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What are the advantages of using Shopify over WordPress?
If you’re looking to start an online business, you’re probably wondering which tools you need by your side to succeed.
Luckily, thanks to the invention of no-code website builders, your online dreams can easily become a reality!
With over 40% of all websites on the Internet (March 2024) powered by WordPress, you’d be silly not to consider using it for your business.
But is WordPress the ultimate solution for you and your small business? Or is Shopify the better fit?
In this article, I’ll uncover the question you and many others ask: what are the advantages of Shopify over WordPress?
What Is WordPress?
WordPress is a powerful content management system (CMS) and online website builder.
As mentioned, WordPress holds an impressive percentage of live websites on the Internet today.
It’s important to note that there are two distinct paths to launch a website with WordPress websites: through WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
For the purpose of this article, my focus will be on WordPress.org, a remarkable open-source software that comes free of charge.
Delve deeper into the disparities between WordPress.com and WordPress.org here.
Whether you want to run a blog, sell your products online, or simply establish an online business presence for your brand, WordPress is your go-to solution.
The best part? You don’t need to be a tech expert to navigate its functionalities! All you need is your own hosting.
The unparalleled freedom and flexibility WordPress offers set it apart from other website builders in the market.
Seamlessly personalize your website from the ground up by adding and editing blocks and design elements to your heart’s content.
Additionally, you’ll have access to a wide array of free and premium themes and plugins, enabling you to extend your website’s capabilities to new heights!
One key advantage of using WordPress is that it gives you complete ownership and control over your content, design, and data.
This empowers individuals and businesses alike to authentically tell their stories, strengthen their brands, and freely express themselves online.
In all honestly, there are virtually no boundaries to what you can accomplish with WordPress!
Need guidance on how to make the most of WordPress? Learn the ins and outs here.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a premium eCommerce platform that allows businesses to establish and manage their online stores and sell products across various channels.
With Shopify, users can access an online store builder, marketing tools, payment processing features, and more on one easy-to-use platform.
Whether you’re a beginner or have experience in eCommerce, Shopify’s intuitive and customizable platform is perfect for you!
And with a long list of comprehensive tools and features by your side, Shopify has everything you need to help kickstart, grow, and scale your business successfully.
Essentially, Shopify allows businesses to set up and manage their online stores, inventory, orders, and customer data without the help of external technical gurus.
Additionally, Shopify offers a wide range of themes and plugins to enhance the functionality and design of your online store.
One of the key advantages of Shopify is its ability to integrate with multiple sales channels.
Whether through social media platforms, online marketplaces, or in-person retail, Shopify can help you reach a broader audience and maximize your sales!
What Are The Advantages Of Shopify Over WordPress?
Did you know that over 4.8 million websites are currently powered by Shopify (2024)?
Therefore, there must be some advantages to using Shopify over WordPress.
Here are the most popular advantages:
- With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, Shopify was designed so beginners can easily set up and manage their online store – even with little technical knowledge!
WordPress requires more technical expertise to achieve the same level of functionality.
- Designed for eCommerce businesses, Shopify’s built-in eCommerce features and tools make setting up and managing online stores easy for anyone.
WordPress is a little more complicated and involves installing a plugin like WooCommerce to actually convert your website into an online store.
- As a fully hosted platform, Shopify takes care of security, reliability, and updates for you, ensuring your online store is always protected from threats and downtime.
WordPress doesn’t come with hosting, so you are responsible for finding a hosting provider and managing the security and reliability of your site.
- Shopify offers a wide range of apps through their app store to extend the functionality and look of your online store.
WordPress also has a vast selection of plugins and themes, but finding and integrating the right ones for your business may require more effort.
- Shopify comes with integrated email marketing and POS systems (all included in your plan).
Although it is possible to connect these with your WordPress website, it involves installing and adding third-party plugins.
- At first glance, WordPress may seem cheaper because it’s completely free to set up. However, paying for themes, plugins, hosting, and domains can add up.
Shopify isn’t free to use, but their monthly pricing plans include hosting, a custom domain name, an online store builder, and more.
Read more: WooCommerce vs Shopify.
What Are The Advantages Of WordPress Over Shopify?
Now let’s look at why you might want to pick WordPress over Shopify:
- WordPress is an open-source platform that allows you to fully control your website’s design, functionality, and content management system.
Shopify has limitations on customization, and you have to rely on its built-in features and apps for design, functionality, and customization.
- By using WordPress, you can choose from a wide range of affordable or free themes and plugins to add functionality and design to your site.
Shopify themes and plugins tend to be more expensive.
- The built-in WordPress SEO optimization feature makes optimizing your website for search engines easier and improves your website’s performance in search rankings.
Shopify also has SEO features but requires additional apps to be installed.
- WordPress was originally designed as a content management system, making managing and publishing content, including blog posts, videos, and podcasts, easier.
Shopify can only be used for eCommerce businesses.
- With WordPress, you have complete control over your hosting, storage, and bandwidth and can select a hosting provider that best suits your needs and budget.
This level of control is not available with Shopify, which hosts your website on its servers, resulting in potential restrictions on data ownership.
Read more: Best Hosting For Elementor Built Websites.
Should You Pick Shopify Over WordPress?
So, what’s the verdict? Is Shopify the better choice? Or are you better off joining the other 800 million WordPress websites?
The answer is…..it depends.
WordPress and Shopify offer different advantages depending on your specific needs.
Plus, it all depends on what type of website you want to create!
While WordPress is more established and flexible, Shopify is better suited for new eCommerce businesses that are serious about growing their online store and brand.
WordPress is ideal for all types of businesses, including blogs, online stores, and information-based websites, and allows for greater control over SEO.
On the other hand, Shopify is the ultimate eCommerce platform for all user types, regardless of expertise.
For eCommerce businesses, Shopify is often the easier and quicker option, whereas WordPress has a steeper learning curve and requires more configuration.
But if you’re after a customized and tailored site, WordPress is the ideal fit for you.
Read more: Is It Better To use Wix Or Shopify?
Stews Final Thoughts
That brings me to the end of this Shopify and WordPress guide!
As you can see, there are many advantages of using Shopify over WordPress! However, there are also advantages of using WordPress over Shopify.
I love and recommend both platforms for different reasons.
If you’re trying to decide whether to use Shopify or WordPress, I suggest looking at your business type, goals, and requirements before deciding.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll be in good hands with either platform.
Ultimately, the decision lies with you!
