The daily use of an online store is basically as simple, whether you use Shopify or WooCommerce. However, setting it up may not. This is why answering the question is not so easy, and will mostly depend on the type of user you are, the type of business you run, and other subjective factors.
But there is a crucial aspect: the objectives you set for our website.
Before Content2Sell was born, we specialized in product development, sourcing, and marketing consultancy to help brands go to market. Many online stores are among those projects, based on both WooCommerce and Shopify. If you want to learn a little about our story, you can read it here.
But for now, let’s get down to business and go through what can make you decide to use Shopify or WooCommerce.
Shopify
First off, Shopify is a paid platform, while WooCommerce is not. That, however, should not push you back, because you always know upfront what your plan’s cost will be. But before comparing, we’ll brief up some of Shopify’s features.
Working as a subscription service makes it easier for Shopify to bundle many functions and extensions in their monthly fee. From enhanced security to more than 50 website customizable themes (10 of which are free).
Shopify also lets you buy your domain directly, which is good proof of how centralized it is. Everything related to your front shop is managed from your dashboard.
In terms of usability, Shopify’s is very good. Its drag and drop interface is HTML friendly and allows a very decent degree of customization that is more than enough for web design beginners.
It also offers native 24/7 customer support in many languages and has a large, continuously built knowledge base that includes all known issues. And not only for technical issues, but also for advisory.
Shopify’s partnership with Oberlo makes it the preferred platform for dropshippers. Further, many worldwide renowned brands like Nestlé, Unilever, or the L.A. Lakers use it to centralize their sales and shift towards DTC (Direct-to-Consumer).
If you need a little more information about Shopify, check this post out and see for yourself.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is more than a plug-and-play e-shop (nothing bad about them). It’s a WordPress plugin that allows turning any given website into an online store. Nonetheless, it does require having WP notions to make it cost-efficient. Notions that will depend on the website’s complexity and the business’ goals.
Because WordPress is an open-source content creation platform that leaves it all in the hands of the website’s developer. That includes updates (which are frequent and numerous, yet automatable), security (both yours and your customers’), and SEO, among others.
Among WordPress’ main advantages is the possibility to install free or paid extensions created by countless developers, which makes customization options virtually infinite. Along with code edition – it’s open-sourced, and a myriad of solutions you can find on a simple Google search, almost everything in WordPress has a way around – if you know how to do it.
Not being a WordPress expert doesn’t necessarily rule WooCommerce out. But getting used to WordPress can be tricky, both in the front and back end, menus, headers, formats, settings and a large etcetera.
In WordPress, website design depends on the chosen theme. Since WooCommerce belongs to Automaticc – the same developer of WordPress.org – you can assume that most themes, free or paid, will be compatible with WooCommerce. Keep in mind, however, that free themes have limited functions and may demand additional time or skills. Plus, if you go for a paid theme, its cost will add up to your domain, your hosting provider, and whatever plugins/extensions you need.
Comparison
Some e-merchants prefer being in full control of their website and making it truly their own.
Some others just want a functional and attractive online store to sell their products, and let others take care of all the technical stuff.
Both systems are as effective and basically as easy to use once the online store is up and running. They both allow unlimited products and pages, as well as any type of product, be it physical or digital. The chart below shows a quick comparison to help you choose between Shopify or WooCommerce. And underneath it, you’ll find a few sections to go a little deeper.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
| Speed | X | |
| Intuitiveness | X | |
| Customization | X | |
| Support | X | |
| Features and flexibility | X | |
| Security | X | |
| Setup time | X | |
| Payment fees* | X | |
| Back-office management time | X | |
| Centralization | X |
Cost
Having said the above, it may seem unnecessary to pay Shopify a monthly fee when WooCommerce is free. There’s a catch, though: Shopify includes all the essentials. From the website’s hosting service, domain purchase, and enough website themes to choose and customize, to 24/7 client support and a highly intuitive usability that makes it very easy to use.
So, you could make either one more costly than the other if you set your mind to it. Generally speaking, you could estimate about the same yearly cost, unless you go for very specific things.
PRO TIP
Take a look at Shopify’s plans and work your numbers before making your choice. Keep in mind your inventory location, the number of staff accounts you will need and the shipping requirements Shopify could help you with.
Security
Data privacy is increasingly demanded among consumers. And businesses are increasingly accountable for their security, with tougher regulations rising worldwide.
This is probably a strong advantage for Shopify. The SSL Certificate is included for free, and every single aspect is covered. From your online store’s security to your customer’s and their card information.
Payment fees
It’s hard to talk numbers when every business in every corner of the world has different needs. But when untangling the Shopify or WooCommerce daisy, payment processing gains weight.
Shopify charges a processing fee according to the subscription plan, ranging from 2.6% + 0,30 USD for the Basic, to 2.4% + 0,30 USD for the Advanced. Additionally, it has its own internal payment processing platform, powered by Stripe (Shop Pay), which is set by default.
Be careful though when selecting other providers, as additional fees may apply. From Shopify itself, and from your bank, depending on 1. its conditions, and 2. your customer’s location.
WooCommerce operates with Stripe and PayPal by default, but allows several other payment gateways.
SEO
Unlike WooCommerce, Shopify was solely conceived to build online stores. The fact it’s not open-sourced gives full control over its code, structure, and indexation. Thus, it’s lighter and faster, which has a very positive effect both on SEO and Customer Experience.
That does not mean it is just better than WooCommerce. It all depends, once again, on each business’ strategy.
Time
This is probably the most relative aspect of all.
Experience is a must to set a WordPress e-shop up in a decent period of time. And yet, contingencies and incompatibilities can considerably increase it. Remember WooCommerce is just a plugin, and all aspects related to your website’s back-end rely exclusively on you. Any incident needs to be addressed by you and with each separate developer.
But you can set a Shopify store up and have it ready to sell in a few hours – if you know exactly what to do.
Content is what really matters
An online store is much more than the products it sells. Moreover, what turns a visitor into a sale is frequently the way in which products are presented. Everything, from your photography to your videos, your copy, and, ultimately, how relatable your storytelling is, will have a direct impact on your Customer Experience.
Conclusion
Yes, you can always hire someone to deal with your e-shop’s back office. But that may be expensive if you’re launching a brand or a product on your own.
Should that be the case, you may want to consider Shopify. Not only is it the choice of many brands of all sizes. It also has a very high value-for-money for safety and productivity, allowing merchants to focus on their sales.
Now, many brands need a website that is not only focused on sales. You may need yours to be extensively informative, to have a specific design, or to be open for future additions. While that is not impossible on Shopify, our advice is to define a clear strategy to minimize the risk of technical limitations. But if you’re looking for a web design that gives you a higher scope for action, you plan to continuously adapt your SEO strategy, or you need many users to be working simultaneously, WooCommerce is probably the right option – and the cheapest one, given that Shopify limits the staff accounts according to each plan.
