When it comes to e-commerce platforms, Shopify and WooCommerce are the biggest players. Choosing the one that is right for your business can be a little complicated, though. Let’s compare some of the main factors that will influence your decision. 

1. E-commerce Platform Price

Price is always an important factor to consider when you are making any big business decisions. When it comes to e-commerce platforms, comparing prices can be a little tricky. Make sure you are comparing similar offerings and that you are only paying for the services that you need. 

Shopify uses a tiered pricing system that starts at around $30 per month plus transaction fees for the most basic package. Keep in mind that all of their pricing tiers include hosting, which can make a big difference to your bottom line. 

On the other hand, WooCommerce is free at its most basic level, but it does not include site hosting. They do charge for optional services, but they are a la carte which makes it much easier to customize for your business needs. 

1. Scalability

While your business might be starting small, planning for future growth now will make it much easier to scale up when you are ready. Both WooCommerce and Shopify allow for their clients to grow. Just be prepared for your costs to go up as your business gets bigger. 

1. Drop Shipping Availability

Many e-commerce businesses rely on drop shipping or print-on-demand services. Both WooCommerce and Shopify offer a number of apps that make it much easier for you to manage these services. If you have a preferred service that you like to work with, check out each e-commerce platform and see if they support it. 

1. Easy to Use 

Choosing a platform that is easy to use is incredibly important. You don’t want to spend your valuable time fighting with your e-commerce platform when you could be growing your business. 

Shopify offers a simple process for new users that is fairly self-explanatory. They also have invested in their customer support department, and you can reach them through live online chat, telephone, or email in case you have any questions along the way. 

Since WooCommerce is a plug-in for WordPress and it requires you to set up your hosting elsewhere, there are a few additional layers of expertise required. If you require assistance, you will have to figure out if you need to contact your web hosting company or the plug-in creator. That being said, with some time and patience, setting up and using a WooCommerce account is not too hard. 

1. Shop Design

You can’t discount the importance of the look of your e-commerce shop. Unless you are a graphic web designer, you probably rely on pre-made themes to help you build a great-looking online store. While Shopify and WooCommerce both have a large selection when it comes to website themes, WooCommerce has more because of its affiliation with WordPress. 

In the end, both Shopify and WooCommerce are huge in the e-commerce platform business. Choosing the best one depends on your own unique business needs and your goals for the future. 

To learn more about starting or growing your e-commerce business or to check out our classes, workshops, and other resources, visit us at Wizards of Ecom.