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WORDPRESS OR SHOPIFY?

Are you trying to choose a platform for your website? Learn about key facts that will help you when choosing WordPress or Shopify.


WordPress and Shopify offer fantastic options for building an online presence. Yet, should you choose WordPress or Shopify for your online store? Decisions, decisions!


Let's look at why you would use one platform over the other. And, hopefully, reach a consensus so you can get started building your online store.


WordPress or Shopify: Which is Best?


You've got dozens of great online platforms to choose from, all vying for your attention. It's easy getting wrapped up in bullet points touting features. What you should look for is the three most essential items:


  1. Price
  2. Features
  3. Support


WordPress is an open-source platform whereas Shopify is a product. Both have extensive features for building online stores. And, the support for the two is industry-defining. This makes the decision all-too-difficult!


Here are the real differences coming from experience.


Price


While WordPress is open source meaning it's truly free. Of course, there are expenses for both platforms you'll want to compare.

Consider what it takes to set up a store with WordPress:


  • Domain
  • Hosting
  • eCommerce plugin


Then compare it to Shopify:


  • Domain
  • Subscription
  • Transaction fees
  • Extra transaction fees (if you're not using Shopify Payments)


It's the payment processing fees you'll want to consider! This may not seem like much in the beginning but what if you start selling thousands of products? With WP, you have more payment options to fit your size and scaling.


You'll also want to compare pricing for:


  • Themes
  • Plugins
  • Extensions


Each platform offers free themes, plugins, and extensions. Though, WordPress often includes more affordable options. You'll want to consider the follow-up support, too, when upgrading your store as time goes on.


Features


The base features of WordPress and Shopify are drastic.


WordPress is "barebones" from its base installation. You'll configure most aspects of the site from its structure to design. You'll also install eCommerce plugins to start supporting your online store.


Shopify, in comparison, is an all-in-one solution. Sign up and you'll have everything needed to begin selling online after a few tweaks.

Consider:


  • Themes: More available for WP but Shopify's are simpler to use
  • SEO: Shopify offers built-in SEO whereas WP often requires plugins
  • Updates: Both should auto-update given you have great hosting
  • Interface: Shopify is a bit easier to understand on its backend
  • Control: WordPress gives you unlimited control over its code


You'll likely find Shopify easier to use when installing extra features. Though, this is because there are fewer options to choose from. The larger install base of WP means you'll find more features to choose from.


Support


WordPress powers 30% of the Web so it's not going anywhere. Shopify has its ample share (around 600k) but no way has the reach WP does. Shopify can fail along with the company leaving its users SOL.


That said:


WordPress offers extensive support via documentation and online tutorials. It also spurred thousands of businesses providing WP services.

Shopify offers 1st and 3rd party support and extensive documentation. It's also less likely you'll "screw up" a Shopify store because it's hosted.


You'll find more malicious types attacking WordPress because it's widely used. Though, its popularity means more support from the whole community. WP and Shopify tie in this area as both have passionate communities supporting them.


WP vs Shopify: The Verdict


Deciding WordPress or Shopify comes down to this:


Both platforms are rather easy-to-use once setup and configured. Both have excellent options for building your online business. But, only WordPress will let you have complete control throughout its growth.


We'd love to show you what's possible with the platform. And, help you see the long-term benefits of WP vs Shopify and others.


Let's work together on building something great. Get a free quote and launch your online presence, today!

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