Comparing Wix and Shopify for Ecommerce

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Compare the setup processes for Wix and Shopify stores
2. Evaluate the app ecosystems and their impact on your business
3. Assess which platform suits different business sizes and growth plans
4. Understand the transaction fee structures and their cost implications

Introduction

Choosing between Wix and Shopify for your ecommerce store shapes how your business operates online. Both platforms serve different business needs, and the right choice depends on your current situation and future plans.

This chapter breaks down the key differences between these platforms. We'll cover setup difficulty, available features, growth potential, and costs. By the end, you'll know which platform fits your specific business requirements.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Setting Up Your Store

Getting your store online shouldn't take weeks. Here's how each platform handles the setup process.

Wix Setup Process:

1. Sign up and choose an ecommerce plan
2. Pick from hundreds of templates using the visual editor
3. Drag and drop elements exactly where you want them
4. Add your products with basic details
5. Connect a payment processor
6. Go live

Most people get a basic Wix store running in 2-3 hours. The drag-and-drop editor makes changes instant and visual.

Shopify Setup Process:

1. Start your free trial and select a plan
2. Choose from ecommerce-specific themes
3. Customise using the theme editor or code
4. Set up product catalogues with detailed variants
5. Configure shipping and tax settings
6. Launch your store

Shopify takes longer initially because it asks for more business details upfront. Expect 4-6 hours for a basic setup, but you'll have more ecommerce features ready from day one.

The verdict: Wix wins for speed and simplicity. Shopify requires more setup time but gives you professional ecommerce features immediately.

Lesson 2: Apps and Integrations

Both platforms extend functionality through apps, but their approaches differ significantly.

Wix App Market:

• Around 300 apps available
• Covers basics like email marketing, reviews, and social media
• Many apps built by Wix, ensuring compatibility
• Simpler apps that integrate smoothly
• Limited advanced ecommerce tools

Shopify App Store:

• Over 8,000 apps available
• Extensive ecommerce-specific tools
• Advanced inventory management options
• Multiple apps for each function (more choice, but more complexity)
• Third-party apps may conflict with each other

When apps matter most:

• Small business selling 10-50 products: Wix's app selection covers your needs
• Growing business with 100+ products: Shopify's advanced inventory and marketing apps become essential
• International business: Shopify offers better currency, tax, and shipping apps

The verdict: Wix provides everything small businesses need. Shopify's extensive app ecosystem supports complex operations but can overwhelm beginners.

Lesson 3: Scaling Your Business

Your platform choice should match where your business is heading, not just where it is today.

Wix Scalability:

• Handles up to 50,000 products per store
• Works well for businesses with seasonal traffic spikes
• Limited multi-channel selling options
• Basic inventory management
• Suitable for businesses expecting steady, moderate growth

Shopify Scalability:

• No product limits on most plans
• Advanced inventory tracking across multiple locations
• Built-in multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram)
• Handles high-volume traffic and sales
• Enterprise solutions for large businesses

Growth planning questions:

• Will you sell on multiple platforms? Shopify excels here
• Do you need complex shipping calculations? Shopify handles this better
• Are you planning international expansion? Shopify's multi-currency features help
• Will you need custom functionality? Shopify's app ecosystem grows with you

The verdict: Wix suits businesses planning steady growth within its limits. Shopify supports unlimited growth and complex operations.

Lesson 4: Understanding the Costs

Transaction fees and subscription costs add up differently on each platform.

Wix Pricing Structure:

• Business Basic: £17/month (no transaction fees)
• Business Unlimited: £25/month (no transaction fees)
• Business VIP: £35/month (no transaction fees)
• Plus payment processor fees (around 2.9% + 30p per transaction)

Shopify Pricing Structure:

• Basic Shopify: £25/month + 2.9% transaction fees
• Shopify: £65/month + 2.6% transaction fees
• Advanced Shopify: £289/month + 2.4% transaction fees
• Plus payment processor fees if not using Shopify Payments

Cost comparison example:
For £10,000 monthly sales:

• Wix Business Unlimited: £25 + £290 (payment processing) = £315/month
• Basic Shopify: £25 + £290 (transaction) + £290 (payment processing) = £605/month

However, Shopify includes features that might require paid apps on Wix.

The verdict: Wix costs less for most small businesses. Shopify's higher costs often justify themselves through built-in professional features.

Practice

Choose a business type that interests you (clothing boutique, handmade crafts, digital products, or local services). Research both platforms and create a comparison chart covering:

1. Which templates suit this business type
2. Essential apps or features needed
3. Expected monthly costs including transaction fees
4. Scalability requirements for 2-year growth

Present your recommendation with three key reasons supporting your choice.

FAQs

Which platform works better for complete beginners?
Wix suits beginners better due to its visual editor and simpler setup process. You can see changes instantly without learning technical skills. Shopify requires more initial learning but offers professional results.

Can I switch platforms later if my business grows?
Yes, but switching involves rebuilding your store, transferring customer data, and potentially losing some SEO rankings. Choose based on where you expect to be in 2-3 years, not just current needs.

Do either platforms charge extra transaction fees?
Wix doesn't charge transaction fees beyond your subscription. Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Both platforms require separate payment processor fees.

Which platform handles international selling better?
Shopify excels at international ecommerce with built-in multi-currency support, international shipping calculations, and tax handling. Wix handles basic international sales but with fewer automated features.

Jargon Buster

Transaction Fees: Charges applied to each sale made through your store, typically a percentage of the sale value plus a fixed amount per transaction.

Multi-channel Selling: Selling products across different platforms simultaneously, such as your website, Amazon, eBay, and social media channels.

Payment Processor: The service that handles credit card transactions between your customers and your bank account, such as Stripe or PayPal.

Inventory Management: Systems for tracking product stock levels, variants, and locations to prevent overselling and manage supply chain operations.

Wrap-up

Your choice between Wix and Shopify depends on your business size, technical comfort level, and growth plans. Wix excels for small businesses wanting quick setup and lower costs. Shopify suits businesses planning significant growth or needing advanced ecommerce features.

Consider your situation honestly. Most small businesses succeed with Wix's simpler approach. Choose Shopify if you need its advanced features now or expect rapid growth requiring professional ecommerce capabilities.

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