Shopify versus WooCommerce Explained
When it comes to eCommerce sites Shopify vs WooCommerce are the two most popular platforms available on the market. Each one has multiple strengths, but which eCommerce platform will fit your business needs better?
Shopify is a web-based eCommerce platform. It is a tool that allows you to create a website with a shop to sell your products, but you will never own it.
WooCommerce also offers a complete solution for an online store. WooCommerce is software for WordPress and therefore can be added to any WordPress site, giving you superior SEO.
With WordPress you get the opportunity to customise your site however you like. As a hosted platform Shopify lets you build an e-commerce store on their platform, but you lose the ability to lay out and format your site the way you want it.
Shopify comes with more than 100 different mobile responsive store templates. However, you can only modify your store to the extent that Shopify allows, so your look and feel can be limited. As some web developers tend to select the same themes, your site may end up looking similar to other websites.
WooCommerce is a plugin that gives you the tools to sell products and services online. There are endless options for customising your design because the design part is governed by the WordPress theme behind your site. The disadvantage is that you may have to purchase licenses for additional functionality. That said, in Shopify some functionality is also charged for, but on a monthly basis, so if you’re not careful your Shopify site could cost you a lot each month.
WooCommerce has the design advantage over Shopify and we can modify your online store completely; the only limitation to the “look” is the time we have to spend.
Shopify versus WooCommerce – Price
These two eCommerce platforms have very different approaches to pricing.
As a subscription-based, out-the-box eCommerce solution, Shopify’s pricing is straightforward. You buy the package – it has a sliding scale with different features – and much of what you need is included. They will host your site and you get a free subdomain: yoursite.shopify.com. Of course, you can use your own domain name, and so you can manage your own website. However, you never own the site but instead have a monthly ‘lease’.
The WooCommerce plugin itself is free, so all you’re paying for the design time and additional functionality.
With both eCommerce platforms there will be merchant fees based on the provider you choose to use e.g. ANZ. With Shopify though, you pay an additional transaction fee on top; you end up paying two fees.
Both WooCommerce and Shopify can be set up to accept payments via PayPal, various payment gateways, bank deposits, cash on delivery, etc. Unless through PayPal, on both platforms credit card processing for New Zealand websites is done through a “payment gateway”, or a third-party service offered through a bank.
Conclusion: Which eCommerce Platform Should I Pick?
We think looks and usability are essential when it comes to creating enjoyable eCommerce experiences for customers.
Shopify is the package for you if you’re after a DIY approach, where you can just sign up, spend the time to learn and then build an eCommerce store. The type of shopping cart you end up with will be based on the time you put in and the limitations of the system.
Are you looking for eCommerce store that can truly reflect your product? By choosing WooCommerce you will have an eCommerce store that can showcase your product properly. You will also be in full control of your data (you own the website) and you won’t have the on-going subscription costs that Shopify charge.
If you’d like to learn more about WooCommerce and why WordPress is the world’s most popular website content management system, and to obtain a no obligation website proposal, call 0800 686 237 or email us via the contact page.
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