So! Here is the low down you need when trying to decide between Shopify and WooCommerce (WordPress)

1. Ease of Use:

Shopify:

• User-Friendly: Shopify is a fully hosted platform, meaning it’s generally easier to set up a basic looking site and manage product updates.
• Learning Curve: It is pitched that users don’t need technical skills to get started, however many inexperienced users still struggle with the set up the fields and make the site look different to the standard Shopify-like theme / style.
• All-in-One Solution: Provides everything you need, including hosting, security, and updates, for a cost.

WooCommerce:

• Flexibility: Built on WordPress, WooCommerce offers extensive customisation options, but it requires more technical knowledge or the support of a developer. If you have someone building your website for you, this will allow greater visions to come to life.
• Learning Curve: May require more time to set up.  Hosting, security, and updates is done independently – you don’t pay the platform to handle these. However if you have a web developer set you up, the day to day running of the site is straightforward.

2. Customisation:

Shopify:

• Themes and Apps: Offers a wide range of themes and apps to extend functionality, but customisation options are very limited. All apps generally cost monthly fees on going and pricing is scaled as the business grows. If you disable an app, you may lose all data.
• Limitations: Customisation can be restricted by the platform’s constraints. Apps cannot be modified easily.

WooCommerce:

• Unlimited Customisation: Being open-source, WooCommerce allows complete control over the site’s appearance and functionality.
• Plugins and Themes: Thousands of plugins and themes available to tailor the site to specific needs. While some premium plugins have annual payments, a lot are free. No additional costs based on the size or scale of the business.

3. Cost:

Shopify:

• Subscription-Based: Monthly subscription plans starting from basic to advanced levels, with additional costs for premium themes and apps which are fixed.
• Transaction Fees: Charges transaction fees for all order payments unless you use Shopify Payments.
• Scalability: Difficult without premium plugins and apps. Often app installation has to be done by the developer who require site access. No staging environments available.

WooCommerce:

• Variable Costs: Free plugin, costs are incurred for hosting, and optional premium plugins. Transaction fees depend on the chosen payment gateway.
• Scalability: Costs can be managed by choosing hosting and plugins that fit within your budget and scalability is easy with staging environments.

4. Customer Experience / UX:

Shopify:

• Professional Themes: Offers a wide range of high-quality, professionally designed themes, however they come with an additional costs $50-$500+).
• Consistent Design: Ensures a consistent and polished visual appearance across different devices and browsers.
• Mobile-Responsive: All themes are mobile-responsive, ensuring a great look on any device.
• Built-In Features: Includes built-in design features like sliders, galleries, and customisable fonts and colors.
• Limited Customisation: Customisation options are more limited compared to WooCommerce, especially for those who want to tweak the design.
• Updates: No ability to back up or export individual parts of the website
• heme Restrictions: Some themes have rigid structures that might not suit all types of businesses.

WooCommerce

• Unlimited Customisation: Complete control over the design with the ability to modify everything from layouts to individual elements.
• Wide Theme Selection: Thousands of free and premium low-cost themes available through WordPress and third-party providers.
• Custom Themes: Option to create custom themes from scratch or hire a developer for a unique design.
• Advanced Design Plugins: Access to numerous design plugins for sliders, galleries, and other visual elements.
• Integration with Page Builders: Seamless integration with powerful page builders for advanced design options, with the drop and drag benefits similar to Shopify but with added features.
• Complexity: Customising themes to achieve a specific look can be more complex and may require coding knowledge, however if a developer builds the original site, this isn’t relevant to ongoing updates for owners.
• Responsiveness: Ensuring mobile responsiveness might require additional adjustments and testing only if you opt for a DIY option.

5. Support and Community:

Shopify:

• Dedicated Support: 24/7 customer support via chat, and email. Extensive documentation and resources however difficult for novices to follow.
• Community: Active community and forums for additional help but there are delays in responses.

WooCommerce:

• Community Support: Relies on the WordPress community for support or a dedicated web manager. Forums, tutorials, and extensive documentation are available.
• Professional Help: Having an on hand web manager / developers for complex issues or customisation will make updates quick and easy when needed.

6. SEO and Marketing:

Shopify:

• Built-In Tools: Basic SEO tools and marketing features, with some limitations.
• Apps for SEO: Additional apps can enhance SEO capabilities.

WooCommerce:

• Advanced SEO: Leverages WordPress’s powerful SEO capabilities, with plugins like Yoast SEO to optimise the site.
• Content Marketing: Excellent for content marketing and growth due to WordPress’s blogging platform.

Conclusion:

• Choose Shopify if: You want a straightforward, user-friendly platform with reliable support and don’t mind paying for the convenience of an all-in-one solution.
• Choose WooCommerce if: You prefer a customisable, unique website and a flexible platform with extensive control over every aspect of your site, this is for you. If you are not comfortable managing the technical aspects, partner with a host who offers web development like us!

When deciding between Shopify and WooCommerce, consider the following: Shopify is an all-in-one, user-friendly platform ideal for those seeking ease of use with more simplified features, though it comes with monthly subscription fees and customisation limitations. WooCommerce, built on WordPress, offers unparalleled customisation and control, making it perfect for those comfortable with handling technical set up aspects or seeking extensive flexibility. However, it requires managing hosting, security, and updates independently, which can be done by owners and web managers. Ultimately, Shopify suits those prioritising convenience and less bells and whistles, whereas WooCommerce is best for those valuing customisation and control and presenting customers with the wow factor that completely represents the brand.