The world of ecommerce is constantly evolving, and the platforms available to help businesses set up their online stores are no exception. Two of the most popular ecommerce platforms available are Shopify and WordPress. In this article, we will dive deep into the differences between Shopify vs WordPress for ecommerce and help you determine which platform is the best fit for your business.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce platform designed to help merchants build an online store quickly and easily. It is a hosted solution, meaning that all the technical aspects of running an online store, such as hosting, security, and updates, are taken care of for you. Shopify offers a range of features and tools that can help businesses of any size create and manage an online store effectively.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that powers 42% of the world’s websites. There are currently over 455 MILLION websites built on WordPress worldwide (source: techjury.net). While initially developed as a blogging platform, it has evolved to become a full-fledged website builder that can be used to create a wide range of websites, including ecommerce stores.
WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning that it is free to use, but you will need to purchase hosting and a domain name to get started.
WordPress vs Shopify: Major Differences
The differences between WordPress and Shopify can be summarized as follows:
- User Base
- Pricing
- Templates and Themes
- User Interface
- Ease of Use
- Mobile Responsiveness
- Ecommerce
- SEO
User Base
WordPress has a versatile user base serving different purposes, while Shopify’s user base consists mainly of entrepreneurs and ecommerce store owners. WordPress has a large ecosystem of themes and plugins, empowering users to develop any kind of website. Shopify, on the other hand, is designed specifically for ecommerce and offers a range of out-of-the-box features that make it easier to set up an online store.
Pricing
WordPress is free to use, but you will need to purchase hosting and a domain name. Most WordPress plugins and themes come with a limited free version, and you will need to purchase the premium version to access advanced features. Shopify, on the other hand, offers five different pricing plans that cover everything on behalf of the user.
Templates and Themes
WordPress offers more than 8,800 themes for websites, over 1,500 of which are designed specifically for ecommerce. Shopify offers a total of 70+ themes, out of which 10 are free, and the rest cost $140 or more.
User Interface
The basic layout of WordPress and Shopify are almost the same. Both platforms come with a similar dashboard with a menu on the left side. The Shopify interface is a bit simpler and contemporary compared to that of WordPress, but WordPress offers more flexibility in customizability.
Ease of Use
Shopify is more intuitive and easier to use than WordPress, which can be extremely complex depending on the theme and plugins used. Shopify comes packed with powerful ecommerce functionality yet still manages to be the better choice for web design beginners. WordPress may require more technical expertise, especially when it comes to ecommerce functionality.
Mobile Responsiveness
While most of the WordPress themes are mobile-responsive, all the Shopify themes are mobile-ready. However, users can use Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) from Google on both platforms to enjoy better mobile responsiveness.
Ecommerce
Shopify is a platform specifically designed for ecommerce businesses and online stores, while WordPress serves a versatile audience. Shopify offers all the elements, themes, and features directed to one goal only – providing a fully functional online shop. WordPress can be used to create an ecommerce store but requires the installation of separate plugins, such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Ecwid.
SEO
WordPress is a blogging platform that is primarily made SEO-friendly and comes with various SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO and Rank Math that provide guidance to hold a strong position in the SERP. Shopify’s SEO functionality is also solid, allowing users to customize meta titles, descriptions, tags, and more.
Why Choose Shopify Over WordPress for Ecommerce Business?
When it comes to ecommerce, Shopify is the better option for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the key reasons why:
Ease of Use
Shopify is more intuitive and easier to use than WordPress. Shopify’s user-friendly interface makes it easier to set up an ecommerce store, even for those with little to no technical expertise. It comes with a range of out-of-the-box features that make it easier to manage an online store.
Updates
Shopify is quick and easy for business owners to update with no development expertise needed. In contrast, WordPress layout and product updates can be more complex, requiring a developer.
Security
Shopify is self-hosted and offers many security features, including SSL encryption, Two-Factor Authentication, Secure Checkout, and Security Monitoring. While many WordPress hosts provide this, more setup steps are required.
Customer Service
Shopify and recommended app providers offer rapid-response customer service. Higher-end hosting providers like WP Engine offer similar quality service for WordPress, but in our experience, Shopify is superior.
Scalability
Shopify is an ideal platform for ecommerce businesses, with many out-of-the-box features requiring little customization needed to start driving sales. If you’re primarily an ecommerce retailer, we recommend Shopify. If you sell some products through ecommerce but have another primary business goal, WordPress could be a better fit.
Pricing
Shopify charges by the month and a percentage of each transaction. Hosting is provided. WordPress as a platform is free and open-source, but it must be hosted on a service or using a provider like Bluehost, Hostinger, GoDaddy, or WP Engine.
Shopify tends to be slightly more expensive starting out, but for ecommerce businesses, the ease of use, security, and scalability benefits provided have helped our clients grow faster in the long-term.
Why Choose WordPress Over Shopify for Ecommerce Business?
While Shopify is the better option for ecommerce, WordPress is still a great choice for businesses that want more flexibility and control. Here are some of the key reasons why:
Flexibility
WordPress is an open-source platform that lets you build any type of site you like, while Shopify’s ‘walled garden’ approach can be restrictive in certain contexts. With its more powerful content management and blogging tools, WordPress is usually a better choice for large publication websites that combine a lot of content production with ecommerce.
Customization
WordPress offers more customization options than Shopify, allowing you to create an ecommerce store uniquely tailored to your business needs. Shopify, on the other hand, is more focused on providing out-of-the-box ecommerce solutions.
Technical SEO
WordPress gives you more control over technical SEO, making it easier to optimize your site for search engines. With WordPress, you can install plugins that give you full control over your meta tags, sitemaps, and more.
Cost
WordPress is free to use, and while hosting and domain names need to be purchased separately, they are typically less expensive than Shopify’s pricing plans.
Conclusion
Shopify and WordPress are both great platforms, but they cater to different audiences. Shopify is the better option for ecommerce businesses, while WordPress is more flexible and customizable. Ultimately, the choice between Shopify vs WordPress for ecommerce comes down to your business needs and goals. With the information provided in this article, you can make an informed decision that will help your business thrive online. And if you’re looking for a little more guidance from experienced marketing professionals, we’re here to help.
