Wix vs Shopify: Choose the Best Online Store Builder in 2023
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Wix vs. Shopify: An Overview
- Ecommerce Features Comparison
- 3.1 Shopify's Ecommerce Features
- 3.2 Wix's Ecommerce Features
- Ease of Use
- 4.1 Wix's Ease of Use
- 4.2 Shopify's Ease of Use
- Theme Quality
- 5.1 Wix's Theme Quality
- 5.2 Shopify's Theme Quality
- Customer Support
- 6.1 Wix's Customer Support
- 6.2 Shopify's Customer Support
- Cost Comparison
- 7.1 Wix's Pricing Plans
- 7.2 Shopify's Pricing Plans
- Pros and Cons
- 8.1 Pros of Using Wix
- 8.2 Cons of Using Wix
- 8.3 Pros of Using Shopify
- 8.4 Cons of Using Shopify
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wix vs. Shopify: Comparing Two Leading Ecommerce Platforms
When it comes to building an online store, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. In this article, we will compare Wix and Shopify, two popular ecommerce platforms, to help you make an informed decision.
1. Introduction
With the rise of online shopping, businesses increasingly rely on ecommerce platforms to establish their presence and sell their products. Wix and Shopify have emerged as two leading platforms that offer a range of features and tools to help businesses create and manage their online stores efficiently. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between Wix and Shopify, highlighting their ecommerce features, ease of use, theme quality, customer support, pricing plans, and more. Whether you are a small business owner or an ambitious entrepreneur, this comparison will equip you with the necessary insights to make the right choice for your online store.
2. Wix vs. Shopify: An Overview
Before we dive into the details, let's start with a brief overview of Wix and Shopify. Wix is primarily known as a drag-and-drop website builder that offers a user-friendly interface and a versatile range of templates. On the other hand, Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce system that powers some of the biggest brands globally, offering advanced features tailored specifically for online stores. While both platforms have their strengths, the key differentiating factor lies in their target audience and the scale of online stores they cater to. Let's explore further.
3. Ecommerce Features Comparison
When it comes to ecommerce features, Shopify has a clear edge over Wix. As a dedicated ecommerce platform, Shopify offers a comprehensive suite of tools required to create and grow a powerful online store. It provides features like abandoned cart recovery, discount codes, and manual order creation, which are essential for running a successful online business. Additionally, Shopify boasts a vast marketplace with over 1200 apps to choose from, enabling businesses to enhance their store's functionality with ease. On the other hand, Wix lacks some advanced ecommerce features like the ability to send abandoned cart notifications. However, it still offers a range of solid features like sale banners and customized thank you messages, with regular updates to improve its ecommerce offering. In summary, while Shopify excels in ecommerce features, Wix provides a simpler and more streamlined experience for businesses selling a smaller number of products.
3.1 Shopify's Ecommerce Features
Shopify's ecommerce features are unmatched in the industry. With Shopify, you get everything you need to create and grow a powerful online store. Some notable features include:
- Abandoned cart recovery: Shopify includes automatic email notifications to help recover abandoned carts and increase conversions.
- Discount codes: You can easily create and apply discount codes, enticing customers to make a purchase.
- Manual order creation: If you accept phone or in-person orders, Shopify allows you to create and track these orders seamlessly.
- Rich app ecosystem: With over 1200 apps to choose from, you can further enhance your store's capabilities, from drop shipping to currency conversion.
3.2 Wix's Ecommerce Features
While not as robust as Shopify, Wix offers a range of features to help you build a functional online store. Noteworthy features of Wix's ecommerce offering include:
- Sale banners: Easily create eye-catching banners to promote sales and special offers on your store.
- Customized thank you messages: Personalize the post-purchase experience by sending customized thank you messages to your customers.
- Regular updates: Wix consistently rolls out new features to improve its ecommerce capabilities, keeping up with industry trends and customer demands.
4. Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, Wix has a unique selling point. Its drag-and-drop platform allows users to easily add and edit features with just a few clicks. Whether it's adding product pages, images, or a navigation bar, Wix simplifies the process and eliminates the need for technical knowledge. On the other hand, Shopify has a slightly steeper learning curve, as its editor is primarily focused on running the store efficiently. However, considering the power and flexibility of Shopify, it still maintains a high level of intuitiveness. Even without coding skills, you can set up payment options, create a blog, and add products effortlessly. Shopify's own coding language, Liquid, provides additional customization options for those who seek more backend control. In summary, Wix is perfect for non-technical individuals looking for a quick and painless way to sell online, while Shopify offers a balanced blend of simplicity and flexibility.
4.1 Wix's Ease of Use
Wix's drag-and-drop interface makes it remarkably easy to build and customize your online store. Simple tasks like adding images, creating product pages, and modifying the navigation layout can be accomplished effortlessly. With Wix, you don't need any technical expertise to get your store up and running quickly.
4.2 Shopify's Ease of Use
While Shopify might require a slightly higher learning curve than Wix, it still remains highly intuitive. Its editor focuses on providing the necessary tools to manage your store effectively, including order tracking, inventory management, and analytics. Even without coding knowledge, anyone can set up payment options, create blog content, and add products smoothly. For those seeking more advanced customization, Shopify's Liquid coding language offers robust possibilities to tailor the store to individual preferences.
5. Theme Quality
The visual appeal of an online store can significantly impact its success. Both Wix and Shopify offer a range of themes to choose from, but there are notable differences in terms of quality, customization options, and mobile responsiveness. Let's explore further.
5.1 Wix's Theme Quality
Wix provides a diverse selection of templates for your online store, offering the advantage of easy customization. You can take any Wix template and turn it into a fully functioning online store. However, it's important to note that once you choose a Wix template, switching to a different one can be challenging. Therefore, if you anticipate rebranding or redesigning your store in the future, Wix's theme limitation might pose a constraint.
5.2 Shopify's Theme Quality
Shopify boasts over a hundred professionally designed themes, catering to various industries and aesthetics. These themes are specifically created to optimize sales and provide a seamless user experience. Unlike Wix, Shopify allows you to switch themes effortlessly, providing more flexibility for future updates and changes. Additionally, Shopify's themes are mobile responsive by default, ensuring that your store looks great and functions seamlessly across different devices. While some premium Shopify themes come at a cost, they are considered a worthwhile investment given the long-term benefits they offer.
6. Customer Support
Having access to reliable and responsive customer support is crucial for any online business. Both Wix and Shopify offer multiple avenues for support, but there are differences in terms of availability and quality. Let's compare their customer support offerings.
6.1 Wix's Customer Support
Wix provides extensive support resources through its help center, including hundreds of useful articles that cover various topics. Additionally, you can contact Wix's support team via phone or email for assistance. One notable feature of Wix's editor is the presence of question marks and small speech bubbles that provide answers to common problems, making it easy to find solutions within the editor itself.
6.2 Shopify's Customer Support
Similar to Wix, Shopify offers support through phone and email channels. However, Shopify goes one step further by offering live chat support, which can be invaluable during critical moments when you need immediate assistance. Additionally, Shopify's customer support agents are available 24/7, ensuring that help is always just a message away. The round-the-clock support provided by Shopify makes it a preferred choice for businesses that prioritize seamless and responsive customer service.
7. Cost Comparison
The cost of running an online store is an important consideration for businesses of all sizes. Let's compare the pricing plans offered by Wix and Shopify.
7.1 Wix's Pricing Plans
To sell on Wix, you need to sign up for either an ecommerce plan or a VIP plan. Both plans provide great features to help you run a successful online store, including unlimited bandwidth, 20 gigabytes of storage, and money to spend on apps and advertising vouchers. The VIP plan offers additional benefits like premium support and a professional site review. Wix's pricing plans are designed to offer great value for businesses working within a budget.
7.2 Shopify's Pricing Plans
Shopify offers three main pricing plans, all of which provide incredible ecommerce features right out of the box. Unless you are running a large-scale store, Shopify's basic plan should suffice for most businesses. It offers features like discount codes, unlimited products and storage, and built-in Fraud Analysis. Upgrading to Shopify or Advanced Shopify plans provides additional benefits such as better analytics and reporting. While Shopify's pricing might seem higher than Wix's, it's important to view it as an investment in your online store's growth and success. The advanced functionalities and infrastructure offered by Shopify make it a preferred choice for businesses that prioritize scalability and long-term growth.
8. Pros and Cons
To provide a comprehensive overview, let's look at the pros and cons of using both Wix and Shopify for your online store.
8.1 Pros of Using Wix
- Stylish and easy-to-personalize templates
- Great value for money, with affordable pricing plans
- User-friendly drag-and-drop design interface
- Suitable for small businesses and individuals entering the online market
8.2 Cons of Using Wix
- Limitations for long-term ecommerce growth and scalability
- Less advanced ecommerce features compared to Shopify
8.3 Pros of Using Shopify
- Unrivaled out-of-the-box ecommerce features
- 24/7 customer support, including live chat
- Extensive range of high-quality themes tailored for ecommerce
- Strong emphasis on supporting merchants to achieve online success
8.4 Cons of Using Shopify
- Higher pricing tiers, especially for premium themes and apps
- Relatively steeper learning curve compared to Wix
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Wix and Shopify depends on several factors, including the scale of your online store, your technical expertise, budget, and long-term growth plans. Wix offers a simpler and budget-friendly option for small businesses or individuals selling a limited number of products. On the other hand, Shopify provides a robust platform tailored for ambitious entrepreneurs, offering advanced features, scalability, and exceptional customer support. To make an informed decision, carefully evaluate your requirements and prioritize the features that matter most to your business.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I switch themes on Wix once I have chosen one?
A1: Switching themes on Wix can be challenging, so it's essential to choose a template that aligns with your long-term branding and design goals.
Q2: Does Shopify offer support for abandoned cart recovery?
A2: Yes, Shopify includes automatic email notifications for abandoned cart recovery, helping you recover potential lost sales.
Q3: Which platform is better for beginners with no technical knowledge?
A3: Wix's drag-and-drop interface makes it extremely user-friendly for beginners without technical expertise.
Q4: Can I get live chat support on Shopify?
A4: Yes, Shopify offers live chat support in addition to phone and email support, providing round-the-clock assistance.
Q5: Is Wix or Shopify better for long-term ecommerce growth?
A5: Shopify's advanced ecommerce features and scalability make it the preferred choice for businesses looking to grow in the long run.
