Over the years, more and more online retailers choose to go with eCommerce development platforms like Woocommerce and Shopify. However, the decision of which platform to use is not as straightforward as it may seem. This post will provide an overview of what each platform has to offer.
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Highlights: Woocommerce Vs. Shopify
All these eCommerce development platforms have a lot in common, and one of the biggest advantages both have over Shopify is that they allow you to create a fully functional website with just a few clicks.
Here are some of the key differences between Woocommerce and Shopify:
Woocommerce
Many online retailers are choosing to use Woocommerce for online stores. It is free (although you will need to pay for some additional features), easy to learn, and has an excellent reputation. On top of that, it integrates easily with other third-party modules.
You can also have multiple storefronts on one site through Woocommerce multi vendor. By that, you can sell your products in different markets at the same time. This allows you to test new markets without switching stores altogether.
Known as an open-source platform, Woocommerce allows you to customize the look and feel of the site. If you aren’t an ecommerce developer, don’t worry – there are plenty of templates to choose from.
Shopify
Shopify has a reputation for being one of the most stable and secure eCommerce development platforms, and it comes with more available third-party modules than any of its competitors. You can use Shopify to make your online store. On top of that, you can also host your blog on the platform. It separates products from blog posts, allowing you to manage both elements individually.
Which is Better?
Ease of Use
Woocommerce is very easy to learn, especially if you’re an experienced online retailer. However, on the downside, some users have encountered simple bugs that are not covered by customer support.
Shopify integrates with other third-party modules, allowing it to be more flexible. For non-technical users, it does require some technical knowledge, but the user interface is intuitive and straightforward to use.
Security
When it comes to security, Shopify has the edge. It keeps you safe by encrypting your data, preventing hackers from accessing it. Woocommerce uses its system to keep you safe, but it is hard to know what kind of security measures are being taken.
Shopify also provides an extra layer of security by allowing businesses to link their payment card to their account. This means that if something happens with your account, you can simply switch cards and get paid without having to wait for a response from an eCommerce development platform or bank.
Design
Woocommerce web design allows you to customize the look and feel of your website. However, as the system is open-source, you can’t exactly change the look and feel of Shopify as much.
Shopify has a more professional ecommerce web design focused on providing you with a suitable platform for selling products online. In addition, it allows you to upload your own designs and change Shopify’s appearance to fit your needs. More than that, Shopify is one of the only eCommerce systems that allows you to create a fully responsive website customized to different devices.
Usability
Both platforms are easy to use, but Shopify has live chat support for its users, which users find helpful. Over half of Shopify’s customers also upgrade their accounts so they can access the live chat feature.
Cost
One of the most significant differences between the two eCommerce platforms is in their pricing.
Woocommerce is free, so you don’t have to pay anything if you have a small store. However, the in-built features are not up to standard when compared to Shopify. Its starter plan starts at $29/month, which is much cheaper than WooCommerce.
Shopify offers two different pricing plans for its users: an annual plan and a month-to-month plan. The former is one of the most popular, and you can sign up for it for as low as $29/month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with its service.
Features
Shopify has a lot more features than Woocommerce. Even the basic Shopify plan comes with features like sales and abandoned cart emails, analytics, and a two-step checkout process.
Because it’s a third-party module, the WooCommerce expansion packs and additional features allow you to add other options. These include gift cards, product recommendations, simple product variants, and lots more
SEO-Wise
The fact that Shopify is an eCommerce development platform allows you to optimize your site for search engines. This is because the search algorithm of Shopify uses more than 40 signals like Google, Facebook, and Twitter to calculate the relevance of your website.
Woocommerce is not as SEO-friendly as Shopify, which does not mean it doesn’t rank well; it just isn’t as optimized.
Who Wins?
Both platforms have their advantages and disadvantages, so it all depends on what you need.
If you want an eCommerce platform that is easy to use, customizable, secure, and offers lots of features, Shopify is the best option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more straightforward with fewer features in general but more in terms of security, Woocommerce might be worth trying.
The choice isn’t easy in the end because both are great products that will meet all your needs.