Starting my dropshipping business in India was both exciting and overwhelming. One of the biggest decisions I faced was choosing the right Shopify plan. With so many options, I had to figure out which one would work best for my budget, needs, and long-term goals. In this blog, I’ll share my journey and what I learned while selecting the perfect Shopify plan for my Indian dropshipping store.
Why Choosing the Right Shopify Plan Matters
When I started, I didn’t realize how much the Shopify plan I chose would impact my business. The wrong plan could limit my growth, while an expensive plan could drain my budget unnecessarily. Here’s what I considered:
Budget – I didn’t want to overspend on features I wouldn’t use.
Features – I needed tools that would make running my store easier.
Scalability – I wanted a plan that could grow with my business.
Transaction Fees – Shopify charges fees on sales, so I had to factor that in.
Exploring Shopify Plans and Pricing in India
As a beginner, I researched all the Shopify plans available and weighed my options carefully.
1. Shopify Starter Plan ($5/month)
Why I Didn’t Choose It
No full-fledged online store
Only useful for selling on social media platforms
Limited customization
2. Basic Shopify Plan ($39/month)
Why I Started With This Plan
Full online store with a website and blog
2 staff accounts (I needed one for my VA)
24/7 customer support (helpful when I ran into issues)
Basic reports to track my store’s progress
3. Shopify Plan ($105/month)
When I Considered Upgrading
More detailed reports to track performance
Lower transaction fees
5 staff accounts (useful if I expanded my team)
Better shipping discounts
4. Advanced Shopify Plan ($399/month)
Why I Haven’t Upgraded Yet
Great for high-volume stores, but I wasn’t there yet
15 staff accounts (I don’t need that many yet)
Custom report builder (useful, but not essential for me right now)
Lowest transaction fees
5. Shopify Plus ($2,000+/month)
Not for Me (Yet)
Meant for large enterprises
Custom automation and integrations
Dedicated account manager
How I Made My Decision
1. My Budget Constraints
I started with the Basic Shopify Plan because it was affordable and had everything I needed. Investing in an expensive plan early on didn’t make sense for me.
2. Considering My Sales Volume
I knew that if my sales increased significantly, I’d need better analytics and lower transaction fees. That’s when I started looking into the Shopify Plan for a future upgrade.
3. Understanding Payment Gateway Fees
Since Shopify Payments isn’t available in India, I had to use third-party payment gateways like Razorpay and PayU. Here’s what I found:
Basic Shopify: 2% transaction fee
Shopify: 1% transaction fee
Advanced Shopify: 0.5% transaction fee
Shopify Plus: Negotiated rates
Lower transaction fees sounded great, but I didn’t want to jump to a higher plan until my sales justified it.
4. The Need for Better Reports
Initially, I didn’t think I’d need professional reports, but as my store grew, tracking performance became more important. The Shopify Plan offered better insights, making it a tempting upgrade.
5. Customer Support and Scaling Up
Shopify’s 24/7 support helped me a lot as a beginner. When my business started scaling, I looked into more automation and app integrations, which became easier with higher plans.
My Journey: Lessons Learned from Choosing the Right Shopify Plan
Looking back, choosing the right Shopify plan was a learning process. When I first launched my store, I was tempted to go for a higher plan, thinking it would make my business more successful. But I soon realized that spending extra money on features I didn’t need would only hurt my budget.
How I Chose the Right Shopify Plan for My Indian Dropshipping Store
After careful evaluation, I focused on what my business truly needed. I started with a basic plan that covered essential features like product listing, payment processing, and basic analytics. As my dropshipping store grew, I upgraded only when I needed advanced tools, ensuring I made the most cost-effective decision for my business.
This experience taught me that understanding my store’s actual requirements and scaling accordingly was the best strategy for long-term success.
Starting with Basic Shopify allowed me to test my business idea without a significant financial burden. As my store grew, I gradually explored more advanced options. This step-by-step approach helped me scale my business wisely without unnecessary expenses.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that growth should dictate your upgrade, not the other way around. Instead of choosing an expensive plan in the beginning, I focused on increasing my sales and revenue first. This strategy made my business more sustainable and profitable.
What I Recommend Based on My Experience
Business Stage | Recommended Shopify Plan |
Just starting out | Shopify Starter |
Small dropshipping store | Basic Shopify |
Growing business | Shopify |
High-volume store | Advanced Shopify |
Large-scale enterprise | Shopify Plus |
Conclusion: How I Chose the Right Shopify Plan for My Indian Dropshipping Store
Starting my dropshipping business in India was both exciting and overwhelming. One of the biggest decisions I faced was choosing the right Shopify plan. With so many options, I had to figure out which one would work best for my budget, needs, and long-term goals. In this blog, I’ll share my journey and what I learned while selecting the perfect Shopify plan for my Indian dropshipping store.
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