Shopify Lite is a powerful tool that allows you to sell products and services online without having to create a full-fledged online store. With its embedded Buy Button and other features, Shopify Lite is an excellent option for businesses looking to expand their reach and increase sales without breaking the bank. In this article, we take a detailed look at the Shopify Lite review including features, pricing, advantages, and disadvantages, and help you determine whether it is the right eCommerce solution for your business. So, let’s dive in and explore Shopify Lite!
Table of Contents
Shopify Lite Overview
Shopify Lite is a simplified version of the popular eCommerce platform, Shopify. This version is designed specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to sell products or services online but don’t need a full-fledged online store.
With Shopify Lite review, businesses can add Buy Now buttons to their existing websites or social media profiles, allowing customers to make purchases directly from those pages. The plan also allows businesses to process credit card payments, track orders, and manage inventory.
In addition to its core features, Shopify Lite also offers a variety of tools and resources to help businesses grow their online presence, including customizable email templates, social media integration, and access to Shopify’s App Store.
One of the main advantages of using Shopify Lite is its affordability. This version is one of the most cost-effective ways for businesses to start selling online, with pricing plans starting at just $9/month.
How Shopify Lite Works
Shopify Lite is an affordable option for eCommerce, but it’s important to note that it’s not designed for creating a complete online store. Instead, it provides basic tools that enable selling online and in-person through the Buy Button embedded on any website, invoices through email links or keyed-in, and in-person sales using a Shopify card reader and POS app.
Rather than creating an online store, you create a product library with images, descriptions, variants, and stock levels that can be added to any of the above channels. The backend keeps track of inventory and orders across all sales channels. To sell in person, you need to purchase the Shopify card reader and use it with a compatible mobile device running the POS app. Previously, Shopify Lite included social media selling on Facebook and Messenger, but this now requires at least a Basic Shopify subscription.
Shopify Lite Review Features
The Buy Button
When discussing the Shopify Lite review, it’s important to mention the key feature that sets it apart from competitors: the Buy Button. This feature allows you to sell products without the need to run a complete online store. With the Buy Button, you can sell items from any location, making it an ideal solution for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to expand their sales channels.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Buy Button:
- Easy to install: The Buy Button is easy to install and customize, even if you don’t have any coding experience. You can simply copy and paste the code onto your website, or use Shopify’s Buy Button plugin for popular website builders like WordPress or Squarespace.
- Customizable design: You can customize the look and feel of the Buy Button to match your brand, including the size, color, and text. You can also add product images and descriptions to help entice customers to make a purchase. The Buy Button provides a subtle call-to-action for visitors to purchase a product or service, without coming across as overly aggressive or pushy. This is important, as you don’t want to deter potential customers from making a purchase.
- Seamless checkout process: When a customer clicks on the Buy Button, they will be taken to a secure checkout page hosted by Shopify. This makes the checkout process seamless and easy, reducing the risk of abandoned carts.
- Synced inventory and orders: The Buy Button is connected to your Shopify Lite account, so inventory and orders are synced across all sales channels. This means you can manage your inventory and orders from a single dashboard, making it easy to track sales and restock products.
The Buy Button is a powerful tool that makes it easy for small businesses and entrepreneurs to start selling products or services online when considering the Shopify Lite review. By adding Buy Buttons to your existing website or social media profiles, you can reach a wider audience and start generating revenue without the need for a full-fledged online store.
Social Media Selling
Social Media Selling used to be a feature of Shopify Lite, allowing merchants to sell their products directly through their Facebook and Facebook Messenger accounts. However, this feature has since been moved to the Basic Shopify plan or higher.
In the past, Social Media Selling through Shopify Lite provided a seamless way for businesses to reach customers on social media platforms. Merchants could sync their Shopify Lite account with their Facebook page and add products to their Facebook Shop. Customers could then browse and purchase products without leaving Facebook, creating a streamlined and convenient shopping experience.
Additionally, Shopify Lite provided merchants with the ability to chat with customers directly through Facebook Messenger. This feature allowed businesses to answer customer questions and provide support in real time, increasing customer satisfaction and trust.
While Social Media Selling is no longer a feature of Shopify Lite, it remains an important aspect of eCommerce for businesses looking to reach customers where they are spending their time online. By integrating with social media platforms, businesses can increase their visibility and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers. For Shopify Lite users looking to sell on social media, upgrading to the Basic Shopify plan or higher is necessary to access this feature.
In-Person Selling via Shopify POS
In addition to its online selling capabilities, Shopify Lite also includes the ability to sell products in person through the Shopify POS (Point of Sale) app. This feature is especially useful for businesses that participate in events, pop-up shops, or sell products in person at a physical location.
To get started with in-person selling through Shopify Lite, merchants need to purchase the Shopify card reader and download the Shopify POS app on a compatible mobile device. With the card reader and app, merchants can accept payments using various methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments like Apple Pay.
The Shopify POS app also includes features to help merchants manage their in-person sales. Merchants can track inventory levels, create custom receipts, and generate reports to analyze sales data. Additionally, the app includes tools for customer relationship management (CRM), enabling merchants to collect customer information and track purchase history.
By incorporating in-person selling through Shopify POS, Shopify Lite provides merchants with a complete solution for selling their products both online and in person. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want a simple, affordable, and easy-to-use platform for managing their sales channels.
Custom Order and Invoice Creation
Another feature of Shopify Lite is the ability to create custom orders and invoices. This feature is especially useful for businesses that offer custom or made-to-order products.
With Shopify Lite, merchants can create custom orders and invoices through the Shopify admin dashboard. This allows businesses to add products, apply discounts, and adjust prices based on specific customer requests. Merchants can also create custom invoices and send them to customers via email or provide them with a link to access the invoice online.
Custom orders and invoices can also be used to process payments for products or services that are not listed in a merchant’s product library. This provides businesses with greater flexibility in the types of products they offer and the payment methods they accept.
In general, custom order and invoice creation is a valuable feature for businesses looking to provide personalized products or services to their customers. It allows businesses to process transactions quickly and efficiently while providing customers with a convenient and flexible payment option. By incorporating this feature into its platform, Shopify Lite provides a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to sell their products both online and offline.
Overview Dashboard
A crucial aspect that we would like to highlight in this Shopify Lite review is the significance of monitoring your website data. The version is the only means to keep track of your store’s performance and make the required adjustments to enhance your sales.
The Shopify Lite dashboard provides an easy-to-use interface for managing your eCommerce activities. The dashboard is designed to give you a quick overview of your store’s performance, including sales data, traffic, and customer information.
One of the main benefits of the dashboard is that it provides a central location for managing all of your sales channels. Whether you are selling products online, in-person, or through social media, you can track your sales and inventory levels in one place. The dashboard also makes it easy to add new products and manage your existing product library.
Another key feature of the dashboard is its reporting capabilities. Shopify Lite provides detailed sales reports that allow you to analyze your store’s performance over time. You can track metrics such as revenue, average order value, and conversion rates. This data can help you identify trends and make informed decisions about your eCommerce strategy.
The dashboard also includes tools for managing customer information, such as email lists and customer profiles. This allows you to stay in touch with your customers and provide personalized service.
Finance Report
Shopify Lite provides a variety of financial reporting features that allow merchants to track their sales, expenses, and profits. These reports are critical for understanding the financial health of your business and making informed decisions about your eCommerce strategy.
One of the key financial reporting features of Shopify Lite is the sales report. This report provides a detailed breakdown of your sales, including revenue, taxes, discounts, and shipping costs. You can filter the report by date range and sales channel, which allows you to track the performance of specific products or sales channels over time.
Shopify Lite also provides reports for expenses and profits. These reports allow you to track your expenses, such as shipping and advertising costs, and calculate your net profit. You can also generate reports for specific sales channels or time periods, which can help you identify areas where you may need to reduce expenses or increase revenue.
Another useful financial reporting feature of Shopify Lite is the ability to export data to popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks or Xero. This allows you to easily manage your finances and keep your books up to date.
Customer Service & Support
One of the key customer service features of Shopify Lite is the ability to manage customer orders and inquiries directly from the Shopify dashboard. You can view and track customer orders, process refunds, and cancellations, and respond to customer inquiries through the Shopify dashboard.
Shopify Lite also provides a knowledge base and community forum where merchants can find answers to common questions and connect with other Shopify users. This resource is particularly helpful for new merchants who may be unfamiliar with eCommerce and need guidance on best practices for managing their stores.
In addition, Shopify Lite offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat. The support team is available 24/7 to help with any issues or questions you may have about using the Shopify platform.
Pros and Cons of Shopify Lite
Below are the benefits and drawbacks of the Shopify Lite plan.
Advantages
- Low cost: one of the most affordable eCommerce solutions on the market, just $9/month.
- Flexibility: sell products and services across multiple channels, including your website, social media, and in-person events.
- Ease of use: designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface.
- Customizable Buy Button: embed a customizable Buy Button on your website or blog and sell your products directly to customers without them ever leaving your site.
- Customer support: provide 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat.
- Third-party integrations: can be integrated with a ton of third-party tools and apps, allowing you to extend the functionality of your store and customize it to your specific needs.
Disadvantages
- Limited features: designed to be a lightweight solution for small businesses and entrepreneurs, so the plan doesn’t offer all the features and functionality of the more expensive plans.
- Limited sales channels: not support selling through online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
- No online store: cannot create a full online store, which may be a deal-breaker for some businesses that need more advanced eCommerce features.
- Hard to scale: If your company succeeds, credit card processing fees may hinder the expansion phase. In that case, you will also need a real website for your shop.
- Limited reporting: The reporting features in Shopify Lite are more basic compared to the more expensive plans, which may be a drawback for businesses that require more in-depth analytics and insights.
Shopify Lite Review Cost
The cost of Shopify Lite is $9/month making this plan one of the most affordable eCommerce solutions on the market.
However, it’s important to note that when considering Shopify lite review and pricing, this version does not include all the features of the more expensive Shopify plans. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with using the platform, such as transaction fees for credit card payments and fees for using the mobile POS system.
Basic plan vs Shopify Lite Comparison
Regarding the Shopify lite review, it is necessary to examine the comparison between this plan and the basic plan. Here are the detailed compared features:
In general, Shopify Lite pricing is a more affordable option for businesses that only need basic eCommerce functionality, while Basic Shopify is a more comprehensive solution for businesses that require more features and scalability. It’s important to consider your business’s needs and budget when deciding between the two plans.
7 Shopify Lite examples
If you’re interested in seeing how people have successfully operated businesses on a small budget using the Shopify Lite plan, check out these 6 examples. These may include blogs, Facebook pages, or other platforms, but all have effectively utilized the Buy Button feature.
The Good Batch
The Good Batch is a well-known bakery located in Brooklyn, New York that specializes in making delicious baked goods such as cookies, brownies, and granola. One of the ways that The Good Batch has expanded their reach is by using Shopify Lite’s Buy Button to sell its products directly from its website. With the Buy Button, customers can easily browse the bakery’s selection of baked goods and make purchases without having to leave the website.
The Good Batch has also used Shopify Lite’s inventory management tools to keep track of their product stock levels and ensure that they are always ready to fulfill customer orders.
Master and Dynamic
Master and Dynamic is a premium audio brand that specializes in creating high-quality headphones, earphones, and speakers. The company was founded in 2013 and has quickly become a leader in the luxury audio market, with products that combine sleek design and premium materials with exceptional sound quality.
One of the keys to Master and Dynamic’s success has been their ability to sell their products online through their Shopify Lite store. With the Buy Button and other features provided by Shopify Lite, the company has been able to offer its products to customers around the world in an easy and convenient way.
Peter McKinnon
Peter McKinnon is a renowned photographer and YouTuber who has gained immense popularity in recent years. He also uses Shopify Lite’s Buy Button to sell his digital photography products, such as Lightroom presets, directly from his website.
By integrating the Buy Button into his website, Peter is able to sell his products without the need for a full-fledged online store. He simply creates a product library complete with images, descriptions, and pricing, and adds the products to his website. Customers can then easily make purchases with just a few clicks, making the buying process seamless and hassle-free.
Ambrosio Jewelry
The brand specializes in unique and handcrafted jewelry designs, and they use the Buy Button feature to sell their products directly from their website.
By using the Buy Button, Ambrosio Jewelry is able to offer its customers a seamless shopping experience without having to manage a full online store. Customers can easily browse their website and select the products they want to purchase, and then complete the transaction through the Shopify checkout system.
One of the benefits of using Shopify Lite for Ambrosio Jewelry is that it allows them to focus on their core business of creating and selling jewelry, rather than spending time managing a complex eCommerce platform. The Buy Button also enables the brand to sell its products on social media platforms and other websites, increasing its reach and sales potential.
Riopy Music
Riopy Music is a musician and composer who uses Shopify Lite to sell his music online. He offers his albums, singles, and sheet music directly from his website using the Buy Button feature. Riopy’s music is described as ethereal and emotive, and he has gained a significant following on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
Through the use of the Shopify Lite plan, Riopy is able to keep his online store simple and affordable, while still offering a seamless purchasing experience for his customers. The Buy Button feature allows his fans to easily purchase his music directly from his website, without having to navigate through a complicated eCommerce platform.
Biko Jewelry
Biko Jewelry is a Canadian jewelry brand founded in 2005 by Corrine Anestopoulos. The brand combines vintage and modern elements to create unique, statement pieces of jewelry. They offer a wide range of products, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.
Biko Jewelry has an online store built using the Shopify Lite plan’s Buy Button feature, allowing them to sell their products directly from their website. Customers can browse through the product offerings, add items to their cart, and check out using Shopify’s secure payment gateway.
Photo Hack Lovers
Photo Hack Lovers is another great example of a successful business that uses Shopify Lite to sell digital products. This website is run by a team of photographers who create and sell photography-related courses, tutorials, and e-books. With the help of the Shopify Lite Buy Button, they are able to sell their digital products directly from their website, without the need for a full online store.
One of the benefits of using Shopify Lite for selling digital products is that it allows businesses to bypass the complexities of setting up an eCommerce store. This is particularly useful for small businesses or individuals who have limited resources and budgets, but still want to sell their products online. With Shopify Lite, businesses can easily add the Buy Button to their existing website or social media pages, and start selling products right away.
For Photo Hack Lovers, the ease of use and low cost of Shopify Lite made it the perfect solution for their business. They were able to set up their digital storefront quickly and efficiently and start generating revenue without the need for a large investment in eCommerce infrastructure.
Who Should Be Using Shopify Lite
Shopify Lite is an ideal solution for individuals and small businesses who want to sell their products or services online and in person without the need for a full-fledged online store. It’s particularly useful for those who have an existing website or social media presence and want to add eCommerce functionality to it.
- Bloggers, photographers, musicians, artists, and other creatives who want to sell digital products such as music tracks, presets, or artwork can use Shopify Lite’s Buy Button to monetize their websites or social media profiles. Similarly, service-based businesses such as freelancers, coaches, and consultants can use Shopify Lite to accept payments and create custom invoices for their services.
- In-person retailers such as pop-up shops, food trucks, or small boutique stores can use Shopify Lite’s POS app and card reader to accept payments on the go. By using the same inventory and order management system for both online and in-person sales, they can streamline their operations and have a holistic view of their business.
Regarding the Shopify Lite review, this version is an excellent option for those who want to dip their toes into eCommerce without committing to a full-fledged online store or spending a lot of money upfront. It offers an affordable and flexible solution to start selling products or services online and in person, and its easy-to-use interface and customer support make it an attractive option for beginners.
When to Use the Shopify Lite Plan
Shopify Lite is a great option for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to start selling products or services online but don’t need a full-fledged online store.
Here are some situations where Shopify Lite may be a good fit:
- You have an existing website or social media presence: If you already have a website or social media profile where you’re promoting your products or services, adding Buy Buttons from Shopify Lite can be an easy way to start accepting online payments without having to build a separate online store.
- You sell a small number of products: If you only sell a few products or services, a full-fledged online store may be overkill. Shopify Lite allows you to add Buy Buttons for up to three products per account, so it’s ideal for businesses with a limited product offering.
- You’re just starting out: If you’re a new business or just getting started with eCommerce, Shopify Lite can be a great way to dip your toes into online selling without a big upfront investment. Regarding Shopify lite review and cost, the pricing is very affordable, starting at just $9/month, and you can always upgrade to a more advanced plan later on if your business grows.
- You want to streamline your eCommerce operations: Shopify Lite is designed to be easy to use and manage, so if you’re looking for a simple solution to accept online payments and manage your inventory, it could be a good fit. Plus, Shopify offers a variety of tools and resources to help you grow your online presence, from email marketing to social media integration.
In conclusion,
When looking at the Shopify Lite review, this plan is an excellent option for small businesses or entrepreneurs looking to start selling online without committing to a full-scale online store. With its affordable price point and essential features, such as the Buy Button, in-person selling via Shopify POS, and custom order and invoice creation, Shopify Lite provides a way to sell products and services quickly and easily from a variety of channels.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that Shopify Lite has some limitations. It’s not designed for building a full-scale online store, and it lacks some advanced features found in higher-tier Shopify plans, such as social media selling and in-depth finance reporting. Additionally, while it can save you money, the costs of using Shopify Lite can add up depending on your sales volume.
Ultimately, Shopify Lite is an excellent solution for small businesses, bloggers, and individuals who want to sell their products or services online with minimal investment. If you want to develop your Shopify store but do not know how to start and deploy, Magenest is an excellent company that can support you in this field. With over 100 successful projects and a team of 50+ Shopify Experts, Magenest specializes in services such as Shopify development services, seamless platform migration, and data migration from various eCommerce platforms.
