The platform you pick for an online store will determine how successful the business can be. Shopify is one of the most well-known options, chosen by thousands of entrepreneurs around the world. However, there are other CMSes on the market, too.
But which one is best for your goals? In this article, we will analyze its specifics, compare it with competitors, and help to make an informed decision.
Shopify – What Is It?
Shopify is a software that allows you to design, launch, and maintain your own online store for a monthly fee. Designed for users without advanced design or technical skills, the platform has extremely simple functionality and a wide range of templates that allow you to quickly and easily launch any website.
Shopify was founded in Canada in 2006 by Scott Lake, Daniel Weiland, and Tobias Lütke. Since the company’s launch, the platform has grown rapidly, turning from a small project into one of the leading solutions for online commerce today.
Benefits and Features
Shopify is a cloud-based engine for developing online stores, which is designed for both beginner entrepreneurs and large companies. It offers features that simplify sales management and enable selling products through different channels.
Its main advantages include:
- Simplicity. It can boast an intuitive control panel that makes it possible to launch a business without any tech knowledge.
- Flexibility. A built-in theme store and more than 8,000 applications allow you to customize the shop for any task.
- A huge selection of payment systems. It supports more than 100 payment gateways.
- Scalability. It fits companies of any size – from small shops to large brands.
- 24/7 support. Business owners have access to round-the-clock support via chat, email, and phone.
Alternative Variants
While the aforementioned CMS has many advantages, other platforms can benefit more in some cases. Let’s look at the main alternatives.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that turns a website into an online shop. It is highly flexible and provides full control over its features, but needs technical knowledge.
Magento
It is an open-source engine aimed at medium and large companies. It allows the creation of custom solutions but requires serious resources for development and support.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a cloud platform with a more complex customization system and a higher cost for further upgrades.
Wix
Wix eCommerce is a convenient option for SMBs, offering basic capabilities, but inferior to competitors in functionality and integrations.
Main Competitors
To comprehend which option is the best let’s look at the main selection criteria.
- Intuitiveness. One of the most user-friendly eCommerce engines is Shopify. Its competitors need more intricate setups and technical knowledge. The other options also have a user-friendly interface but have weaker functionality.
- Flexibility. Magento/WooCommerce allows the creation of custom solutions, but programming experience is needed. Their main counterpart offers ready-made templates, and additional features can be added through the vendor’s marketplace.
- Payments required. Shopify offers fixed prices starting at $32 per month, while WooCommerce implies payments for hosting, plugins, and technical support. Magento is the most expensive one, as it needs a dedicated server and development.
- Reliability. Shopify is responsible for security and provides an SSL certificate/DDoS protection/PCI certification. It also offers 24/7 support, which most competitors do not. Its two competitors are characterized by self-managed security.
- Scalability. Shopify Plus allows you to boost your shop’s performance without having to administer servers. Its counterparts are also suitable for large stores but imply a larger investment.
How to Choose a Platform
Before you make a decision, you need to determine:
- What budget are you willing to invest in developing and maintaining the store?
- Are you looking for in-depth customization?
- Do you plan to grow and increase the performance?
- Do you want to take on technical maintenance or entrust it to the vendor?
Are you looking for a simple and reliable solution with the ability to increase its workload? Then, Shopify is a great choice. If you have complex technical requirements and an in-house team of developers, you can consider the others.
MageCloud – Your Reliable Digital Partner
To successfully launch and develop an online store, you need an experienced partner who will help with setup, customization, and promotion.
MageCloud is an experienced Shopify development agency. We offer:
- Full development cycle – from design to integration with payment systems;
- Speed and SEO to increase traffic;
- Support and development of the shop after launch;
- Individual approach to each project.
Thanks to our experience, you will get a store that meets your goals and is ready for scaling.
Final Thoughts
The choice of an eCommerce platform depends on your goals, budget, and specifications. Shopify is a convenient and reliable solution that allows you to launch a store quickly and without complications. Compared to the others, this one offers the optimal combination of functionality, security, and scalability.
If you would like to receive a professional approach to developing a Shopify-based store, MageCloud will help you create, configure, and optimize your eCommerce project. Contact us to discuss the details and get a consultation.
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