These days when the world is so digitalized companies compete for attention by being visible online. Businesses must maintain their positions in the market.
Instead of that, the ones who are into e-commerce should pay more attention to the selection of the right platform that will be a big deal for success.
That’s where the age-old question comes in Shopify or WordPress? Which is better in 2024?
Here in this blog, we’re going to answer this question. Both platforms have some merits, and this requires to be balanced with less favorable features, to make the best decision for your venture.
Understanding Shopify and WordPress:
Let’s take a moment to grasp the basics of each platform before diving into the comparison:
Shopify:
Shopify is almost like a virtual personal assistant that helps you in running an online business. It is unilaterally focused on e-commerce providing a set of tools for the shop setup and administration.
Ranging from customizable templates to secure payment processors, inventory management, advertising tools and others, Shopify will always have your back.
Whether it is setting up your first online shop or you have experience in the business already, Shopify will help you open your store very easily. For inspiration, you can browse the top Shopify stores showcasing a wide variety of products and business models.
WordPress:
Consider WordPress as the multipurpose tool belt for websites. To begin with, WordPress was recognized for its strength in blogging. It has since then evolved to be a rich and capable content management system.
WooCommerce is just one of those plugins that can make WordPress become a one-of-a-kind e-commerce platform. As a kid, it is like having a magic toolbox that you can do anything with.
Although you are limited by the features, range, and number of plugins and themes of WordPress, you are enabled to change your online store in whichever way you desire owing to its flexibility, scalability, and its library of plugins and themes.
Comparison of Shopify and WordPress :
Let’s analyze Shopify and WordPress in more detail, which will help pick up the platform for your e-commerce business in the year to come.
1. Ease of Use:
Shopify:
Shopify is rightly known to be super easy to use. Creating information on the computer is like constructing with digital LEGO.
The user interface of their product is user-friendly, and therefore, even if you are not a tech-savvy person, you can figure it out with ease.
No need for a computer science degree anymore to create your free online store as you can drag and drop elements into place.
WordPress:
However, WordPress by its nature is accessible to non-technical users, but adding the e-commerce feature with WooCommerce might require some more technical skills. WordPress simplifies the process of creating a custom shipping method for WooCommerce, making it the ideal choice. Its user-friendly interface allows you to tailor a shipping method that matches your store’s requirements.
You will have to learn the ins and outs of plugins, themes, and settings to get your shop in the most perfect and ideal state.
Verdict: If you don’t have any technical background and just want to start your online store without any headaches and hassles, it’s a good idea to go with Shopify.
2. Customization:
Shopify:
The interesting thing about Shopify is that, as a seller, it gives you a couple of cool templates to choose from but, down the road, you might find yourself faced with a few walls when it comes to making major changes.
You can easily do this, but it may be that you do not have complete freedom to do whatever you like.
WordPress:
WordPress reigns the kingdom of the customized. There are a lot of plugins and themes at your disposal and you can fully customize your store and make it look and feel the way you want.
If you put your mind to it, you can create nearly anything on WordPress.
Verdict: If you are a control white capitalist who wants your store to be as unique as you are, then it’s obvious that WordPress is the one that you’ll go for.
3. Scalability:
Shopify:
If you are an absolute beginner or you have already reached the status of the kingpin in the e-commerce world, Shopify has your back.
That platform can handle any input you give it, whether it’s just a few orders a day or a few thousand.
WordPress:
WordPress also did not lag when it came to scalability.
When you make the suitable plugin selection and hosting setup right from the start, your store gets to grow at the same pace as your business and does not skip any beats.
Verdict: It is a tie in terms of their abilities to scale up your business, so you can choose between the two platforms without worries.
4. Security:
Shopify:
One of the key objectives for Shopify is the security of its platform.
They exposed a huge number of different kinds of vehicle safety features to protect both the store and the customers’ data.
WordPress:
WordPress is indeed by itself a very secure software, but remember that the security responsibility of your store belongs to you.
Updating regularly, choosing a credible hosting provider, and installing some extra security plugins to dodge those bad people are something you’ll need to keep an eye on.
Verdict: Are you the kind of person who demands 100% security right from the beginning, then Shopify is the right choice for peace of mind here.
5. Pricing:
Shopify:
Shopify’s pricing prepositions are clear and understandable.
With a monthly subscription wherein you select which plan suits you best, you will be charged an additional fee for external payment gateways.
WordPress:
WordPress itself won’t cost you a penny, but you will need to allocate some funds for a hosting provider, domain name registration, premium themes, and some plugins.
At first, you might think that is cheaper, but in the long run, you will have to carry these costs.
Verdict: It highly depends on your budget and the extent to which you control your finances.
Conclusion:
As Shopify continues its battle with its opponents, the company has to be aware of the importance of sustainability.
While in 2024 both platforms have their pros and cons, WordPress is, as always, a first choice for people looking for an affordable but efficient platform for e-commerce.
Shopify is the top choice for all of those who are just beginning, as well as those business people looking for simplicity and who do not want to bother with many details and security issues.
On the one hand, however, the capabilities offered by WordPress are unsurpassed in terms of customization, scalability and flexibility, which allow it to meet the requests of users with special needs or technical skills.
Author: Harikrishna Kundariya
Harikrishna Kundariya is the Co-founder, Director, & Marketer of eSparkBiz Technologies – an excellent Software Development Company. Also, a notable IoT, ChatBot & Blockchain-savvy Developer. His 12+ years of profound experience enables him to create Digital Innovations for Startups & large Enterprises alike based on futuristic technologies like IoT, Artificial Intelligence, DevOps, and ChatBot. Adopting a modern yet extremely flexible leadership approach, he believes in building businesses & lasting bonds with his clients in the process.