If you’re a business looking for an online store platform, then you’re probably looking for an easy-to-build e-commerce website through something like Shopify or WordPress.
There are many questions to be asked when it comes to creating a site: Which is better for creating an e-commerce store that engages customers and website builders? Which option has a lower monthly payment? Which option is better for the not-so-tech-savvy individual? When it comes to WordPress vs. Shopify, who is the winner?
What Is WordPress?
WordPress, (WP) is a website content management system, (CMS), with plug-in abilities that allow a website builder to work within WordPress themes or start from scratch. There are two different WordPress hosting options. Hosted WordPress works like Shopify in the sense that it’s a software that works as a server tool; however, self-hosted WP allows the user to use coding knowledge to customize their own server. When it comes to WordPress e-commerce, self-hosted WordPress is the way to go for anyone with technical skills.
WordPress is great because the platform really allows you to customize and create an online presence. It’s particularly useful for those learning to make an impact through unique e-commerce features. WooCommerce is an open-source WordPress plugin many businesses are turning to create online stores. WordPress WooCommerce is a free tool website builders can use to make creating e-commerce stores easy for small and larger business owners.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify offers business-owners the opportunity to create a website specifically for e-commerce. The software allows users to work within a Shopify theme to create a decent store. The big thing about Shopify is that it allows website creators to build a site with little to no knowledge of technical coding. That means if you don’t know how to code, though, there is only so much you can do with your Shopify store to make it stand out amongst the competition.
Shopify is already hosted, so you don’t have to worry about building a server. Since Shopify has its own server, you pay a monthly fee to use its web store services. In addition, Shopify is stored on the cloud, so you’re able to access it from anywhere. Shopify also offers a payment gateway that allows customers to use various international payment methods for products or services. This may sound appealing to the inexperienced businessman, but when it comes to Shopify and WordPress, choosing a WordPress site allows you to get deep into the process of creation while giving you the freedom to make your e-commerce site unique and memorable.
Shopify Vs WordPress
Although WordPress and Shopify are similar, there are some key differences between the two website-building software giants. Of course, the layout of WordPress and Shopify are similar to allow for an easy user experience. Both Shopify and WordPress also offer free themes to website creators and web-hosting abilities to allow companies to build an impressive e-commerce platform.
The big difference arises when it comes to content management. Recently, WP introduced a drag-and-drop content editing system that allows users to input keywords and tags easier. If you wanted to do something like this on Shopify, you would need a third-party app. If you’re looking to create more than just a store with Shopify, a WordPress website can allow you to do just that.
Businesses that use WordPress have more flexible page options that make your WordPress site more user-friendly and easier to navigate. WP also allows you to use cool plugins to your site, like WooCommerce and Yoast SEO. The main takeaway from any Shopify vs. WordPress argument is that WordPress has an extensive app store that adds different unique functions to your online business website.
Pricing Pros & Cons
Whether your a WordPress or Shopify fan, you’ll need to pay to use the hosting provider. Depending on the number of products you sell, your payment processor and payment gateways, and other hosting fees, the cost of running your e-commerce site is important to consider. Typically, Shopify is better for people who don’t have the funding to pay for an entire web design team. On the other hand, owning WordPress software can also help keep the cost of running your online store low since you don’t have to pay for shared hosting.
Shopify pricing is fairly similar to WordPress pricing. The average cost for running a WordPress site is roughly $1,080 annually or $90 per month, whereas the annual cost to use Shopify could be as low as $460. If you’re looking for options for a larger scale company, Shopify payments per month can add up to as much as $3950 a year. If you’d rather save money and are hoping to work with an e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce, then you’ll definitely want to go with WordPress!
Other than monthly operating costs, starting your e-commerce website poses its own unique risks and challenges, like finding and purchasing the proper domain name and paying transaction fees. It costs a bit to turn your online blogging platform into a fully functional e-commerce site.
Shopify And WordPress: E-Commerce Icons
Big-name companies and social media influencers have all taken to creating websites through Shopify and WordPress to build brands and sell products or services. On top of this, brands can add customer support plugins to their site to allow users to speak with a chatbot for assistance. Both e-commerce giants have different plugins that make them unique and add value to a company site, eliminating the need to worry about monitoring sales progress and hosting problems.
Shopify actually has an email marketing tool that allows you to send marketing materials to customers via email and drives people to your platform. Email marketing is a free tool that any business can use to boost sales through an e-commerce hosting platform. WordPress is the better option for people looking to do more with different plugins, though, like Smash Balloon, a plugin that allows you to showcase social media posts throughout your site.
Online Store Creation
WordPress and WooCommerce are great weapons to be equipped with as a company. Simply put, a WordPress site is better than a Shopify online store because it allows each website builder the freedom to customize. You don’t need a huge amount of coding skills to make an awesome site, but it definitely can be a challenge when it comes to creating engaging web stores for your business.
Whether you’re using Wix, WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace to build your e-commerce store, there are a few ways to keep clients interested in your online store. Using high-quality images, a memorable domain name, search engine optimized content, social media posts, easy checkout payment gateway options, and free newsletters are all things that you can add to your site design to increase profitability.
On top of this, online stores that have a simpler layout can get more results. That’s why WordPress Themes are a great, free way to ensure your business is presented professionally. The best thing is that with WP, you can use coding to tweak and create layouts. The drag-and-drop form builder, WPFormsLite is great for laying out professional e-commerce features in an eye-pleasing way. Take advantage of the free themes available for your internet-based store and you’ll see a difference in the impact of your online presence.
Embracing Ecommerce Platforms
It’s no surprise that e-commerce has exploded and companies are cashing in on the ability to sell many products in an online format. Whether you choose Shopify or WordPress, you can be assured you’re choosing a website builder that will add value to your business. It makes sense that WP has gone from a blogging platform to something completely different as it’s adapted to changing times. As an online store, Shopify definitely has its benefits, but compared to the plugin opportunities, themes and templates, and ability to code your site however you see fit, WordPress dominates.
You don’t need all the coding skills in the world to build an online shop. That’s what site builders are for. You can do really incredible things within their system and can create a lucrative content management system through WP, one of the most popular platforms. It may take a bit to set things up in terms of getting the domain you want and finding a reliable server to back up your data and information, but the outcome is something you can be truly proud of.
Of course, if you’re really stuck on how to create the perfect site for your organization or company, you can always consult with a company that builds websites for businesses. These experts can guide you in the right direction when it comes to payment gateways, web issues, and other aspects of technical creation. Either way, it’s a strong business move to get involved in the shift to internet-based business and marketing.
Get started on creating and building your online presence through an amazing web store. Embracing technological advances, like the opportunity to make sales online, is a great way to show customers that you’re keeping up with the times. Ultimately, businesses that do their best to create engaging internet-based brands are more likely to be successful due to greater audience reach. Think of your site like a marketing opportunity, because that’s exactly what it is!
At the end of the day, creating a platform for your business to thrive is a great strategical move. You’re actively working to revitalize and redefine your business model, and it will pay off in the long run through increased web traffic and revenue. Growing businesses thrive on their ability to showcase adaptability and innovation. If your webpage can reflect your brand’s unique qualities and resilience, you should be on the path to success.
The World Wide Web has become a great tool for business owners and everyday people. It allows us to connect with one another in ways otherwise unimaginable. Taking advantage of the relationships technology builds between your business and clients will ultimately help you in the long run and will allow your business to build an unmatched reputation to thrive off of.
