Two of the major platforms of the e-commerce industry is WooCommerce and Shopify. Both are fine and packs options, which can help you run an online store effectively. However, there are specific differences that set them apart, leading to preferences of one over the other.
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform, which means it has its software. Plus, it has its own configured hardware, and the service can be availed on the subscription basis only.
On the other hand, WooCommerce is based on WordPress, which is a leading content management system. It can be installed for free as well as provides a hosting server that you can rent.
Furthermore, we recommend this article from TenWeb if you are looking for hosting? They compare the best managed WordPress hosting providers, and you can also get all the information about all the hosting pros and cons.
Following are the differences between WooCommerce and Shopify:
Hosting, Speed, and Security
Shopify takes into account your product hosting needs as well as speed and its optimization aspects. When you opt for a monthly subscription, security comes as part of it. You don’t have to worry about selecting CDN, caching, or SSL as it is all included in their standard plans.
With Shopify, certain compromises are to be made. Those compromises are in the technical department. If you ever wish to edit your website files, all you have to use is Shopify’s editor called Liquid. You cannot access the server through FTP. Also, you cannot use your domain’s name on the checkout page. Instead, it will be checkout.shopify.com is embedded by default.
As opposed to WooCommerce, you choose your hosting and speed preferences. You get to decide which hosting company to settle for and will have to learn to integrate speed and security bits to the store. For the security department, you can seek the help of third-party processors e.g., PayPal.
These things are not that hard to learn, but if you have not ever tried your hands at development, even the basic troubleshooting will leave you in a puzzled state. Since WordPress allows total control, you can fit in changes as per your liking. For example, you are customizing your checkout page with your domain name.
Development Costs
When dealing with Shopify, you are met with an upfront monthly subscription cost. As a Shopify user, you can pay to purchase premium themes, or you can engage a professional developer to do the job for you. Moreover, since Shopify is a well-known platform, you can save on running professional services costs.
With Shopify, your technical SEO/PPC is accounted for. Your SEO/PPC consultant can quickly get to work rather than wasting time with SEO/PPC requirements. However, any Shopify App costs can prove to be overwhelming for a store that has only taken, coupled with running subscription costs.
WordPress could be both cheaper and expensive than Shopify. Why? It has mostly to do with your level of expertise and the time you are willing to invest in setting up that online store. WooCommerce is free and community-supported, you do not have to worry about costs except daily hosting bill, and that’s it!
The hosting bill is dependent on the service of the hosting company that you are availing. The bill could be cheaper than $5 if you are operating a small store and may as well be higher. That is why I earlier hinted about WooCommerce costs of being more upper or lower than its counterpart.
WordPress has a wide array of talented individuals, which makes it easier to get your hands on breathtaking designs for free or for a premium design for as low as $20-30. You can always spend more, of course, for even more costly designs.
A truckload of free plugins is available at your disposal too. Either you can install them yourself, or if it proves to be time taking, you can always resort to hiring those individual talents rich with WordPress expertise.
Customization and User-friendliness
Shopify is designed, keeping in mind the owners of online stores. It is meant to make the setup hassle-free for the owners. The backend has lots of options which will detail you on its user-friendliness bits if you look closely. Those owners who are just starting are bound to have fun establishing their stores online.
Also, Shopify lets you install apps and extensions from the App Store. Some features are free, while others are paid. Still, all the apps are pretty simple to install and are to function for sure upon installation. That is the promise of Shopify. WooCommerce, too is user-friendly but can prove to be daunting for some users.
Not because it’s complex or anything but because the options are infinite. Since WordPress was created with one intent in mind; helping the world to create any kind of website with ease, be it an e-commerce store, so for this reason lots and lots of customizations are being offered which can, on occasions, become overwhelming.
Of course, you don’t have to use them all.
In Conclusion
We have made mention of few differences above that can be a deciding factor between Shopify and WooCommerce. Although, that’s not all. You can study differences between the two based on content tools, SEO and marketing tools, customer support, design, and themes, in addition to future growth.
Author Bio: Nancy Johnson owns an online store. She is a content marketer by profession and can be consulted for professional assignment help. You can follow her for more updates via her website.
