Introduction
So, wondering, “what exactly is Shopify?”
An easy-to-use eCommerce platform where anyone can set up a website to start selling their products easily - that is Shopify for you in a nutshell.
Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform that allows you to set up and manage your online store. It's also one of the easiest ways to build a website, so it's well worth checking out if you're looking for an alternative to WooCommerce or other popular platforms. We hope the details we furnish below help you get started with building your Shopify website!
The first obvious question to pop up in your mind would be:
Can Shopify produce a good website?
If done right, Shopify can create a perfect website with impeccable features.
The Canadian platform helps businesses of all sizes through its online platforms - Shopify and Shopify POS.
Since it is user-friendly, it has slowly emerged as one of the leading eCommerce platforms globally. It has extensive reach, expanding to 175 countries with hundreds of thousands of merchants using it. Well-known brands, including Tesla, Red Bull, and The Oatmeal, use Shopify to support their websites.
Is Shopify Good for Web Development?
Shopify is an excellent option for eCommerce. It gives merchants complete admin control. You can make it look and feel the way you like.
Building a Website on Shopify
If you want to build a website quickly and easily, Shopify is a great choice. If you want to host your own store, then Shopify is an excellent choice. And if all that isn't enough...well, there are plenty of other benefits as well! Here's what we're talking about:
Shopify and eCommerce
Shopify has had a significant impact on the eCommerce industry. The platform has made it easier for businesses to set up and manage online stores. Shopify is great for selling products because of its excellent customization capabilities. It is also favored for having complete admin controls. It offers users a customizable platform, an easy-to-use checkout process, and a wide range of features. Shopify has also helped to lower the barriers to entry for new businesses, making it easier for them to get started in the eCommerce industry.
Know more about how Shopify can help power your eCommerce business
All this hype about Shopify is bound to naturally make you think:
How much is it going to cost me? What exactly are my options?
Shopify Plans - Comparison, Pricing
Shopify is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform — which means you cannot own a copy of the software but use it by paying a monthly or annual fee.
Shopify packages are broadly classified into two - Shopify and Shopify Plus. Both have the same core offering concerning dashboards and eCommerce functionality. The main difference is that Shopify Plus offers more flexibility, support options, and access to a store's underlying code. Let us get to know them in detail.
Shopify Plans
Currently, there are 4 Shopify plans you should be aware of differentiated based on the payment plan. Shopify plans are all pretty similar, but there are a few differences you should be aware of.
But if you already have a successful online eCommerce business but think it lacks functionality and support – don’t you worry! You have the option to migrate to Shopify from your existing platform.
Shopify Migration
If you need more scalability, security, a robust ecosystem, and easy product management for your store, we suggest you migrate to Shopify from your current platform.
Shopify migration process includes:
Shopify only requires minimum developer assistance to maintain a store. It has a wide range of features, functionalities, add-ons, and apps. Shopify has uncomplicated security and hosting infrastructure. Do you need any more reasons to choose Shopify now?! We can tell you more!
Still debating if to choose Shopify for your eCommerce business?
Why Choose Shopify for Your Website?
Shopify offers users a wide range of features and benefits, making it a popular choice for those looking to build an online store. However, like any platform, Shopify has its advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before using it to build your eCommerce store.
Advantages of Shopify Platform
Ease of Use: One of the biggest advantages of Shopify is that it is extremely easy to use. Even if you have no prior experience with website development or design, you will be able to create a beautiful and functional online store using Shopify. The platform's simple interface and drag-and-drop features make it easy to add products, customize your store's design, and more.
Affordable: Another great advantage of Shopify is that it is very reasonable. Three different pricing plans are available, all of which are reasonably priced. Plus, there are no transaction fees if you use Shopify Payments (the platform's own payment processor).
Lots of Features: Despite being very easy to use, Shopify is packed with features. Some of the most popular features include the ability to offer discounts, gift cards, and abandoned cart recovery. There is also a vast app store with over 2,000 apps that you can use to add even more functionality to your store.
Excellent Support: If you ever run into any problems while using Shopify, you can rest assured knowing that their superb support team will be there to help you out. The support team is available 24/7 via phone, email, and live chat.
Mobile-friendly: In today's day and age, websites need to be mobile-friendly. Luckily, all Shopify themes are automatically responsive, meaning they will look great on all devices, from desktop computers to mobile phones.
Scalability: Shopify is a very scalable platform, perfect for businesses expecting to grow their online presence in the future. As your business grows, you can easily upgrade your Shopify plan to accommodate your new needs.Limitations of Shopify Platform
Limited Customization Options: Even though many great themes are available for Shopify stores, the overall customization options are still quite limited compared to other ecommerce platforms such as WooCommerce. This can be a bit restrictive for store owners who want complete control over their online store's look and feel.
Shopify Fees: While the monthly fees for using Shopify are relatively reasonable, additional "transaction fees" are charged on each sale made through your online store. These transaction fees can range from 2% to 0.5%, depending on which Shopify pricing plan you choose.
Requires Some Technical Knowledge: Even though Shopify is designed to be easy to use, it still requires some basic technical knowledge to get the most out of it. For example, you'll need to know how to use HTML and CSS to customize your online store's look and feel.
Limited Payment Options: Shopify currently only supports a limited number of payment options, which can be a problem for store owners who want to offer their customers more options.
No Phone Support: One of the biggest disadvantages of using Shopify is that they do not offer phone support. This can be a problem if you run into any technical issues with your online store or have any questions that need to be answered quickly.
Before making an educated decision, it is always best to compare the product you are going to pay for with their biggest competitor(s). That is what we have done for you – to make things easier for you!
eCommerce Platforms Comparison
Shopify Vs. WooCommerce
Two platforms stand out above the rest when setting up an online store: Shopify and WooCommerce. Both platforms have unique benefits and drawbacks, so it's essential to compare them side-by-side to see the best fit for your needs.
Shopify is a turn-key eCommerce solution that lets you set up an online store in minutes. Shopify handles all of the technical aspects of running an online store, so you can focus on selling your products. WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce WordPress plugin that turns your WordPress website into an eCommerce store. WooCommerce is an excellent option for businesses that already have a WordPress website and want to add eCommerce functionality.
When comparing Shopify and WooCommerce, it's essential to consider the following factors:
Ease of Use: Shopify is designed to be easy to use, even for businesses with no technical experience. WooCommerce is a bit more complex but can be easily mastered with a little time and effort.
Features: Shopify offers a wide range of features to help you run your online store, while WooCommerce is more customizable but has fewer built-in features.
Pricing: Shopify's pricing is subscription-based, while WooCommerce is a free plugin with optional paid extensions.
Overall, Shopify is the better choice for businesses that want an easy-to-use platform with plenty of features. At the same time, WooCommerce is better suited for companies that need more customization and control.
Still confused if and how to choose Shopify as your platform?
Now we can delve into how a Shopify development company aids in creating unique eCommerce websites. These are some of the services software engineering companies like Virtina can provide.
Shopify Development Plan
A good Shopify development plan will take into account your budget, timeframe, and desired features. It is important to balance these three factors to ensure that your website is built successfully and within your budget.
Shopify development services can vary depending on the size and complexity of your project. However, there are some basic services that all Shopify developers should provide.
Shopify Development Services
The process of developing a Shopify website can vary depending on the size and scope of the project.
Shopify Website Consultation
The first step is to consult with a Shopify development company like Virtina to discuss your project requirements. During this phase, the developer team will get to know your business and needs with multiple in-depth discussions with your representatives. This step is important to create a custom solution that meets your specific needs.
Shopify Website Planning / Architecture
Once the consultation phase is complete, our Shopify experts will create a plan for your project. This plan will detail the steps needed to complete your project successfully.
Shopify Design Development
The next step is to design the look and feel of your website - including building a custom website theme that fits your brand and style. It means creating the overall layout, choosing colors and font styles, and adding images and other visual elements. This phase aims to create a website that reflects your brand identity and provides a positive user experience.
Shopify Theme Development
Virtina's Shopify Theme Development process involves a Shopify developer creating a custom theme for your website. We understand your business needs and goals, design a custom theme that meets those requirements, and code the theme to work with Shopify's platform.
Shopify Website Development
After the design phase is complete, the development team will begin building the actual website. This process includes coding the site's front end, setting up back-end functionality, and integrating Shopify's eCommerce platform.
Shopify Website Testing
Once the website is built, it will need to be tested to ensure everything is working correctly. This step includes testing the functionality of the site, as well as the usability.
Shopify Website Launch
Once everything has been tested and is working correctly, your website will be launched and made live. You can then start selling products and processing orders through your Shopify store. Congratulations on launching your new Shopify website!
Why Choose Virtina for Your Shopify Needs?
Virtina is a Shopify expert in every sense of the word. We deal with every aspect of your website development.
Time: The time needed is entirely variable. It will depend on your customization needs, product requirements, and website size. But most projects follow a similar general timeline, and we promise the best and fastest services in the industry.
Price: We offer the most reasonable pricing for Shopify in the U.S. market and globally. Pricing will depend on the complexity, duration, size of the team, and expertise applied to the project.
Resources: We are unlike any other generic agency in the market. We engineer your Shopify site to your satisfaction. We have been in the industry for years and have a unique, seasoned team that can work with you to produce astounding results.
Process: We have a transparent process. We sit down to understand your needs, discuss the ideas with you, form a strategy, and then deploy our best team. We focus on the project and provide periodic updates during all steps leading to completion.
If you need help with any phase of the development process, our team of Shopify experts at Virtina can assist you. We offer a wide range of Shopify development services, from design and coding to post-launch support and maintenance. Contact us today to get started on your next project!Virtina can help set up an unparalleled eCommerce shopping experience for your clients powered by Shopify.
Wrapping Up
We hope this article has helped you gain an insight into why you should definitely choose Shopify to power your eCommerce platform. It is flexible, affordable, and customizable. What more could you ask for?!
We also hope we have helped you understand the fundamental differences between Shopify and its primary competitors, like WooCommerce. If you're interested in learning more about how to build an awesome website with Shopify, check out our various resources! We recommend starting with the following articles.
Why Choose Shopify As Your eCommerce Platform?
Most Useful Shopify Apps
Shopify Vs. Shopify Plus
