Shopify excels for businesses with a sales focus, whereas WordPress enables you to create a website with broader capabilities.
Shopify and WordPress stand out as two of the most prominent e-commerce website builders. The key distinction lies in Shopify's exclusive focus on online stores, whereas WordPress offers a more extensive website-building platform that can also integrate e-commerce features.
For most e-commerce businesses seeking a straightforward solution, Shopify is often the preferable choice. This is because, with Shopify, the process of setting up a store, listing products, and accepting payments is streamlined, as the store and website are essentially one entity. In contrast, WordPress users will need to create a website first and then proceed to set up their online store.
To determine whether Shopify or WordPress is the right fit for your business, consider the following factors:
Shopify vs. WordPress: Decision-Making Considerations Given that WordPress lacks native e-commerce functionality, this comparison will primarily focus on WooCommerce, a popular plugin chosen by many WordPress users for online sales. Keep in mind that other options with varying pricing structures and features are also available.
| Shopify | WooCommerce for WordPress | |
| Entry-level pricing | Shopify’s cheapest website builder plan, Basic, costs $29 per month when billed annually. | WooCommerce is a free, open-source plug-in, but you’ll need a WordPress plan that costs at least $25 per month to use it. You can also spring for a hosted version of WooCommerce, which starts at $25 per month. |
| Payment processing | Shopify Payments takes a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents per online sale. Shopify charges Basic customers an extra 2% if they choose a different payment processor, though that fee starts to fall in more expensive pricing tiers. | WooCommerce Payments comes standard and charges a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents per online transaction. You can choose other payment processors with no additional fees from WordPress. |
| Online marketplace integrations | Native integrations with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google and Walmart. Amazon integration requires an app that has free and paid plans. | Extensions offer integrations with Amazon, Etsy, Google Shopping, eBay, Walmart, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and more. |
Where Shopify wins: Better for e-commerce
Ideal for E-commerce Shopify stands out as a dedicated e-commerce platform, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to efficiently manage online sales, promote your products, and foster customer relationships. If e-commerce isn't your primary business focus, platforms like WordPress or Squarespace, with content creation, appointment booking, and member management capabilities, might be more suitable.
Fast store setup
Rapid Store Setup Shopify streamlines the process of launching an online store with a straightforward setup. Upon creating an account, you'll configure payment processing, shipping options, and make simple design choices like selecting colors and fonts. This enables you to promptly list your products and begin accepting payments.
In contrast, WordPress entails designing your website first, followed by installing e-commerce plug-ins, leading to a more time-consuming setup.
Simple order management and fulfillment tools
Effortless Order Management and Fulfillment Tools Shopify's order dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of all your sales, whether they occur on your website, external marketplaces like Google Shopping, or social media platforms like Instagram. It facilitates tasks such as printing shipping labels, tracking shipments, offering in-store pickup, and managing customer communications. Additionally, Shopify generates sales analytics to enhance your understanding of business performance.
WooCommerce, the widely used WordPress e-commerce plug-in, also features an order overview dashboard, but it represents an additional set of tools that necessitate familiarization.
Integrated Cybersecurity Features Shopify's websites are inherently compliant with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards, enhancing the protection of customer data, including credit card information. Moreover, purchasing a domain name through Shopify or hosting assets on Shopify's servers automatically grants you a TLS certificate, securing communications between your website and other parties.
In the case of WooCommerce, these features are not intrinsic. Ensuring your payment processor's PCI compliance becomes imperative. While SSL compliance comes standard with WordPress hosting (similar to a TLS certificate), it's essential to verify that your small-business web hosting service possesses SSL or TLS certification.
Built-in cybersecurity features
Where WordPress Shines: Ideal for Complex Websites WordPress serves as a versatile content management platform suitable for crafting a diverse range of websites, even if your focus isn't on product sales. Unlike Shopify, e-commerce features do not come prepackaged; you'll need to install a plug-in like WooCommerce.
Built-in cybersecurity features
Extensive Customization Options WordPress websites offer unparalleled customization, often without you even realizing it. Thousands of themes, including many free options, are at your disposal, and you can even design your own. Furthermore, plug-ins allow you to incorporate various website features, from contact forms to social media feeds.
Huge variety of customization options
Opting for WooCommerce as your online store builder provides you with more theme choices and opportunities to tailor the checkout experience.
Your choice of payment processor
Freedom to Choose Your Payment Processor WordPress and WooCommerce users can utilize WooCommerce Payments, which comes with fees comparable to Shopify's, or opt for extensions supporting alternative payment processors. This flexibility is valuable for businesses in industries that some payment processors classify as high-risk due to factors like age restrictions or high chargeback rates. Finding cost-effective payment processing can also lead to cost savings for your business.
While Shopify allows its merchants to select other payment processors, the associated fees can be prohibitively high for most users, making it less appealing.
Support for other types of online content
Support for Various Types of Online Content WordPress is a powerful content management system, enabling you to engage in activities like blogging, offering exclusive member content, selling tickets and event registrations, scheduling appointments, and much more. If your business's primary focus extends beyond e-commerce, WordPress offers a versatile solution.
Shopify, in contrast, primarily caters to e-commerce. Although it allows the sale of digital content and offers extensions for appointment booking, the majority of its tools are designed with product sales in mind.
Shopify vs. WordPress: Which is best for your business?
Shopify vs. WordPress: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Business Shopify is the superior choice for businesses that:
Seek to commence selling products promptly.
Are comfortable using Shopify's pre-designed themes and payment processing service.
Operate as smaller entities without the resources for large, complex websites.
On the other hand, WordPress proves to be a better match for businesses that:
Desire extensive website customization.
Wish to select their preferred payment processor.
Do not exclusively prioritize e-commerce sales.