Shopify vs Wix: Choosing the Best Platform for Your Online Store
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Pricing Comparison
- Features of Shopify and Wix
3.1. Digital Products
3.2. App Store
- Theme Selection and Customization
4.1. Shopify Theme Selection
4.2. Shopify Theme Customization
4.3. Wix Theme Selection
4.4. Wix Theme Customization
- Customer Support
- Hosting and Performance
6.1. Shopify Hosting
6.2. Wix Hosting
- Getting Started
7.1. Shopify Sign-Up Process
7.2. Wix Sign-Up Process
- Inventory Management
8.1. Shopify Inventory Management
8.2. Wix Inventory Management
- Order Management
9.1. Shopify Order Management
9.2. Wix Order Management
- Conclusion
Article
Shopify vs. Wix: Which Platform is Better for Building an Online Store?
Introduction
When it comes to building an online store, there are a plethora of options available in the market. Two popular choices are Shopify and Wix. In this article, we will compare these two platforms based on their pricing, features, theme selection and customization, customer support, hosting and performance, and inventory and order management. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which platform is better suited for your online store.
- Pricing Comparison
One of the crucial factors to consider when choosing a platform is pricing. Shopify offers flexible pricing plans, starting from $29 per month for the Basic plan, up to $299 per month for the Advanced plan. Additionally, Shopify charges transaction fees based on the chosen payment gateway, which can affect the overall cost. On the other hand, Wix offers various pricing plans, starting from $23 per month for their Business Basic plan, up to $500 per month for their VIP plan. Unlike Shopify, Wix does not charge any transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option.
Pros:
- Shopify offers a wider range of pricing plans, allowing for scalability.
- Wix does not charge any transaction fees, saving costs for businesses.
Cons:
- Shopify's transaction fees might significantly add to the monthly expenses.
- Wix's pricing plans can be limited in terms of advanced features.
- Features of Shopify and Wix
Both Shopify and Wix offer a comprehensive set of features that ensure smooth online store operations. While there are differences between the two, they provide similar functionalities as standard. However, some notable differences include the handling of digital products and the availability of apps.
2.1. Digital Products
Wix enables the selling of digital products out of the box, while with Shopify, you need to install an app for this feature. Shopify's app store offers an extensive range of digital product apps but may come at an additional cost.
2.2. App Store
Shopify boasts a vast app store with over 3,000 apps (or even more) available for various features, functionalities, and integrations. This extensive selection makes it highly adaptable to different business needs. In contrast, Wix's app store offers fewer options, with less than 1,000 apps to choose from. However, Wix's built-in features might be sufficient for businesses with basic requirements.
- Theme Selection and Customization
The aesthetic appeal and user experience of your online store play a vital role in attracting and retaining customers. Both Shopify and Wix offer theme selection and customization options, although differences exist in terms of variety and ease of use.
3.1. Shopify Theme Selection
Shopify provides a range of themes, with nine free options and over 80 paid options available directly through the Shopify theme store. Additionally, there are numerous themes available on marketplaces like ThemeForest. Shopify's theme customization is highly user-friendly, thanks to their full site customizer. Through the theme customizer, users can easily modify different pages, sections, and blocks, resulting in personalized and visually appealing stores. Changing themes is a seamless process, allowing for quick updates and improvements.
3.2. Wix Theme Selection
Wix offers a vast selection of over 100 free themes, making it one of the largest free theme libraries available. However, changing themes on Wix can be more complex than on Shopify. The process involves creating a new store and transferring the subscription, which may cause inconvenience. Wix's theme customization options offer extensive control, enabling users to make various changes. However, the abundance of options can be overwhelming and may lead to unnecessary time spent on customizations that do not impact the user experience significantly.
- Customer Support
Effective and reliable customer support is crucial for any online store owner. Both Shopify and Wix provide 24/7 support through multiple channels, including email, live chat, and phone support. However, Wix has a slight advantage in terms of accessibility and convenience. Their help icon in the dashboard provides direct access to a chat bot, allowing users to navigate through for assistance. In comparison, Shopify requires users to visit their Help Center before finding the contact options.
- Hosting and Performance
The hosting environment and performance of your online store impact both user experience and business success. Shopify and Wix follow different approaches and provide varied information regarding their hosting.
5.1. Shopify Hosting
Shopify offers transparent information about its hosting environment, such as unlimited bandwidth, storage, PCI compliance, a global CDN, and a free SSL certificate for each store. The loading speed of Shopify stores is generally impressive, resulting in a smooth user experience for customers and efficient management for store owners.
5.2. Wix Hosting
While Wix provides a free SSL certificate, they do not offer as much detailed information about their hosting environment. Wix's hosting performance has historically been weaker compared to Shopify. Slow loading times and poor page speed can affect the user experience negatively. Navigating through the Wix dashboard can also be slow, causing frustration for store owners.
- Getting Started
The initial setup process should be hassle-free and straightforward, allowing store owners to start selling quickly.
6.1. Shopify Sign-Up Process
Shopify's sign-up process is simple, requiring only an email address and password. Upon signing up, users are guided through a setup guide tailored to their store's needs. Shopify's dashboard is intuitive and well-laid-out, enabling easy navigation and management.
6.2. Wix Sign-Up Process
Similar to Shopify, Wix's sign-up process only requires an email address and password. During the onboarding process, users specify their store requirements, such as whether they want to sell online. Wix's dashboard has experienced layout changes, which can cause confusion when revisiting the platform. While the onboarding process is more comprehensive than Shopify's, navigating the dashboard can be cluttered.
- Inventory Management
Effectively managing inventory is crucial to ensure accurate product listings and stock availability.
7.1. Shopify Inventory Management
Shopify offers a user-friendly interface for adding new products. Their inventory manager allows for quick and simple adjustments of stock quantities. Additionally, Shopify provides a bulk editor, streamlining inventory management for stores with a large number of products.
7.2. Wix Inventory Management
Wix's inventory management allows users to add both physical and digital products. While their interface is easy to use, managing inventory in bulk is not as efficient as with Shopify. Wix lacks a comprehensive bulk editor, requiring users to make individual changes to each product, which can be time-consuming for stores with a considerable inventory.
- Order Management
Efficient order management is essential for processing customer orders smoothly and accurately.
8.1. Shopify Order Management
Shopify offers various features for order management, including bulk options for creating shipping labels, updating fulfillment statuses, and capturing payments. While Shopify's order management is convenient, some additional functionalities, such as printing invoices, might require third-party apps.
8.2. Wix Order Management
Wix's order management system allows users to perform bulk actions such as changing order fulfillment and marking items as paid. Users can also create and print invoices directly within Wix. Although Wix provides robust order management features, the lack of a bulk editor for other order attributes can be a drawback.
Conclusion
After comparing Shopify and Wix across different aspects, including pricing, features, theme selection and customization, customer support, hosting and performance, as well as inventory and order management, we can determine that Shopify is the superior choice for building an online store. Despite its higher pricing, Shopify offers better performance, a wider selection of apps, and a more user-friendly interface. The Shopify community provides ample resources, making it easier for store owners to access support and expert assistance. However, Wix remains a viable option for businesses with basic requirements and a limited budget. Ultimately, the decision depends on the specific needs and goals of your online store.
