WordPress, Wix, or Shopify: What’s the Best Platform for Building an Online Store
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dario
WordPress, Wix, or Shopify: What’s the Best Platform for Building an Online Store
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Table of Contents
Table of content
You’ve got the vision, the products, and the drive—now, all you need is to decide on the best platform for building your online store to bring that vision to life! But with many options like WordPress, Shopify, and Wix, how do you know which is right for your business?
Been there, done that—which is why in this blog, we’ll dive deep into the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of these top three eCommerce platforms. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, ease of use, or powerful eCommerce tools, we’ll help you choose the best platform to sell your products online.
Let’s find your perfect match!
Quick Comparison: WordPress vs. Shopify vs. Wix
| WordPress | Shopify | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ Unlimited scalability as your business grows | ✔️ Scalable, but at a high cost | ❌ Limited on lower-tier plans |
| ✔️ Free core platform with cheaper premium options | ❌ High monthly fees + transaction fees | ✔️ Affordable at lower tiers |
| ✔️ Thousands of plugins for full customization | ✔️ Shopify App Store, but many features are behind paywalls | ❌ Limited to built-in tools and fewer third-party apps |
| ✔️ WooCommerce is free to start with free add-ons | ❌ Expensive eCommerce with extra fees for features | ❌ Basic eCommerce, limited without premium plans |
| ✔️ Multiple gateways including PayPal, Stripe, and cryptocurrency | ❌ Shopify Payments or fees for third-party options | ❌ Limited payment integrations |
What’s the Best Platform for Building an Online Store?
Are you after simplicity, flexibility, or something that fits your budget? Let’s take a look at the top 3 website builders for online stores and compare.
WordPress (WooCommerce) | 5/5⭐
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| – Free WooCommerce plugin to create your store – Fully customizable with plugins and themes – SEO optimization for better online visibility – Supports multiple payment methods | – Premium WooCommerce add-ons can be pricey – Limited customer support – Complex tax and compliance setups for global selling |
Features
Did you know that almost 45% of websites use WordPress, and a significant portion are online selling businesses?
WordPress along with WooCommerce brings powerful eCommerce features that can help you launch and grow your online store. You can list unlimited products and manage everything from pricing to product variations like sizes or colors. WooCommerce supports many payment options like Stripe, PayPal, Klarna, and even cryptocurrency options.
Another green flag is that WooCommerce is scalable–so whether you’re just starting or not, you can easily add premium extensions as your store grows. They do cost more, but the results are guaranteed!
Integrations
WordPress is known for its massive ecosystem of integrations, and with WooCommerce, your store can connect to just about anything you need to run an efficient eCommerce business. Want to integrate with shipping carriers like FedEx or UPS? Done. Need marketing tools like Google Analytics? No problem—WordPress has it all.
Pricing
The beauty of WordPress is that it’s free to use, but running a complete online store will eventually cost extra. If you want access to premium features and WooCommerce-specific support, WordPress offers a WooCommerce Plan for €45/month.
This plan provides everything you need to run your store, including unlimited product display, selling in 60+ countries, inventory management, and much more!
Shopify | 4.5/5⭐
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| – 24/7 customer support – Built-in payment method – Shopify Payments – User-friendly interface – Integrated fulfillment network | – Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments – No e-mail hosting – Business plans are expensive |
Features
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that powers over 1.5 million businesses globally. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Shopify offers an intuitive platform that makes it easy to build, customize, and launch your online store—even if you have no coding skills.
Shopify has a built-in payment gateway–Shopify Payments, but it also supports third-party payment processors like PayPal and Stripe. However, one thing to note is that if you don’t use Shopify Payments, you’ll face extra transaction fees, which can add up.
One standout feature is Shopify’s fulfillment network, which helps streamline shipping and delivery, making it easier for businesses to get products to customers quickly.
Shopify App Store
If you’re running an eCommerce store, Shopify App Store will be your secret weapon. With over 8,000 apps, you can tweak and optimize just about every part of your online store. Need to streamline marketing? There’s an app for that. Want to make inventory management less of a headache? Covered.
As your store grows, these apps will help you automate processes and scale without breaking a sweat. Best part? Most of them are super easy to plug in—no coding skills needed.
Pricing
Shopify offers a range of plans depending on your business needs. For smaller teams, the €59/month plan might be a solid choice. Sure, it’s on the pricier side compared to other WordPress, but it comes with all the essentials to get your store up and running smoothly.
Now, if you’re managing a bigger team or expect rapid growth, the Advanced Shopify plan at €299/month is for you. It’s an investment, sure, but when your business is scaling and profits are rolling in, upgrading is just part of the process. With advanced reporting, lower transaction fees, and more staff accounts, this plan helps you stay ahead of the curve and keep things running.
Wix | 4/5⭐
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| – Rich template library (900+) – Built-in AI tools – Affordable pricing for SMBs – Reliable web hosting | – Unlimited space only for the most expensive plan – Steep learning curve – Can’t switch template |
Features
The first thing you’ll notice on Wix is the massive selection of over 900 templates. It’s a solid option for anyone looking to get an eCommerce site up and running without too much hassle. And with their AI tools, you can even get help with the design, so you’re not spending hours fine-tuning every detail.
But here’s the catch: once you pick a template, you’re in it for the long haul. No switching down the line, so it’s best to know what you’re looking for from the start.
As for storage, don’t expect unlimited space unless you’re going for the top-tier plan, but if you’re running a smaller store, the entry-level plans still give you enough to work with.
Integrations
Wix keeps things simple when it comes to integrations, but simple doesn’t mean limited. Whether it’s payment processing, marketing, or connecting to your inventory systems, you’ve got plenty of options. Everything from Google Analytics to social media integrations is ready to go with just a few clicks.
Now, it’s not WordPress or Shopify, but it gets the job done for most businesses. Plus, the setup is painless—no need to spend hours figuring things out. Wix is all about keeping your store running smoothly without getting stuck in tech headaches.
Pricing
When it comes to Wix, you only get unlimited storage on the top-tier Business Elite plan at $159/month, which also allows for 15 collaborators.
Now, if you’re running a large eCommerce store, this might raise some eyebrows. Not everyone wants to shell out for the highest plan just to get unlimited space—especially when other platforms offer it at lower tiers. Sure, you get advanced marketing tools and more team access, but for some, having to pay premium prices for something as basic as storage isn’t ideal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about growing your online store, WordPress with WooCommerce is hard to beat. It’s fully customizable, scalable, and offers tons of integrations—making it the best platform for building an online store if you’re looking for long-term growth. Yes, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but the flexibility is worth it.
Shopify is great if you want a simple, ready-to-go platform, though the extra fees can add up. Wix is solid for smaller stores, but its limitations might hold you back as you grow.
Ultimately, the right platform depends on the type of online store you’re building and who your audience is.
FAQs
What is the best platform for building an online store?
The best platform to sell online depends on your business goals. WordPress with WooCommerce is ideal for businesses seeking flexibility, customization, and scalability. Shopify is perfect for users who want an all-in-one solution, while Wix works best for smaller stores looking for a quick setup. If we had to choose one; for long-term growth and full control, WordPress stands out as the top choice.
What is the most cost-effective platform among WordPress, Wix, and Shopify?
WordPress with WooCommerce offers a free plugin and lower long-term costs, especially if you need advanced features. Wix is budget-friendly for smaller stores, but its storage limitations at lower tiers can add costs. Shopify is user-friendly but it’s also more expensive due to transaction fees.
Which platform is easiest to use for beginners in eCommerce?
For beginners in eCommerce, Shopify offers an intuitive interface, built-in tools, and 24/7 customer support, making it simple to set up and manage without technical skills. Wix also offers an easy start with AI-driven design tools, while WordPress with WooCommerce requires more setup but offers unmatched flexibility for long-term growth.
Which platform offers the best payment and shipping options for online stores?
WordPress with WooCommerce offers the best flexibility for payment and shipping options, supporting multiple gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and even cryptocurrency, plus integrations with carriers like FedEx and UPS. Shopify also provides a built-in payment gateway, Shopify Payments, with a seamless fulfillment network, though additional fees may apply. Wix has decent options but is more limited compared to the other two.
