Here is a run-down of the WooCommerce vs. Shopify comparison, and the pros and cons of each. Each of these two popular e-commerce platforms has its strengths and weaknesses, and choosing between them will depend on the kind of online business you have.
If you have a tough time selecting one, take a look at the pros and cons of each.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that allows you to use the most powerful content management system to run your online store. It is an open-source platform, letting you customize your store and extensions on your website. WooCommerce gives you full root access and ownership of the platform’s code, so you are in total control of your online business.
Pros
- Open-source
WooCommerce gives you 100% control of your shopping platform. The theme, interface, and functionality are all in your control. You can use any WordPress plugin to help your shopping platform look and work the way you want. If coding is your thing, it can help you add custom graphics. Also, the configuration tools on WooCommerce are very flexible and help you take stock, keep inventory, and manage customer contact information.
- Built-in SEO tools
Your online business will need search engine optimization to enhance its visibility and draw traffic to your store. This feature will help you gauge the performance of your business and check on areas of improvement.
- Payment methods
WooCommerce supports a wide range of payment methods, including PayPal, Stripe, and many others through add-ons. It also supports regional payment methods and does not charge transaction fees on payments.
Cons
- Not beginner-friendly
This platform requires a lot of learning to get familiar with its functionalities. As a first-time user, it might take you time to learn how to customize your site. The security of your online shop depends on you. WooCommerce offers no support for security.
- Cost added on extensions
WooCommerce supports extensions that help you with the customization of your business. However, the extensions are an extra cost and may be outside your budget.
Shopify
This e-commerce platform allows you to open an online store, and to accept and manage payments without any coding. You can choose any theme offered by Shopify and is fully hosted by its developers.
Pros
- Easy to use
When it comes to WooCommerce vs. Shopify, there is a clear winner in ease of use. Shopify requires absolutely no coding knowledge. Its drag and drop interface is very simple to use and makes your work easy while creating your online store. It is also compatible with smartphones and its interface is user-friendly. The simplicity of Shopify is hard to beat.
- Hosted
Since your information is hosted by the platform, you don’t have to worry about security, compatibility, backups, or web hosting. It also has a number of SEO tools to increase traffic to your online store and boost your sales.
- Support
Shopify offers 24-hour technical support for its users. Its agents are always on call and their response time is very fast because of the live chat feature.
- Payment methods
This e-commerce platform supports a variety of payment methods, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net.
Cons
- Customization limits
The customization allowed on Shopify is limited to the options they provide. Since the site is fully hosted, the code and interface for your store are controlled by the platform.
WooCommerce vs. Shopify: which should you choose?
Both WooCommerce and Shopify are superb e-commerce platforms, and they offer a wide variety of features. But if you need the freedom of open source and 100% ownership of your site, choose WooCommerce. You can customize it to suit the needs of your business more than Shopify. For more information about our e-commerce development services we offer, contact us.