Shopify Lite Review 2024: Pricing, Features & Alternatives

“2024 update: Shopify Lite is replaced by Shopify Starter Plan. New Shopify users cannot subscribe to this plan anymore. Shopify Lite is just serving existing customers who have signed up for Shopify Lite before June 2022.”

Shopify has established itself as a dominant force in eCommerce, empowering countless businesses to thrive online. However, Shopify's comprehensive plans might not be ideal for those just starting or seeking a cost-effective solution. Enter Shopify Lite, a stripped-down yet powerful option designed to cater to specific needs. 

In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into the intricacies of Shopify Lite, exploring its pricing structure, key features, and viable alternatives. Stay tuned!

What is Shopify Lite?

Shopify Lite is a subscription plan offered by Shopify designed for individuals who already have an existing website or a presence on social media platforms. Priced at $9 per month, it provides a cost-effective solution for those who want to start selling products without creating a full-fledged online store.

For instance, if you're a blogger or a content creator on social media and wish to sell custom-made items without the complexity of building a new online store, Shopify Lite enables you to seamlessly integrate products into your existing blog or social media page. 

It includes features such as the Shopify buy now button, a fully integrated Facebook shop, point-of-sale (POS) capabilities for in-person sales, an overview dashboard, financial reports, and 24/7 support through email or live chat from Shopify. This plan offers a convenient and affordable way to initiate eCommerce activities without needing a standalone online store.

Shopify Lite Pricing

Just $9 per month covers your Shopify Lite subscription. This package entails standard credit card fees of 2.9% + 30¢ for online transactions and 2.7% for in-person payments. Opting for a third-party payment provider beyond Shopify Payments incurs an extra 2% fee.

Shopify Lite Features

Shopify Lite offers several features tailored for users with existing websites or social media platforms. 

Shopify Buy Button

• Integrate a customizable buy button seamlessly into your existing website.
• Enjoy the convenience of secure checkouts directly on your site.
• Tailor button styles and colors to align with your brand aesthetics.

Facebook Shop Integration

• Effortlessly synchronize your product catalog with a dedicated Facebook shop.
• Enhance customer engagement by facilitating purchases directly on your Facebook page.
• Expand your reach and tap into social commerce trends.

In-Person Selling with Shopify POS

• Extend your sales beyond the digital realm with Shopify's Point-of-Sale system.
• Accept payments in person, sync inventory across channels, and streamline transactions.
• Seamlessly merge online and offline sales for a unified business approach.

Overview Dashboard

• Gain valuable insights into your business performance through a centralized dashboard.
• Monitor key real-time metrics such as sales, traffic, and customer behavior.
• Make data-driven decisions to optimize your selling strategy.

Financial Reports

• Access detailed financial reports to track and analyze your business's monetary health.
• Delve into sales reports, expense summaries, and profit margins effortlessly.
• Make informed financial decisions based on comprehensive data.

24/7 Support

• Enjoy continuous support from Shopify's expert team, which is available around the clock.
• Receive prompt assistance via email or live chat for any inquiries or challenges.
• Benefit from a responsive and reliable support system to ensure a smooth selling experience.

Shopify Lite combines these robust features to empower users with a cost-effective solution seamlessly integrating with their online presence.

How does the Shopify Lite Plan work?

You can create a Shopify Lite account for free. Once you have created an account, you must add your business information, including your name, address, and contact information.

Add your products

You can add your products to Shopify Lite by uploading a CSV file or manually entering each product.

Set up your payments

You will need to set up a payment gateway to accept customer payments. Shopify Lite supports a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify Payments.

Start selling

You can start selling once you have added your products and set up your payments. You can sell your products online by embedding a Buy Button on your website or blog. Using the Shopify POS app, you can also sell your products in person.

Track your sales

Shopify Lite provides you with reports that you can use to track your sales and orders. These reports can help you see how your business is doing and identify improvement areas.

Shopify Lite Pros & Cons

Shopify Lite is an excellent option for small businesses and individuals wanting to sell products online without creating a full-fledged online store. It's easy to use, affordable and has various features to help you grow your business.

Pros

• Easy to use and set up: Shopify Lite is very easy to use, even if you need to gain experience with eCommerce. You can create a Buy Button and start selling in just a few minutes.
• Affordable: Shopify Lite is the most affordable Shopify plan, costing only $9 per month. This makes it an excellent option for businesses starting or with a limited budget.
• Integrates with your existing website or social media pages: Shopify Lite integrates with your existing website or social media pages, so you can start selling without creating a new website from scratch.
• Variety of features: Shopify Lite has an array of features that can help you grow your business, including the ability to sell physical and digital products, accept payments in multiple currencies, create custom product listings, manage your inventory, track your sales and orders, and fulfill orders manually or automatically.
• 24/7 support: Shopify Lite is backed by Shopify's 24/7 support, so you can get help whenever needed.

Cons

• No online store: Shopify Lite does not allow you to create a full-fledged online store. This means that you will need help to add pages, customize your store's design, or use some of Shopify's more advanced features.
• Limited features: Shopify Lite has a limited number of features compared to other Shopify plans. For example, you cannot add multiple staff accounts, use gift cards or discount codes, or recover abandoned carts.
• Limited product catalog: Shopify Lite is best for businesses with a little product catalog. If you have many products, consider upgrading to a more expensive Shopify plan.

Overall, Shopify Lite is a great option for small businesses and individuals who want to start selling products online without creating a full-fledged online store. It is easy to use, affordable and has various features that can help you grow your business.

Shopify Lite vs. Shopify Starter vs. Shopify Basic

Who is Shopify Lite Plan for?

The Shopify Lite Plan is crafted for specific user profiles:

• Social Media Sellers: Geared towards individuals leveraging platforms like Facebook for product sales.
• Existing Website Owners: Tailored for businesses or individuals with established websites seeking seamless eCommerce integration.
• In-Person Sellers: Ideal for merchants engaged in both online and offline sales, streamlining operations through Shopify's POS system.
• Entrepreneurs on a Budget: A cost-effective entry-level plan for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.
• Small Product Catalogs: Suitable for businesses with a limited range of products, offering essential features without complexity.

Read more: 

• Shopify Basic Plan Review
• Shopify Starter Plan Review
• Shopify Plans & Pricings

How to make money with Shopify 

There are many ways to make money online with Shopify. looking at some popular methods below:

• Sell products on Shopify stores: This is the most common way to make money on Shopify. You can sell physical products, digital products, or both. To sell products, you will need to create an online business.

Creating an online store is easier than never using Shopify. Shopify also provides an exclusive offer for new merchants: a 3-day free trial and only $1/month for the first 3 months. 

Read more: Shopify Free Trials

After signing up for an account and Shopify subscription, you should leverage the Shopify App Store to support you in creating an ideal online business. First, use EComposer - the most featured rich Shopify Page Builder App to generate page types and sections such as Homepage, Landing Page, Product Page, Coming soon page, Footer, etc. This app allows you to build stunning SEO-friendly pages easily with no coding required. You just need a live drag-and-drop editor to arrange and customize the elements to showcase your brand identity. 

Furthermore, with EComposer, you don’t have to think about the loading speed, conversion rate or creating attractive content. EComposer supports outstanding features such as lazy loading, cross-seeling and AI content generator, etc. All of them help you enhance customer experience and maximize sales. Especially, 24/7 live chat support team is always ready to answer your questions. Try EComposer to start your business.

• Sell on Social Media: Create a Shopping button to your social media pages using the Shopify Starter Plan or the Shopify Lite Plan. This button will allow you to sell your products directly from your social media pages without redirecting customers to your online store.

• Become an affiliate: You can also make money on Shopify by becoming an affiliate. You will promote other people's products or services and earn a commission on each sale. To become an affiliate, you must sign up for an affiliate program and promote the products or services on your Shopify store.
• Run ads: You can also run ads on your Shopify store to generate revenue. To run ads, you will need to create an ad campaign and set your budget.
• Sell your Shopify store: If you have built a successful one, you can sell it to someone else. This can be a great way to make a quick profit.
• Offer services: You can also use Shopify to offer services, such as consulting, design, or marketing. 

Read the comprehensive guide here: How to make money on Shopify

In essence, Shopify Lite is a versatile and affordable solution that provides essential eCommerce tools for those specific business needs.

Final thought

In conclusion, Shopify Lite emerges as an affordable gateway to eCommerce, tailored for individuals and small businesses venturing into online sales. Priced at $9 per month, it caters to those looking for budget-friendly entry points. While less comprehensive than higher-tier plans, its unique features like the Shopify Buy Button and Shopify POS make it versatile for social media integration and in-person transactions. However, Shopify Starter ($5/month) replaced Shopify Lite (Shopify Lite isn’t applied to new customers), so take advantage of the Shopify Starter Plan with similar features.

Shopify Starter is an excellent choice for those with specific business needs seeking simplicity. However, those aspiring for a complete online store with advanced features may find other Shopify plans, such as Shopify Basic, more fitting. As eCommerce evolves, Shopify Starter serves as a strategic starting point, offering flexibility for growth. To embark on your eCommerce journey, sign up for the Shopify Starter plan today.

FAQs

1. What is Shopify Lite, and how does it differ from other Shopify plans?

Answer: Shopify Lite is an entry-level plan for social media selling, integrating with existing websites, and in-person transactions. It's distinct for its simplicity and affordability compared to other Shopify plans.

2. Does the Shopify starter replace the Shopify Lite plan?

Answer: Yes, Shopify Starter has replaced the Shopify Lite plan as of June 22, 2022. Shopify Starter is a new plan specifically designed for businesses that want to sell products on social media or messaging apps. It has all of the same features as Shopify Lite and some additional features specific to social media selling.

3. Can I create a fully functional online store with Shopify Lite?

Answer: No, Shopify Lite focuses on social media and in-person selling. For a complete online store, consider higher-tier plans like Shopify Basic.

4. Is Shopify Lite suitable for someone with an existing website or social media presence?

Answer: Shopify Lite is specifically designed for individuals looking to seamlessly integrate eCommerce features into their existing websites or social media platforms.

5. What features does Shopify Lite offer for social media selling?

Answer: With Shopify Lite, you get the Shopify Buy Button for social media integration, allowing customers to purchase directly on platforms like Facebook.

6. Does Shopify Lite support Facebook Shops?

Answer: Shopify Lite fully integrates with Facebook Shops, expanding your selling capabilities on this popular social media platform.

7. Can I upgrade from Shopify Lite to a higher-tier plan later?

Answer: Yes, you can upgrade your plan as your business grows. Shopify offers flexibility to switch plans based on your evolving needs.

8. How is customer support handled for Shopify Lite users?

Answer: Shopify provides 24/7 customer support via email and live chat for all its plans, including Shopify Lite. Assistance is readily available whenever you need it.