Which is Better for Your Online Store - Shopify or Wix?

Wix and Shopify are both popular services when it comes to building, hosting and maintaining ecommerce stores. Which should you choose? We will discuss the pros and cons of both to help you make the best decision. First, let’s learn a bit more about each individually.

Shopify was founded in 2006 in Ontario, Canada. The founders were unhappy with available ecommerce platforms and decided to make their own. Shopify was created and has always functioned as a platform for online sales.

Wix was actually established in the same year as Shopify in Tel Aviv, Israel. Wix is a popular website builder and can be used to create blogs, small online stores or portfolios. 

Budding entrepreneurs, as well as established brands, use these platforms to build and run their ecommerce stores. Many are having some success but wonder if they are optimising their sales opportunities.

This article will answer several important questions regarding Wix and Shopify. Questions like:

1. How do Wix and Shopify Compare?
2. What are the Main Differences?
3. Wix or Shopify - which should you choose?

How do Wix and Shopify Compare?

Wix and Shopify are both essentially website builders with templates and tools that help novices or those with design skills create awesome sites. Both are easy to use, and one can start selling items from day one. These platforms can host domains and have all the needed security.

The cost is also similar. Wix starts at 28$ and Shopify at 29$. These prices do not tell the whole story, though. There are options and perks in higher-priced plans with differences in what is provided that will be discussed in the next section.

To summarise, Wix and Shopify are well-made and well-known website builders. They have everything a small business owner would need to get their business off the ground. However, there are many differences between the two platforms. We will discuss five key differences in the section to follow.

What are the Main Differences Between Shopify & Wix?

There are actually quite a few differences separating the two platforms. We will hone in on several distinctions to help you decide which platform is right for you. Many have found Shopify to be their platform of choice when it comes to ecommerce.

Cost

We will put this one first because it can be the determining factor when deciding which platform to choose. There is a caveat, though. The price of a plan can be deceptive. The overall cost can be a lot higher than the plan when you get all the features included that you need.

Shopify has three plans priced at $29, $79, and $299. Per their website, the basic plan is for new online businesses that are smaller in scale. For $79, one can maintain a lucrative business, and $299 is perfect for thriving businesses selling hundreds or even thousands of products. There is also Shopify plus, which costs $2000 a month and is the mac daddy of ecommerce plans.

Wix is a bit more confusing regarding the pricing since there are many more plans, and they all include different services. Some plans provide website hosting; others offer it for a year, while others do for an additional cost. Some plans are strictly for websites that would not work for ecommerce. The ecommerce plans range from 28$ to $500 but are more limited in what they offer.

Verdict: Wix is a bit cheaper but more limited for ecommerce solutions. In addition, the pricing is confusing in contrast to Shopify, which has three main, inclusive plans. The better value is Shopify, as for just a few dollars more, you get everything you need for an online business.

Ease of use

This is where Wix really shines, as many reviews state that setting up their website was a cinch. One can set up in one day and be selling items the very next day. No coding knowledge is needed as there are ready-made templates and drag-and-drop tools to design without a sweat.

On the other hand, Shopify takes up to three days to set up. Many user reviews state that the logistics are straightforward but designing the storefront is more complicated than Wix. No coding knowledge is required here either, but Shopify does have advanced headless ecommerce architecture that can use a developer’s expertise.

Verdict: Wix is easier to install initially, but after installation, both Shopify and Wix are user and developer-friendly.

Redesign

Wix definitely has the upper hand when it comes to the initial setup and design, but often, redesigns are just as significant. The ever-changing landscape of online commerce means that you need to be flexible and ready to change to stay ahead. How do Wix and Shopify stack up when it comes to redesigning?

Here Wix is a bit clunky. Making changes is a manual process where changes can be made one by one. To redesign and modernise, a total rebuild is necessary. 

Shopify has the advantage as elements can be modified conveniently. Shopify provides the foundation and allows for total architectural freedom. 

Verdict: Shopify for the win! Regardless of changes, small or large, redesign to your heart’s content.

Performance & Analytics

Not always the first factor that pops into people’s minds when choosing a platform, but it should be. A platform with outstanding performance can be the difference between a curious user and a long-term customer. 

Independent performance tests show that Shopify has excellent upload times, directly impacting how long users stay on the site. Both metrics and ping tests give it an A rating. Wix was slower in both tests with an overall B rating.

When it comes to security, both Shopify and Wix are certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, which protects users’ card information. SSL security is also included with both platforms, and user info and data is secure.

Verdict: Both platforms are secure, but Shopify’s speed stands out. 

App store

Apps are great because you can choose the ones you need to power up or improve your website. How do Wix and Shopify compare?

Wix has over 300 apps, with approximately 60 of them for ecommerce. Shopify has a whopping 6,000 apps in its store, and they are all for the benefit of ecommerce. Shopify has apps for dropshipping, scaling globally, and currency conversion.

Verdict: If you are serious about growing your business, Shopify is the way to go.

Payment options

Customers want choices, not just for items but also for payment options. Customers also gain trust in a platform that has their preferred payment option.

Wix has made strides in this regard and now offers about 50 payment options. Shopify has over 70 payment options, and also merchants can choose to use Shopify payments to eliminate fees.

Shopify also provides global shipping payments, and each product sold can have individual tax rules and shipping rates.

Verdict: Shopify is the clear winner with more options than Wix and leads in ecommerce.

Conclusion

Both Wix and Shopify are excellent at what they do, but what they do is different. 

Wix can be used to make beautiful and easy to use sites. Beginners and those with design experience can use handy tools to create a website with a blog or to sell some products. Wix, however, is not the best choice for ecommerce, especially if you are looking to scale your business and have all the marketing tools needed.

Shopify cannot be used just to blog or inform; it is an ecommerce platform through and through. It has all the tools you need to get your business up and running and has additional opportunities for growth.

Final verdict: Choose Shopify to create, build and grow your online business.

If you are interested in finding out how to migrate or move your ecommerce store from Wix to Shopify, check out Shopify migration services.

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