Shopify vs WooCommerce: Why and when to choose one for your online store

If you’re thinking about building an online store, two of the most popular platforms you’ll come across are Shopify and WooCommerce. They are both great options, but they work differently and have unique features that make each of them suitable for different types of businesses.

We build custom Shopify and WooCommerce stores for our clients, and each platform has its strengths. Here’s a simple breakdown of both and some guidance on when you might choose one over the other.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform. This means Shopify takes care of most of the technical stuff for you, like hosting, security, and updates. It’s designed to be an all-in-one solution for building an online store without needing much technical know-how.

With Shopify, you sign up, pick a plan, choose a design template, and start adding products. It handles everything from payments and inventory to shipping and taxes.

What is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress. It turns a regular WordPress website into a fully functional online store. Unlike Shopify, WooCommerce is self-hosted, which means you’ll need to handle things like hosting, security, and updates yourself (or hire someone to do it).

Because WooCommerce runs on WordPress, it gives you more flexibility and control over your site’s look and feel. You can customise almost everything, but this also means you’ll need to be more hands-on, especially with the technical side of things.

When to choose Shopify

1. You’re new to eCommerce or don’t want to deal with tech stuff
Shopify is great for beginners. You don’t need to worry about the technical side of things. Shopify takes care of hosting, security, and all the technical maintenance in the background, so you can focus on running your store.

If you’re just getting started with online selling and don’t want to deal with things like setting up hosting or dealing with security issues, Shopify is a good option. It’s designed to make the process of creating and running an online store as easy as possible.

2. You want an easy-to-use platform with a professional look
Shopify comes with a range of beautiful design templates. You can customise these templates to suit your brand, but you won’t need to start from scratch. This is ideal if you want a professional-looking store without hiring a designer or developer.

The drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, even for people who aren’t tech-savvy. If you want a simple setup and don’t want to spend too much time designing the site, Shopify’s built-in tools make it easy.

3. You need reliable customer support
Shopify has a reputation for great customer support. They offer 24/7 support via chat, phone, or email. If you run into any issues, you can quickly get help from Shopify’s team. This is a big deal if you don’t have a lot of experience with websites or eCommerce.

4. You don’t mind paying monthly fees
Shopify operates on a subscription model. You’ll need to pay a monthly fee to keep your store running, with plans starting from around $39 AUD. There are also transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments. If you’re okay with paying a regular fee in exchange for convenience, Shopify can be a good fit.

5. You want access to a wide range of apps
Shopify has a large App Store that allows you to add extra features to your store. Whether you need marketing tools, customer support, shipping options, or accounting software, there’s an app for it. These apps make it easy to add new features to your store without needing a developer.

6. You plan to scale your business quickly
Shopify is great if you plan to grow your business fast. It’s built to handle high traffic and large inventories. Shopify Plus, their enterprise solution, is used by big brands like Gymshark and small companies like our clients, Online Patios. If you’re planning to scale up fast and want a platform that can grow with you, Shopify is a solid choice.

When to choose WooCommerce

1. You already use WordPress
WooCommerce is the perfect option if you already have a WordPress website. It’s a plugin that integrates directly into WordPress, so you can turn your existing site into an online store with minimal effort.

If you’re comfortable with WordPress, you’ll find WooCommerce easy to use because it works within the WordPress environment. You can continue using all your favourite WordPress tools while adding eCommerce functionality.

2. You want complete control over your store
WooCommerce is open-source, which means you have full control over every aspect of your store. You can customise almost anything, from the design to the functionality. If you want a truly unique store with custom features, WooCommerce is a better option.

While Shopify limits what you can customise (unless you’re on the more expensive Shopify Plus plan), WooCommerce gives you the freedom to tweak every little detail. You can even access the code if you want to make advanced changes.

3. You prefer a one-time cost rather than ongoing fees
WooCommerce itself is free. However, you will need to pay for things like hosting, a domain name, and any premium extensions you might want to use. But for many small businesses, the overall cost of running a WooCommerce store can be lower than Shopify’s monthly fees, especially in the long run.

4. You want more flexibility with payment gateways
WooCommerce works with almost every payment gateway, including PayPal, Stripe, Square, and more. You won’t have to deal with extra transaction fees like you do with Shopify (unless you use a third-party gateway on Shopify). If payment flexibility is important to you, WooCommerce wins here.

5. You’re willing to handle some of the technical aspects
WooCommerce gives you more control, but it also requires more work. You’ll need to find a hosting provider, handle updates, and take care of security. If you’re comfortable with these responsibilities or have a developer who can help, WooCommerce offers much more flexibility than Shopify.

6. You need specific custom features
Because WooCommerce is highly customisable, it’s ideal for businesses that need very specific features. Whether it’s a particular shipping setup, product options, or integrations with other software, WooCommerce can handle almost any custom feature you can think of.

When both work

Sometimes, you might find that both platforms could work for your business. For example, both Shopify and WooCommerce are great for:
– Selling physical or digital products.
– Offering shipping and tax calculations.
– Running marketing campaigns.
– Managing orders and customers.

We can help you decide

Shopify is the better option for those who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution with minimal technical requirements. It’s perfect for small business owners or entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with the complexities of running a website.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, is ideal for people who want full control over their store and don’t mind handling some of the technical details. It’s also a good fit for businesses that already use WordPress or need a lot of customisation.

At the end of the day, both Shopify and WooCommerce are excellent platforms for building an online store. The best choice for you depends on your needs, experience, and how much control you want over your store. Whichever you choose, we can help you build a custom store that matches your business perfectly.