We have actually constantly been an avid WordPress fan, and our go-to advice whenever anybody required a site for any purpose-- any function!-- was, "Hey, why not WordPress?"
Browsing what's possible with Shopify and how easy all of it is, even we began having 2nd thoughts.We mean, WordPress is undoubtedly remarkable as a website platform. It can quickly deal with anything you toss at it and make your website available and readily available for the whole world to see.
At the exact same time, an e-commerce store is an extremely specific kind of animal, and it's really extremely different from a basic blog site or a news website.
WordPress is constructed around content-- content that is meant to be consumed for free, more or less. You can publish post, videos, pictures, and etc., but the main principle is that it's all available to whoever happens to stumble upon the URL. The reality of e-commerce stores is different.What they offer sits behind a paywall. The entire site needs to be careful when handling the customer's essential data (like credit cards, individual information). It needs to be safe. To top everything off, it also requires to be able to deal with inbound orders, procedure them, and ensure that absolutely nothing fails the cracks along the way. Simply put, there's a lot of stuff that's different about e-commerce stores compared to standard publishing platforms. At that point, even we have to be ready to accept the fact that WordPress isn't best for whatever. Often, you simply require a platform that's been constructed for the function of dealing with an e-commerce shop. The Main Difference Between Shopify and WordPress
In a sentence, the main difference between Shopify and WordPress is that Shopify is an online tool/service, whereas WordPress is stand-alone software that you need to install yourself.
In order to utilize Shopify, all you need to do is go to Shopify.com and register to develop an account. As soon as done, ou just need to go through a quick setup, and your e-commerce store is up and running.
To use WordPress as your e-commerce platform, on the other hand, requires a lot more steps:
Initially, you require to buy a domain and a webhosting account where you can have the default version of WordPress installed. You require to pick a theme (style) for your site, plus a handful of plugins to look after SEO, social networks integration and etc
. After that, you need a plugin like WooCommerce to supply you with all the e-commerce functions (those are not constructed into WordPress). Lastly, you require to go through the configuration process of your e-commerce store (the store information, payment entrance combinations, items, and etc.). Those can take a while of its own too.Last but not least, with Shopify, you also get support, which means that should you ever come across any problem with the platform, you can merely get in touch with the support team, and they will (likely) solve it.Think of it by doing this, Shopify resembles going to IKEA, purchasing a table off the rack, and after that just assembling it at home. WordPress resembles going to the hardware store, purchasing slabs, nails, glue, tools, and then coming house and building the table yourself.
Full disclosure: WebsiteSetup makes a commission if you wind up buying Shopify or Bluehost+ WooCommerce through the referral links in this comparison. Thanks for your support!
Shopify-- What Is It?shopify
An all-in-one e-commerce solution/tool. It permits you to construct a practical e-commerce store from scratch, without a designer's or designer's aid. There're no coding skills needed to use Shopify. It's a paid tool-- from $29 to $299 per month. It allows you to offer whatever you want (products, services, products, both digital and physical, as well as dropship). Utilize it offline and online (you can utilize it as your online shop, but also utilize something called Point of Sale with Shopify, which is their system for retailers that enables you to incorporate your on-location shop with your setup in Shopify). website More than 100+ online store styles to select from (some of them paid). WordPress (WooCommerce)-- What Is It?WordPress
First things first, WordPress is a great deal of things, however for the purpose of this resource, we're focusing mainly on the e-commerce side of the spectrum and leaving out a huge part of WordPress's functions and abilities.
An all-in-one website software application. It enables you to develop any kind of website, supplied that you can deal with the somewhat technical setup-- involving setting up the software application itself, installing plugins, installing a style, and after that installing an e-commerce plugin to handle the shop operations.
Some site building abilities are needed. Depending on the customizations that you desire to carry out, you might need coding or style abilities also.
The WordPress software is complimentary. In order to utilize it, you need to sign up for a webhosting and purchase a domain name. When all is put together, you can get going with WordPress for about $5/ month.
Terrific content management features.
Countless themes/designs to select from, both complimentary and paid.
Exceptional extension possibilities through plugins.
When Should You Use Shopify Over WordPress?
Shopify stands apart like a custom-made e-commerce solution for everyone. Whereby everyone, we mean individuals who may not have any website building or coding abilities, yet still want to be able to develop an amazing online store all by themselves. The primary benefit of working with Shopify is that you can begin in minutes and begin serving your first consumers practically immediately.
Even setting the coding and site structure skills aside-- which you do not require-- you also do not require to be entirely acquainted with numerous realities of the e-commerce business itself. Shopify assists you set things like the inventory, taxes, shipping settings, and so on. To put it simply-- it resolves every last boring element of the company. Secondly, Shopify is likewise a truly inexpensive service. To get started, you only need $9 a month. For that price, you get access to more than sufficient site designs and customization options.