Shopify vs. WooCommerce - What’s the Difference?

When deciding whether to use Shopify or WooCommerce to develop an eCommerce website, you may wonder, "Which is better: Shopify or WooCommerce?"

Both platforms enable you to create profitable online stores, but they are extremely different.

In this post, we compare and contrast Shopify vs WooCommerce in terms of pricing, installation, usability, and capabilities. All of these are important considerations to make before committing to a particular eCommerce platform.

Shopify vs. WooCommerce: What's the Difference?

In a word, Shopify is an online tool/service, whereas WooCommerce is a separate piece of software that you must install yourself.

To get started with Shopify, go to Shopify.com and register for an account. After that, all you have to do is complete a simple setup and your eCommerce store will be ready to go. Using WordPress(WooCommerce) as an eCommerce platform, on the other hand, necessitates a significantly longer process:

To begin, you must first purchase a domain and a web hosting account on which to install the default version of WordPress.

You'll need to choose a website theme (design) and a few plugins to help with SEO, social media integration, and other features.

Then you'll need a plugin like WooCommerce to give you all of the eCommerce functionality you'll need (those are not built into WordPress).

Finally, your eCommerce store must be configured (the store details, payment gateway integrations, products, and etc.). These, too, can take some time.

What is WooCommerce, and why should you worry about it?

WooCommerce is a WordPress-based open-source e-commerce solution. As a result, it offers the most capable content management system (CMS) for managing an online business. You may personalise every part of your business and create custom extensions thanks to the open-source nature of the platform. To learn more about this fantastic platform, read the WooCommerce Review.

What is Shopify and how does it function?

Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform that allows you to set up an online store without having to worry about technical knowledge; everything is included in the Shopify package, including hosting, security, and domain registration. You only need to purchase the Shopify package, after which you can immediately begin monetizing it. Here's a more in-depth look at Shopify.

When is it better to use Shopify instead of WordPress?

Shopify stands out as a one-size-fits-all eCommerce platform. Everyone, by the way, refers to those who may not have any website-building or coding experience but yet want to be able to establish an outstanding online store on their own.

Working with Shopify has the main advantage of allowing you to get started quickly and serve your first customers virtually instantly.

When is it better to use WordPress(WooCommerce) instead of Shopify?

WordPress is a colossal force to be reckoned with. It's almost the ideal website platform, with the ability to handle a wide range of websites.

There is, however, a snag. Or, to be more precise, a couple of snags.

WordPress is a piece of software that allows you to publish content on the internet. You can acquire it for free, but you'll have to install it on your own web server, configure it, and then start a website with it.

WordPress is primarily used for blogging out of the box. It doesn't have any sort of eCommerce functionality. Plugins can be used to get these. For example, WooCommerce is a well-known e-commerce platform.

Aside from the eCommerce plugin, you'll need a slew of other add-ons to take care of things like SEO and social media. To make your eCommerce store look unique and creative, you'll need a good-looking and brandable theme (design).

Shopify or WordPress(WooCommerce)?

If none of the above solutions appeal to you, we have a solution that is even more succinct. Just remember that it's a massive simplification. In most cases, one of the solutions listed above is preferable. But here's a super-short answer:

If you already have a WordPress site, all you have to do now is install WooCommerce and add an eCommerce store to it.

Start an eCommerce store with Shopify if you don't already have one. We have two motivations in this regard: Both time and money are saved as a result of this method.