WooCommerce or Shopify are the top two options for creating an online store. An estimated five million people use these giants. They are both entrepreneurs and corporate executives who have made billions.

How can you choose between these two platforms? To succeed in ecommerce, it’s essential to choose a platform that suits your company’s needs.

We have done extensive research on both platforms to help you make the best decision. It is important to remember that no product can be perfect. It is your responsibility to determine which factors have the most significant weight in your decision-making.

This article will show you how to choose between WooCommerce or Shopify and what each platform offers. For building an online store, learn more.

Business image #1, Woocommerce vs Shopify

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Pros and Cons

Why We Selected It

WooCommerce plugin is an open-source, open-source ecommerce solution for WordPress. Open-source software provides full access and control over the source code. This allows users to have more freedom and creativity when designing elements.

This platform is flexible, so third-party programmers are creating new plugins. Business owners will have access to a more powerful CMS (content management system) to help them run their business.

WooCommerce allows store owners to have a smooth selling experience. 28% of all e-commerce-enabled websites currently use it. It’s a great choice if you are looking to make an ecommerce website that is both flexible and inexpensive.

Pros

  • There are hundreds to choose between themes and plugins
  • Highly customizable
  • Shopify doesn’t have as good of SEO performance.
  • Requires online development knowledge
  • As well as hosting, plugins can be expensive and are often required.
  • It is essential to maintain a routine.

Shopify

Why We Selected It

Shopify allows businesses and individuals to create an online store, take payments, and manage inventory. Shopify offers a more straightforward way to manage an online business than WooCommerce. It offers simple-to-use tools, allowing for quick setup.

Shopify was made for people with no programming experience. Instead, it handles web hosting and security as well as caching. Shopify may be the best option for you if your goal is to create an online shop or you want to get started.

Pros

  • 24/7 Customer and Sales Assistance
  • It can be integrated with many other apps automatically
  • All hosting software is included.
  • Shopify may take a portion of the transactions you have on your website if you don’t code your own.
  • Higher upfront cost
  • WooCommerce ranking is much better than SEO.

WooCommerce and Shopify: What’s the Difference?

Although the platforms appear to be very different on the surface, they share certain features.

WooCommerce is very basic and does not include any additional features (unless you make them). You can make it more personal, making it easier to design your interface. Creativeness comes with a price. Developer knowledge is one of those costs. Shopify is a comprehensive package for business owners who don’t want all the hassle of managing the technical side.

WooCommerce is an open-source platform that’s easy to use. It’s an option automatically offered when you create an account on WordPress. This allows new users to get started quickly. It’s essential that you remember there’s a learning curve for WooCommerce and that you need to take some time with the online store building process.

Shopify is simple to use and can even be optimized for SEO in as little as a few hours. Because it is a closed platform, its disadvantage is that it can be less customizable than WooCommerce.

But these aren’t the only things to look at when comparing platforms. Let’s get down to the details to help you decide which platform suits you best.

Configuring the UX

Shopify is a platform for general users, but designers and programmers will favor WooCommerce.

WooCommerce, by default has a steeper learning curve. On the other side, Shopify’s platform guides you through a step by-step setup process. In the end, you’ll be able to create a working website.

Shopify’s dashboard is straightforward to navigate. The Shopify dashboard is simple to use. It allows you to add products to the list.

WooCommerce dashboard is easy-to-use and allows you to add products. However, it isn’t a subscription-based platform, so you will need integration work before you can start.

These include:

  • Registering a domain
  • Find a hosting provider
  • Install WordPress
  • Finding and installing WordPress themes

This is easier if you are familiar with the platform and know which plugins to use.

Shopify would be Shopify if it were up for easy use.

Designs and Themes

Shopify allows you to access more than 70 free themes instantly. There are also several paid themes. These themes can be easily implemented and are very polished.

It is easy to get lost in all the design elements. The Shopify store allows you to buy a theme for a significant amount, but it’s only one time.

WooCommerce lets you choose from hundreds upon hundreds of themes or designs. They can also be automatically programmed for mobile responsiveness.

It might take longer to ensure that your website design is transparent. Every plugin has a unique user experience (UX).

WooCommerce offers a more personal layout that you can use for your ecommerce website. Remember that you need to have the financial ability to invest in the development.

Shopify has many premium themes you can use immediately if customization is your top priority. Remember that this could mean that multiple online stores can use the same theme.

WooCommerce is better than other design platforms because it allows you to personalize your designs and themes.

Prices involved

Shopify offers a free 14-day trial. After that, users will be required to pay a monthly service fee. The lowest plan starts at $29 per calendar month. The next level comes in at $79 per month, and the most expensive package is at $299 per.

All plans include SSL and Web Hosting. SSL is the standard technology to secure your internet connection and safeguard sensitive information.

A domain name not associated with Shopify will cost you $14/year.

While entry-level plans allow two users per account (although they offer unlimited product or storage space), the basic packages are limited to two users. This doesn’t cover the use of third-party tools, add-ons, and other in-platform features.

Transaction fees are calculated on a sliding basis. The basic package includes a flat fee equal to 2.0%. The top package reduces it to 0.5%.

Depending on how many sales you are processing, it may be worthwhile to retain more profit.

WooCommerce gives you a free trial. However, additional services such as booking domain names and SSL certification will cost you extra.

These services can come at different prices. Hosting costs between $5-$30. Hosting can be as low as $9 per annum. SSL certificates can cost between free and $100 per year. SSL secures your website. This is a priority that we believe is worth it.

A website can be created for minimal cost, depending on how your third-party apps are incorporated into WooCommerce. Consider that you might end up paying several extensions for different reasons.

Because of these varying costs, the best platform for you is one that has the most features.

Support

Shopify is by far the most popular platform.

Shopify’s customer services team can be reached 24/7. The Shopify customer service team is available 24/7 to help you solve your problem.

WooCommerce is an open platform that allows anyone to incorporate add-ons. Unfortunately, the support team is not able to solve every issue.

If you are using WooCommerce, it’s unlikely to require any help.

SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is necessary if you want your site to be visible on Google’s search result pages (SERPs).

Shopify offers a built-in SEO plugin that assists with basic SEO techniques such as site copy or meta information. Shopify websites are also faster to load than WooCommerce. This will help you rank higher on Google.

WooCommerce is integrated into WordPress, which is a blog platform. It also lets users alter body content URLs, meta descriptions, alt tags, and other page elements with great SEO tools.

WooCommerce can be ranked higher on Google.

Dropshipping

Your clientele will be satisfied when you launch an ecommerce store. This requires you to integrate delivery vendors into the website.

Shopify is home to many top vendors who can deliver your items. You can expect to pay different prices, and they may charge additional monthly fees or one-off costs. Shopify only offers a handful of plugins.

WooCommerce gives you the ability to look through hundreds and decide what you want. You may be interested in per-item deliveries rather than a monthly contract if you have a small business and only make one or two deliveries per week.

WooCommerce is the best choice if your company needs a customized delivery system to fit your needs.

Bottom Line: Shopify vs. WooCommerce

Each business has its specific requirements. The best platform to suit your needs is essential if you plan on making an easy transition to ecommerce.

Shopify is the perfect platform for you if your business needs an all-in-1 platform to host your ecommerce store. Shopify offers many easy-to-use features and apps and speeds up your site’s operation. A great support team is on hand to help with any problems, and there are many integration options.

WooCommerce will suit you if you either have an existing WordPress website or plan to create one. It’s adaptable, more SEO-friendly, and can be scaled very well.

It is up to you, the business owner, to decide its needs and wants.

author avatar
Brian Wilson Writer and Editor
Brian Wilson is the content manager and founder of LLC Radar. Brian grew up in North Texas, just outside of Dallas, and has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern Methodist University. Since graduating from SMU, Brian has gained over 10 years of experience in business writing for several online publications. Brian resides in Plano, Texas and he can be reached by email:   info@llcradar.com Phone: 972-776-4050
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