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Unlocking Profits with Shopify Plus: Why Mid-Market Brands Scale Faster with Custom Checkout and Automation

Unlocking Profits with Shopify Plus: Why Mid-Market Brands Scale Faster with Custom Checkout and Automation

For mid-market eCommerce brands generating $5M–$30M annually, Shopify Plus offers an enterprise-level solution that unlocks new efficiencies. From robust automation tools to powerful customization options, Shopify Plus is helping companies streamline operations and drive scalable growth. In this article, we explore how top-performing Shopify brands are leveraging features like custom checkout and Shopify Flow to boost conversions, streamline workflows, and unlock new revenue. Whether you're scaling fast or refining your tech stack, Shopify Plus could be a true game changer.

What Is Shopify Plus—and Why It Matters for Mid-Market Growth

Shopify Plus is an enterprise-grade commerce platform designed specifically for high-growth, high-volume brands. While standard Shopify plans are robust, Shopify Plus introduces enhanced functionality, deeper customization, and powerful automation—all tailored to meet the needs of companies doing $5M+ in annual revenue.

What sets Shopify Plus apart isn't just scale—it's the ability to grow smarter. Features like customizable checkout, API integrations, and access to Shopify Flow enable growing brands to take control of their tech stack and user experience while maintaining the agility to react quickly to market demands.

The Scalable Power of Custom Checkout

One of the standout features of Shopify Plus is the ability to customize the checkout. For brands moving millions in monthly revenue, checkout is ground zero for profitability. Tiny friction points lead to abandoned carts. Optimized flows increase conversion.

Shopify Plus allows for full control over checkout.liquid, which means you can:

  • Add custom upsells or cross-sells on the checkout page
  • Offer personalized shipping or payment options
  • Implement dynamic discount displays or loyalty rewards
  • Integrate third-party risk analysis tools for fraud prevention

For example, an athletic apparel brand using Shopify Plus recently restructured their checkout to surface dynamic offers for matching products. This simple change led to a 17% increase in average order value (AOV). For businesses at mid-market scale, that translates directly into significant quarterly ROI.

Leveraging Shopify Flow for Operations and Marketing Efficiency

Shopify Flow, available exclusively to Plus merchants, is another critical piece of the platform’s value. It's a visual builder that lets you automate common tasks across your business—without a single line of code.

Brands can use Shopify Flow to:

  • Tag high-value customers for loyalty outreach
  • Automate low-inventory alerts for internal teams
  • Launch email campaigns based on purchase behaviors
  • Block fraudulent orders based on risk profiles

Rather than relying on manual processes or separate apps, Flow allows eCommerce teams to align operations and marketing in a self-sustaining way. One beauty brand automated post-purchase cross-sell flows, leading to a 22% increase in second-order rates.

Explore more of what’s possible by starting your free trial at Shopify.

Third-Party Integration Without Development Bottlenecks

Many mid-market Shopify brands face a common challenge: legacy platforms often require extensive dev resources just to make small changes. With Shopify Plus, API capabilities and a massive app ecosystem make it easy to integrate best-in-class tools quickly and cost-effectively.

That means tighter alignment with tools like:

  • ERP and OMS systems (e.g., NetSuite, Brightpearl)
  • Marketing automation tools (e.g., Klaviyo, Attentive)
  • Headless CMS platforms and custom storefronts

Plug-and-play capabilities don't just accelerate deployment—they lower cost. A leading CPG brand transitioned from Magento to Shopify Plus and reduced development overhead by 36% while launching a new product line in under six weeks.

Bonus: B2B and Multi-Store Expandability

If you're managing multiple brands or selling B2B, Shopify Plus unlocks additional perks:

  • Create and manage up to 9 expansion stores at no additional cost
  • Leverage Shopify’s B2B platform for wholesale customers—with price lists, net terms, and company accounts
  • Merge B2B and DTC operations within a unified backend

This is especially valuable for parent brands or aggregators looking to manage multiple fronts without the chaos of disconnected systems or vendors.

How to Get Started with Shopify Plus

If you're already on Shopify and scaling quickly—or considering moving from a legacy platform—here are a few steps to prepare for Shopify Plus:

  1. Audits and KPIs: Understand where inefficiencies lie (checkout, fulfillment, marketing) and identify key areas for impact.
  2. Workflow Mapping: Outline current manual processes you’d like to automate. Shopify Flow will be invaluable here.
  3. App Stack Review: Evaluate which of your tools integrate natively with Shopify Plus or through APIs.
  4. Work With Partners: Shopify Plus agencies like Gapstow can help ensure a seamless transition with minimal downtime.

Thinking about making the move? Start exploring Shopify at Shopify.com.

Pro Tips for Growing Smarter on Shopify Plus

Once you're on Shopify Plus, here are some expert strategies to help you stay ahead:

  • AB Test Your Checkout: Use Google Optimize or similar tools to test layout, copy, and offers on custom checkout pages.
  • Connect Data Platforms: Integrate CDPs for richer customer segmentation and lifecycle marketing.
  • Automate. Everything. Any task you perform more than twice should be considered for automation via Shopify Flow or webhooks.
  • Embrace Headless Commerce: Consider decoupling your storefront for ultimate flexibility in design and user experience.

Need Help Running Shopify at Scale?

Transitioning to Shopify Plus—or optimizing it—is no small task. If you’re looking to scale operations, streamline workflows, and increase profitability, we can help. Gapstow provides hands-on support and strategic development to get the most out of your Shopify platform.

Contact Gapstow today to take full advantage of everything Shopify Plus has to offer—custom checkouts, automation, and beyond.

Start your Shopify Plus journey and unlock your next phase of growth.

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