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Three Reasons Why WooCommerce Is Better Than Shopify

There are a lot of things to worry about when you’re running an online store. Some of these things have a larger impact than others. The platform from which you run your store is highly important. The eCommerce platform that you use can either limit your success or make your efforts easier.

Over the past few years, there has been a batch of new e-commerce selling platforms—some of them better than others. Today, we’re going to talk about two highly touted and popular options: Shopify and WooCommerce.

We’re going to tell you right now: We believe that WooCommerce is vastly better than Shopify. Both have their pros and cons (which we’ll discuss), but we are adamant that WooCommerce is the better solution, pound-for-pound.

What is WooCommerce?

Launched in 2011, WooCommerce is WordPress’ premier shopping cart plugin. It’s been downloaded over 2 million times. It is popular with retailers who are already familiar with the WordPress platform. It’s known for its simple installation, nonexistent transaction fees, and expansive customization options.

What is Shopify?

Launched in 2006, Shopify is a complete eCommerce solution that includes hosting, security and design templates, among other things. Over 100,000 live stores use Shopify.

  1. WooCommerce is free, Shopify isn’t

Let’s get this out of the way: Shopify is popular for a reason. It’s known for its simple-to-use interface, solid customer support, and good security. All of these elements come in a relatively straightforward package. But it can get a little pricey.

Save for a 14-day free trial, you will be on a monthly pricing plan, along with transaction fees which, depending on the plan you choose, can be from 0.5%-2%.

These costs add up. And though Shopify is a turnkey, ready to use solution, many of its features are available (and are more powerful) on the WooCommerce platform.

WooCommerce is free, save for the fees from your hosting provider. Profits are a primary concern for business owners. If you’re selling $500,000 worth of merchandise yearly, would you want to worry about pesky, accumulative transaction fees?

If you’re thinking about securing as much profit as possible, it simply makes sense for you to use WooCommerce.

  1. WooCommerce is more flexible

One thing comes to mind about WooCommerce: Customization. From the front-end user experience to the design, and to back-end administrative tools, you will have complete and utter control of the look and feel of the online store. Shopify, though good, is not nearly as flexible, nor is it as powerful for you to handle high-end features.

Think of it like this: You are paying Shopify (with the monthly and transaction fees) to use its service. You do have a library of apps that are available, but the number of plugins that WooCommerce has (thanks to the WordPress platform) just outnumbers those of Shopify’s apps.

Shopify is an easy-to-use solution, but it is extremely limiting and rigid, in comparison to what you’ll have available with WooCommerce. Many of the features that are on other eCommerce solutions are readily available on WooCommerce due to the sheer number of plugins.

Shopify uses Liquid—a programming language that is used exclusively with Shopify. WooCommerce uses PHP, which is more common among web developers.

Shopify makes it harder for developers to customize the appearance and experience of the online store.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, makes it easy for developers the look and experience of the online store.

  1. Shopify isn’t a blogging platform

If you understand the value of content marketing and blogging, you’ll choose WooCommerce. WordPress is known for its fantastic blogging capabilities, while Shopify has a long way to go in that department.

In 2014, content is king. And if you put it to the wayside, you are allowing the competition to gain the upper hand.

A robust blogging platform is a must-have.

The Bottom Line

WooCommerce has the edge. Shopify is definitely a nice option, with its out-the-box ease of use. But WooCommerce is simply too powerful. WordPress is the engine with jaw-dropping horsepower that can go from 0-60 miles per hour at the drop of a hat.

Do you truly own your store when it’s on Shopify? The store is hosted on Shopify’s servers, you’ll have transaction fees that will sting your profits, and you are limited in what you can do (in comparison to WooCommerce).

The steep differences in cost, the amount of third party plugins and themes, the vast customization options—all of this is blended into one satisfying product.

joseph-riviello-ceo-zen-agency
Joseph Riviello

Looking for a seasoned WooCommerce expert and digital marketing strategist with an unwavering dedication to client success? Meet Joe Riviello, the CEO of Zen Agency, with over 22 years of experience helping e-commerce businesses scale through holistic marketing strategies. Joe Riviello is a seasoned WooCommerce expert, digital marketing strategist, and CEO of Zen Agency with over 22 years of experience in the e-commerce industry. He is a passionate business development professional committed to helping businesses reach their full potential through various holistic digital marketing strategies. Joe's expertise lies in creating a seamless user experience for customers while delivering strong business results. He has worked with several high-profile clients across various industries, including retail, healthcare, and finance, helping them achieve their business goals through digital marketing solutions. Joe's journey to becoming a CEO started with his passion for technology and user experience design. He has always been interested in how technology can solve business challenges and improve customer experiences. Throughout his career, he has focused on creating e-commerce websites and digital marketing campaigns that provide an exceptional user experience while delivering strong business results. As the CEO of Zen Agency, Joe is responsible for leading the agency's strategic direction and ensuring that clients receive the highest quality of service. He is a natural leader who inspires and motivates his team to achieve their goals and deliver exceptional results for clients. Joe is a recognized industry leader and has spoken at several conferences on topics related to digital marketing, user experience design, and business strategy. He passionately advocates for data-driven marketing and believes that every business, regardless of size or industry, can benefit from a holistic digital marketing strategy.

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