Shopify vs. WordPress: Which One is Best for Your Online Business?

Simon Zaku
Mar 20
3 min read

Choosing the right platform for your online store can make or break your business. Shopify and WordPress are two of the most popular choices, but they serve different purposes.

So, which one should you use? Let’s break it down.

Overview of Shopify and WordPress

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a fully hosted e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create an online store, manage inventory, and handle payments—all without needing technical knowledge.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that lets you build any type of website, including e-commerce stores.

To run an online store with WordPress, you need a plugin like WooCommerce.

Key Differences

Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform with hosting included.
WordPress is a flexible CMS that requires hosting and additional plugins for e-commerce functionality.
Shopify has built-in payment processing and security.
WordPress allows more customization but requires manual setup for security, hosting, and payment gateways.

Ease of Use

Shopify: Beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop tools, pre-built themes, and an intuitive dashboard.
WordPress: More flexible but has a steeper learning curve, requiring some technical skills.

E-commerce Features

Shopify: Includes product management, checkout, payment processing, shipping tools, and abandoned cart recovery.
WordPress (WooCommerce): Offers similar features but requires additional plugins for some functionalities.

Customization and Flexibility

Shopify: Limited customization unless you use Shopify Plus or custom coding.
WordPress: Full control over design, features, and functionality through themes and plugins.

Payment Options and Fees

Shopify: Uses Shopify Payments (0% transaction fee) but charges extra if using external gateways like PayPal or Stripe.
WordPress (WooCommerce): No transaction fees, but depends on the payment gateway you integrate.

SEO and Marketing Tools

Shopify: Basic SEO tools, built-in marketing automation, and social media integrations.
WordPress: Advanced SEO features via plugins like Yoast SEO, giving better control over rankings.

Pricing Comparison

Shopify Pricing

Basic Plan – $39/month
Shopify Plan – $105/month
Advanced Plan – $399/month

WordPress (WooCommerce) Pricing

WordPress itself is free, but hosting, themes, and plugins can cost $10–$100+ per month.

Pros and Cons

Shopify Pros

All-in-one solution with hosting and security included
Easy to use, no coding required
24/7 customer support

Shopify Cons

Monthly subscription fees
Limited customization without coding

WordPress Pros

Fully customizable and flexible
No platform transaction fees
Best for SEO and content marketing

WordPress Cons

Requires hosting and maintenance
Steeper learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use Shopify and WordPress together?

Yes, you can integrate Shopify with WordPress using Shopify’s Buy Button feature.

Which one is better for beginners?

Shopify is easier for beginners, while WordPress offers more control for those with technical skills.

Is WordPress cheaper than Shopify?

WordPress can be cheaper, but costs depend on hosting, themes, and plugins.

Which is better for SEO?

WordPress has better SEO capabilities, especially when using plugins like Yoast SEO.

My Final Verdict on Shopify or WordPress Today?

Use Shopify if you want an easy-to-use, all-in-one e-commerce platform with minimal technical setup.
Use WordPress (WooCommerce) if you want full control over customization and SEO, but don’t mind handling hosting and maintenance.

Simon Taki Zaku,

Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry.com.ng

For Ibifoundry.com.ng/blog