When it comes to creating e-commerce websites, two big players are Shopify and WordPress. WordPress, a well-established platform, powers a significant portion of the internet. On the other hand, Shopify is a newer contender in the e-commerce scene. In this clash of old versus new, only one can emerge victorious!
Shopify takes the lead as the ultimate e-commerce platform on our list, thanks to its incredible sales tools catering to businesses of all sizes. However, WordPress shines with more customization options, allowing you to build any kind of store using plugins. So, the big question is: which one will come out on top?
The big question is whether your store can really run your business and even take it to new heights.
Quick comparison Between Shopify and Wordpress
| Title | Shopify | Wordpress |
| Ease of Use | Easier to Use, No Coding Skills Needed. | More Advanced, with Endless Customization Options. |
| Pricing | Shopify offers three plans, $29/month, to $299/month with a 3-day trial. | Basic use is free, but costs for hosting, plugins, themes, and tutorials can add up. |
| Build Time | Quick setup with a user-friendly interface and bulk product upload support. | Non-coders may find the process longer, needing to select and install an e-commerce plugin. |
| Themes | Explore over 100 themes, all exclusively designed in-house, and perfectly compatible with mobile devices. | There are thousands of themes available, not all of them are of the same quality. |
| Ecommerce Features | Use our top-rated platform (rated 4.8 out of 5) for all your e-commerce needs and business growth. | While major plugins cover most e-commerce functions, consider other solutions, like analytics. |
| SEO | Enhance your website and boost your web page rankings effortlessly with the built-in SEO features. | For advanced services, like those included in Shopify's standard package, you'll need to buy an SEO plugin. |
Pros & Cons
Shopify
| Pros | Cons |
| Using Shopify is super easy, no coding or tech skills required! | Switching themes might require adjustments to your content. |
| It's tailor-made for e-commerce, so all the essential sales tools come built-in. | It's not as simple or user-friendly as Wix or other drag-and-drop platforms. |
| No extra costs for hosting or security, it's all taken care of! |
Wordpress
| Pros | Cons |
| Fully customizable, offering more power and flexibility than Shopify. | To use the platform, you need to know a bit about technology. |
| The latest version, "Lionel," makes it slightly easier to use. | It can get very expensive. |
| Numerous helpful resources are available online from both expert developers and user communities. | You have to take care of your own web hosting, security, and domain name |
Ease of Use
Shopify
Just sign up for Shopify's free trial, and follow the easy on-screen instructions to create your account. It takes only a few minutes, and you'll have your mission control ready to run your business.
During sign-up, share some details about your current situation. Let them know if you're already selling online or in person and how much you're making.
Once done, you'll land on Shopify's dashboard. Think of it as your control panel, where you can manage everything for your online store. That's it simple and straightforward!
WordPress
WordPress operates on a different level. To start, you buy web hosting and a domain from another company like GoDaddy or SiteGround. Here's the catch – you need to know a bit of coding, even if it's just the basics, to use the platform.
Now, WordPress isn't initially designed for online sales. So, if you want to turn your website into an online store, you'll need to add something called a plugin.
But, before you get lost in the plugin world, it's essential to understand your options. There are various e-commerce plugins, like WooCommerce, Ecwid, and BigCommerce. Taking a moment to explore and learn about them will guide you in making the right choice for your online venture.
Pricing
Shopify
- Free Trial: Try Shopify for free for 3 days.
- Shopify Plus: This is an enterprise-level plan with custom pricing.
- Shopify Starter: This plan is perfect for selling products through social media and messaging channels.
| Plan | Price/ Month | 1 Year $/ month | Savings |
| Shopify Basic | $39 | $29 | 25% |
| Shopify | $105 | $79 | 25% |
| Shopify Advanced | $399 | $299 | 25% |
WordPress
While WordPress is initially free, using it comes with costs. It's not as free as it may seem. Let's break down the actual setup costs for various elements and understand how the seemingly "free" can quickly accumulate to several hundred dollars.
| Title | Description |
| Domain Name | $10 - $50 per year |
| Hosting | Monthly Costs: $5 - $100 Self- hosted shared hosting:- $5 - $20 Fully managed hosting:- $30 - $100 |
| Theme |
One-time Cost: free to $5,000+ Basic: $35 – $50Premium: $80 – $200 Template: $300 – $1,000 Custom Design: $5,000 – $10,000+ |
| Plugins |
One-Time Cost: $50 – $500 Monthly Costs: $5 – $150 |
| Security | $50 - $500 per month |
Theme
Shopify
Shopify provides 64 premium themes priced between $120 and $180, along with 8 free themes. On the other hand, Theme Forest offers 1,200 Shopify themes made by independent developers.
Shopify themes are designed for immediate sales use. They automatically adjust to the screen size, being responsive and mobile-optimized. Moreover, Shopify's theme editor is user-friendly and easy to understand. You can customize it to your liking without needing to know any code or technical skills. Additionally, Shopify offers 24/7 support in case you encounter any issues.
Wordpress
WordPress surpasses Shopify significantly in terms of options. WordPress boasts over a thousand e-commerce-exclusive themes. Moreover, numerous themes are developed by plugins or external creators.
Due to the abundance of options, certain WordPress themes may outshine others. Some might not be mobile-responsive, and those not created by WordPress could pose issues during platform upgrades.
With the introduction of "Patterns" in WordPress version 6.3, managing this has become easier. Patterns are pre-made blocks in specific styles that you can add or remove from any page without affecting other elements.
SEO features
Businesses need to focus on the SEO competition between Shopify and WordPress. Both platforms have unique features that can help attract organic visitors to your website. Let's take a closer look at the SEO strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
Shopify
- Nowadays, more people use smartphones and tablets for browsing, and Google values mobile-friendly sites.
- Shopify is built to be search engine friendly, making it useful for SEO even if you're not an expert.
- Shopify boasts a user-friendly interface, making navigation and SEO options accessible to everyone.
- Shopify's fully hosted solution ensures timely upgrades, security, and uptime, supporting high SEO rankings.
WordPress
- WordPress stands out with its flexible and SEO-friendly code.
- Originally a blogging platform, WordPress excels in content creation.
- Offers numerous design choices for users.
- Access a variety of SEO plugins due to WordPress being open-source.
Help & Support
Shopify
Shopify provides excellent customer support. You can get help 24/7 through various channels like live chat, email, phone, and Shopify's Help Center. For Shopify Plus plan users, there's an added benefit – direct access to a merchant success manager who will be a continuous guide for you.
A detailed knowledge base known as Shopify Help Center.
Community, email ticketing, and chat system for assistance with Shopify.
WordPress
WordPress is different because it doesn't provide immediate help. Only certain resources, like forums, offer assistance.WordPress is, to our understanding, a more technical platform. It doesn't assume its users will need help, and you don't have to pay for good service because it's free.
Looking at the support options, WordPress might seem basic, but it provides a lot more. The main reason is that it's an open-source platform, which is why it has one of the largest global communities of supporters.
Conclusion
In the battle of Shopify vs WordPress for e-commerce dominance, both platforms bring unique strengths and considerations to the table. Shopify emerges as the go-to solution for those seeking an easy, all-in-one platform tailored for seamless e-commerce experiences. Shopify emerges as the go-to solution for those seeking an easy, all-in-one platform tailored for seamless e-commerce experiences. As Tameta Tech, the e-commerce studio specializing in Shopify, we align ourselves with Shopify's commitment to simplicity, functionality, and scalability. Our choice is rooted in the platform's ability to empower businesses to establish a powerful online presence without the complexities associated with other solutions.
