Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Top Reasons to Migrate to Shopify in 2024

When it comes to starting and running an ecommerce business in the long term, your selected platform will always have a significant impact on the success of your business. For many brands, the choice of platform comes down to Shopify vs WoocCommerce, selecting one over the other.

Yet, thousands of brands today are seen making the shift from WooCommerce to Shopify and Shopify Plus. The reason? Commerce runs better on platforms — not plugins. WooCommerce is the ecommerce plugin for WordPress, while Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce solution and platform entirely dedicated to helping brands start, run, and grow an online business.

With conversion rates 17% higher than the industry average and a 19% reduction in operational costs for merchants, Shopify's data speaks for itself as the undisputed leader in driving ecommerce success for online merchants.

In this article by Ecommerce Pro, we’re helping you decide whether you need to make the switch from Shopify to WooCommerce, or simply helping you make the right initial choice for your budding ecommerce business.

As the landscape shifts and a growing number of established brands are already migrating to Shopify, we answer the question: Why Shopify?

1. Secure and Reliable

One of the foremost reasons brands are switching to Shopify is its unparalleled security and reliability. In the world of online shopping, nothing tops the issue of security and reliability when it comes to all the sensitive data handled by a single online transaction. Online stores are charged with crucial customer data, like credit card data and personal information of their shoppers, making security a top-most consideration.

The Shopify platform is PCI-compliant, also providing merchants with hosting, free SSL certificate, and secure payment processing. Security updates are performed consistently and automatically, which means you don’t have to spare a thought regarding site security.

With WooCommerce and WordPress sites, on the other hand,  SSL certificates must be installed yourself, with the platform suffering at least 33 reported vulnerabilities in 2023 alone.

With Shopify, online businesses can hit the ground running, focusing on growth while the platform handles encryption, access control, data backups, and network security. You can run your business knowing that the level of security Shopify provides will protect your business and its customers from cybersecurity threats that could compromise sensitive information and disrupt your business operations, not to mention your brand’s reputation.

2. Improved Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

One of the reasons behind the trend of online businesses making the shift to Shopify from WooCommerce has to do with the overall better total cost of ownership. This is because having an all-in-one ecommerce solution is simply more cost-efficient.

Data shows that Shopify’s total cost of ownership is 36% lower than WooCommerce. While WooCommerce may appear cost-effective initially, it requires numerous additional plugins for essential functionalities, leading to higher implementation, setup, and operating costs. Shopify, on the other hand, is more transparent with pricing from the start, offering merchants a comprehensive out-of-the-box solution. This comprehensive ecommerce solution designed by Shopify minimizes the need for additional investments and reduces reliance on developers.

Running your ecommerce site with WooCommerce, on the other hand, does not have a set price. While both WordPress and WooCommerce are technically free, keep in mind that you will still need to purchase a domain name, and pay for hosting, security, as well as other plugins. Shopify’s pricing is more clear and set, and you will get everything you need to run your online store safely and securely.

Overall, Shopify is more of a cost-efficient solution for ecommerce businesses, providing ecommerce pricing plans that support businesses at every level, from startups to massive enterprises.

3. Usable and Agile

Shopify has always been lauded for its beginner and user-friendly interface that allows merchants and their online businesses to adapt and grow without the constant need for technical know-how. With Shopify, the learning curve is a non-issue, unlike WooCommerce, which operates as a plugin for WordPress and often requires developer intervention for updates and changes. Shopify, on the other hand, empowers teams to manage their storefronts with ease and agility.

Shopify’s intuitive user interface and low-code environment allow businesses to make changes and additions quickly and efficiently. This level of agility keeps brands ahead and able to keep up with market trends.

Unlike WooCommerce, which operates as a plugin for WordPress and often requires help from a developer for updates and changes, Shopify empowers teams to manage their storefronts themselves. This "clicks not code" approach significantly reduces technical requirements and enhances operational efficiency. Lastly, Shopify’s usability and low-code environment ultimately allow businesses to cut costs on development.

4. The Fastest Checkout in Ecommerce

In ecommerce, speed is everything, and Shopify has the best converting checkout platform in the online shopping world. According to a study, Shopify’s checkout pages convert up to 36% better than other ecommerce platforms.

The checkout experience is a pivotal moment wherein a casual website visitor turns into a buyer. While a potential customer can abandon the purchasing process at any step along the funnel, Shopify has fine-tuned the checkout experience to be faster and more intuitive with their one-page checkout process.

Because of this, many online brands are shifting to Shopify to improve their conversion rates. Considering the stats, think of the untapped business potential and revenue you're not benefitting from by choosing WooCommerce over Shopify.

At the end of the day,  Shopify’s sophisticated and leading checkout process translates to more sales and revenue for your online business.

5. Industry-Leading Performance

Shopify’s performance metrics are world-class, serving over 644 million online shoppers all across the globe with high-speed and high-conversion websites. Not only does Shopify outperform WooCommerce’s checkout, but it also outperforms other ecommerce platforms through its robust infrastructure, optimized server response times, and advanced caching techniques that ensure swift page loads and a seamless user experience.

Moreover, Shopify’s commitment to keeping its merchants ahead of the curve is seen in its dedication to continuous improvements and updates to the system, which means that businesses can leverage the latest in ecommerce trends and technologies to stay ahead of the competition.

Features like accelerated mobile pages (AMP), built-in SEO tools, and automatic updates ensure that Shopify stores are always optimized for performance and search engine rankings. This industry-leading performance is crucial for building customer trust, reducing bounce rates, and ultimately driving higher sales and long-term growth.

The constant innovations seen across the Shopify platform are a testament to their commitment to innovation. By providing the very best and most up-to-date solutions for merchants on their platforms, Shopify has Benn creating better and more empowering experiences for all.

6. More Capabilities & Out-of-the-Box Excellence

Want an out-of-the-box and complete option in ecommerce? Shopify provides merchants with an extensive array of built-in features, and a highly reliable and comprehensive app ecosystem that allows you to build and run the website of your dreams. From advanced B2B functionalities to robust marketing tools, Shopify offers everything a business needs to scale.

In contrast to Shopify, WooCommerce's reliance on multiple plugins can lead to compatibility issues, increased maintenance burdens, and heftier fees you didn’t know to expect from the start. Shopify’s seamless integration capabilities and frequent updates ensure that brands always have access to the latest commerce innovations, at a consistent price, for a consistent service.

Shopify's comprehensive commerce solution includes features like semantic search, multi-currency and language management, and free first-party marketing tools. Its extensive app ecosystem, with over 8,000 trusted apps, allows businesses to extend functionality without the need for complex integrations or additional development.

Trust the Experts

Experts around the world choose Shopify, along with leading brands that dominate in their industry. Today, Shopify holds 70% of the market share on the top 800 DTC brands, making Shopify’s dominance rather clear.

In 2023, Shopify was named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for its high ability to execute its innovative approach to commerce. The prestige of the recognition only underscores Shopify’s consistent commitment to providing merchants with the cutting edge of what an ecommerce solution can offer, and users continue to praise Shopify for its innovative take on ecommerce. With its user-friendly interface, extensive app ecosystem, and robust support network, Shopify continues to empower businesses to run and manage their online stores with ease and full confidence.

Access valuable Shopify resources and get the latest Shopify news and advice. Check out the Ecommerce Pro Blog.

Shopify Migration Partners: Ecommerce Pro

Struggling with your current ecommerce platform? Migrate to Shopify with the help of Ecommerce Pro—Shopify Migration Agency.

We specialize in ecommerce migration to Shopify and Shopify Plus, having helped hundreds of clients worldwide migrate their businesses to the Shopify platforms. Our full team of Shopify Experts will ensure your online business receives the intuitive solutions necessary to get settled into your new ecommerce platform of choice.

With our team of certified Shopify migration experts overseeing your website’s migration, we guarantee a smooth and efficient migration from your old ecommerce platform to Shopify. With Ecommerce Pro managing the transition, you’ll be up and running in record time.  

Ready to migrate to Shopify or Shopify Plus? Contact us for a free consultation

Get in Touch

At Ecommerce Pro - Shopify Migration Agency, we help entrepreneurs and business owners build better and more successful Shopify businesses. Have a question or a project in mind? Get in touch with us today!