In today’s world, having a strong online presence is essential for businesses to thrive. Whether you’re an established company or a new startup, choosing the right ecommerce platform can make all the difference. Two of the most popular platforms for building an online store are Shopify and Wix.
Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce platform that specializes in helping businesses of all sizes build and manage their online stores. It offers a wide range of features and tools designed to make selling online easy and efficient.
Wix, on the other hand, is a more general website builder that also includes ecommerce functionality. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop design capabilities, making it a popular choice for beginners.
In this article, we’ll compare the two platforms on the important factors such as pricing, design, ecommerce functionality, payment processing, SEO, customer support, security, and more. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform and be able to make an informed decision on which one is better for your business.
Shopify vs Wix Comparison
1. Pricing and Features
Pricing is a crucial factor when choosing an ecommerce platform. Both Shopify and Wix offer a range of pricing plans with varying features and capabilities.
Shopify has three main pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. The Basic Shopify plan starts at $25 per month and includes features such as unlimited products, 24/7 support, and a free SSL certificate. The Shopify plan costs $65 per month and adds features such as gift cards and professional reports. The Advanced Shopify plan costs $399 per month and includes advanced features such as custom reports and third-party calculated shipping rates.
Wix also has three main pricing plans including Website Plans, Business and eCommerce Plans and Enterprise Plans. The basic website plan starts at $4.50 per month and includes features such as unlimited bandwidth and a free domain for one year.
In terms of features, Shopify is known for its robust ecommerce functionality. It offers features such as abandoned cart recovery, discount codes, and multiple payment options. Shopify also has a large app store with over 4,000 apps and integrations to further enhance your store’s capabilities.
Wix, on the other hand, is known for its ease of use and drag-and-drop design capabilities. It offers features such as customizable templates, product galleries, and automatic tax and shipping calculations. Wix also has a large app market with over 300 apps and integrations.
2. User Interface and Ease of Use
When it comes to user interface and ease of use, both Shopify and Wix have their strengths and weaknesses. Shopify’s user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, with drag-and-drop functionality that makes it simple to customize your store’s layout and design. Plus, Shopify’s dashboard provides quick access to all of your store’s most important features.
On the other hand, Wix’s user interface is highly customizable and offers a range of design tools to help you create a professional-looking store. However, it can feel overwhelming at first, with many options and features to navigate. Additionally, Wix’s drag-and-drop functionality can be finicky and challenging to use.
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a straightforward, user-friendly platform with robust ecommerce functionality, Shopify is an excellent choice. But if you’re looking for a highly customizable platform with a range of design tools, Wix might be a better fit.
3. Design and Customization
Shopify’s Design and Customization Options
Shopify offers a wide range of design and customization options that enable users to create a unique online store that matches their brand and style. The platform provides over 70 free and paid templates that users can use to build their store’s design. Each theme can be customized further using the drag-and-drop functionality, CSS, or HTML editing.
In addition to the themes, Shopify offers a wide range of apps and plugins that can be integrated with your store’s design to enhance its functionality. For instance, you can add customer reviews, social media integration, and advanced search filters.
Moreover, Shopify’s design and customization options are suitable for users with coding knowledge. It provides access to the source code, enabling developers to customize their stores fully. Users can also create their custom themes or hire a Shopify expert to do it for them.
Wix’s Design and Customization Options
Wix provides over 500 professionally designed templates that users can use as a starting point for their store’s design. Each template is fully customizable using the drag-and-drop functionality or the Wix Editor, a powerful design tool that provides access to thousands of design elements.
In addition to the templates, Wix offers a range of design tools and plugins that enable users to create unique and professional-looking stores. Users can add animations, videos, and custom fonts to their stores, among other design elements.
Wix’s design and customization options are easy to use and suitable for users without coding knowledge. However, the platform is not as flexible as Shopify when it comes to customization. Users with coding knowledge cannot access the source code, limiting their ability to customize their stores fully.
4. Ecommerce Functionality
Shopify’s Ecommerce Features and Tools
Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce platform, so it offers a wide range of features and tools specifically designed for selling online. Here are some of the top ecommerce features and tools provided by Shopify.
- Payment Gateways: Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, making it easy for customers to pay for their purchases online.
- Inventory Management: Shopify provides advanced inventory management features that enable store owners to manage their stock levels and track their inventory in real-time.
- Abandoned Cart Recovery: Shopify offers an abandoned cart recovery feature that sends automated emails to customers who abandon their carts, reminding them to complete their purchase.
- Product Reviews: Shopify provides a built-in product review feature that enables customers to leave reviews on your products, helping to build social proof and increase sales.
- Marketing Tools: Shopify offers a range of marketing tools, including email marketing, social media integration, and SEO tools, to help store owners reach more customers and increase sales.
Wix’s Ecommerce Features and Tools
Wix is primarily a website builder that also offers ecommerce features and tools. Here are some of the top ecommerce features and tools provided by Wix.
- Payment Gateways: Wix supports several payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe, making it easy for customers to pay for their purchases.
- Inventory Management: Wix provides basic inventory management features that enable store owners to track their stock levels.
- Abandoned Cart Recovery: Wix offers an abandoned cart recovery feature that sends automated emails to customers who abandon their carts, reminding them to complete their purchase.
- Product Reviews: Wix provides a built-in product review feature that enables customers to leave reviews on your products.
- Marketing Tools: Wix offers a range of marketing tools, including email marketing and social media integration, to help store owners reach more customers and increase sales.
Shopify offers a more comprehensive range of features than Wix, making it a better choice for businesses that want to focus on selling online. Shopify’s payment gateway options, inventory management, and marketing tools are more advanced than those offered by Wix.
However, Wix’s ecommerce features and tools are suitable for small businesses that want to sell a limited number of products. Wix’s ecommerce platform is easy to set up and use, making it a great choice for beginners or businesses with limited technical expertise.
5. Payment Processing
Both Shopify and Wix offer a range of payment processing options that can be used to securely and efficiently process transactions. However, Shopify’s payment processing options are more extensive and include a wider range of payment gateways. Additionally, Shopify’s transaction fees are slightly lower compared to Wix.
That being said, Wix offers an easy-to-use payment processing solution that is suitable for small businesses and beginners. Wix Payments is a great option for merchants who want an all-in-one solution for their online store.
Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and Wix’s payment processing capabilities will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want a wider range of payment processing options with lower transaction fees, Shopify is the better choice. But if you’re looking for a simple and easy-to-use payment processing solution, Wix Payments may be a better fit.
6. Marketing and SEO
Both Shopify and Wix offer a range of marketing and SEO features that can be used to promote your online store and improve your search engine rankings. However, Shopify’s marketing and SEO features are slightly more advanced compared to Wix.
For example, Shopify offers a wider range of third-party marketing integrations, including Google Ads and Facebook Ads. Additionally, Shopify’s built-in email marketing feature is more robust, allowing you to create targeted campaigns based on customer behavior and purchase history.
That being said, Wix offers a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use marketing and SEO features that are suitable for small businesses and beginners. Wix’s built-in SEO tools are also more comprehensive compared to other website builders.
Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and Wix’s marketing and SEO capabilities will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want more advanced marketing and SEO features, Shopify is the better choice. But if you’re looking for a simple and user-friendly solution, Wix may be a better fit.
7. Customer Support
Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat. They also have an extensive help center with articles, tutorials, and videos to help users troubleshoot issues on their own. Shopify’s customer support team is known for being responsive and helpful, with quick response times and knowledgeable representatives.
Wix also offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email, as well as a help center with articles and tutorials. However, Wix does not offer live chat support, which can be a downside for users who prefer immediate assistance.
Both platforms also offer community forums and user groups where users can connect with other users and receive support from the community.
In terms of the quality of customer support, both Shopify and Wix have received mixed reviews from users. While some users have praised their responsive and helpful support teams, others have reported long wait times and unhelpful responses.
Overall, Shopify offers more robust customer support options, including live chat support and a reputation for being responsive and helpful. Wix’s customer support options are also available 24/7, but the lack of live chat support may be a downside for some users. It’s important to consider your own support needs and preferences when choosing between these two platforms.
Pros and Cons of Shopify and Wix
1. Pros and Cons of Shopify
Pros:
- Ease of use: Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface and easy setup process, making it a great option for beginners.
- Customization: Shopify offers a wide range of customization options, including templates, themes, and apps, allowing you to create a unique online store.
- Payment options: Shopify supports a variety of payment gateways, including major credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and PayPal.
- Marketing tools: Shopify includes a variety of built-in marketing tools to help you promote your store, including email campaigns and discount codes.
- Scalability: Shopify can accommodate stores of any size, making it a great option for businesses that want to grow and expand.
Cons:
- Cost: While Shopify offers affordable pricing plans, the costs can add up if you require additional features or customizations.
- Transaction fees: If you use a third-party payment gateway, Shopify charges transaction fees on each sale, which can eat into your profits.
- Learning curve: While Shopify is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in setting up and managing a store, especially if you’re new to e-commerce.
- Limited design control: While Shopify offers customization options, the level of design control is limited compared to other platforms.
2. Pros and Cons of Wix
Pros:
- Ease of use: Like Shopify, Wix is known for its user-friendly interface and simple setup process.
- Design flexibility: Wix offers a wide range of customizable templates and themes, allowing you to create a visually appealing online store.
- App market: Wix has an extensive app market with a wide range of integrations and add-ons to enhance your store’s functionality.
- Cost-effective: Wix’s pricing plans are generally more affordable than Shopify’s, making it a great option for small businesses and startups.
Cons:
- Limited scalability: While Wix can accommodate small and medium-sized stores, it may not be the best option for larger businesses or those looking to scale.
- Limited payment options: Wix supports fewer payment gateways than Shopify, which can be a downside for businesses that want to offer a variety of payment options.
- Limited customization: While Wix offers a range of customization options, the level of design control is limited compared to other platforms.
- Limited customer support: While Wix offers 24/7 customer support, the lack of live chat support can be a downside for users who prefer immediate assistance.
- Advertisements: Wix displays advertisements on its free plans, which can be a downside for businesses that want a professional, ad-free website.
Conclusion
After analyzing the various features and aspects of Shopify and Wix, it is clear that both platforms offer unique benefits and limitations. Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce platform with advanced sales and marketing tools, while Wix is a more versatile website builder with decent ecommerce capabilities.
If you are looking for a platform with strong ecommerce features and tools, Shopify is the clear winner. It offers a wide range of payment processing options, shipping and tax management, and powerful marketing and SEO tools to help you increase sales and grow your business. However, if you want a more affordable and flexible option for creating an online store or website, Wix is a great choice.
Overall, both platforms have their pros and cons and ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific needs and goals.
