If you have a business and want to sell online you are probably looking at different platforms and e-commerce options. I work with WordPress and in this post, I will explain five reasons why I think WordPress.org (with WooCommerce) is better than platforms like Shopify. 

5 Reasons WordPress is better than Shopify

1. Cost

Let’s start with something quite fundamental first: the cost of both. The fact that WordPress and WooCommerce are free makes it a superior choice, in the end. In order to use Shopify, you must select a monthly payment option plan (minimum $180 per year for the most basic minimal features and up to $3588 per year for full features). On top of that, depending on the plans you choose, there are added fees for every transaction.

This might not seem like much, but when you add it all up, it could be a significant amount of money taken out of your bottom line. With WooCommerce, you can receive the same features (and frequently with better functionality) for much less – meaning more money in your pocket in the long term. 

2. Design

Shopify offers a variety of storefront themes which looks appealing to users when they arrive on the platform, however, the best of them come at a large additional cost of up to $350,  and since there aren’t many (approx 100 on last inspection) many business owners complain that their store look very similar to others. 

WordPress on the other hand offers complete design freedom. You can use one of the thousands of free or premium WordPress themes to set up the website and use it as your store’s design.  Additionally, if you are tech-savvy and understand coding languages you can develop your own themes and templates and have it integrated with WooCommerce if you have the ability and desire to do so; however, you will need to put in some time and effort to achieve this.

3. Integration

Using WooCommerce with WordPress also has the benefit of seamlessly integrating with WordPress so you can add content to your website. This means that you can easily write blog posts and articles to attract potential clients who can later place orders on your e-commerce website.

You aren’t given this choice with Shopify. There isn’t a blogging component to it, therefore it is merely an e-commerce site.

4. Functionality

The freedom that WordPress provides you with is another factor that unquestionably attracts people to it.

Plugins that are available on WordPress vastly outnumber those available on Shopify meaning you can add whatever functionality you want to your website and have so much more flexibility.  As a result, you can customise your website so that it doesn’t look like everyone else’s storefront. 

5. Ownership

Finally, using WordPress means that you own your site 100% and it gives you complete control over your website, allowing you to manage it however you see fit. While Shopify gives you a URL, you can only use the site in the ways that Shopify allows.

WordPress gives you complete ownership of everything, so your involvement is limitless. For some people, this may seem like a lot of responsibility but ultimately have more control over your store, your message, and your product with WordPress. 

If you’d like to know more…

About building your own WordPress website check out my other blog posts such as Should you DIY your website or hire a professional or Does your business really need a website? 

If you’re ready to get started and want to build a website together, send me an email or fill in the contact form below and I’ll be in touch in 24-48 hours.