Whether you’re a local Los Angeles business or international, your website is by far the most vital strategic asset you own. Website design determines how people see your brand and the business results you can achieve. Shopify vs WooCommerce are two viable options.
Both have their own unique features and pros & cons to consider. But far too many jump at a choice because they don’t know what website functions will matter most over the long term and how making certain choices now can stifle growth and cost them a lot within a few short years. To avoid this trap, start by asking yourself some important questions.
It has the common features you see on eCommerce websites these days—everywhere. Those features are designed to be easy to set up and you can launch a Shopify website fairly quickly with no web design experience. It’s mostly drag and drop within a limited number of themes that offer some plug-ins for customization. They take care of a lot of the technical stuff like website speed and security, so you don’t have to.
We can sum up where Shopify falls short in two words: customization and scalability… or lack thereof. You’re stuck with the customizations Shopify offers you, so your website looks like every other website out there. You’re unable to make changes you would expect to be able to make to your own website for SEO, business goals, and a delightful user experience. This may not seem like a big deal when you are just starting out. But as you grow, lack of control over the website experience becomes a major headache. The need to migrate to a more customizable platform in the future is a cost that the lower monthly cost of Shopify doesn’t fully communicate.
Shopify plans start at $29/mo (as of 2023) for a very basic single-person business model website. Most businesses with some employees with need at least the $299/mo plan. Hosting is included, which saves you about $135 per year ($11.25/mo). This doesn’t include any separate plug-ins of transaction fees you pay separately.
WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce platform through WordPress. It has limited out of-the-box capabilities compared to Shopify. However, because it’s open-source, you have almost unlimited ability to customize the website to meet your unique business needs now and into the future. This greater creative license opens the door to building a web design that sets your brand apart, showcasing the unique beauty and function your brand offers, all while delighting customers, and turning visitors into fans. You have unlimited ability to SEO the site to maximize your visibility in searches.
This freedom does come at a cost, however. You’ll need professional web design services to bring your creative vision to life. You also have to pay annually for web hosting and a domain number, around $135/year. On a positive note, WooCommerce and WordPress are free. This means professional web design is the only real expense, and it’s mostly an upfront, so you don’t have monthly subscriptions, impacting cash flow. The cost of custom web design varies based on your goals and needs, but a designer will be able to give you an accurate quote.
When we deliver a web design service, we provide written and video instructions and guidance for our customers to update their site without us, so you have a choice about when to do it yourself or get our help.
You can use both of them to build and manage a money-making website. Both can be user-friendly for customers and your website manager, but they have some distinct differences.
So, when it comes to WooCommerce vs Shopify, Shopify is perfect for beginners and time-pressured startups who are only focused on today because they need to prove their concept.
Shopify hosts your website for you, which is nice. With Shopify integrations, it does handle some limited backups and security. But that’s extra.
Choosing Shopify means limited blogging capability.
Bottom line: You need blogging for SEO and complete control over the code behind the blog editor to truly optimize. Blogging provides high-quality, high-intention traffic and links from other reputable sites to build authority. Content is valuable for helping people choose your brand over the competition.
WooCommerce is for established businesses and startups who want the freedom to grow quickly.
Does this sound like you? You want creative design freedom to meet specific business needs with custom functionality like cost estimators and interactive experiences. You understand the value of presenting your unique beauty. You don’t want a website that looks like everyone else’s.
You might also be in high-end markets where people have exquisite visual taste. They appreciate beauty deeply, and your website communicates that your brand can deliver that experience.
Your website needs to speak your values (and only your values). WooCommerce gives you the independence to do this. You need to stand out from the crowd and make an impression to build a brand people love.
If you value freedom, independence, and beauty, along with lower monthly costs, your business will benefit from a made-for-you site.
