Is your website almost set up but you’re not sure how to add your e-commerce store? Are you starting from scratch without any products yet added?
Without any products in your store, even the most beautiful storefront is worthless. Get your online store fully functional so you can start selling your product today.
The debate is which platform is the best for hosting your products. How can you be sure which is best when comparing WooCommerce and Shopify?
You want to start driving more traffic to your website. First though, you must get your store set up.
You don’t want to make the wrong decision and have to come back and fix everything in six months. Don’t worry, we’ll break down both options to make sure you make the best decision for you and your business.
You only have one chance to make a great first impression. Showcase your product line in the best light in your storefront.
Why Is Online Retailing Important?
Whether your business is solely online or your website supplements a brick and mortar store, you need to be online. Taking your business online allows you to stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And it allows you to reach customers across the globe instead of being limited to those in your immediate surrounding area.
But, why do you need an e-commerce store anyway? Not surprisingly, 3 out of 4 adults in the US have shopped online and 1 in 4 shops online at least once a month. You are missing out on a large portion of the market if your business isn’t online.
Not all online shopping is created equal, though. As you look into how you want to create your online store, you’ll need to consider functionality, mobile responsiveness, and, of course, user experience. There are too many other online options for you to risk having a clunky website that doesn’t entice users.
Users will click off quickly if they have a difficult time navigating your online web store. So how can you ensure a great customer experience? Most importantly, by using a reliable and trustworthy platform to showcase your product line.
The two best in the business are WooCommerce and Shopify. Now that we know what to choose between, how can you decide which of the two platforms is the best fit for your business?
The short answer in the debate between WooCommerce and Shopify is that it depends on your business goals, your website design skills, and your budget. The long answer is that they each have their pros and cons and we will cover each so you can make the best decision for your company.
WooCommerce is a plug-in that lives on your website via the WordPress platform. Shopify can either be a stand-alone website or a component of your business website. WooCommerce has a one-time purchase price while Shopify has a monthly fee.
Pros and Cons of WooCommerce vs Shopify
WooCommerce Pros
WooCommerce is a stand-alone product that is housed on your business website. This means you don’t have to worry about a third-party platform going out of business, having trouble with servers going down, or other similar problems.
WooCommerce Cons
Since WooCommerce is a one-time purchase of its plug-in, it has a higher entry price point. This can be a barrier to some business owners that operate on a smaller budget. There is also a steep learning curve in creating your own website and designing your storefront.
If website design is not your strength, then Shopify might be a better option for you.
Shopify Pros
The biggest pro of Shopify is that they have hundreds of ready-to-use templates and drag-and-drop page builders. If you don’t want to spend any time building out your online storefront, then Shopify is the best answer for you.
Shopify Cons
Depending on how you look at this con, it might not be one at all. Shopify comes with a monthly fee to use their platform. If you don’t have the money upfront to purchase a plug-in, then the smaller monthly fee might be a better option.
Over time, the monthly fee will add up, making it the more expensive option in the long run. However, with this monthly fee, you get access to their customer service support. As you build your website, you will be able to reach out to their customer service team at any time to help answer your questions.
As you can see there are some great options available to you. So whether you are starting from scratch or need to do a complete website redesign, we can help you.
Grow Your Business With Your Own Online Store
Today’s savvy customers are online and expect you to be as well. With options such as WooCommerce and Shopify, there isn’t any reason why you can’t offer seamless and optimized shopping options for your customers.
Whether you want full control over your online storefront on your own website, or you prefer to outsource your storefront to a full-service platform with a monthly fee, there are options available to you.
Each platform offers its own features and benefits. You need to make the best decision based on the needs of your business as well as your time, budget, and design skills.
Choosing between WooCommerce vs. Shopify will be the hardest part of getting your new storefront online. You will love the ease of use and your customers will love being able to shop from the comfort of their homes.
If you want to learn more about how we can build your website so you can build your business, reach out to us today.
- Analytics – Understanding Who Your Customers Are - November 2
- 5 Benefits of Google My Business for Local SEO - September 8
- The Logical Rise of Online Shopping - August 18
