When you are planning on starting an online business the only two leading solutions that come to mind are Shopify and Woocommerce. And ultimately you gave to choose one or the other. But how? How will you what suits your business needs the best?

Always keeping in mind not every platform is end-all, for all. Every software made and designed surely comes with a lot of all-in-one features but they all have their limitations. The important thing is to use software that suits your business well. There exists a pro and con of every software that is worth exploring before diving into the world of eCommerce. At Softrick Solutions, we do just that for your business. We have a team of experts that run a full analysis of what need does your business requires and cross-reference it with what software will serve those requirements well. dropshipping service by softrick solutions is the best business plan you will ever make for your online store.

What are Shopify and Woocommerce?

Shopify	Woocommerce
It is a platform hosted eCommerce that aids you in creating your online store without going into great detail about the technical backgrounds. For example domain, hosting, security, etc. all you need to do is buy the package and start building your online store right away.	It is an eCommerce platform that is open-sourced build for WordPress. It provides you with a well-equipped content management system (CMS) that allows you to run your online store smoothly. The advantage of the open-source feature gives you free rein over every aspect of your online store while building custom extensions.
Hosting
Shopify has it is personally built in hosting, it has all the tools and features needed to manage the hosting account that saves you the additional headache to find independent hosting services. It also saves money	Woocommerce does not provide this feature, unlike Shopify you will have to find and purchase the services of an independent host provider like pantheon or WP engine for your word press account to get started.

 

A quick look at the pros and cons of both these famous software’s

Shopify
pros	cons
You pay a known amount every month Cost is fair Access to thousands of app extensions for our store Amazing themes choices Handles features from hosting to security Take only a few minutes to launch your store Simple dropshipping procedures Supports its users.	You don’t have total control over your site Customization leaves something to be desired The monthly payment that increases every month.
Woocommerce
Offers complete control over your site with your customization WordPress has a huge impact on online Endless choices of themes and plugins Simple to understand on WordPress Its plugins are free of cost	You have to learn WordPress to operate Woocommerce More expensive than shopping due to themes, customization, and hosting options. You have to manage hosting, security, and maintenance for backups.

Launching your online store

Many people that are new to the eCommerce business prefer easy-to-use and simple-to-understand platforms that help them run their site smoothly. They also look for a fast setup.

Launching with Shopify

How to start a successful Shopify store? As we said before Shopify is a fully hosted software that maintains its security performance and hosting. Just with a sign-up of an account by a customer you are ready to shop online. As soon as the users sign up and clear their payments they can choose a website design from the Shopify existing templates in its database. It specifically uses a drag and drop interface to modify your website and make it more to the point.

Lastly, you trade off these pros for the inconvenience-limited assets and features on Shopify.

Launching with Woocommerce

It is designed to work as a plugin with WordPress websites. This solution is not hosted hence the users have to install and handle everything from WordPress to Woocommerce website maintenance security and backups. The technicality of WordPress is a learning curve but not a steep price to get full control over your site and customization. It has over 50,000 plugins that ad convenience, flexibility, and functionality to your online store website.

Verdict on what is easier to use?

Both these software’s are quite easy to use but talking in regards of understanding level of a layman what would be more attractive to them? Let’s find out.

What is the Shopify scale on easy to use?

As we have already established the fact that it is a hosted software that does not need managing anything. You also do not need to worry about the compatibility of the user with the software as it is just functioning itself. As you sign up it presents you with options to pick a design for your online store. After that, you can add the products that you want to sell. Managing your products, sales, and inventory with Shopify is a piece of cake.

One downside that comes wrapped up I these highly polished user-optimized experiences is the limit of your control over your site. However, this downside is a minor inconvenience in the eyes of people who are beginners in this field. This software is perfect for your

Woocommerce how easy it to use?

Even though Woocommerce is flexible and offers you over 50,000 plugins for customizations there is no built-in drag and drop design-builder. You have to use WordPress or any other software in combination with it but it is more costly and adds to your expenditure on top of starting a business that you do not need. It requires more hands-on management of your website.

Discussing these two software’s it is clear as day that the easiest software to use is Shopify hands down.

What are the payment methods?

When you set up your online shopping store it opens up a global network market. But every person every country has their payment methods. Hence you need to offer a different platform of payments for your customer’s convenience who want to buy from you.

Shopify: it supports multiple methods of payments including the major third-party methods like PayPal and stripe. But a fact to note with the third-party gateway is that Shopify adds a 2% transaction fee. Due to this, they can encourage their users to use their in-house payment solutions called Shopify payments.

It makes it easier to transfer payments than sending money through a third-party provider. You can use your credit cards depending on what Shopify plan you choose. To be fair the difference is not very significant at all.

Woocommerce: this software also supports third-party payment methods such as PayPal and Stripe. But in 2020 they made an update called Woocommerce payments that allows your customers to accept payments directly from Woocommerce. It makes the checkout process much easier for shoppers.

Controlling your data

Website security is very important in eCommerce platforms because you are handling your customer’s personal and financial information daily.

Shopify: it comes with an SSL certificate and is PCI DSS-compliant. Hence you do not need to worry about security in the slightest. This protection also extends to your customer’s data. But on Shopify, you don’t have full access to it exactly. Only 3 ways to access that information is through:

• Export a CSV file of your products
• Backing your website through rewind backup apps
• Connect your data via an API

Woocommerce: as it is a self-hosted website it comes with no security features. The responsibility of the safety of your and your customer’s data lies on the owners. But with the options of free plugins, you can install a web host security plugin and enforce multifactor authentication methods.

Technically speaking WordPress is generally a secure platform but they still need to purchase and install an SSL certificate independently and sign up to be PCI-DSS compliant. But here is the good news, you can get it for free by signing up for a hosting plan with Bluehost you will be provided with web servers from them as well.

On the other hand, Woocommerce data offers more control over your customer’s data. That data is handy when you are trying to create specialized advertisements and promotions of your brands and products through email marketing and such.

What platform is cost-effective?

If you are an owner of a startup business financial support and funds are as important as your online store. Choosing a cost-effective cost system platform is very important. Let’s look at some variables and cost analysis between Shopify and Woocommerce.

Shopify: they offer different plans and subscription packages that start at 29$ a month. Prices from this point on will increase with added access to added features and levels of services. It is important to keep in mind that these cost does not include using third-party tools. In this regard benefits of the Shopify store trumps Woocomerce.

Woocommerce: as we know that it is an open-source plugin it is free to use. It still requires WordPress to run your online store smoothly. But to set up a WordPress website you need to buy a domain name and getting a hosting plan. All of this just adds up to the needless cost individually.

Just like the free security certificate offered by Bluehost you can get specialized Woocommerce specialized hosting plans that are free domain name registration.

What is the final verdict?

These two amazing software’s allow you to build your online store in a matter of minutes. It is very empowering. Like we said choosing the correct software for an online store need to meet your requirements and priorities. For people who value ease and convenience, Shopify is your best choice for one product dropshipping store. But if you want more freedom and control then Woocommerce is the way to go.

Related Article Here is why you need to get your software customized for your business Click Here