WooCommerce Vs Shopify Shopify vs WooCommerce to simplify both are among the most popular and simple-to-use eCommerce platforms in the marketplace.
The two platforms WooCommerce and Shopify offer a variety of strengths and may be the best option for you to create an eCommerce store. The good thing is, you’re able to build it entirely on your own without the assistance of experts in design or development.
First, which of these two options is going to meet your needs better? or Shopify and WooCommerce ( for creating an awesome online store)? Which has more features? Which is more affordable? Which one has a better look? Which one is more flexible? Which one is the most easy to collaborate with?
There are a lot of questions to answer to and we’re going to address them all in this comprehensive comparison. After you’ve read it, you will know precisely which ecommerce platform to pick according to your personal requirements. So, let’s look at WooCommerce with Shopify to find out which is the most effective:
Table of Contents:
- WooCommerce vs Shopify: Pros and Cons
- WooCommerce vs Shopify: What’s the Difference?
- Chapter #1: Design Comparison
- Chapter #2: Prices
- Chapter #3: Features
- Chapter #4: Ease of use
- Chapter #5: Customer Support
- Chapter #6: SEO Options
- Chapter #7: Payments and Fees
- Chapter #8: Security
- Chapter #9: How Long Will It Take To Build An Online Store?
- Other Alternatives to WooCommerce and Shopify
- WooCommerce vs Shopify: Conclusion
In addition, here’s an YouTube video of this test that was created by my coworker Joe
WooCommerce vs Shopify
Pros and Cons
When we look at the comparison between WooCommerce with Shopify and Shopify, it is evident that both platforms have strengths and weaknesses. Let’s examine which of these is attributed to both platforms.
Shopify Pros and Cons
ShopifyPros
- You know precisely how much you’ll have to pay each month, and the cost is reasonable.
- Access to hundreds of applications to expand your options.
- The themes are numerous and gorgeous.
- Shopify manages everything for you, from Hosting to security.
- It takes only some minutes to start your store.
- Dropshipping is a breeze with Shopify.
- The support is top-notch in the industry.
Shopify Cons
- There’s not as much control over your website with Shopify..
- Customization is easier when using other platforms.
- You’re forced to pay a monthly fee that’s going to rise.
WooCommerce Pros and Cons
WooCommerce Pros
- WooCommerce provides total control and customization.
- WordPress has a massive community of users online.
- The possibilities for themes and plugins are endless since virtually anyone can create and sell them on the internet.
- WooCommerce is easy to install on WordPress.
- This WooCommerce plugin is completely free.
Cons
- WordPress has some learning curve.
- You might find it possible that WooCommerce will end up being higher priced due to themes, plugins and hosting.
- You’re responsible for every aspect of your hosting, from maintenance to security and maintaining to backups.
WooCommerce vs Shopify: What’s the Difference?
If you go to Google for reviews on WooCommerce or Shopify there are numerous opinions from various business owners. Although these reviews are helpful however, the reality is the decision to choose WooCommerce or Shopify is down to the fundamental distinctions.
For instance, the primary distinction among WooCommerce as well as Shopify is the fact that Shopify provides an entire eCommerce solution that is designed to provide you with everything you require to start your online journey.
Shopify eliminates the hassles and technical aspects of managing an internet-based business and substitutes them with user-friendly tools. The site you’ve created with Shopify shop can be put up and operational within minutes. This also means that you won’t be able to enjoy the same level of control over your website.
However for those seeking for more options for customization, WooCommerce is an self-hosted application for eCommerce. This means you are able to access the code and access various areas within your online store.
WooCommerce offers the freedom to integrate everything into your store, which is essential for your staff. This also means you can manage your business with your WordPress blog.
Yet, when you compare Shopify with WooCommerce and other options, keep in mind that the freedom you can enjoy with WooCommerce is not without cost. Also, you have to be aware of how to deal with the technical aspect of your website, and also keep your site secure.
If you’re just starting out as the basics and do not want to consider things such as hosting providers and web hosting information If so, Shopify is an excellent option. If you’d like more flexibility to play around with your website and are already using WordPress then go for WooCommerce.
Shopify is the best option when you are looking for an all-in-one platform for your online store that can get you up and running in no time with plenty of fantastic tools and features.
WooCommerce is for you If you already have an existing WordPress website and aren’t afraid to take greater control of your store.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter #1: Design
When it comes to web pages ( particularly ecommerce stores) the design is paramount. Customers aren’t going to be able to trust a site that doesn’t match the design or functions properly as it ought to.
How Shopify Does Design?
The one among Shopify‘s most appealing features is the quality of its images the themes. According to me, they look stunning from the beginning. Shopify offers more than 54 templates for stores, of which 10 are completely free. Furthermore, every one of these Shopify themes comes with its own unique variations. So, technically speaking, you’re getting more than 100 different styles.
The greatest thing is that they’re all mobile-friendly and offer many different color choices. They are stylishly sleek and modern design that is perfect for contemporary, forward-thinking websites.
Shopify’s designs aren’t developed on-site By the way. They’re outsourced to a team of expert web designers, who make sure that they’re up-to-date and appealing as they possibly could be. We like this model because it allows you to draw inspiration from a variety of individuals and businesses that makes for more options.
The prices for the top Shopify themes are upwards of $180. However, what you get for that is stunning design.
There are thankfully free options to use.
The immediate appeal of Shopify themes can lead webmasters to pick the similar themes. A few Shopify users who have created their own websites have complained that it looked alike to other sites. Because of this, customizing is recommended.
Fortunately, Shopify themes are simple to alter. It is easy to change the colors and styles, while skilled developers can use the platform’s unique Liquid language to make larger changes that really create a distinct brand.
Even better, they have a theme editor in the platform which you can use for customizing. You can select to block sections of the editor for themes without having to remove them. The hidden sections are customizable in the editor, but will not be visible on the front-end of the store. This lets users to begin segments for future releases and eliminate the requirement for duplicate themes ( an issue that many developers encounter when using WordPress).
How WooCommerce Does Design
Similar to numerous other elements of your experience with WooCommerce, as is the case for many other aspects of your experience with regards to aesthetics the world is yours. It’s just a matter of having to invest the time.
WooCommerce is an HTML0-based plug-in developed by the developers from Woo Themes (and acquired by Automatic). In other words, it does not provide any particular features in its own. What it does do is provide you with the ability to offer products as well as services. The design is, however, left to the current or the future WordPress theme.
WooCommerce is designed to work with the majority of themes that are available as long as they adhere to the guidelines in the industry and follow best practices.
That means that, typically you’ll be capable to pick any WordPress theme you like and make it work with WooCommerce.
But, you can find themes designed specifically with WooCommerce in mind right from the start and are designed to ensure that all your product or service catalogs look stunning. If the style of the eCommerce store is important to you, then you must consider looking for themes specifically designed for WooCommerce.
The ideal place to begin is with Woo’s default online store theme, called Storefront (free). It’s an extremely efficient design which focuses attention on the essential elements that make up an online store.
There’s also various kid themes for Storefront to allow you to alter the look of your store even more. The majority of themes for children are priced at just $39 each (occasionally there are exceptions, but there are themes for WooCommerce that have prices as high to 119 dollars). If you’re a designer with eCommerce clients, they offer an option for $399 that includes all themes from the collection.
Apart from that, you can also look into marketplaces like Theme Forest where they have hundreds of other WooCommerce-compatible themes.
To be truthful, WooCommerce has a significant advantage over Shopify in regards to themes. Shopify offers a variety of fantastic themes, however they are limited to the themes available on Shopify’s Shopify Theme Store. WooCommerce is, on contrary is open source and a plethora of developers offer (or offer) amazing WooCommerce themes for various industries and uses.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 2: Price
Every webmaster would like to get a little higher value for their money, but the two platforms use different methods to pricing.
The primary distinction between WooCommerce pricing and WooCommerce pricing is the main difference.
To put it simply the Shopify pricing is simple and clear. WooCommerce’s isn’t.
On one other hand, WooCommerce can be an open-source software plug-in. It is free, but you need to take into consideration the other expenses that come creating an online business. WordPress is also free however you will need to think about things like hosting and the cost of a theme the domain name, extensions, along with the cost of an SSL certificate.
Shopify is about providing you with a single and complete solution, with just two pricing plans. You sign up and then you are able to make use of your new eCommerce store immediately because everything you require is already included in the initial.
This table should help make the cost of the various platforms more easy to understand:
Note. Each of Shopify and WooCommerce provide a variety of different tiers or choices to upgrade your platform, based on the nature of your company, the amount of sales you make and so on. To make it easier to understand this comparison I’m going to concentrate on the least expensive route – how much it costs to at least to be able to run an eCommerce store using WooCommerce as opposed to Shopify.
| WooCommerce vs Shopify pricing | |||||
| Software | Hosting | Subdomain | SSL Certificate | Top-level domain | |
| Shopify | $29/month | Includes for free | $9/year | ||
| WooCommerce | $0 | Amounts range from $5 to $100 per monthly ( via 3rd party) | n/a | Free to $100or more per an entire year (via third party) | Annually, $9+ (via 3rd-party) |
When we put it all together the above can be translated into:
- Shopify eCommerce store operating on top-level domains: $29/month.
- WooCommerce store with the same platform: $29 / month (a small $20 hosting domain, SSL, and domain).
As you will observe, even though the WooCommerce application can be used for free, running an eCommerce store will cost you the similar to Shopify and, in some cases, even more.
However, this isn’t all. With WooCommerce it is possible that you be required to take into account additional extensions for things such as SEO, additional payment gateways, etc. These extensions typically fall around the $49-79 threshold (one-time transactions).
What it comes to to is that, even though WooCommerce may be technically the more affordable option, it’s going to take a lot more effort to setup and you’ll need to be mindful to not to exceed your budget since each new upgrade comes with a cost of. When it comes down to it, with WooCommerce you’re spending more time with the setup and administration that translates to dollars.
Shopify offers a more traditional pricing structure. It offers an array of plans that are sliding that offer customers a variety of features upfront such as the Lite ($9 monthly,) Basic Shopify ($29 per month,) Shopify ($79 per month) and Advanced Shopify ($299 per month).
Please feel free to browse through a different resource of ours. We concentrate on the various pricing options that are available through Shopify and the best one to select.
Not least is the fees for transactions. In essence, if you sell something using one of these platforms, they’ll charge you a fee (for taking the payment or transferring the money to your account, etc.). These fees can change frequently however I won’t get into it here, but be aware of them. Typically, they range between about 2% to 3% per transaction. However, be sure to examine the exact amounts prior to signing up on one platform.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 3: Features
Although the approaches of both platforms to pricing are distinct but they’re fairly similar in regards to providing your eCommerce website with the features it requires. In contrast to platforms like BigCommerce, Shopify and WooCommerce are more basic , with the essential e-commerce features integrated into the software.
But both have good apps stores for adding any additional features you might require.
How Shopify Helps You Sell
While you may have to install applications to get the most benefit from Shopify’s platform Shopify offers many more options for free. From the start Shopify provides:
- Unlimited products
- Unlimited file storage
- Automated fraud analysis
- embedded Oberlo connection
- Manual order creation
- Discount coupons
- Blog module
- Free SSL certificate
- Mobile commerce optimization
- Editable HTML and CSS
- Credit card transactions
- Multiple languages
- Taxes and shipping rates that can be adjusted
- Profiles of customers
- Drop shipping capabilities
- SEO-friendly site structure
- Individual reviews of products
- The Facebook selling module
- Integration with social media (and an intriguing brand new connection to Instagram)
- Digital and physical items are offered at the store
- Unlimited traffic to your store
- Daily backups
- Product reports and site stats.
- Advanced report (on Shopify and Shopify Advanced plans)
- Fully-featured mobile app
- Product importing via CSV files
- Different variations of the product
- Print orders
- Management of inventory
- Card for gift cards (on Shopify and Shopify Advanced plans)
- Recovery of abandoned carts (on Shopify and Shopify Advanced plans)
As a comparison to these features, some of these options, like CSV uploads, bookings, and shipping options can cost you up to $500-600 using WooCommerce..
How WooCommerce Helps You Sell
Being an open-source software WordPress is well-known for permitting third-party developers to create extension and plug-ins. WooCommerce takes advantage of that by offering a wide array of intriguing and innovative features. If you’d like to easily alter the appearance of your site or sell on Facebook and increase marketing via email, comprehend the behavior of users or any other thing you’ll be able to.
What you’ll find inside WooCommerce:
- You can offer physical products as well as digital ones (including software and applications) and it’s useful for affiliate marketing.
- Payments through PayPal and Stripe built-in (plus various other payment gateways for additional charges)
- Taxes and shipping rates that can be adjusted
- Unlimitable quantity of products and categories
- Control of levels of stock
- Mobile-friendly structure
- You have total control over your personal information
- Compatible in conjunction with current WordPress theme.
- Hundreds of plug-ins (extensions) are available
- A no-cost Facebook advertisement as well as Facebook extensions for stores
WooCommerce vs Shopify Features Compared Side-by-side
In order to make the above information simpler to understand, here’s a side-by-side review of the key eCommerce features of Shopify in addition to WooCommerce:
| WooCommerce Vs Shopify one-to-one | |
| Shopify | WooCommerce |
| A subscription-based tool or service that is an eCommerce complete, straight-from-the-box solution. | It is a no-cost WordPress plugin that’s free for WordPress. The plugin requires hosting as well as a functional WordPress installation to function. |
| The fundamental similarities and distinctions | |
| It allows you to sell anything you want (physical or digital, goods and services, etc.). | |
| Utilize the online store (eCommerce store) as well as offline (via Shopify’s ” Point of Sale” kit). | Make use of it only online (eCommerce store). |
| 24/7 chat, email and telephone support available 24/7 via chat, email, and phone. | Support for ticket tickets, forum support and many blogs online. |
| Closed platform. You can only alter the store to the extent Shopify permits. | Open source allows you to modify your store at any time. There are no limits. |
| Shopify controls your store/website data. | You are in complete control of your personal data. |
| Your eCommerce store design | |
| Over 50 designs for stores to choose from (10plus) of which are completely cost nothing). | A huge selection of store designs is to choose from (through WordPress themes). |
| Mobile-friendly structure. | |
| Additional similarities, differences and other | |
| Hosting included. | Hosting is not included. |
| Subdomains are free in each plan (e.g. YOURSTORE.shopify.com). | There is no subdomain included. |
| A free SSL certificate. | You can connect an free SSL certificate by hand, however most people have to pay for this service. |
| Unlimited storage for files. | Storage of files depends on the web hosting service you use. |
| You can sell unlimited quantities of items. | |
| Use coupon codes or discounts to create coupons. | |
| Accept payments using PayPal and other payments platforms (including Stripe, credit cards) as well as bank deposits, cash-on-delivery, and many other options. (Over 70 options) | Accept payments via PayPal, Stripe, checks, bank transfers, cash on delivery. |
| Sales reports and statistics. | |
| Native support for different languages. | Support for different languages through third-party plugins. |
| Flexible shipping rates and taxes. | |
As you will see, there’s nothing particular that’s lacking from either of the platforms. The decision to choose one over the other is often down to your personal preference or your opinion on the merits (or the lack of value) for open source software in comparison to other software.
However, the devil lies in the small details. In the end, at all times, Shopify seems like a better solution that is more laser-focused. The entire feature set that Shopify has to offer is designed for helping your store become more efficient and user-friendly to utilize. With WooCommerce it is very feature-rich and doesn’t have any specific eCommerce features. It’s however an accessory to WordPress and makes it more complicated to set up.
In the end there’s not a clear winner in this department. Both platforms provide everything a typical eCommerce configuration could require.
Chapter 4: Ease of use
We haven’t seen an undisputed winner in regards to eCommerce functions, perhaps we could get one in terms of to the user-friendliness. A user’s experience refers to the ease of it to establish and run a functioning eCommerce store on either of the platforms.
How Easy to Use is Shopify?
The major benefit of Shopify is it’s a subscription-based tool. That is, to use it, all you have to do is go to Shopify.com, click the sign-up button, follow an initial setup wizard and then you’re completed.
Shopify will be able to assist you on the way, asking questions about the goal/essence of your store (what you’re hoping to sell) and providing you with some general tips regarding to what design/structure to pick and how to organize everything.
Once you’ve completed that initial process, you’ll be granted access to the main dashboard. From there, you can set up your own eCommerce store as well as add new products and so on.
In the end, the entire process is easy to follow and, the best part is that you don’t require any site-building or design expertise to be successful.
Then, once you’ve got the store up and running you’ll be able to access all important option from the dashboard’s sidebar.
This kind of arrangement will make the daily tasks at the store a breeze to comprehend.
When it is to the process of adding the latest products to your store, or handling orders and sales is quite simple. For instance, when you add an item, all of the product parameters are displayed on the same panel, which means you don’t need to navigate to various areas within the Dashboard to define items like the name price, image inventory levels, other things.
Here’s what is the “new product” screen looks like:
In the end, Shopify is an excellent choice, and the most appealing aspect is it allows you to sign up and start a store right immediately, without any unexpected interruptions.
How Easy to Use is WooCommerce?
In some ways WooCommerce is as simple to make use of like Shopify. But there’s one caveat.
The issue is this that although using WooCommerce on a regular basis is as easy as working using Shopify however, creating your store won’t be.
In essence, since WooCommerce is an WordPress plugin, and not a subscription-based service as Shopify This means that you’ll need to manage a few things prior to attempting to use WooCommerce it self.
In general, you will need to fill out the following forms:
- Register a domain
- Join for an account on hosting
- Install WordPress
- Install and configure the WordPress theme
Once you’ve taken those four steps in your mind that you can download your WooCommerce plugin to the WordPress website and get through the setup of the online shop.
However, these steps require some degree of confidence regarding web-related issues. It involves the setup of your web server and routing your website to the said server and finally, getting WordPress correctly installed and functional.
To make the process a bit simpler for yourself to make it easier on yourself, you can opt for an expert WordPress hosting service who will take care of the domain name and WordPress install for you, and leave only the WooCommerce portion to you. In any case, it’s considerably more complex than Shopify’s single-click “sign up” button.
Also, there’s the appearance. WooCommerce does not come with an real “design”. It’s managed by an WordPress theme you choose. It’s good to know that WooCommerce can be used with virtually every theme available However, it’s still up to your shoulders to select one you like and then install it on your site.
Today, about WooCommerce the product itself
Like I said that the platform itself is as simple to make use of just like Shopify. Once you have your WooCommerce plugin set up and activated and you’ll be able to see the wizard to set up the plugin. It is comprised of five(-ish) steps that take you through each essential step.
In essence, it lets you pick the most important aspects of the store and configure it in a clean and tidy way. For instance, some of the crucial steps include factors such as the settings for currency, shipping and tax settings, as well as payment gateways.
After the installation is completed after which you are able to use your store and start adding products.
I’ve already shown the Shopify “add product” page above Let’s take a examine WooCommerce’s
As you will see, it’s similar. However, some particulars are presented slightly different.
Which is Easier to Use, Shopify or WooCommerce?
Due to the initial difficulties that comes in the initial setup of the WooCommerce store and the initial hassle involved, I’m going to offer this opportunity to Shopify.
The fact that you are able to simply hit the sign-up button and create your entire store up in just a few minutes is remarkable in Shopify.
But, once you’re dealing with your store on a regular basis, Shopify and WooCommerce both provide the same degree of convenience.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 5: Support
Also, there’s the issue of technical assistance. Shopify is well-known for its top-quality customer service. Every customer has all-hours access to an advisor for customer service should they encounter questions or issues (via email, chat or phone contact).
Alongside that in addition, you have accessibility to the vast knowledge database which covers a variety of the most frequent questions asked by users and solutions to problems.
Support for WooCommerce isn’t always as simple. The first thing to note is that WooCommerce is a no-cost WordPress plugin. It means that you are able to get assistance via WooCommerce’s WordPress Forums. However, at the exact as this the WooCommerce team allows everyone to sign up for an cost-free customer account on WooCommerce.com and receive support there.
There are numerous websites which cover WooCommerce-related topics. Overall, WooCommerce is fantastic for users who don’t want to talk to a representative but prefer to do their own research on their own.
At the very end of the day, I will have to provide my support to Shopify. There is nothing better than 24/7 access to support personnel.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 6: SEO
Any site that is looking to stand out requires an SEO strategy that is strong. Luckily, both websites have plenty to offer for them.
How Shopify Aids SEO?
Shopify might be second in the list in the number of SEO features There’s definitely not any shame with regards to the manner that it provides the content. It also handles the most basic SEO practices such as meta information and copywriting effortlessly. As long as your company produces quality content There’s no reason to say that you shouldn’t be enjoying excellent results and a high level of user engagement.
On the whole and all-encompassing, there are a lot of ways in which Shopify can prove to outdo WooCommerce when it comes to SEO arena. Shopify is actually recognized by web developers such as me for having the cleanest codes and a natural linking structure that gives users a smooth experience, which in turn increases ranking in search engines.
A fascinating instance worth noting is the incident that occurred to The Lost Cyclist, an eCommerce specialist. After he switched his website out of Shopify to WooCommerce in the beginning, it was apparent that traffic decreased quite a bit.
(If you’d would like to learn more about how shopping carts can benefit your business through SEO, you may like to go through this article.)
Additionally, Shopify is quick. Since it’s a hosted platform built on a massive infrastructure Shopify gives each one of their webmasters with fast loading pages. This means that shops have a higher chance of being ranked well and have a greater chance of driving clients to conversions.
How WooCommerce can help in SEO
WordPress is mostly a content production platform. It’s acknowledged among SEO experts as being among the most reliable choices available. It’s simple to modify and add metadata and content to make sure that websites have a high chance of getting ranked for particular keywords.
With plugins like Yoast SEO You can improve the performance of your WordPress website highly optimized and take complete control of each and every aspect related to SEO.
WooCommerce takes advantage of what’s already there in WordPress, or what’s available through third-party plugins like the aforementioned Yoast SEO, or the WooCommerce-dedicated version of the Yoast plugin.
In the final analysis, WooCommerce gives you more SEO-related options as a result of its being built on the back of WordPress. The only drawback is that the speed of your site greatly depends on the web hosting service you work with. Due to this, the SEO category shifts to Shopify. There’s no need to think about optimization too as much, and your speed will always be guaranteed to be of the highest quality.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 7: Payments and Fees
It’s undisputed that processing payments is at the core of any e-commerce company. No matter what kind of products or services that you deal with, your ultimate objective is always to convert visitors and making it easier for them to make their next purchase.
Fortunately that the two WooCommerce and Shopify have a range of tools to assist you in that. They’re not exactly the same however. If you look at WooCommerce with Shopify processing transactions It turns out that both have established different fees and systems.
Shopify is a platform that has their own processing features, and WooCommerce however, in contrast, is also able to have a few of distinct payment advantages.
Which of these two options offers superior methods of processing your payments? Which one is the best option for you? to save money on the cost of transactions? Shopify or WooCommerce?
Shopify Payment Processing
Shopify may be a lot of things in relation to payments. However, despite the many options for processing payments it provides it has one that outdoes the others.
It’s true, Shopify was able to see that it wasn’t a good idea to observe from the sidelines while other platforms dealt with the most important aspect of selling online. It needed to be part of the action. Then the Shopify payment system became something of a phenomenon.
Shopify Payments is currently the default payment processor used on the platform. It’s listed into the Shopify dashboard.
However, don’t make any mistake. Shopify isn’t an payment processor. Shopify Payments is only a payment application operated by Stripe. Thus, while the application may look and smell similar to Shopify on the surface but its transactions are executed through Stripe as a background.
Very interesting, I have to admit. However, let’s look at this. Based on its track record, Stripe is indeed a prominent player in the processing of cards it has dealt with various types of electronic payment for nearly a decade.
This is what creates Shopify Payments an incredibly flexible payment solution capable of processing many different cards. That is you’ll be capable to accept almost all major debit and credit card transactions without any issues. Connect Shopify Payments to your bank account and begin accepting payment. It’s really that easy.
Also, there’s no need to worry about. There’s no need to be concerned about installing extra security measures. In case you didn’t know it, Shopify is certified Level 1 PCI DSS fully compliant. That, in simple words, means Shopify Payments is a real super-star in regards to safeguarding the card details of your customers and prevent CNP fraud.
I’m not saying that you should be confused. Shopify Payments is not all about CNP transactions. It can go above and over online transaction to manage even in-store card processing. If you’ve set up the brick and mortar store in addition by using Shopify POS, you’ll still be capable to make use of Shopify Payments for in-person card transactions.
And that’s not the only thing. It’s now possible to sell your products on the go as well due to Shopify’s mobile apps. Thanks to Shopify Payments backing you up your phone, it basically turns into a cash register mobile that accepts card payments everywhere.
Let’s wait for a second. Although Shopify Payments is indeed a very flexible payment processor, it’s apparent that its entire concept to “accepting payments anywhere” might not be true technically in the end.
The problem is. Shopify Payments is only accessible to merchants located in the UK as well as it’s the US, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia. While it’s nice that customers can pay from anywhere, let’s face facts that Shopify Payments is nowhere close to becoming a universal payment service. It doesn’t include a large number of countries of its list of merchants.
Positively However, at least, it’s not the sole processor available on the Shopify platform. While Shopify prefers to use its default processor for card transactions however, it doesn’t leave out any other options. It’s a platform that’s flexible enough to accommodate a variety of payment processors from third parties.
Imagine any popular e-commerce payment method You’ll be able to discover a distinct application that works with Shopify. In total with Shopify, there are over 100 payment service providers available such as PayPal, Amazon Pay, Authorize.net, World Pay, you know it.
Because there’s a solution for all regions and you should have no issue finding the right payment processor. Therefore, if you’re trying to manage transactions on your website, you might prefer to choose an online provider. However, if you’d prefer to redirect your clients to an external checkout page it’s better to go working with an external vendor.
The subsequent processing fees for cards however, aren’t typical across the board. The amount you pay in the long run is contingent on the specific fees of your provider’s schedule. You may want to be attentive to their rates prior to you decide to make your decision.
As you’re doing it you’ll realize that the concept of using a third-party platform instead Shopify Payments isn’t compatible with Shopify. The payment gateway even penalizes you for charging you an additional rate of 2 percent, 1 percent or 0.5 percent above the fee charged by your payment processor for every transaction.
If you were to calculate the amount you have to risk over an long time period I’m betting you’d strongly think about sticking to Shopify Payments. If you’re judging it through its transaction costs online of 2.9 30% + 30Cper transaction for the basic users I’m sure you’ll be enticed to search for a more affordable solution.
In case you’re thinking the same thing, it’s not much differing for other Shopify customers. Shopify Payments offers online processing of credit cards for Shopify plan customers are 2.6 30% + 30C/, and 2.4 30% + 30C+ 30C/ for Advanced Shopify subscribers.
It’s a good thing that things will be cheaper when you look at Shopify online with Shopify POS. In-person credit card processing fees for Shopify Basic Shopify are 2.7 percent followed by 2.5 percentage for Shopify subscribers, after which it’s 2.4 for Shopify subscribers, and 2.4 for Advanced Shopify.
Also, don’t forget that the transaction charges here are imposed independently from Shopify’s subscription fees.
WooCommerce Payment Processing
While WooCommerce and Shopify payment processing systems share numerous distinctions, it’s evident that there are some significant similarities too..
Use the built-in payment processing for example. It is just a coincidence that WooCommerce can also help you get to begin processing cards through the use of services in default. In fact, it is even better than Shopify by providing two distinct choices – PayPal along with Stripe.
From that point it’s clear that you won’t get an exclusive payment gateway for WooCommerce. PayPal and Stripe essentially come as add-ons you can select to incorporate directly into your website. This means that you’ll be in a position to make transactions quickly without having to redirect customers to other checkout sites.
We can admit on the point that PayPal as well as Stripe are both reliable payments processors, which have both been tested and test. The majority of WooCommerce online stores will be comfortable using one of the two options from the beginning. There is no need for any bank account for merchants to start functioning.
However, if you prefer to test another product, WooCommerce is more than willing to allow you to do so. PayPal as well as Stripe are just two among many. This means WooCommerce can support a variety of payment processing services, many of which can be easily integrated using plugins.
In essence, the possibilities are limitless since you can access all most popular gateways. You can also choose to extend your online selling capabilities through the use of WooCommerce the POS for on-site transactions. It’s true that it works with several companies that provide in-person card processing capabilities.
If you have found a suitable gateway, install the add-on, and then connect it to an account on your bank for merchants and voilà! It is now possible to make transactions for your website without having to pay WooCommerce even a cent.
Be careful not to get too excited. The transactions on this site aren’t 100% free. While WooCommerce doesn’t charge any fees however, the payments processors do. Their charges, however vary from one processor to another.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Which Offers Cheaper Transaction Fees?
Comparing WooCommerce with Shopify the processing of payments isn’t that easy. This is an intense contest since they’re both extremely adaptable and reliable when it is to processing transactions.
The Shopify’s Shopify payments is an extremely effective inbuilt feature. The same is true to WooCommerce’s default choices including PayPal, Stripe and.
It’s worth noting that both platforms grant you the possibility of switching their default processors for cards for alternative third-party options. WooCommerce has a vast selection of third-party integrations and Shopify is, on the contrary is able to offer its own extensive array of options via its Shopify App Store. Therefore, at the end of the day you’re likely to discover a suitable payment option on the other hand, with Shopify or WooCommerce.
This aside, the WooCommerce against Shopify fight over payments ultimately boils down to the respective transaction fees. While most payment gateways charge the same transaction costs to Shopify as well as WooCommerce websites, the latter is often more expensive. The main reason is Shopify’s extra rate of transactions for customers who choose to stray to the normal Shopify Payments service.
It’s funny to think about it, WooCommerce and Shopify payments could have come to a tie had Shopify was less tense regarding Shopify Payments. Let’s face it, we have to be honest and say a spade is a spade. Accepting payments via credit cards is going to cost more on Shopify as opposed to WooCommerce.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter 8: Security
Security is a major issue when conducting transactions online, as well as via your own store. The biggest problems could arise when your website is compromised. There are also situations that involve customers when their information is stolen.
What is the best way to judge how WooCommerce and Shopify stand in the field of security?
WooCommerce doesn’t have any security features included in the plugin. Because it is based on WordPress and is a WordPress-based platform, the majority of security measures are in your responsibility. For instance, you’d need to acquire the appropriate SSL certificate, and also ensure that your hosting provider has secure servers. Additionally, you’ll want to set up security plugins for your website as well as two-factor authentication and other security features to secure your website.
Shopify On its own, takes care of every security measure for you. So, you don’t need to think about purchasing an SSL or making sure that your website isn’t compromised. It is, however, recommended to create a secure password.
Shopify is PCI certified right from the start It is also PCI compliant, and WooCommerce is able to become PCI compliant when you use the appropriate tools. It is also possible to add security badges to both.
Shopify may be more simple to utilize than WooCommerce however it’s not all you have to consider when trying to search for the best e-commerce solution. When you are comparing Shopify and WooCommerce You also have to think about security.
In the case of well-known e-commerce platform an extremely high level of security must be the top priority for any business owner. Be aware that you’re likely to handle transactions involving vital customer information as well as money.
It is essential to be sure that the decision you choose between WooCommerce and Shopify is one that will allow you to safeguard your customers the best. The good thing is that, as with many other things that are available with Shopify it also handles your security. Since Shopify operates as a cloud-hosted platform, Shopify deals with handling all security concerns for you, ensuring that you’re protected from hackers.
However, WooCommerce works perfectly when integrated with WordPress and is hosted by WordPress. That means there’s no security in your hosting service from the beginning. You’ll need to manage security on your own, through the help of a hosting company or on your own.
Another aspect to be aware of from the security point of view when comparing WooCommerce and Shopify The reason is that Shopify has an SSL certificate included for no cost. SSL is an Secure Sockets Layer that basically provides you with the information you require to secure your website from being hacked and to prevent data from being compromised by hackers.
Shopify‘s integrated SSL ensures that every time people goes to your website you’ll be able to see a small padlock icon right next to your website’s URL. The advantages of having this certificate are substantial. The first is that you’re protected when processing personal data and transactions from your customers.
In addition, you will receive an impressive increase for the SEO of your store. Shopify SSL is a great way to boost your SEO. Shopify SSL also lets customers be assured that they’re getting an experience that is safe.
WooCommerce however, on the other hand, does not provide its own SSL. Because it is one of the components of WordPress solution which is open source in nature, you’ll have to get your own security measures, such as the SSL certificate. The positive side is that you’ll be able to acquire a certificate through your hosting service. Some hosting providers even provide this certificate for no cost.
Another security issue to take into consideration is PCI-DSS compliance. PCI-DSS compliance is a must. Payment Card data security standard is a must-have for every business owner. It is essential to comply with this standard to make sure that your website is configured to accept all credit card transactions to comply with the most recent standards. Shopify is fully PCI-DSS compliant and you don’t have to think about establishing anything. You can begin processing credit card and debit card transactions within minutes.
However it’s not possible to get PCI-DSS compliant through WooCommerce. But you can make your WooCommerce site PCI-DSS-compliant if you wish to follow a few basic steps.
While WooCommerce offers everything you require but you’ll have to perform more work to obtain these features. This is why Shopify is the best choice.
WooCommerce vs Shopify – Chapter #9: How Long Will It Take To Build An Online Store?
Shopify as well as WooCommerce were created to offer a simple and easy method to set up your online business. The method they use to get there, however, is a bit different.
Shopify, for starters, utilizes a full-stack strategy. It’s a comprehensively-provisioned platform with all the tools you need to create an online store across multiple channels, host your website, as well as manage the entire business.
WooCommerce On its own, is marketed with an open source shopping cart which basically transforms an existing WordPress website into an fully-fledged online store. However, it doesn’t provide any hosting for websites. It’s more of a WooCommerce solely focuses on offering e-commerce features on WordPress.
Let’s now compare WooCommerce against Shopify’s individual strategies. What is the time it will take you to set up an online store using each of the two? And which has proved to be more efficient and reliable?
Creating a Shopify Online Store
Because Shopify provides the complete process, you can begin with a blank slate and build up to the highest level.
First step naturally first, is to sign up with your login credentials. In addition to an email account, Shopify will request for the name of your store as well as the details associated with it, prior to starting the registration procedure.
It’s going to take about a minute or two since it’s not difficult to enter your personal information. After you’ve signed-up according to the terms, Shopify immediately directs you to the most fun aspect of its dashboard, which is designing an online retail store.
Your first destination, obviously is the Shopify theme library. It is a collection of around 100 pre-designed web themes that span every major category of business.
Selecting the right one for your website shouldn’t be a problem to find. The options for premium and free present here are clean and well-designed with a modern twist.
Then comes the custom phase, in which Shopify offers you the option of using its intuitive drag-and-drop site builder to modify your website’s layout elements. It’s designed to provide all the flexibility you’ll require without compromising the overall simplicity.
However, the amount of time you’ll spend here is contingent on the degree of customization as well as your website’s size. A simple storefront, for instance, may take 5-10 minutes to determine all of the elements.
Following that is the final procedure of adding items to the online shop via Shopify’s dashboard. Just go to the product page and enter your products and specify the appropriate properties and then save them as you wish.
That’s all it takes to set up an online shop using Shopify. While 15 minutes is sufficient for an initial storefront you should allow yourself around an hour to modify the layout of your store.
Creating a WooCommerce Online Store
As we’ve already discussed, WooCommerce is basically an WordPress plugin that must be installed after setting your WordPress within your own domain.
To accomplish this the first step is a hosting platform. Find a reliable company which is specialized with WordPress as well as WooCommerce Hosting. It is possible, for example, consider buying controlled WordPress hosting for its enhanced web performance.
Hosting providers that offer WooCommerce-specific packages such as SiteGround and DreamHost are pre-installed with WordPress as well as WooCommerce. Many hosts might offer users a cPanel account along with its single-click WordPress installer.
Therefore, to start deploying WordPress you need to click the installer and the system will take care of everything else. The entire process typically takes only a few seconds to start and install WordPress for your website.
After logging onto the account you have created on your WordPress account, you’ll be able to begin to embed WooCommerce in the plugins section within your Dashboard. Simply look for WooCommerce’s WooCommerce plug-in and then follow the activation and installation procedures.
To aid you in the process of setting up your store, WooCommerce will begin an application wizard once it is activated. It’s easy to jump into it and set the elements you want to include in your online store such as the website pages and attributes for products and payment methods.
You’ll end up with an entire e-commerce website and its associated product pages. The entire process of setting it up that includes making your store’s pages customizable using the appropriate page builders, can take about an afternoon.
This is a relatively short period of time, however it’s significantly longer than Shopify’s web-based store’s configuration.
WooCommerce vs Shopify Online Store Creation – Which is Faster?
The process of creating your own online shop is straightforward for the two platforms, Shopify or WooCommerce. However, when reviewing their processes more closely, Shopify has proven to outdo WooCommerce.
It’s true that WooCommerce has a simple set-up system. However, to be fair it’s not as easy as Shopify’s. Shopify has a well-designed system that walks users through its entire process starting all the way from beginning to the very end, with the shortest amount of steps.
Compare this to WooCommerce, which needs users to switch between different platforms before finally getting your store running. It all starts by setting up your domain and then WordPress installation, then WooCommerce plugin activation. you can finally customize the finer points of.
However, it’s important to note that the amount of time it takes to build your online store is not just based on your skills as well as the method. For instance, this guide which demonstrates how to get the job done in only 15 minutes.
Other Alternatives to WooCommerce and Shopify
Each of WooCommerce as well as Shopify are considered to be the most popular options in the business of e-commerce platforms. There are other choices are also available for users to try. We offer deep reviews and reviews of each system which are listed below.
BigCommerce is a great choice for those who want like price to Shopify. Additionally, it offers the most stunning themes available on the market. BigCommerce is like to Shopify by the fact that it offers hosting in the monthly plans. Additionally, you get a full platform for creating your online store in moments. In comparison to Shopify, BigCommerce has more features built-in, whereas Shopify is more dependent on third-party apps for expanding the capabilities of your store.
Squarespace is among the latest options for eCommerce. It’s been in use for quite a while as an ordinary website builder, however the shift to eCommerce is a welcomed one. Pricing is slightly more expensive than Shopify however, it’s still quite competitive. If you intend to post large, high-resolution photos on your site, Squarespace is worth looking at. The primary reason we love Squarespace is that the themes are amazing and it allows for the best quality uploads for media.
Volusion is been evolving over the years and seems to be becoming more competitive Shopify as well as BigCommerce. Volusion offers a cloud-hosted solution that offers similar prices to Shopify. We don’t love the themes however, launching your store is very simple. Not to add, Volusion comes with its own dropshipping system built in.
Sellfy is a user-friendly website storebuilder which works alongside or without a website. The platform lets users to sell through social media platforms and increase your reach with its inbuilt marketing tools. It is possible to sell physical, digital, or subscription-based products. It’s not as good to Shopify or Woocommerce when it comes to eCommerce features However, it’s a much cheaper alternative. If you’re looking for the essentials the Sellfy app is a good alternative. Sellfy offers a 14-day trial trial, and its paid plans start at just $19 a month.
This Ecwid platform is ideal if you already have a website that does not include ecommerce capabilities. It is basically an e-commerce cart that you can use to be used on other websites. For instance, you can incorporate Ecwid to you WordPress blog. Selling through Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are also available. The initial plan is free for life, while the subsequent upgrade costs $15 per month. It’s not an complete eCommerce platform, but an online shopping cart and store module to be added to other websites.
Wix is an online platform hosted by Wix where you pay a monthly cost. It’s one of the most affordable alternatives on this list, and we love it for newbies who have no experience in design. One main reason for this is due to the fact that Wix comes with a drag and drop editor, which most other platforms do not (you could add one to WooCommerce). The designs are nice as well.
Just prior to leaving for a trip, you might be able to review the Shopify evaluations as well as our Shopify Price guide.
How Fast Can You Build a Store Using WooCommerce and Shopify?
The decision between WooCommerce and Shopify isn’t easy.
A major consideration for the majority of business owners is the speed at which they will be able to have their shopping solutions up and working with every program. In the end, you do not wish to take 2 weeks learning to utilize your brand new program.
In the war of Shopify against WooCommerce, which is more user-friendly to make use of?
Shopify is much easier to grasp to know for those who are regular users. This is because everything you’ll need is already in place and is available for users to access. There’s less fumbling needed to use Shopify since it’s hosted.
Hosted platforms within the world of eCommerce handle a variety of the technological aspects involved in managing your store, from your domain name to secure certificates you require to provide your customers with peace of mind. Shopify provides everything you require for the creation of your eCommerce website, including their base plan.
In addition Furthermore, with Shopify you don’t need to be concerned with installing or updating the software that runs on the backend. Even backups are taken care of for you.
However, WooCommerce requires you to complete a lot more of the work for yourself. You’ll need to control your personal system for managing content and it can be a bit daunting if you’re less comfortable from a technical standpoint.
Shopify develops its dashboard to help non-technical users who are managing their stores. In the war of Shopify against WooCommerce this means you’ll be able to be much easier for you to build your own website. It is possible to design a winning customer Shopify stores in just a few minutes.
The simplicity of Shopify makes it will prove to be a faster and more accessible choice for novices. Although you can make an excellent store using WooCommerce, you’re not going to have the same easy experience you can get from Shopify.
WooCommerce makes setting up more time-consuming because it requires users to think about issues like hosting services, WordPress web design, and much more. If you’re beginning from scratch and you’re not a professional and you’re not likely to enjoy the most enjoyable experience with WooCommerce.
Another advantage of Shopify when it is to the time to develop is that you are able to test the features for no cost prior to exploring various payment options. This means you have the chance to begin to get to the basics of your CMS and be sure that it’s the right choice for you prior to investing.
FAQs About WooCommerce and Shopify
We are often asked queries from our users regarding Shopify or WooCommerce. Since these are very frequently asked, we’d like to provide them all to you along with the solutions!
How simple is it to move to Shopify? WooCommerce to Shopify?
The process of moving between WooCommerce to Shopify will be slightly simpler than the reverse. The reason for this is due to the fact that Shopify offers a an experienced support team keen to help you get on their platform. I recommend reaching out to the Support team to receive as much assistance as you can. Shopify also offers an online guide to help you navigate the process, and various apps that allow for the transfer of information.
How simple is it to transfer between Shopify to WooCommerce?
It isn’t possible to precisely duplicate the look and feel of your site during an actual migration similar to this. However, everything from your database to the blog’s content and products can be transferred quite effortlessly. I would suggest reading tutorials to discover the best techniques. My experience suggests that the most effective solution is the help of a WordPress plugin. There are a few available however, this Cart2Cart plug-in is geared to Shopify customers. You can also employ a professional to help you if this all scares you.
What’s the distinction in WordPress as well as Shopify?
There are two major differences:
- Control Control WooCommerce is an open source tool that requires self-hosted hosting. This means that you are in complete control over your hosting, maintenance and security, as well as plugins and much more. Shopify hosts your website for your benefit in exchange for an annual fee. Many people appreciate the ease of hosting your own website, while some find it to be confusing or boring.
- Built-in eCommerce tools WooCommerce is an excellent beginning point for the online selling process, however it usually requires more extensions and designs to achieve precisely what you need. Shopify is a platform that is basically from the box, with everything you need to start. In other words, it’s simpler to set up Shopify.
Is Shopify superior to WooCommerce?
It all depends on a few factors:
What expertise do you have with the design of websites and e-commerce? Do you have anyone on your team who has expertise in these areas? If not,, Shopify is superior to WooCommerce.
If you’re looking to be aware of the exact amount you’ll have to spend every month for websites, then yes, Shopify is better than WooCommerce.
If you don’t wish to manage many aspects of your site, then Shopify is the better choice.
However…
If you want complete control over things like hosting, customization, security, and overall site maintenance-WooCommerce is better.
I’d also suggest that you can increase the value of WooCommerce but you’ll need to think outside the box.
In the end, WooCommerce has a larger community on the internet and a lot more themes and plugins to pick from.
Can I integrate Shopify in conjunction with WooCommerce?
There are two totally separate eCommerce platforms. It’s actually possible to make use of Shopify alongside WooCommerce.
The simplest solution here is to integrate the Shopify Buy Button onto a WooCommerce website. This is only feasible if you already own WooCommerce’s online store and an active shopify Litesubscription.
After you’ve got it done, add the items to Your Shopify dashboard, and connect the storefront to your WooCommerce website. In order to create a seamless connection to your WooCommerce site, you’ll have to initially install Shopify eCommerce Extension Shopify the Shopping Cart and Shopify Connect for WooCommerce plugins on your WordPress dashboard.
At the final point, an integrated system allows users to benefit from WooCommerce features such as customer reviews and linked products, and also capitalize the power of Shopify’s product management.
Does Shopify the best eCommerce Platform?
One thing is for certain. Shopify is very popular and online retailers appreciate it for its remarkable balance between the user’s experience the flexibility of its platform, as well as its practicality.
Let’s face it, we all have our own limitations. In all honesty, Shopify is not for every person. Large corporations, for instance, would be better off using WooCommerce due to the unlimitable possibilities offered by its open source architecture.
In a nutshell everything depends on the exact requirements you have.
Do I have to use Oberlo in conjunction with WooCommerce?
Oberlo is a top dropshipping software for Shopify. However, they’re still trying to make a version fully compatible with WooCommerce. Of course, this means that you won’t be able to make use of Oberlo for WooCommerce.
The bright side is There are many Oberlo alternative options available on WordPress.
WooCommerce vs Shopify: Conclusion
Similarities like this do not come in a straight line. When I speak with my clients, my recommendations are always based on their individual circumstances.
Here are my suggestions according to the type of customer you are and the features you want to receive from an eCommerce platform:
Go With Shopify If:
- You like a no-hassle method, where you sign up for a free account and then have an eCommerce store created in the wake of.
- You do not wish to be required to handle any aspect of the set-up by yourself, and you wouldn’t like paying to get everything taken by the professionals for you.
- In the same way you’re looking for a highly optimized system that is in no way better than what the competitor has.
- You’ll need to have a trustworthy and swiftly-responding support service available in case you need to ask queries.
- It’s not really important to worry about the technical aspects that are part of the eCommerce platform. It’s just important for it to function as expected and to be accessible to all customers across any device (mobile as well as desktop).
Go With WooCommerce If:
- You’d like to have complete in charge of managing your online store.
- You’d like to be able to have access to hundreds of website designs and thousands of plug-ins that allow you to expand the capabilities of your online store.
- You’re not afraid to spend an hour or two making things work and aren’t afraid to take on the work by yourself (or you’ve employed someone to complete the task for your).
- (Optionally) (Optional) an unsustainable budget to start If you’re looking to complete everything yourself.
WooCommerce or Shopify? Which one would you prefer?
I’m done with it. What are your thoughts about these two options? Have you ever moved between either to another? Maybe you have more concerns in relation to the subject of WooCommerce or Shopify? I’d be delighted to get in touch with you via the comments below.
