The two most popular online store providers have some similarities with distinct differences that differentiate their services.
Several people select their choice provider depending on the solution they need for their online store. Choosing the better platform for servicing your business depends largely on what you need and which platform can provide these needs. In this regard, there are factors you need to consider before deciding on what to use in 2022.
Before getting into details about which platform provides what, let us dig in a little into what each platform.
About Shopify
Shopify is a proprietary e-commerce platform that enables its users to create and manage an online store. This all-in-one solution is cloud-based and provides the e-commerce tools that an online store will require. It also handles all the technical side of an online store like security, website speed, hosting, and many other areas.
About WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open-source platform that is an extension of the popular WordPress content management system. Although WordPress mainly caters to blogging and publishing content, WooCommerce is an extension that adds e-commerce capability to this platform.
From the above brief overview of what Shopify and WooCommerce are about, you might already start envisioning which of these platforms align perfectly with your business. In this regard, we consider the major differences between these platforms
Shopify vs WooCommerce
Usability
Usability involves all the stages from setting up the online store to managing the final setup of the online store and everything in between. Although both platforms will require some technical knowledge to get all features working, Shopify is hands down the easiest solution to use. Starting up your online store within a short period is possible with Shopify handling the technical end for you. WooCommerce requires that you handle some technical tasks like updating and installing the plugin on WordPress.
Online Store Presentation
Both platforms provide free and premium theme options that users can peruse. Some of these options come with built-in customization. The templates for these themes are mobile-friendly and responsive. Unlike Shopify with its theme store, WooCommerce allows third-party services to provide theme options to its users. Recall that WooCommerce is an open-source platform. Users are free to customize these themes the way they like with their plugins via WooCommerce.
Security
The data and overall information on your online store is the target of hackers to demand ransom from you. This is why the security of your online store should be top-notch and ready to close any breach or gap as they occur. Shopify handles the hosting and security technicalities in the background for its users. In scenarios where there is a security breach, they have the technical strength and manpower to recover as soon as it occurs. In comparison, users are responsible for their security measures on the WooCommerce platform. While this isolates stores that have their security team and custom-built architecture in place, it is a major challenge for others who manage their online store with zero technical or security skills.
Cost
Shopify provides a range of pricing plans to select from. The pricing structure is straightforward from its basic plan at $29 to its Shopify plus plan at $2000. Depending on other functionalities you wish to use on this platform, this bill may increase.
In comparison, WooCommerce's cost is not straightforward. The different requirement has their individual cost. Essentially, it is a free-to-use platform. However, you need to buy a hosting service and register a domain, install WordPress and WooCommerce, and several other tools to run your store. The cost varies and depends on the services you purchase and employ to manage your online store.
Support
Shopify is a platform that provides 24/7 support via phone, email service and live chat. If there is any issue with your online store and you require support to get a solution, you can always count on their support services. In contrast, WooCommerce gets its support from the benevolence of third party developers and geeks who are developers on the platform. If you purchase a premium theme, you can expect to get support from the theme developer depending on the service level agreement.
Summing it up
The factors above are some of the important points that you should consider when deciding which one of the online store providers will suit your business. It all depends on your business needs. This will help to determine which platform satisfies those needs.
