Starting an online business is hard. It becomes harder when you cannot decide which e-commerce platform to choose. WooCommerce and Shopify both have their pros and cons. While Shopify boasts over 800K online stores, WooCommerce considers itself to be web’s most popular e-commerce platform. But which one should you go for?
If you are dithering between Shopify and WooCommerce then there are certain factors that you can consider. It usually comes down to what you want, and what are your plans for your business: both long term and short term.
But for your ease, I have come up with a few important, but basic factors that you should consider before making a decision. These factors include:
- Cost of each Platform
- Ease of Use
- Design and Theme
- Plugins and Integrations
- Build Time
- SEO
- Marketing Tools
- Security
- Customer Support
Round 1: Cost of Each Platform
Cost plays a huge role in considering the platforms for business owners. You have to set your budget accordingly and keep in mind the future consequences of spending a particular amount.
Cost of Shopify
Shopify offers its basic plan from USD 29 per month. You can also upgrade the plan to USD 70 or even opt for the Advance Shopify plan for USD 299 per month. Each plan includes the SSL certificate, web hosting and come with a branded subdomain of Shopify.
You can also use your own domain name, but you will have to pay extra for it, not more than 14 USD. Shopify payments can also affect your costs. They offer their Shopify Payment solution. Shopify charges you 2.9 percent + 30 cents per transaction for the basic plan. If you want to opt for third party payment then the charges will be 2 percent for all transactions. Shopify also offers a 14 day free trial.
Cost of WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a self-hosted WordPress. It is open source. Despite being a free plugin you wil need a domain name, SSL certificate and WordPress hosting account if you want to use WooCommerce. The domain name will cost you about USD 14.99, the SSL Certificate is for USD 69.99, and web hosting will cost you USD 7.99 per month. With Bluehost, you can get your money in a score day.
Winner of Round 1: WooCommerce!
Here is why:
It is obvious that the basic WooCommerce store costs significantly less than Shopify. WooCommerce does not charge you anything on transactions which makes it a clear winner of round 1. However, the costs do start to add up once you start buying paid extensions. Nevertheless, WooCommerce gives you the opportunity to find free alternatives to premium services.
Round 2: Ease of Use
Ease of use refers to user friendliness of the user interface. Most users are not tech savvy and don’t have access to designers or high end web developers.
Shopify’s Ease of Use
Shopify is fully hosted platform. There is no need for you to download, install, manage or even update any application. You also are free from the worries of security, performance, backups and compatibility predicaments.
All you need to sign up for Shopify and you are good to go. Start by selecting a design for your store. Shopify will walk you through the customization process. What I really like about Shopify’s user-ability is the intuitive drag and drop outlook. It makes it really easy for laymen to add products without following the tedious uploading process.
However, there is a slight set back: limited control. You can only use the design and tools provided by Shopify or available on their store.
WooCommerce and Ease of Use
Unlike Shopify, you would need to install the plugin for WooCommerce. Hence, you will also be required to manage the updates, keep backups and make sure your webpage is secure.
However, WooCommerce is quite flexible and easily customizable. You have full control over your WooCommerce account. Add any functionality to your website with more than 58K WordPress plugins.
However, for many, WooCommerce does require some time to get and understand.
Winner of Round 2: Shopify!
Here is why:
For me the drag and drop layout in Shopify is a clear win which WordPress lacks. You need WordPRess page builders to build your design which adds to your overall cost.
Round Three: Design and Theme
The design and theme are an integral part of the user interface. It articulates the personality of your brand to the visitor. Easy to use outlook can leave an everlasting impact on the mind of the visitor and plays an important role in converting people to customers.
Design and Theme of Shopify
Shopify’s theme store offers more than 70 free and paid themes options. If you want variations the number rounds up to 100. Shopify’s themes are polished and designed professionally.
The premium themes can start from USD 140.
Design and Theme of WooCommerce
WooCommerce default theme: Storefront is fully responsive and has a fresh, minimalist layout. The design and layout of your WooCommerce platform depends on the time and energy you are willing to spend on it. WooCommerce has a lot of options to choose from.
Winner of Round 3: Shopify!
Here is why
Shopify again wins this round. The template it offers are more sleek and honed as compared to WooCommerce. You can use codes if you want to customize your themes.
Although WooCommerce also offers unlimited customization options, but the designs are not as polished as one would want them to be.
Round 4: Plugins and Integrations
Plugins and apps allow you to add more layers to your ecommerce cake. On both WooCommerce and Shopify you can install apps to add more functionality.
Shopify’s Plugins and Integrations
Shopify offers more than 1200 free and paid reliable apps. You can also check the ratings for each app on the download page.
WooCommerce’s Plugins and Integrations
WooCommerce is an open-source platform. It heavily relies on plugins. You can choose from over 50K plugins to create a bespoke website without any problem.
Winner of Round 4: WooCommerce!
Here is why!
WooCommerce comes with an enormous number of apps. It is an open source software and relies on plugins for a majority features. For me WooCommerce wins this round.
Round 5: Build Time
Build Time of Sopify
If you want to get the ball rolling quickly, then this round demands your attention. Shopify does not need any installations and therefore, allows you to get live quicker.
Especially, if you are starting from ground and have little to no technical skills.
Build Time of WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a great option for users who are not looking to gain masses of sales instantly, and want more creative control of their shop.
Winner of Round 5: Shopify!
Here is Why
This is a clear win for Shopify. All of the key features are built-in. It is easy to use, and quicker to set up as compared to WooCommerce. WooCommerce does offer its own set of benefits, but not as good as Shopify.
Round 6: SEO Compatibility
SEO is an essential part of online marketing. It boils down to one thing: your store should appear in Google’s search results. Bad SEO rankings will flush down your efforts down the toilet, and you can incur a massive loss. Both Shopify and WooCommerce make sure that your products appear in front of the right audience.
SEO Compatibility of WooCommerce
WooCommerce is built with a code optimal for SEO. It is integrated with WordPress and comes with an impressive number of SEO plugins.
You can also customize your URLs to help users find your pages easily.
SEO Compatibility of Shopify
Shopify also has a number of SEO plugins in its App Store such as the SEO booster. It makes it easy to add SEO information to your store through descriptions and titles.
Winner of Round 6: WooCommerce!
Here is Why
This is a win for WooCommerce, though by a margin. You can access a wide range of SEO plugins through WooCommerce. It also offers helpful guides for SEO.
Round 7: Marketing Tools
Marketing tools are a sure way of boosting your business growth. These include Social Media handles like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, among others. It also includes email marketing for an intimate connection with your audience.
Marketing Tools and Shopify
With Shopify you can run multiple email campaigns using available apps such as Constant Contact and Seguno. When it comes to Social Media integrations, Shopify supports multichannel selling. You can integrate your store with Amazon, eBay, Facebook and Pinterest. You can also advertise your products on these platforms at no cost
Marketing Tools and WooCommerce
WooCommerce also relies on plugins for email campaign and offers integration through MailChimp through which you can send customized emails.
. WooComerce also allows you to integrate your store with Instagram, eBay and Amazon, but you have to pay a hefty USD 79. Advertisement on Facebook is free.
Winner of Round 7: Shopify!
Here is Why
Shopify takes this round. It comes with an impressive number of marketing features at zero cost. You can easily expose your business to millions of social media users. On the other hand, WooCommerce is heavily dependent on plugins for marketing tools.
Round 8: Security
Security is and should be a priority for any online platform. It holds special importance for online stores. The customer needs to know they can trust you with their personal information such as address etc.
Security of Shopify
Shopify takes charge of handling security breaches and makes sure that the site is always safe from hackers. Shopify also comes with built-in SSL. SSL gives security when the site is processing customer payments and personal information. It helps boost your SEO rankings as SSL appeals to Google. It also lets the visitors and customers know that your Shopify site is safe.
Security of WooCommerce
WooCommerce works with WordPress and is self-hosted. It means that the actual plugin does no come with in-built security. You need to handle it yourself or through your hosting provider.
WooCommerce does not come with SSL. It is a part of WordPress and you are responsible for your own SSL certificate sourcing.
Winner of Round 8: Shopify!
Here is Why
Shopify easily takes this one home. It is totally PCI-DSS compliant and you do not have to worry about anything. You can easily process debit and credit card payments from day one.
On the other hand, with WooCommerce you need to source SSL and set up the PCI-DSS compliance yourself.
Round 9: Customer Support
Customer support is another integral part of online shopping malls. Bad experiences are inevitable, and it is up to you how you handle them.
Shopify and Customer Suppor
This one is a close one to call. Shopify gives you 24/7 support through phone, live chat and e-mail. It also provides you with a wide library of helpful guides, has a community forum and a setup wizard.
WooCommerce and Customer Support
If you are using WooCommerce you can use Bluehost to power your store and gain access to fantastic customer support. It also includes round the clock phone and live chat support. You can also access a vast knowledge center with useful information
Winner of Round 9: WooCommerce!
Here is Why
WooCommerce if powered by Bluehost wins this round. It gives you brilliant round the clock support. It also offers you helpful guides. Although Shopify also gives you excellent support, it can’t match what WooCommerce has to offer.
Conclusion
Both Shopify and WooCommerce are great e-commerce platforms.
Here is the summary:
You should use Shopify if you want:
- Excellent round the clock support.
- Have the security taken care for you.
- And if you want polished, sleek templates which are easy to customize.
- Do not want to spend a lot of time building your online shop.
You should opt for WooCommerce
- If you want to setup a long term project and you are not in a hurry to see results.
- WooCommerce is also great for building a large-scare store accessible to various demographs.
- If you have technical knowledge and want more creative control over your site.
- And if you are willing to invest passionately on your online presence.
Who is the Winner?
Shopify does win by a margin because of its built-in tools, easy user-ability and its build time. It comes with detailed and clear price plans which gives you the time to ponder and think about what and how you want to go with the process further.
