Shopify Starter Plan: Start Selling From Your Store At $5/mo 

I am a big fan of Shopify since I owe much of my e-commerce success to the platform.

I recently stumbled upon this new Shopify offering, the Shopify Starter Plan.

At just $5 a month, I couldn’t resist knowing all about this most affordable Shopify plan!

Spoiler Alert: It’s crafted for newbies and social sellers seeking a hassle-free start in e-commerce.

What else I found out?

Here’s my detailed breakdown of the plan that sheds some light on its features and pricing and its highs and lows. Let’s dive in!

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;

More On Shopify:

• Is Shopify Down
• Shopify Discount Code
• Shopify Free Trial

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.