Sure, Shopify has over two million merchants who use this platform to sell their products and services, but a few pain points get some to look for alternatives. Concerns with Shopify typically surround high costs/fees, limited customization options, dependency on the platform’s ecosystem, as well as challenges with functionality and scalability. So, is there a Shopify alternative that might work better for you?
The answer depends on what you’re after as well as your budget, and here are the best Shopify alternatives that warrant your attention.
Table Of Contents
WooCommerce
No matter which list of best Shopify alternatives you look at, you will find that it mentions WooCommerce. WooCommerce is an open-source plugin for WordPress that is highly flexible and customizable. While it serves as a free alternative to Shopify, given that you don’t have to pay to use the plugin, you still need to account for other costs.
Pros
- High levels of customization. WooCommerce offers compatibility with thousands of themes and plugins, allowing you to tailor your store to match your exact vision.
- Potentially cost-effective. The core WooCommerce plugin is free. However, you’ll need to factor in costs related to hosting, domain, and premium plugins/themes.
- SEO-friendly. WooCommerce offers seamless integration with WordPress, a platform known for its search engine optimization (SEO)
- Large community. You get access to abundant resources and support due to its widespread adoption.
- Full control of data. You own your data; it is not locked into a proprietary platform.
Cons
- Technical expertise required. Setting up and managing a WooCommerce store demands a certain level of technical proficiency, and can be more complex than using a hosted platform.
- Maintenance overhead. You are responsible for updates, security, and troubleshooting.
- Scalability challenges. Handling massive traffic spikes might require advanced server configurations.
Pricing
- WooCommerce plugin. Free
- Hosting. Depends on the host
- Domain name. Varies
- Premium themes/plugins. Varies
BigCommerce
If you’re looking at alternatives to Shopify as a business with high-volume sales and complex inventory management, you should check the robust and scalable platform on offer by BigCommerce.
Pros
- BigCommerce is well-equipped to handle significant growth and large product catalogs.
- Advanced features. The platform offers built-in features for SEO, multi-channel selling, and digital marketing.
- Strong integrations. It integrates with numerous third-party apps and services.
- Excellent customer support. The company provides comprehensive support to its users.
- Multi-channel sales. You get the freedom to sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
Cons
- Higher pricing. BigCommerce plans are generally more expensive than Shopify’s.
- Steeper learning curve. Decoding the platform’s extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Less customization. While customizable, it might not offer the same level of design flexibility as WooCommerce.
Pricing
- Standard. Starting at $29 per month
- Plus. Starting at $79 per month
- Pro. Starting at $299 per month
- Enterprise. Need to contact the company for pricing
Squarespace
Squarespace offers a user-friendly platform known for its eye-catching templates and intuitive interface, and its design-focused simplicity makes it ideal for businesses that prioritize aesthetics.
Pros
- Stunning templates. Squarespace offers visually appealing templates that require minimal customization.
- Ease of use. Its simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to set up and manage your store.
- All-in-one platform. Your Squarespace plan includes hosting, domain, and SSL certificate.
- 24/7 support. Provides round-the-clock support via live chat.
- Built-in marketing tools. These tools are perfect for marketing your store on the internet.
Cons
- Limited customization. You get less flexibility in terms of design and functionality compared to WooCommerce.
- Fewer integrations. It offers fewer third-party app integrations than Shopify or BigCommerce.
- Transaction fees on lower plans. You’ll need to pay transaction fees on certain plans.
- Less scalable. It might not be the best option for businesses with extremely high sales volumes.
Pricing
- Personal. From $16 per month
- Business. From $23 per month (3% transaction fees)
- Commerce (Basic). From $27 per month (0% transaction fees)
- Commerce (Advanced). From $49 per month (0% transaction fees)
Wix
Wix comes with a drag-and-drop website builder that simplifies the process of creating an online store, making this alternative to Shopify suitable for beginners and small businesses.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop interface. Wix is extremely easy to use, even for those with no coding experience.
- Affordable plans. It offers plans to suit different budgets.
- Numerous templates. You get to choose from a wide selection of visually appealing templates.
- App market. You may use a variety of third-party apps to extend the functionality of your online store.
- All-in-one platform. It takes care of your hosting and domain name requirements.
Cons
- Limited customization. You may expect less control over advanced design and functionality when compared to other platforms.
- Scalability limitations. It might not be the right fit for rapidly growing businesses.
- Vendor lock-in. The process of moving your store from Wix to another platform might be challenging.
- SEO limitations. While Wix continues to improve on this front, its SEO capabilities are not as robust as those of WordPress.
Pricing
- Core: $20 per month
- Business: $35 per month
- Business Elite: $159 per month
Big Cartel
Big Cartel caters specifically to artists, designers, and other creative people who sell handmade or unique products. It can work as an effective alternative to Shopify for small businesses and individuals who are aiming for simplicity and wish to do away with complex features.
Pros
- Simple and focused. This easy-to-use platform is perfect for small creative businesses.
- Affordable plans. It offers budget-friendly options, including a free plan for up to five products.
- No transaction fees. You don’t have to pay transaction fees on any plan.
- Design-oriented. Big Cartel emphasizes visual presentation and simplicity.
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Cons
- Limited features. You may expect fewer features when compared to other top Shopify alternatives.
- Scalability limitations. It is not ideal for large businesses or complex product catalogs.
- Basic inventory management. Limited inventory management capabilities might work as a drawback for some.
- Limited third-party integrations. If you’re looking for extensive third-party integrations, you might be better off looking at other websites similar to Shopify.
Pricing
- Gold. Free (up to five products)
- Platinum. From $12 per month (up to 50 products)
- Diamond. From $24 per month (up to 500 products)
Conclusion
The answer to “What’s a better alternative to Shopify?” depends on your specific needs and priorities. Factors you need to consider include your budget and technical knowledge, the features you’re after, and the need for customization and scalability. When it comes to free Shopify alternatives, while there are a few, you’ll have to build your website completely from scratch, and you’ll need to pay for a domain name and hosting.
If you’re still unsure about how to choose from the best Shopify alternatives, consider seeking advice from a digital agency that specializes in eCommerce web design and online marketing. Then, you may look forward to increasing your outreach and sales.
