Ecommerce is the best way to get your goods into the hands of customers. Brick and mortar stores can share their inventories online and gain long-distance buyers that would never be able to set foot through their front doors. Freelancers can quickly build their businesses at home, avoiding the additional expenses of storefronts. Creative types can turn their favorite hobbies into lucrative side-hustles. If you are in any of these positions, you should start your ecommerce business through a ready-made online distribution platform like Shopify or WooCommerce.
Shopify
Shopify is a subscription-based tool designed to make ecommerce as easy as possible for businesses. One of the reasons why it’s the most popular distribution platforms out there is that it’s incredibly user-friendly. The platform can simplify every step of creating and managing your online business, whether you want to incorporate effective SEO optimization or design a sleek and professional-looking webpage. They have trained representatives on standby so that you can solve any issues right away. The 24/7 support will be a significant source of relief when you hit a snag.
WooCommerce
On the other-hand, WooCommerce is an open-source distribution platform built on WordPress that can be modified with a limitless number of plugins and customizations. They give you complete control and ownership over your business’s data.It’s an excellent tool if you want to take your time to personalize every single detail of your online business. The possibilities are virtually endless with this platform.
Which one is the better deal?
Both websites can help you save money on product shipments by working with a courier broker. The broker finds specific discounts with a variety of North American carriers like DHL, FedEx, Purolator and UPS. You should read this to find out how a trusted courier broker can help you save up to 70% on shipping rates and make the shipment process easier for you. When it comes to subscriptions, Spotify will cost you approximately $29 a month to host a top-level domain. You can pay extra for special features like design templates if you want, but there are always options that are completely free. WooCommerce can cost you the same amount to run a top-level domain, but you will have to pay for your SSL certificate through a third-party website. Since the platform is open-ended, there are no limits to how much you can spend improving your website.
Which one should you choose?
Both options offer incredible advantages that could appeal to any business owner. Shopify is a closed platform with a variety of tools to make ecommerce creation and management simple. WooCommerce is an open-source platform that gives you much more control of your content. The ideal choice depends on your computer skills and on the time you’re willing to invest in the business. If you’re not tech-savvy or you need to launch your business in a hurry, Shopify will be the best bet for you. If you’re comfortable with tech and you want total creative control with your business, then WooCommerce is a fantastic pick.