Finding a simple, effective and cost-conscious e-commerce model for selling online can present business owners with a few challenges.
There are a number of options available, so selecting which one works best for one’s needs can be a little confusing or seem complicated.
To help make this process a bit easier, we’ve taken a look at the two main options currently available and broken them down into a features and benefits comparison to help you make a clear choice.
Before we begin the two options we’re comparing in this article are WooCommerce (WordPress’s e-commerce plugin) and Shopify (a standalone e-commerce company with software that powers online stores).
The two easy-access e-commerce platforms are the leading options for businesses looking to build an e-commerce solution and have been grappling for market dominance for the past few years.
Both offer users a range of features and benefits, with different pricing models that may impact on your decision in the end.
So, let’s begin!
The comparative criteria we’re using for this analysis are as follows:
· User-friendliness
· Design value
· Sales and website features
· Cost of service
· Help and support
User Friendliness
WooCommerce
Can be a bit trickier to set up if you’re not familiar with coding or drag ‘n drop web editors but with a little help you can create a far more customized online shop with intricate product detail. It may take a little longer, but the net effect is a more individual and unique design.
Shopify
Is arguably easier to set up initially as it’s a ‘one-box’ solution including themes, hosting and security all in one, so doesn’t require any coding or previous website knowledge to set up and takes less time than WooCommerce.
Design value
Both platforms offer a theme-based approach to your shop design, however WooCommerce offers a far greater deal of customization (fairly limitless, actually!) as compared to Shopify’s 70-odd paid for themes which can be limiting.
Sales features
Shopify tends to offer a lot of sales features as part of its one-stop-shop offering, including functionality such as creating offers, discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, unlimited products, and many payment options. There are also some 3200 apps that can be added to the Shopify platform for additional functionality if needed.
WooCommerce offers all of these and more, but most require a plugin, some of which may be premium plugins depending on the function. On the plus side, WooCommerce offers over 55000 options for plugins to perform any of the functions you need your site to have.
Similarly, in terms of marketing or integrating your online shop with other platforms such as Amazon, Google Shopping, Facebook, eBay and so forth, both platforms offer fairly easy integration – Shopify’s is built-in, WooCommerce integrates through plugins.
WooCommerce offers a better built-in or customizable SEO package, with excellent plugins to ensure your e-commerce site is easily found online – Shopify has SEO features too, but not as good as WooCommerce’s.
Both platforms offer unlimited product options, with WooCommerce offering a more customizable set up for product listings to give them a unique ‘window’.
In terms of payment options both platforms offer multiple third-party integration with payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal Pro, Square, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Alipay and so forth.
Shopify also offers its own gateway, Shopify Payments, with variable pricing plans including a basic cost plus transaction fee percentage. Its pricing matrix offers users various tiers, with more functionality the higher the monthly tier cost.
Cost of Service
As mentioned above, Shopify has its own payment platform and pricing model, but they’re also the only platform to charge a transaction fee no matter what payment gateway a client uses on their website.
Conversely, WooCommerce does not have any transaction fees for third-party gateway payments, making it far better value for money, especially for shops with high turnover.
Shopify’s apps can also quickly become quite expensive whereas WooCommerce’s plugins tend to be really well-priced, and there are many options to choose from to help you manage your budget accordingly.
Help and support
Both platforms offer 24/7 support covering all aspects of your business from setting up and integration to payment issues and more.
Find out more about setting up an e-commerce solution to suit your budget and needs today – talk to us on 01223 550800 or email info@realnet.co.uk for more information.