Before we start comparing WooCommerce Vs Shopify, it is very much important to understand what they both hold for the creation of an e-commerce site. WooCommerce is a self-hosted e-commerce platform which means that the files are stored on your server and you need to manage everything on your end. Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform which means that the software will manage every work for you but your options are limited to what Shopify provides for you.
Comparison of WooCommerce and Shopify
The WooCommerce Vs Shopify comparison is important to understand the pros and cons of each platform. The two sites are compared based on several of the parameters listed below:
Easy for application and Build uptime
The success of any platform is based on the idea if it is easy for application or not. When comparing WooCommerce and Shopify based on which one is easy to use, then Shopify turns out to win the game. This is because one need not possess the sound technical knowledge to build a site using Shopify. Whereas, if you wish to build an e-commerce site on your own without getting the technical assistance of anyone, then Shopify is the best idea. Not everyone can learn to code with very limited time in hand. It is also not a great idea to invest in engineers and coders when you are already investing a decent amount in purchasing the CMS platform.
When you are comparing both the platforms as to which is better to build a site, you can point out several points. The easier you find the platform to use, the quicker you can build your website. You need to choose either of these platforms based on the parameter of which would suit your expectations better, whether you are willing to invest some time and build a powerful site or you just want your site live quick.
WooCommerce builds uptime is quite time-consuming as you need to set up all the things on your own. You need to already own a WordPress site that needs to be integrated with the site you create using WooCommerce. When it comes to Shopify, all every feature can be installed by just drag and drop, it is way easier to create a site. The start-up wizard of WooCommerce has all the basic features but you need to work on the other details to set up the site. But, when you already have a WordPress site, then go with WooCommerce. So, on this basis, if you don’t have much time to invest and you want your site live quickly, then Shopify is the way to go.
eCommerce Security
Security is of major concern these days owing to the growing menace of hackers in the cyber domain. When it comes to picking the CMS platform for your site, check if the platform comes with in-built security features. The SSL certification comes as a part of the package of Shopify as already stated. There is another certification as well called the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This is required to boost the security feature of the site. This certification comes along with Shopify.
But in the case of WooCommerce, you need to obtain the certificates individually for compliance. This is an additional cost for the users. They have to pay extra to obtain. This is why Shopify wins this game as well in providing security.
Payment options and Transaction Fees
This is one of the most important parameters one just can’t neglect when it comes to comparing WooCommerce and Shopify. In Shopify, one can integrate any type and any number of payment gateway options. But, when it comes to WooCommerce, there are only certain types of payment gateways that work fine with the e-commerce site. If you wish to integrate a new payment gateway to WooCommerce, then you have to pay a large sum.
When comparing on terms of the transaction fee, you need to consider WooCommerce as it does not charge any fee. But, when it comes to Shopify, some amount is deducted. This is the only parameter where WooCommerce has emerged as the winner. As many customers, do not prefer to pay a lump sum amount for transaction fees as it doesn’t benefit them in any way, WooCommerce wins the cards here.
Customer Support
WooCommerce cannot even match the customer support services provided by Shopify. When it comes to working with CMS platforms like Shopify, 24×7 customer support is provided and there are live chat rooms and other support systems. Whereas, WooCommerce provides only the DIY support system. The commonly asked questions are answered. Shopify provides extreme levels of documentation which helps you to work with the site better. Shopify makes you feel like you are working with the guidance of an expert team of engineers.
Scalability
The actual cost which is incurred is the maintenance of the site rather than the creation of the site. There are a lot of business people who invest more in the maintenance than focusing on purchasing and stocking the goods. Both the platforms are designed to handle a very large amount of data but how they handle is the key point to note here. It has already been mentioned that WooCommerce is a self-hosted site which means that you need to take care of all the backup and you need to appoint a lot of people to manage the data. When it comes to e-commerce business, you can never take data lightly as it could damage your reputation when not handled properly. Shopify has a lot of default features which when enabled can take care of the backup and other data management tasks. If you are not willing to invest more in maintenance, then Shopify is the clear winner.
Summary
One can see that Shopify emerges as the clear winner of this WooCommerce Vs Shopify battle when we are comparing the various parameters. The parameters listed above are the top things a person would look for while purchasing a CMS platform. It is wise to prefer Shopify as it satisfies the needs of the customer in every way.