Both Shopify and WordPress are two popular eCommerce platforms in the world. Both of them have their own worths and drawbacks. Therefore, to choose the right one for your online business, you should look into them carefully. Now, in this guideline, we will illustrate the pros and cons of these both eCommerce platforms. Let’s compare Shopify vs WordPress
What is Shopify?
It is a website builder. Therefore, it allows people with little to no knowledge of coding to build their own website.
Shopify is ideal for eCommerce. In particular, it’s mainly used to build online stores
What is WordPress?
There are two forms of WordPress: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a blogging platform to help you start your blogging page. It’s user – friendly and easy to use. On the other hand, WordPress.org is more advanced since it’s a self – hosted software. As a result, with WordPress.org, you can build many types of websites, including online stores. Therefore, this form of WordPress will be used when comparing these two platforms
Shopify vs WordPress
WordPress vs Shopify: Easy of use
Shopify
The first factor to mention when comparing Shopify vs WordPress is the ease – of – use.
Shopify allows users to set up their own website without any knowledge of coding or technical skills.
From the setup to the editing, you can easily work these out. After signing up and choosing plans, you will be directed to the Shopify’s dashboard – the control room of your Shopify website.
Then, you click “ Add product” and upload your items. You can add the products individually, for example, upload single images, then product description, or prices. On the other hand, if you already have CSV file, you will be able to upload the products in bulk
The interface is highly clear and comprehensive. Since each block has its own explanation, you hardly meet any issues. And even if you do, you can contact 24/7 Shopify support
WordPress
When it comes to WordPress, the process might become more complex. This platform might not be ideal for starters since you’ll have a little understanding of coding, even at a basic level. Moreover, you need to install plugins to work on WordPress. Looking on the bright side, there are many plugins for you to choose. For example, Woocommerce, Bigcommerce and so on.
Similar to Shopify, you can start adding your products on WordPress platforms. This process is quite simple and comprehensive.
However, you might meet some issues when it comes to editing your website.
WordPress vs Shopify: Estimated time to build your website
Shopify
It is highly easy to use since it’s a website builder. Moreover, Shopify provides users with SSL Certificates the moment you start your website. As a result, you don’t need to spend too much time and effort setting up your website.
WordPress
Working with WordPress requires a lot more technical skills than Shopify. Moreover, you’ll also need to install extra plugins to build your online store. Needless to say, WordPress will take you more time to build your website
Shopify vs wordpress: Content management
WordPress is greatly above Shopify when it comes to content management thanks to its flexibility. First, all of your content will be stored in the system. Thanks to that, you can look back at your old content at any time. On the other, you can’t do this on Shopify
Secondly, WordPress is highly flexible. Therefore, you can edit or create your content as you like. Also, users can use built – in drag – and – drop editor to change the layout of your content.
Shopify vs WordPress: Themes and templates
This might be one of the most important factors in Shopify vs WordPress comparison
Shopify
This eCommerce platform offers users up to 70 themes, including 10 free themes. Most of them are clean, neat and modern. Therefore, despite the high price ( Shopify themes start from $140), these Shopify themes can totally bring a new breeze to your online website. Most importantly, they are responsive themes. As a result, your website will look good on every devices, from desktop to mobile phones
WordPress.
WordPress delivers its users up to 1000 themes, just for eCommerce. The total number of WordPress themes is a lot higher than this.
Of course, with WordPress, you’ll have more choices with the themes and templates of your website. However, you might need to spend a lot of time sorting and selecting the best one for your eCommerce website. Hence, we recommend using themes made by WordPress. Then, you can edit the content later.
Shopify vs WordPress: Tools and features
Shopify
It has nearly everything you need to build your eCommerce website, from marketing, shipping or even analytics tools. Moreover, you are allowed to upload unlimited numbers of products for every pricing plan.
In case you want to upgrade your website to the next levels, you can get add – on apps on Shopify stores
Now, we will list down some of Shopify’s most outstanding features among thousands one
- Abandoned Cart Recovery: Remind your customers of their abandoned cart
- Discount Codes: During promotion time, you can create a unique code. Then, customers can use that for money off during checkout.
- Multi channel integration
WordPress
WordPress itself doesn’t have any eCommerce. Therefore, you’ll have to add third – party plugins to your eCommerce. Different plugins will have different features. Therefore, depending on your needs and requirements, you can choose the right plugin for your business. Some of the most popular WordPress’ plugins are Woocommerce and Ecwid
Features of Woocommerce
- Unlimited products upload and sell.
- Moreover, it has built in blogging options
- Also, it provides product reviews + ratings
- Furthermore, there is product sorting and filter function
Features of Ecwid
- Guests check out
- Beside, you’ll get favorite products categories
- Moreover, there will be shipping calculator
- Finally, multi – language supports
Shopify vs WordPress: SEO ( Search Engine Optimization) support
SEO is such an important factor for digital marketing these days. By optimizing SEO, you can place your website on the very first pages of search engines like Google or Firefox. Therefore, you can gain a lot more visits to your website. Thus, it’s the low – cost, yet effective way to gain customers’ trust. Then, we will compare the SEO support between Shopify and WordPress
Shopify
Shopify highly supports SEO. For example, you can add specific titles and descriptions which appear in search results in each webpage. Moreover, it allows you to customize your URLs and site structure. Not only that, there are many SEO features for you as well.
WordPress
To boost SEO on WordPress, you need to install external plugins. Then, one of the most popular plugins for this is Yoast. You can either use Yoast for free, or pay $69 to access more functions
WordPress vs Shopify: Customer support
Shopify
Shopify offers 24/7, all year through customer support. Moreover, you can contact their support department via many means of communication, from email, hotline or contact form. Furthermore, customers of Shopify Plus will receive a much advanced customer support. In particular, they can contact their own merchant successful manager. Thanks to that, they will receive guidelines immediately.
WordPress
On the other hand, there is no direct help on WordPress. If you need any problems, you might need to find solutions yourself on forums or any thing like that.
Shopify vs WordPress: Pricing plans
Shopify
It offers no FREE plan. However, you’ll try this eCommerce platform for 14 days before deciding. There are three main plans for you to choose
| Shopify Pricing Plans | Shopify Basic | Shopify | Advanced Shopify |
| Monthly | $29.00 | $79.00 | $299.00 |
| 1-Year$/month | $26.10 | $71.10 | $269.10 |
| Savings (%) | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| 2-Years$/month | $23.20 | $63.20 | $239.20 |
| Savings (%) | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Besides those, there are also Shopify Lite and Shopify Plus. First, Shopify Lite lets you set up your own Facebook store, while the Plus one is more suitable for enterprise levels.
WordPress
WordPress is FREE to use. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for many features, domain names, SSL Certificates and a lot more. Also, in case you don’t have any knowledge in coding, you might need to hire developers to help you. All of them will make up a high cost.
| ordPress Website Hosting Costs | Monthly Costs: anywhere between $5 – $100 Self-hosted shared hosting: $5 – $20 Fully managed hosting: $30 – $100 |
| WordPress Tutorials & Courses Costs | Monthly Costs: free to $50+ Time to Learn Basics: A few hours Time to Learn WordPress: Weeks |
| WordPress Theme Costs | One-time Cost: free to $5,000+ Basic Templates: $35 – $50 Premium Templates: $80 – $200 Template Alterations: $300 – $1,000 Custom Design: $5,000 – $10,000+ |
| WordPress Plugin Costs | One-Time Cost: $50 – $500and/or Monthly Costs: $5 – $150 Secondly, payment Software:$100 – $500 (one-time cost) or $30 – $80 (monthly cost) Membership Gateway Software:$100 – $300 (one-time cost)$50-$150 (monthly cost) Finally, email Marketing Software:$5 – $99 (monthly cost) |
When comparing the price of Shopify vs WordPress, we think it’s a tie. Shopify might be expensive at first, however, you’ll get nearly everything you need to build an eCommerce site. On the other hand, WordPress is Free to use and seems low – cost at first. However, you will have to pay for everything after that
In conclusion.
Both Shopify and WordPress are popular eCommerce platforms in the world. Each one has its own merits and drawbacks. Therefore, to get the right platforms for your online business, you’ll need to think of it carefully. In case you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact AHT Tech.
With 12+ years in eCommerce, we confidently can help you choose the right platforms for your business. Moreover, no matter which platforms will you choose, AHT Tech is able to build your dream shop on them.
