Shopify Review 2025: Is It Right For You? - Business Expert
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Shopify is one of the leading e-commerce, sales, and POS solutions on the market, helping to run over 5.4 million stores worldwide, including over 216,000 in the UK. 

Whether you’re just starting out or have been established for years, Shopify offers a variety of subscription plans that can be customised to your business needs.

In this review, we’ll examine some of Shopify’s key features so you can decide if it’s worth the investment.

Our Verdict

Shopify is an excellent option for businesses seeking a flexible, scalable e-commerce solution with solid marketing and management tools. 

Its main strengths lie in its user-friendliness, flexible plans, and comprehensive suite of marketing tools. The platform simplifies online store management, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned entrepreneurs. With extensive templates, customisation options, and integrations with popular marketplaces and third-party apps, Shopify supports diverse product ranges and provides robust mobile management capabilities. 

However, Shopify does have its drawbacks. The costs associated with the platform can be pretty high, particularly for advanced plans, which might be a concern for cost-sensitive businesses. Additionally, some users have reported inconsistent customer support, technical glitches, and challenges with the platform’s advanced features and customisation options. Issues such as fraud management and reliance on third-party apps may also detract from the overall user experience, potentially impacting businesses that require more specialised solutions or face significant transaction volumes.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Ease of Use: Simplifies setting up and managing online stores, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Flexible Plans: Multiple plans to suit different business sizes, from sole traders to large enterprises.
  • Mobile Apps: Manage your store on the go with real-time notifications and order management through mobile apps.
  • Customisation: Offers extensive templates, themes, and customisation options for building a unique storefront.
  • Marketing Tools: Includes tools for customer segmentation, email marketing, automation, and abandoned checkout recovery.
  • Integration: Connects with various third-party apps and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
  • 24/7 Support: Provides round-the-clock support via live chat and is praised for being prompt and helpful.
  • Integrated Payments: Supports various payment methods and simplifies transactions through Shopify Payments.
Cons
  • Expensive Fees: Monthly subscription fees, especially for advanced plans, can be high. Additional transaction fees apply if you do not use Shopify Payments.
  • Inconsistent Support: Complaints about delays, unresolved issues, and lack of direct contact options.
  • Complex Features: Advanced features and theme customisation can be complicated and challenging.
  • Technical Glitches: Users encounter login difficulties and glitches affecting store functionality.
  • Handling Fraud: Issues with fraudulent sellers and scams. Some users were dissatisfied with the platform’s response and support.
  • Reliance on Third-Party Apps: Some users find that relying on additional apps can slow down their site and add to overall costs.

Shopify At A Glance

ItemShopify Details
Subscription Plans1. Basic – For sole traders
2. Shopify – For small businesses and teams
3. Advanced – For scaling businesses
4. Plus – For larger businesses with complex needs
PricingAccount fees range from £25 per month (Basic) to £344 per month (Advanced), plus transaction fees.
Shopify Plus starts from approximately £1,755 per month (on a 3-year term).
SalesOnline store and checkout builder, unlimited web hosting, custom domain, discount codes, gift cards, B2B sales, and POS.
MarketingOver 60 analytics reports, customer segmentation, Shopify Email, Shopify Forms, automation, and abandoned checkout recovery.
IntegrationsConnects to marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. Supports over 6,000 apps, including PageFly, Section Store, Track123, and Instafeed.
CustomizationOffers templates and themes; ability to build custom apps with API access.
Ease of UseManage your account using an internet browser or via the mobile app; user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop editor.
Customer Support24/7 support via live chat; Plus plan customers have access to priority support, including telephone support.
ReviewsTrustpilot: 4.5/5 from over 12,000 reviews
Apple App Store: 4.8/5
Google Play Store: 4.6/5

Who Should Use Shopify (And Who Shouldn’t)?

Shopify is suitable for:

  • Businesses that need extensive online marketing tools

  • Companies looking for flexible, scalable solutions.

  • Businesses that require integrated payment options.

  • E-commerce businesses with diverse product ranges.

  • Companies looking for strong mobile management capabilities.

Shopify is less suitable for:

  • Businesses that mainly do business in person and accept a large volume of cash payments.

  • Cost-sensitive businesses with tight budgets.

  • Companies that want a simple solution.

  • Less tech-savvy business owners.

  • Sellers looking for a marketplace environment rather than a standalone store.

Shopify Products & Features

Basic Plan

Best For: Sole traders and selling on social media

Key Features:

  • Full access to the online store and checkout builder, including templates and themes.

  • Unlimited web hosting, a custom domain, free SSL certificate and standard checkout capacity.

  • Build 1 custom storefront.

  • Encourage international business with language translation, currency conversion, local payment methods, local domains, and up to 3 customisable markets.

  • You can add unlimited products and services to up to 10 inventory locations.

  • Use Shopify Marketplace Connect to connect and list your inventory on supported marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Etsy.

  • 50 free Shopify-synced listings on supported marketplaces each month.

  • Marketing tools include customer segmentation, Shopify Email, Shopify Forms, automatiation, and abandoned checkout recovery.

  • Create discount codes and offer gift cards.

  • Ability to grant access to your store for 3rd parties like developers and designers through Collaborator Accounts.

  • Create over 60+ standard analytics reports to monitor your store’s performance.

  • Get support 24/7 via live chat.

  • Accept in-person payments using Shopify POS Lite.

  • Customise your solution through 3rd party integrations and e-commerce automation.

  • Build your own app using limited data access to Shopify APIs with a standard rate limit.

  • Optional add-ons include the Tax Platform for accurate estimates and Shopify POS Pro.

  • When you use Shopify Payment, fraud analysis will alert you to fraudulent orders.

Shopify Plan

Best For: Small businesses and teams

Key Features: Everything in the Basic plan, plus

  • Give up to 5 staff members access to your store, including customisable permissions.

  • Full data access to the Shopify APIs, including personally identifiable information (PII).

Advanced Plan

Best For: Medium businesses with growing needs

Key Features: Everything in the Basic and Shopify plans, plus

  • Create up to 15 staff accounts with access controls.

  • Generate over 60+ custom reports and analytics.

  • Enhanced 24/7 live chat support for any queries or troubleshooting.

  • Create a checkout experience with 10x the standard capacity.

  • Accurately estimate and collect duties and import taxes to provide transparent pricing for international customers.

  • Increased API rate limit of up to 2x on select APIs.

  • Optional add-ons include additional custom markets.

Plus Plan

Best For: Large businesses with complex needs

Key Features: Everything in the Basic, Shopify and Plus plans

  • Build up to 25 headless storefronts using Shopify’s toolkit.

  • Add up to 9 additional stores under one brand to target different languages and currencies.

  • Create unlimited additional staff accounts with customisable permissions and admin organisation.

  • Manage up to 200 inventory locations, including stores, warehouses and pop-up locations.

  • Schedule automated product releases, promotions and updates for time-saving store management.

  • Increase your checkout conversion rate with advanced customisations and a 40x larger capacity.

  • Sell wholesale and Direct to Consumer (DTC) from a single account.

  • Create up to 50 localised customised markets, targeting specific countries and regions.

  • There are 20 Shopify POS Pro locations or 200 locations with Shopify Payments.

  • Build a custom app with flexible personalisations using Shopify Functions.

  • Up to 10x the standard API rate on select APIS and up to 500% higher API call limits.

  • Benefit from bot protection during flash sales.

  • Control over the use of new features on your store to reduce technical glitches.

  • Get priority support 24/7 by telephone and live chat.

  • Access to Shopify Plus Certified App Partners specifically selected based on quality and effectiveness.

Pricing & Fees Breakdown

ServiceBasicShopifyAdvancedPlus
Account fee£25 per month or £228 per year£65 per month or £588 per year£344 per month or £3,108 per yearFrom $2,300 (approx £1,755) per month on a 3-year term
Online Credit Card Rates (Shopify Payments)2.9% + 30p per transaction2.7% + 30p per transaction2.4% + 30p per transactionCustom rates
Online International Credit Card Rates (Shopify Payments)3.9% + 30p per transaction3.7% + 30p per transaction3.4% + 30p per transactionCustom rates
Bancontact Rates2.2% + 20p (verify current rate)1.9% + 20p (verify current rate)1.6% + 20p (verify current rate)Custom rates
iDEAL Rates2.2% + 20p (verify current rate)1.9% + 20p (verify current rate)1.6% + 20p (verify current rate)Custom rates
In-person Card Transaction Rates1.7% per transaction1.6% per transaction1.5% per transactionCustom rates
Third-Party Transaction Fee (Not Using Shopify Payments)2%1%0.5%0.15%
Shopify POS Pro£69 per location per month£69 per location per month£69 per location per month20 locations included or 200 with Shopify Payments
More than 50 Shopify-Synced Orders1% up to $99 (~£75) per month (clarify if applicable)1% up to $99 (~£75) per month1% up to $99 (~£75) per month1% up to $99 (~£75) per month (clarify if applicable)
Additional Custom MarketsN/AN/A$59 (~£45) per month per added active marketN/A

Ease of Use

Shopify is designed to be highly user-friendly, particularly for those new to e-commerce. Whether starting from scratch or migrating from another platform, Shopify provides an intuitive and supportive experience.

One of Shopify’s standout features is its comprehensive Help Centre, which offers detailed step-by-step guides to help you set up your account and store. These guides cover everything from basic setup to more advanced features, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial steps before making your first sale. 

Another aspect that makes Shopify easy to use is its accessibility from any device. You can manage your store through any internet browser or several mobile apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These apps allow you to manage your store on the go, with features like real-time notifications, dashboard access, and order management. The Shopify POS app, for instance, is handy for those needing to accept payments directly from their smartphone or tablet, making it easy to run your business from anywhere.

Safety & Security

At Shopify, the safety of your business and your customers’ personal information is a top priority. Here’s how Shopify keeps everything secure:

  • Top-Tier Payment Security: Shopify is fully compliant with PCI DSS Level 1, the highest standard for payment processors. This means any credit card information handled through your store meets strict security guidelines, giving both you and your customers peace of min

  • Free SSL Certificate: Every Shopify store comes with a free SSL certificate. This encrypts the data between your store and your customers, so sensitive details like credit card numbers and personal information stay protected during checkout and as they browse your site.

  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): To add an extra layer of security, Shopify requires two-factor authentication when accessing Shopify Payments. This means even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to log in without a second form of verification.

  • Built-In Fraud Detection: Shopify provides fraud analysis tools that help you spot suspicious orders. These tools flag potentially risky transactions so you can review them before deciding to fulfil them, reducing the chance of chargebacks and losses.

  • GDPR Compliance: If you have customers in the European Union, you’ll appreciate that Shopify is fully GDPR compliant. This ensures that all customer data is handled according to strict EU privacy laws, helping you avoid legal issues and build trust with international customers.

  • Staff Permissions and Activity Logs: You can set specific permissions for your staff members, controlling who has access to different parts of your store’s admin area. Plus, Shopify keeps activity logs, so you can see who did what and when—great for accountability and catching any unauthorized changes.

  • Secure Connections: All data transferred between your store and your customers is protected using Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 or higher. This means information like login details and payment info is encrypted and safe from prying eyes.

  • Account Monitoring: Shopify monitors for unusual login activity. If they detect something out of the ordinary—like a login from a new device or location—they’ll send you an alert and may require additional verification to ensure it’s really you.

  • Regular Security Updates: The platform continuously monitors and receives regular security updates. Shopify is proactive about addressing potential vulnerabilities, which helps keep your store running smoothly with over 99.9% uptime.

By taking care of these security aspects, Shopify allows you to focus on what you do best—growing your business. Your customers can shop confidently, knowing their data is protected, which helps build trust and encourages repeat business.

What Shopify Customers Say

Shopify has received mixed customer feedback, with a “bad” average TrustPilot rating of 1.1 out of 5 based on 1,047 reviews. However, users have rated Shopify’s apps more favourably, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 21,000 reviews on the Apple App Store and 4.5 out of 5 based on 43,200 ratings on the Google Play Store. 

Common customer comments include:

Positive Reviews

  • Ease of Use: Users frequently praise Shopify’s user-friendly interface, which simplifies setting up and managing online stores, even for beginners.

  • Extensive Features: The platform is commended for its comprehensive tools and features that aid in-store management, including customisation options and integration with various apps.

  • Excellent Customer Service: Many reviewers highlight prompt, friendly, and effective customer support, appreciating the professionalism and helpfulness of support representatives.

  • Overall Effectiveness: Users find Shopify a reliable choice for e-commerce, supporting efficient store management and business growth.

  • Integration with Apps: The ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party apps is frequently appreciated. These integrations help users extend the platform’s capabilities and streamline business operations.

Negative Reviews

  • Customer Service Issues: There are numerous complaints about poor customer service, including delays in response, unresolved issues, and lack of direct contact options.

  • Fraud and Security Concerns: Users report frustrations with fraudulent sellers and scams, expressing dissatisfaction with Shopify’s handling of these issues and recovering lost funds.

  • High Costs: Several reviews mention that Shopify’s fees can become prohibitively expensive as businesses grow, with additional hidden charges and difficulty managing subscriptions.

  • Technical Problems: Glitch issues, difficulties logging in, and limitations with payment options are commonly noted, affecting the platform’s functionality and reliability.

  • Complexity and Customisation: Some users find the platform’s advanced features and theme customisation options complex and challenging, especially for more sophisticated needs.

Alternatives to Shopify

FeatureShopifyBigCommerceSquarespaceEcwid
Prices From£25 per month or £228 per year$39 (approx £30) per month or $348 (approx £265) per year£16 per month or £144 per year£0
Free Trial
Payments
Inventory
Marketing
Mobile App
Learn MoreVisit ShopifyVisit BigCommerceVisit SquarespaceVisit Ecwid

Shopify FAQs

Yes, Shopify works in the UK. It provides a platform for UK businesses to create and manage online stores, supporting UK-specific payment gateways, local currencies (including GBP), and shipping options.

No, you don’t need technical skills to use Shopify. The platform is designed with ease of use in mind, featuring a drag-and-drop store builder and customizable templates. For advanced customization, access to HTML, CSS, and Shopify’s Liquid templating language is available, but not necessary for creating a professional-looking store.

No, Shopify is not free to use, but it offers a 14-day free trial, allowing you to explore its features before committing to a paid plan. During the trial, you can set up your online store, customize themes, add products, and configure payment and shipping settings. After the trial, Shopify requires a monthly subscription, with various pricing tiers depending on your desired features.

Yes, Shopify offers its own integrated payment gateway called Shopify Payments, which streamlines the payment process by eliminating the need for third-party providers. While Shopify Payments is powered by Stripe’s technology in some regions, you don’t need a separate Stripe account. Shopify Payments allows you to accept major credit cards and offers lower transaction fees compared to using external payment gateways. If you prefer, you can also integrate with third-party payment providers like PayPal.

Yes, Shopify is suitable for beginners. It’s user-friendly with an intuitive interface, making it easy for those with little to no technical experience to set up and manage an online store. On average, new Shopify users can launch their store within 2 days, significantly faster than industry standards. Its 24/7 customer support and extensive resources, like tutorials and webinars, help beginners navigate any challenges.

Shopify simplifies taxes and compliance by providing automatic tax calculations based on your location and your customers’ locations. For international sales, Shopify can calculate duties and import taxes, ensuring transparent pricing for your global customers. The platform is also fully GDPR-compliant, helping you adhere to data protection regulations in the European Union.

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