Shopify is a hosted platform that handles all of the technical aspects of launching and managing an online store. WooCommerce is a free and open source plugin that you can install on your own WordPress website. Both platforms have advantages and disadvantages, so let’s look at some of the advantages of each:
Shopify Advantages:
1. User-friendly interface: Shopify is easy to use, even if you’re not tech savvy. This makes setting up and managing your store a breeze.
2. Lots of features: With Shopify, you get access to all sorts of features out-of-the-box, including built-in payment processing, shipping labels, discounts, coupons, and more. This can save you time and money when setting up your store.
3) Scalability: If your business begins to grow quickly, Shopify can easily scale with you.
4) Excellent support: Shopify has excellent customer support available 24/7 via phone call or chat .
5) No hosting fees or transaction fees. With Shopify , there are no hosting fees or transaction fees , so you can keep more profits from each sale .
6) A wide range of themes and templates: There’s a huge selection of themes available on Shopify that allow you to create an attractive online store without having design experience .
7) Integrates well with other platforms—If you already have an existing website or blog , integrating it with Shopify is simple thanks to the many integrations available.
8 ) It can be used internationally. As long as you have an internet connection, you can sell products from anywhere in the world using Shopify.
9) PCI compliant—Shopify meets all of the security requirements for securely processing payments.
10 ) Mobile friendly: All Shopify stores are mobile friendly by default, so they look great on smartphones and tablets
Disadvantages of Shopify:
1) Monthly subscription fee: Unlike WooCommerce, which is free (although there are some paid extensions), Shopify charges monthly subscription fees starting at $29/month
2) Limited customization options: Although there are plenty of templates available to give you a good head start in terms of design customization,
WooCommerce :
There are pros and cons to everything, and that includes using WooCommerce for your ecommerce needs. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of WooCommerce so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s the right platform for you.
PROS:
-WooCommerce is free and open source software released under the GPL.
-It has a huge plugin library with extensions available for just about anything you could want to do with your store.
-It’s very customizable, so you can make it look and feel exactly how you want it to.
-WooCommerce is used by millions of people around the world, so there is a large community of users who can help you out if needed.
CONS:
-The learning curve can be a bit steep if you’re not familiar with WordPress or coding in general
-Since it’s open source, there are always new plugins being released which may not be as well tested as official WooCommerce plugins.
Get in touch with us for advise on the best technology for your eCommerce business.
Francis Waithaka is the founder and lead trainer at Digital4Africa, a company specializing in technology and digital advertising. With over two decades of experience in the field, Francis is an expert in helping businesses and organizations navigate the ever-changing world of digital marketing and technology.
