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Running a successful Shopify store requires more than just a visually appealing website. Behind the scenes, businesses need powerful tools that streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and support long-term growth.
This is where Shopify Plus stands out.
While many merchants know Shopify Plus for its scalability and enterprise capabilities, the platform also includes several lesser-known features that can significantly improve how you manage and grow your ecommerce business.
In this guide, we’ll explore 14 powerful Shopify Plus features that many merchants overlook—but can make a major difference in efficiency, automation, and global expansion.
1. Advanced Permission Settings
Shopify Plus allows you to control exactly who can access specific areas of your store’s admin panel.
You can assign permissions to different team members, determining who can view, edit, or delete information such as:
- Products
- Orders
- Reports and analytics
This granular control helps businesses delegate responsibilities while protecting sensitive areas of the store.
For example, a global fashion retailer could give the marketing team access to analytics dashboards while restricting their ability to modify store settings.
2. Expansion Stores for Global Markets
Expanding internationally often requires localized storefronts to meet different customer expectations.
Shopify Plus allows merchants to create up to nine expansion stores, enabling businesses to build region-specific storefronts.
This allows companies to customize:
- Pricing strategies
- Language and currency
- Product availability
For example, a beauty brand might operate separate stores for North America, Europe, and Asia, ensuring each region receives a localized shopping experience.
3. Increased API Limits
Shopify Plus offers higher API rate limits compared to standard Shopify plans.
This feature is especially valuable for businesses that rely heavily on custom apps, integrations, and automation workflows.
With expanded API resources, developers can:
- Build advanced integrations
- Sync data between multiple systems
- Automate complex operations without performance bottlenecks
This capability is essential for businesses managing large volumes of transactions or complex technology stacks.
4. Access to Specialized Apps and Sales Channels
Shopify Plus merchants gain access to several exclusive apps and sales tools designed for high-growth businesses.
One popular example is Launchpad, which allows merchants to schedule and automate major sales events.
With Launchpad, businesses can automate:
- Flash sales
- Product launches
- Holiday promotions
- Limited-time campaigns
For example, a home décor brand could schedule a seasonal sale that automatically updates pricing, inventory, and store banners.
5. Shopify POS Pro Integration
Businesses that operate both online and offline stores benefit greatly from Shopify POS Pro integration.
Shopify Plus includes support for up to 20 POS locations, allowing merchants to unify their online and physical store operations.
This integration enables:
- Unified inventory tracking
- Seamless order management
- Cross-channel returns and exchanges
Customers can purchase online and return items in store, creating a smooth omnichannel shopping experience.
6. Extensive Theme Management
Shopify Plus merchants can upload up to 100 themes to their store.
This allows businesses to experiment with multiple designs, seasonal layouts, and A/B tests without disrupting their live store.
This flexibility helps brands test different layouts and user experiences to identify which designs deliver the best conversion rates.
7. Shopify Plus Partner Program
The Shopify Plus Partner Program supports agencies, consultants, and system integrators who help businesses scale on the platform.
Partners gain access to:
- Marketing support
- Advanced training resources
- Business development opportunities
There are four partner tiers:
- Registered
- Plus
- Premier
- Platinum
To qualify, partners must demonstrate technical expertise, experience working with high-growth brands, and successful project implementations.
8. Expanded Location Management
As ecommerce businesses scale, managing inventory across multiple warehouses becomes increasingly complex.
Shopify Plus supports up to 200 inventory locations, allowing businesses to track stock across warehouses, retail stores, and fulfillment centers.
This feature improves:
- Inventory accuracy
- Order fulfillment efficiency
- Delivery speed
For example, a global electronics company can manage inventory across multiple countries while maintaining real-time stock visibility.
9. Unlimited Development Stores
Testing new features or design changes before launching them live is critical for maintaining a smooth customer experience.
Shopify Plus provides unlimited development stores, allowing businesses to safely test updates without affecting their production environment.
For instance, a tech brand could experiment with a new checkout flow in a development store before rolling it out to customers.
10. Advanced Internationalization with Shopify Markets
Shopify Markets allows businesses to manage global sales from a single platform.
With Shopify Plus, merchants can operate in up to 50 international markets, customizing each region with:
- Local currencies
- Language options
- Regional pricing
- Country-specific payment methods
This level of customization helps brands deliver a localized shopping experience to customers worldwide.
11. Advanced Checkout Customization with Shopify Functions
Shopify Plus merchants can customize checkout logic using Shopify Functions, a modern system that replaces Shopify Scripts.
Shopify Functions allows businesses to:
- Add custom checkout fields
- Create advanced discount logic
- Offer upsells during checkout
- Customize payment or shipping options
These capabilities give merchants greater control over the checkout experience while maintaining performance and security.
12. Pickup Points for Flexible Delivery
Pickup Points allow merchants to offer alternative delivery options directly during checkout.
Customers can choose to collect orders from locations such as:
- Parcel lockers
- Local post offices
- Retail partner stores
This option provides more flexibility for customers who may not be available for home deliveries.
13. Bulk Inventory Update Tools
Managing large product catalogs can become time-consuming when updates must be performed individually.
Shopify Plus includes tools that allow merchants to update multiple products at once.
Businesses can quickly modify:
- Product pricing
- Inventory levels
- Product descriptions
This feature is especially helpful when preparing seasonal promotions or updating stock after large shipments.
14. Expanded Product Variant Limits
Previously, Shopify limited products to 100 variants per item.
Shopify Plus now supports up to 2,000 variants per product, allowing businesses to offer more combinations such as colors, sizes, and styles.
This improvement helps customers easily find the exact product they want without navigating through multiple listings.
Shopify Plus Pricing Overview
As of 2025, Shopify Plus follows a transparent pricing structure.
1-Year Contract
- Starting from $2,500 per month
3-Year Contract
- Starting from $2,300 per month
For high-volume businesses, Shopify may apply a variable platform fee based on revenue.
For example:
- 0.40% of direct-to-consumer sales
- 0.18% of B2B sales
The exact cost depends on the business model and sales volume.
These fees include access to Shopify Plus’s enterprise features and platform capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Shopify Basic and Shopify Plus?
Shopify Basic is designed for small businesses and provides essential ecommerce tools.
Shopify Plus is built for enterprise-level merchants and offers advanced capabilities such as higher API limits, automation tools, multiple storefronts, and dedicated support.
What are the limitations of Shopify Plus?
Although Shopify Plus offers extensive functionality, some limitations include:
- Limited backend customization compared to fully custom platforms
- Dependence on third-party apps for some advanced features
- Higher monthly costs compared to standard Shopify plans
How many businesses use Shopify Plus?
As of 2024, more than 60,000 websites worldwide run on Shopify Plus, with over 46,000 active stores currently live.
Final Thoughts
Shopify Plus provides far more than just enterprise scalability—it offers a powerful set of tools that help businesses streamline operations, expand globally, and improve customer experiences.
From advanced permissions and international storefronts to powerful automation tools and flexible checkout customization, these features help merchants operate more efficiently while scaling their ecommerce businesses.
By fully utilizing the capabilities of Shopify Plus, businesses can build a stronger foundation for long-term growth and competitive advantage.