Shopify vs Wix: Build the Best Online Store - Find Out Which One Wins
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Background of Shopify and Wix
- Comparison of Ecommerce Plans
- Features Offered by Shopify and Wix
4.1. Product Variants
4.2. User Reviews and Comments
4.3. Dropshipping
4.4. Tax Settings
4.5. Customer Login
4.6. SEO Options
4.7. SSL and Domain Checkout
4.8. Multilingual Online Store
4.9. Additional App Options
- App Market and Shopify Apps
- Ease of Use
- Templates and Customization Options
- Payment Options
- Customer Support
- Conclusion
Shopify vs Wix: Which One Should You Choose for Your Online Store?
If you're looking to set up an online store but can't decide between Shopify and Wix, you're in the right place. In this article, we will compare the pros and cons of these two popular website builders to help you make an informed decision. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's essential to understand them before committing to one. So, without further ado, let's dive into the comparison of Shopify and Wix for your online store.
1. Introduction
Setting up an online store is an exciting venture, but choosing the right platform can be challenging. Shopify and Wix are two well-known website builders that offer ecommerce solutions. While Shopify has always been primarily focused on building online stores, Wix started as a platform for websites and expanded its features to include ecommerce capabilities. In this article, we will compare the two based on various factors to determine which one is best suited for your online store.
2. Background of Shopify and Wix
Before delving into the details, let's understand the background of Shopify and Wix. Shopify has been designed explicitly for creating online stores, making it a popular choice among ecommerce entrepreneurs. On the other hand, Wix specializes in website creation but has added ecommerce features over the years to cater to online store owners. Both platforms have their unique strengths and target different user bases.
3. Comparison of Ecommerce Plans
When it comes to ecommerce plans, Wix offers unlimited staff accounts, bandwidth, and full features across all its plans. The only limitation is the storage capacity, which is 20GB for the entry-level plan. Upgrading to higher plans allows for more storage space. On the other hand, Shopify's equivalent to Wix's entry-level plan is the Shopify Basic plan, which provides affordable options for selling unlimited digital or physical products. However, advanced features like Reports and Gift Cards are only available in Shopify and Advanced Shopify plans. Therefore, if you require these advanced features, Wix takes the lead in this category.
4. Features Offered by Shopify and Wix
Both Shopify and Wix offer a range of features for building and managing an online store. Here are some essential features and how the two platforms compare:
4.1. Product Variants
Both Shopify and Wix allow you to create product variants, such as different colors, sizes, or styles, to offer more options to your customers.
4.2. User Reviews and Comments
Enabling user reviews or comments on your product pages can significantly enhance user engagement and trust. Both Shopify and Wix offer this feature, allowing your customers to share their experiences and provide feedback.
4.3. Dropshipping
If you're interested in dropshipping, both Shopify and Wix support this business model. However, Shopify provides more options and integrations for dropshipping, making it a preferred choice for dropshipping entrepreneurs.
4.4. Tax Settings
Managing tax settings is crucial for any online store. Both Shopify and Wix offer comprehensive tax management options to ensure compliance and streamline the process for store owners.
4.5. Customer Login
Allowing customers to create accounts and log in to your store can enhance the user experience and enable personalized features like order history and saved payment information. While both Shopify and Wix offer this functionality, the setup process on Wix is considered to be a bit clunky compared to Shopify.
4.6. SEO Options
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for driving organic traffic to your online store. Both Shopify and Wix provide decent SEO options, although they may slightly modify your URL structure. However, creating a multilingual online store that is also SEO-friendly is impossible with Wix, whereas Shopify offers workarounds, albeit with some limitations or additional costs.
4.7. SSL and Domain Checkout
Both Shopify and Wix support SSL encryption for secure transactions, and you can check out using your own domain on both platforms.
4.8. Multilingual Online Store
As mentioned earlier, Wix does not support the creation of a multilingual online store that is also SEO-friendly. On the other hand, Shopify provides workarounds for creating multilingual stores, although they may be a bit clunky or come at an additional cost.
4.9. Additional App Options
If you can't find a specific feature you need for your online store, both Wix and Shopify allow you to add more options through extra apps. Wix's App Market focuses on improving your site as a whole, providing tools for blogging or creating landing pages. On the other hand, Shopify's app store is designed to boost online store functionality, offering unique features like an Augmented Reality tool for previewing items.
5. App Market and Shopify Apps
When it comes to additional apps and integrations, both Wix and Shopify offer plenty of options. However, their focus differs. Wix's App Market provides tools for improving your website as a whole, catering to users who want to enhance their overall site experience. Shopify's app store, on the other hand, is designed to enhance online store functionality, with a wide range of apps specifically geared towards improving store performance and conversion rates.
6. Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, Wix takes the lead, especially for beginners. Wix's backend is highly intuitive, allowing users to set up and manage their online stores without the need for extensive tutorials or step-by-step guides. Shopify, on the other hand, requires a bit more time for onboarding and familiarization but is well-designed and not frustrating to navigate.
7. Templates and Customization Options
Wix offers 60 completely free ecommerce templates that are modern and stylish. However, these templates cannot be customized using HTML or CSS. Shopify, on the other hand, provides a few dozen template options, but they can be fully customized using HTML and CSS. The premium templates offered by Shopify are priced between $140 and $180 and are known for their exceptional design and customization flexibility.
8. Payment Options
Both Wix and Shopify offer a good range of payment options for your online store. Wix Payments allows for credit card payments without transaction fees, along with options like Stripe and PayPal. Shopify Payments offers similar capabilities, but it also provides integration with hundreds of payment gateways like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Facebook, and more. However, it's important to note that some payment gateways may come with transaction fees, so this aspect should be considered when deciding between the two.
9. Customer Support
Customer support is an essential aspect to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform. Wix offers support through phone callbacks during business hours, while Shopify provides 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone. In terms of knowledge base and community support, both platforms offer extensive tutorials, guides, and active online forums. However, based on user experiences, Shopify's customer support is often deemed more helpful than Wix's.
10. Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shopify and Wix are excellent platforms for building and expanding an online store. Shopify offers more features and options for scalability, making it a preferred choice for those looking to grow their online business. However, Wix shines when it comes to affordability and ease of use, making it a suitable option for smaller online stores, especially those focused on content creation. Consider your specific requirements and business goals to make an informed decision between these two platforms.
FAQ:
Q: Do I need coding skills to use Shopify or Wix?
A: No, coding skills are not required to use either Shopify or Wix. Both platforms offer easy-to-use interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to create and manage their online stores without any coding knowledge.
Q: Can I sell physical and digital products on both Shopify and Wix?
A: Yes, both Shopify and Wix allow you to sell both physical and digital products through their ecommerce capabilities. You can set up product listings, manage inventory, and process orders for both types of products on both platforms.
Q: Can I switch from Shopify to Wix, or vice versa, if I'm not satisfied with my current platform?
A: Yes, it is possible to switch from Shopify to Wix, or vice versa. However, it's important to note that migrating an entire online store from one platform to another can be time-consuming and may require technical expertise. It is advisable to carefully evaluate your needs and requirements before making a decision to switch platforms.
Q: Can I use my own domain with Shopify and Wix?
A: Yes, both Shopify and Wix allow you to use your own domain for your online store. This gives your store a professional and branded appearance, enhancing credibility and trust with your customers.
Q: Are there any transaction fees associated with payment processing on Shopify and Wix?
A: Both Shopify and Wix offer payment processing options that may have transaction fees. Wix Payments and Shopify Payments allow for credit card payments without transaction fees. However, integrations with certain payment gateways or third-party processors may come with associated transaction fees. It is important to review and understand the fees associated with your chosen payment options before setting up your online store.
Q: Can I create a multilingual online store with both Shopify and Wix?
A: Creating a multilingual online store with Wix is currently not feasible. However, Shopify offers workarounds and third-party apps that allow for the creation of multilingual stores, although they may involve some limitations or additional costs. It is recommended to explore the available options and select the one that best fits your requirements for a multilingual online store.
Q: Can I integrate additional features and functionalities into my online store on Shopify and Wix?
A: Yes, both Shopify and Wix offer options to integrate additional features and functionalities into your online store through their respective app marketplaces. You can explore a wide range of apps and extensions to enhance your store's capabilities and meet your specific business needs.
