Basic |
| Monthly Cost | $5/month | $39/month |
| Online Store | No | Yes |
| Sales Channels | Social media, existing websites | Online store, social media, POS |
| Product Listings | Limited | Unlimited |
| Buy Button | Yes | No (Full online store instead) |
| Shipping Discounts | No | Yes |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | No | Yes |
| Blog | No | Yes |
| Staff Accounts | Not available | 2 |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal For | Small sellers, social media sales | Growing businesses needing an online store |
More On Shopify:
Get The Shopify Starter Plan At $5/Month And Start Your Online Store
The Shopify starter plan’s simplicity and affordability blew me away.
At just the price of a cup of coffee, I think it’s an incredible option for newbies and social influencers. The Buy Button is truly intuitive, but the Linkpop feature impressed me the most.
It turns your social media link in your bio into a full-fledged e-commerce store, perfect for easy product selling.
However, the absence of a dedicated store and limited customization options make it less ideal for established businesses. Also, the 5% transaction fee will surely push you towards other plans once you begin scaling the business.
However, for me, it’s a perfect launchpad for aspiring e-commerce sellers, particularly on social media platforms.
So, grab the Shopify Starter Plan now and open the gateway for hassle-free online selling at $5/month.
