For Kenyan businesses venturing into the realm of online retail, understanding the Shopify price in Kenya is a pivotal first step.
That is because Shopify has been gaining commendable attention in the Kenyan e-commerce landscape.
Hence, its price is a crucial consideration for Kenyan entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence.
After all, it’s always worth planning and evaluating the steps you take in business.
In this article, we delve into the nuances of Shopify’s pricing structure within the Kenyan context.
We will also be exploring the features, benefits, and considerations that make Shopify a compelling choice for businesses seeking a robust e-commerce solution.
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established business, understanding Shopify price dynamics in Kenya is crucial.
This knowledge is essential for making informed decisions as you venture into the online realm.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a subscription-based e-commerce platform that empowers entrepreneurs in Kenya to build and manage their online stores.
With its user-friendly interface, Shopify offers a wide range of features and benefits, including:
1. Easy setup and customization of online stores.
2. Integration with various apps and payment gateways.
3. Seamless order management and fulfillment.
4. Marketing tools for email marketing and abandoned cart remarketing.
5. A default blog for publishing articles.
6. A community of merchants and developers for support and collaboration.
Shopify in Kenya
Shopify is available and fully accessible in Kenya, allowing entrepreneurs to set up and host their e-commerce websites.
They can also add products, integrate with payment processors, and start selling.
As of May 16, 2023, there were 649 live Shopify stores in Kenya, demonstrating the platform’s popularity and potential for growth.
Shopify for Various Business Sizes
Shopify is a versatile platform that caters to businesses of all sizes.
It offers a range of pricing plans, from basic to advanced, to accommodate different budgets and needs.
Shopify’s flexibility and scalability allow businesses to grow and adapt as their needs evolve.
Shopify’s user-friendly interface, extensive features, and integration with various payment gateways make it an ideal choice for entrepreneurs in Kenya looking to establish and grow their online presence.
Shopify Pricing Plans in Kenya
Shopify offers three main pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify.
The pricing varies based on the plan chosen, with each plan offering different features and transaction fee structures.
Start for Free
Begin your Shopify experience with a free trial, no credit card is required. Plus, enjoy your first month for just $1.
Basic Plan – $32 per month
Ideal for solo entrepreneurs, the Basic Plan comes at a monthly subscription price of $32.00.
It includes standout features like the world’s best-converting checkout, standard analytics, 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, and localized global selling.
You can also try it for free with $1 for your first month.
Shopify Plan – $92 per month
Tailored for small teams, the Shopify Plan is priced at $92.00 per month.
Alongside the features of the Basic Plan, you get 5 additional staff accounts.
Try it for free with $1 for your first month.
Advanced Plan – $399 per month
As your business scales, the Advanced Plan at $399.00 per month offers custom reports and analytics, enhanced 24/7 chat support, and the option for added global customization for $59 per month per market.
It also includes 15 additional staff accounts.
Test the waters with a free trial and $1 for your first month.
Prices may vary by your store location.
What Every Plan Gets You:
Online Store: Choose a prebuilt theme or build something more custom.
Top-converting Checkout: Shopify checkout converts 15% better on average than other commerce platforms.
Point of Sale: Sell in person and keep inventory in sync with online sales, all with Shopify POS.
Multiple Sales Channels: Promote and sell products on Instagram, TikTok, Google, and other channels.
Commerce Apps: Use apps for everything from product sourcing to customizing your store.
Alternative Solutions for Established Businesses:
Retail – $89/month: In-person selling tools with advanced staff, inventory, and loyalty features.
Shopify Plus – Starting at $2000/month: Unbeatable value and revenue opportunities for high-growth businesses.
Enterprise Commerce – Custom Pricing: Build agility, speed to deployment, and performance for enterprise organizations.
Looking for Something Simple?
Starter Plan – $5/month: Sell instantly through social media and messaging apps or a simple online store.
Currency considerations for Kenyan businesses
Kenyan businesses using Shopify can set up their stores to receive payments in the local currency.
This allows for seamless transactions and a better experience for Kenyan customers.
Additional Costs: Shopify Price in Kenya
Transaction fees and payment gateways
In addition to the monthly subscription fees, Shopify charges transaction fees for each sale made through the platform.
The transaction fees vary depending on the pricing plan chosen, ranging from 2.9% + 30¢ to 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction.
Shopify also offers its payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which allows merchants to accept payments from customers using various payment methods.
These can include credit cards, mobile wallets, and local payment methods.
App and plugin costs
Shopify offers a wide range of apps and plugins that can enhance the functionality of an online store.
Some of these apps and plugins are free, while others require a one-time or recurring fee.
The cost of these apps and plugins can add up, so it’s important to carefully consider which ones are necessary for your business.
Customization expenses
Shopify provides a range of customizable themes and design options.
These allow merchants to create a unique and visually appealing online store that aligns with their brand.
However, customization beyond the available themes and design options may require the services of a developer or designer.
This can add to the overall cost of using Shopify.
Setting Up Shopify in Kenya
A step-by-step guide to creating a Shopify store
Setting up a Shopify store in Kenya is a straightforward process.
The steps to create a Shopify store in Kenya are as follows:
1. Sign up for a Shopify account on the Shopify website.
2. Choose a pricing plan that suits your business needs and budget.
3. Customize the appearance of your store using Shopify’s themes and design options.
4. Add products to your store, including product descriptions, images, and prices.
5. Set up payment gateways to receive payments from customers.
6. Launch your store and start selling.
Tailoring the store to the Kenyan market
To tailor your Shopify store to the Kenyan market, you can customize the store’s appearance to reflect Kenyan culture and preferences.
You can also offer products that are popular in Kenya, such as traditional clothing, handicrafts, and local foods.
Additionally, you can use local influencers and social media platforms to promote your store and reach a wider audience.
Integrating local payment options
Shopify supports local payment options in Kenya, allowing merchants to receive payments in the local currency.
Some of the popular payment options in Kenya include M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Equitel.
Integrating these payment options into your Shopify store can help to increase sales and improve the customer experience.
Challenges and Solutions faced by Kenyan businesses on Shopify
Common Challenges
Kenyan businesses may face challenges such as obtaining a domain name available on Shopify, integrating local payment options, and tailoring their stores to the Kenyan market.
These challenges can be addressed by researching alternative domain names, utilizing Shopify’s support resources, and integrating local payment options to enhance the customer experience.
Tips for overcoming technical and logistical issues
To overcome technical and logistical issues, Kenyan entrepreneurs can leverage Shopify’s tools and features to simplify shipping, manage email marketing, and track order status.
Additionally, entrepreneurs can seek support from the Shopify community and explore the available apps and services in Shopify’s app store to help run their online stores more efficiently.
Shopify support and community resources
Shopify provides a range of support resources, including a help center, community forums, and access to Shopify experts.
Kenyan entrepreneurs can also utilize the Shopify app store to find additional tools and services to help manage and grow their online stores.
Engaging with the Shopify community and seeking support from experts can provide valuable insights and solutions to challenges faced when using the platform.
Tips for Cost Optimization: Shopify Price in Kenya
1. Maximizing the value of Shopify plans
Kenyan businesses can maximize the value of their Shopify plans by carefully selecting a pricing plan that suits their business needs and budget.
They can also take advantage of Shopify’s features, such as abandoned cart recovery and email marketing, to increase sales and customer engagement.
2. Utilizing free apps and tools
Shopify offers a range of free apps and tools that can help businesses optimize their online stores and reduce costs.
These apps and tools include email marketing, social media integration, and inventory management, among others.
3. Budget-friendly customization options
Kenyan businesses can customize their Shopify stores without breaking the bank by using free or low-cost themes and design options.
They can also leverage Shopify’s community resources and support to learn how to customize their stores effectively.
Conclusion
To sum up, Shopify is a game-changer for Kenyan businesses, offering seamless integration with local payment gateways.
In today’s digital landscape, a reliable e-commerce platform is crucial for establishing and expanding online presence, and Shopify provides just that.
It unlocks vast opportunities for Kenyan entrepreneurs across different niches.
Shopify price structure is suitable for all sizes of businesses in Kenya.
Whether you’re starting small or aiming for enterprise-level solutions, Shopify has a plan for every business in Kenya.
Choose wisely, and let your e-commerce venture thrive!