There are almost 10 million ecommerce websites in the US.
If there’s one thing to learn from this small yet powerful statistic, creating your online store has never been easier. And that’s thanks in large part to platforms like Shopify and WordPress, two of the most popular ecommerce website builders.
However, choosing between Shopify and WordPress for an online store can be tricky. We say this because both are unique in their own way. But they also have a set of disadvantages you cannot ignore.
So, which platform is right for your business?
To answer this question, we need to dig deeper into the various features of Shopify and WordPress. Not to forget, your online store’s specific requirements.
In this blog, we’ve compiled all the information pertaining to the two giants of the web-building space. Continue reading to find out which platform will be better for building an ecommerce website.
Ecommerce Platform Comparison: Shopify vs. WordPress
Shopify
Shopify is an all-inclusive, closed-source online platform that allows you to build an ecommerce store without seeking help from a professional web designer or developer. You don’t have to possess coding skills to use Shopify.
That said, knowing the basics of coding can prove immensely advantageous. This is due to Shopify’s feature that lets you edit the HTML5 and CSS of your website, meaning you can customize your website elements to a great extent.
In addition, Shopify functions as a software-as-a-service (SaaS). So, you don’t have to own its copy; you just have to pay a monthly fee to access and use it.
WordPress
The first thing you need to know about WordPress is that it has two types:
- WordPress.com – A SaaS that works similarly to Shopify. You’ll have to pay a monthly fee for it. Apart from building an ecommerce store, you can manage a website or blog.
- WordPress.org – An open-source and self-hosted software that requires installation on a web server. The installation is free, but the hosting and domain registration is not.
If you’ve seen articles mentioning just WordPress and no .com or.org, it most likely means they were referring to WordPress.org.
Unlike Shopify, you have to have website-building knowledge to use WordPress. And the better your coding or design skills, the more you’ll be able to customize your online store.
Shopify vs. WordPress – The Better Platform Based on Different Factors
1. Ease of Use
The Winner: Shopify
Why: Shopify has a suite of built-in features that handles many technical details on your behalf. Using WordPress, on the other hand, requires research. Even its dashboard, from where you can manage multiple things, can get overwhelming.
2. Pricing Structure
The Winner: Shopify
Why: We’ve already mentioned that Shopify charges a monthly fee, depending on which plan you sign up for. It won’t be more than $399. In contrast, WordPress’s pricing plans vary dramatically because you’ll have to pay for the hosting, plug-ins, and integrations.
3. Themes
The Winner: WordPress
Why: Shopify has 64 themes, 8 of which are free to use; the rest are premium. WordPress has over 8000 themes you can add directly from the platform to your website or use a third-party extension. And the best part? They’re all free.
4. Open-Source Platform
The Winner: WordPress
Why: As WordPress is an open-source platform, you’re free to study its source code to make changes, like creating bespoke websites. Even if you’ve hired another agency to develop a website using WordPress, this feature comes in handy. Shopify, unfortunately, is not as flexible.
5. SEO
The Winner: Both
Why: Shopify and WordPress offer a comprehensive range of tools for SEO. However, how they function varies. For instance, Shopify has built-in SEO features that let you optimize your website. And to improve your SEO on WordPress, you’ll have to install a plug-in or utilize your coding skills.
6. Ecommerce Selling Tools
The Winner: Shopify
Why: Shopify has everything you need to build and maintain an ecommerce website, including tools like payment processing and inventory management. To do the same on WordPress, you’ll have to install additional plug-ins.
7. Payment Processing
The Winner: WordPress
Why: Shopify and WooCommerce (WordPress’s plug-in for online merchants) accept common payment gateways. But WordPress wins because Shopify charges a certain % on every transaction. WordPress doesn’t charge additional fees, with the exception of the payment processor expense.
8. Customer Support
The Winner: Shopify
Why: Shopify is available 24/7. You can reach the platform’s customer support representatives by chatting with, calling, or emailing them. WordPress, however, works differently. To get an answer, you’ll have to submit on its forum and wait a few hours.
9. Number of Users
The Winner: WordPress
Why: As of this year, around 810 million websites across the world have been developed using WordPress. If we talk about the US alone, almost 10,000,000 websites are powered by the platform. Shopify is severely lacking in that department, with only 4.12 million users.
Pros and Cons of Using Shopify and WordPress for Ecommerce
Pros of Shopify
Shopify…
- Is easy to use
- Can be used without possessing technical or coding skills
- Has active customer support representatives
- Supports multiple payment options
- Offers a variety of themes
Cons of Shopify
Shopify…
- Can cost up to $399 per month
- Lacks in many areas, especially for bloggers
- Does not support email hosting
Pros of WordPress
WordPress…
- Sites are budget-friendly
- Is suitable for just about any business type
- Has a user-friendly content management system (CMS)
- Offers plenty of SEO plug-ins
Is highly customizable
Cons of WordPress
WordPress…
- Sites are vulnerable to hacking attempts
- Does not utilize modern technologies to the fullest
- Sites often load slowly
Shopify vs. WordPress for Ecommerce: The Final Verdict
This scenario has no definite ‘this’ or ‘that’ answer because, ultimately, which platform you use depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
The advantages of Shopify over WordPress for online selling include easy set-up and round-the-clock technical support. This way, if you face roadblocks along the way, you can work your way around them.
However, in case you possess a little coding and technical skills, it’s best to use them on WordPress. The platform provides more flexibility and scalability, allowing you to personalize your ecommerce website.
At Design Genious, we’re capable of building highly responsive and super-fast websites, no matter the platform. We’re only concerned with helping you launch and grow your online business successfully, whatever it takes.
