In the United States, 42% of people prefer to shop online. When you have so many people shopping online, it gets you excited about creating your store.
Yet, you may have a hard knowing where to start. Today, we will explore two eCommerce platforms that are available to you. WooCommerce vs Shopify will go head-to-head in this review extravaganza.
What Is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is great if you already have a website.
It’s a plugin that works with WordPress and helps turn your website into an online store. WooCommerce is an open-source and free eCommerce plugin for WordPress. This platform requires you to download WordPress to use it.
This system allows you to customize all aspects of your store and extensions.
WooCommerce takes more skill than Shopify. You’ll need to be more familiar with plugins, customization, and all technical aspects.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is an all-encompassing platform. You pay for a bundle package. You’ll create and publish your website and store through Shopify. You can manage all your functions in one place (e.g. payments, inventory, etc.).
If you want more features, they provide them (for a fee of course) on their app store.
A Comparison of the Two
They are both eCommerce platforms, so you may think they offer the same things. Yet, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Below we will compare some of their key features.
Ease of Use
Shopify provides a step by step guide once you create an account with them. Shopify takes care of the technical management for you (e.g. security and web hosting). You don’t need any technical skills with Shopify.
On WooCommerce you need to have technical skills. You’ll need to do all the technical management yourself.
Design
Shopify offers over 100 design variations (free and paid). All themes are mobile-friendly. Moreover, Shopify provides a Theme editor you can use for easy customization.
WooCommerce doesn’t have specific designs of its own. You use the themes provided by WordPress or create your own. Keep in mind that not all WordPress themes are compatible with WooCommerce.
WooCommerce has made it easier when selecting WordPress themes by creating a Storefront.
Cost
Shopify provides technical management as part of their package while WooCommerce doesn’t. Shopify offers different flat rates depending on how many services you want.
With WooCommerce you pay for everything separately which could cost you more in the end. Examples include web hosting, domain name, coding, etc.
Security
Shopify is always checking its security and welcoming others to test it for them. They pride themselves on their security. Moreover, they offer two-step authentication to ensure the security of your account.
Finally, they back up your store, so you can download a copy of it should anything happen.
On WooCommerce you’re responsible for your security. Everything is attached to your server.
There are a few services you can buy through WordPress. These include Siteground, Dreamhost, and WPEngine.
Payment Options
Shopify has a unique gateway. Yet, it does support some of the big and regional gateways. For example, PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. If you choose not to use Shopify’s gateway, you’ll have to pay a fee.
WooCommerce provides all the well-known gateways, as well as a few regional gateways. For example, Stripe, PayPal, and Square.
Control
You have access to your data through Shopify. You can export files and backup your site, but you will never have full control.
WooCommerce gives you complete control of your data. You own everything.
WooCommerce vs Shopify, Which Is Right for You?
If you’re looking for something easier to manage Shopify may be right for you. Yet, if you like getting into all the technical stuff, you might want to explore WooCommerce. WooCommerce vs Shopify, which will you choose?
Reach out to us today if you have any questions about website design or web hosting.