WIX vs. Shopify

Marketing and Ads, extensive feature sets, and numerous reviews can complicate selecting the appropriate platform for your e-commerce store. Users face similar complications when comparing WIX vs. Shopify. Both are popular and leading website builders and hosting platforms with many features for managing small business websites. Wix offers versatile tools suitable for various types of websites, including e-commerce. In contrast, Shopify specializes in e-commerce solutions.

This detailed comparison between Wix and Shopify aims to clarify which platform might best suit your business needs.

An Overview of Wix

Image source

Wix is a cloud-based platform that lets you create your own website or online store without coding knowledge. It’s a powerful tool that provides a straightforward method for website creation. The interface is user-friendly and straightforward.

With its drag-and-drop capabilities, you can easily place and organize elements on your site, making it a favorite among small businesses and individuals seeking a professional look without the cost of a designer. Wix offers a wide range of templates and incorporates Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI), which uses elements of human reasoning to design websites.

Additional features include image galleries, video backgrounds, and apps for further integration. Wix provides a free plan that requires using a Wix subdomain (e.g., yourwebsite.wix.com) and displays Wix ads with restricted features. A premium plan is necessary for full functionality and custom domain use. This setup is ideal for short-term projects or for testing the service before committing to an upgrade.

Pros and Cons of Wix

An Overview of Shopify

Image source

Shopify is an application that enables you to establish your own online store. To set up an e-commerce website, you need to secure a hosting plan and a domain. You also need to choose a suitable e-commerce platform to manage payments and shipping options. Additionally, you need to design, develop, and create product listings on your website pages.

Businesses can select an e-commerce plan through Shopify to help expand their market presence. Shopify specializes in creating innovative e-commerce stores, and millions of sellers and small businesses utilize them to grow their online operations. The platform offers an easy-to-use interface accessible via a web browser, similar to Wix, and does not require any coding skills to create a store.

Shopify also provides full access to store code, making it suitable for developers. Founded in Canada in 2006, Shopify started when its creator sought a solution for selling snowboards online and realized this could be expanded to other businesses. Today, it is one of the leading e-commerce platforms globally.

While Wix is preferable for small businesses and creative bloggers who prioritize ease of use and do not need advanced, scalable e-commerce tools, Shopify is more suitable for medium to large e-commerce businesses that require robust sales features, extensive inventory management, and the ability to serve a multinational customer base.

Pros and Cons of Shopify

Top Features of Wix

• Drag-and-Drop Editor

Wix’s drag-and-drop editor is designed for ease of use, allowing users to quickly place elements such as image galleries and text boxes on their websites. This feature, coupled with a variety of professional templates, helps users maintain a professional look while personalizing their sites.

• AI Features

Wix has integrated AI technologies, including a site generator that builds websites quickly by answering a few questions and uploading basic content. These AI enhancements streamline the website design process, especially for users new to business software. Wix’s AI also optimizes site layouts for consistency and uses advanced SEO tools to improve visibility.

• Mobile Optimization

Recognizing the prevalence of mobile e-commerce, Wix ensures its templates are optimized for all screen sizes, enhancing user experience and potentially increasing site conversion rates.

• Internationalization

Wix supports more than 180 languages and offers automatic content translation, in contrast to Hostinger’s 70 languages which require manual translation. This feature is beneficial for users aiming to reach global markets. Wix has also partnered with Global-e to facilitate global sales, offering tools for localized pricing and international sales strategies.

• Payment Integration

Wix supports over 50 payment gateways globally, enabling you to process transactions via Wix Payments. This includes all major credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Afterpay, Affirm, Klarna Online Bank Transfer, and more.

The platform automatically selects your best payment provider based on your location and preferences. However, you have the option to choose any provider that operates in your region.

• Social Media Integration

Integrating your site with social media platforms can increase engagement and generate leads. Wix allows users to create and publish social media posts directly from its dashboard and add features like an Instagram feed to blend social media with website content.

• E-commerce Capabilities

Wix not only caters to blogs and small business sites but also offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform. It provides a broad selection of templates and supports the sale of both physical and digital products, services, drop shipping, and print-on-demand items. Wix supports various sales channels including eBay, Amazon, and social media platforms, and allows for integration with Wix Payments to accept multiple forms of payment.

Top Features of Shopify

• Single Point OMS

Shopify’s order management system streamlines operations across your business, speeding up order deliveries and efficiently managing inventory and shipments. This system enhances shipping speed, simplifies return processes, and provides significant discounts on shipping rates. With recent updates, you can now prioritize orders and access real-time analytics to monitor order processes.

• E-commerce SEO Tools

SEO is vital for increasing visibility, improving search engine rankings, and connecting businesses with a broader audience online. Shopify includes essential SEO tools that allow for comprehensive site optimization, including editing robots.txt files, keyword integration, site structure optimization, and more, making these tasks more manageable.

• Shopify POS

Shopify’s Point of Sale (POS) features enable businesses to sell products directly in physical locations while accepting card payments. This system integrates seamlessly with Shopify’s inventory management, ensuring accurate transaction recording. The accompanying dashboard allows users to track sales, manage discounts, and deploy personalized marketing strategies.

• Abandoned Cart Recovery

Shopify addresses the common issue of abandoned shopping carts with its Abandoned Checkouts feature. This tool helps identify customers who haven’t completed their purchases and allows reminders to be sent via email. For users on the Advanced plan or Shopify Plus, this process can be automated.

• Shopify Analytics

Analyzing business performance is crucial for growth, and Shopify Analytics provides detailed insights into sales, customer behavior, site speed, and more. This tool supports the creation of various reports, including acquisition, financial, behavior, inventory, and sales reports, offering comprehensive data analysis at a click.

• Payment Integration

Shopify supports integrating over 100 payment gateways, including popular options like Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and AliPay Global. Additional payment methods can be added via Shopify’s admin settings, tailored to specific geographic needs, with Shopify’s extensive global presence in over 175 countries.

• Mobile Commerce

Shopify’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android platforms, supports comprehensive business management. Users can manage their store, process orders, and run marketing campaigns directly from their mobile devices, facilitating business operations on the go.

WIX vs. Shopify: Ease of Use

When choosing an e-commerce platform, ease of use is paramount to ensure you can manage your site efficiently without a steep learning curve. Both Wix and Shopify are renowned for their user-friendly interfaces, though they offer different experiences tailored to specific needs.

Wix began as a versatile website builder and later integrated e-commerce capabilities. This origin gives Wix an edge in flexible website design, allowing users to easily drag and drop elements directly within the editing interface and see updates in real time without toggling between views.

Conversely, Shopify was specifically designed as an e-commerce platform, providing robust tools focused on optimizing online sales from the start. While Shopify’s editor is straightforward and approachable, it lacks a real-time drag-and-drop feature, requiring users to switch between the editor and live site views to confirm changes. However, beginners might appreciate Shopify’s streamlined process, which simplifies the building experience by reducing the complexity seen in Wix’s more detailed customization options.

Deciding between Wix or Shopify ultimately doesn’t yield a clear winner—both platforms are equally accessible to beginners and eliminate the need for technical expertise to launch and manage an online store. This makes the choice between them a tie, with the decision depending on whether a user values powerful e-commerce tools or a more adaptable web design approach.

WIX vs. Shopify: E-commerce Capabilities

E-commerce Functionality If your main objective is to establish a comprehensive online store, Shopify should be your primary consideration. Shopify is built specifically for e-commerce, providing a comprehensive suite of tools and features designed for online selling. It supports inventory management, diverse payment gateways, shipping methods, order fulfillment, tracking, dropshipping integrations, and selling across multiple channels. Shopify offers a robust, scalable platform suited for businesses of any size.

On the other hand, Wix also supports e-commerce but as part of its broader website building toolkit. Consequently, Wix’s e-commerce features are less comprehensive and scalable compared to Shopify. This makes Wix a good fit for newer or smaller businesses with basic requirements. In terms of e-commerce functionality, Shopify clearly outperforms, making it the superior choice for those needing a powerful online selling platform.

WIX vs. Shopify: Design and Customization Options

Wix offers a wide range of design possibilities, from simple to highly detailed layouts. In contrast, Shopify adopts a straightforward design ethos that emphasizes product presentation over store appearance. Selecting a Wix template means envisioning potential aesthetics for your store; there is a diverse selection, so choosing may require some time.

Templates on Wix are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring compatibility across various screens without additional effort. Shopify’s themes, while not as visually striking as Wix’s, are exceptionally professional and cater to varying e-commerce requirements. Finding a suitable theme on Shopify is straightforward, and given their focus on mobile traffic, which constitutes over 70% of internet usage, their full responsiveness is crucial.

Each platform takes a distinct approach to theme customization. Wix offers complete flexibility, allowing significant modifications to your chosen template and making your website stand out. This freedom means you might spend extra time adjusting each element to ensure coherence. Shopify, however, provides a more guided experience that ensures a clean, professional look with less flexibility for extensive changes. Shopify themes offer some customization, like adding sections or making minor adjustments, though they tend to maintain a consistent structure.

Additionally, both platforms allow adjustments to the mobile site layout. While Shopify themes automatically adjust to mobile screens, Wix allows users to refine the mobile site manually by modifying or hiding specific elements to enhance the mobile user experience.

WIX vs. Shopify: Scalability Capabilities

Shopify is engineered primarily for online selling, providing robust features that cater to e-commerce needs. One significant advantage is its own fulfillment network, which is a rarity among website builders and CMS platforms. For eligible products, Shopify handles fulfillment and returns by excluding certain items like alcohol, alleviating considerable logistical challenges for businesses managing substantial order volumes.

Shopify’s partnerships with various carriers also allow for shipping discounts of up to 89%, with savings increasing alongside plan upgrades. Regarding inventory management, Shopify supports an unlimited product catalog, whereas Wix limits users to 50,000 products. Both platforms have constraints on product variants and options—with Shopify allowing up to three options and 100 variants and Wix permitting six options and 1,000 variants.

Furthermore, Shopify integrates with over 9,000 e-commerce-specific tools, such as Spocket, Klaviyo, TikTok, and Judge.me, enhancing capabilities in areas like international dropshipping, inventory management, and customer retention.

In contrast, Wix provides over 500 integrations, fewer than Shopify, but includes 52 mini-apps tailored to its own CMS, not all of which are centered on e-commerce. Notable third-party apps for Wix include Google Analytics, Google Ads, HubSpot, and Mailchimp.

Both Shopify and Wix integrate with Zapier, enabling connections with a wide range of applications to automate workflows and maintain operational efficiency. For instance, Shopify orders can automatically populate Google Sheets, or new Wix form submissions can create contacts in HubSpot.

WIX vs. Shopify: POS Capabilities

Both Wix and Shopify provide POS systems for brick-and-mortar store owners to integrate online and physical sales. However, their offerings do have some distinct differences. Shopify’s POS system operates through an app that enables sales to be made via iPad or iPhone. In the US, UK, Canada, or Ireland, retailers can buy hardware like card readers and receipt printers directly from Shopify. Alternatively, compatible third-party hardware can be used. Shopify POS is available globally wherever Shopify supports credit card payment providers.

The Shopify POS app is versatile, allowing product sales, checkout customization, payment processing, inventory tracking, customer profile setup, and more. It enables sending digital receipts and lets customers shop in-store while purchasing online via emailed shopping carts.

The basic version of Shopify’s POS app, POS Lite, is available for free for more advanced features, such as in-store pickup, staff logins, and enhanced inventory management. Shopify Plus subscribers get this plan at no extra charge.

Wix POS, similarly, offers a robust feature set with its free app, including local delivery, curbside pickup, and unlimited staff accounts. Yet, it has limitations: it’s only available in the US and Canada and requires the use of Wix’s hardware, costing $1,250 for the full retail kit. Outside North America, Wix merchants can use the Wix Owner app for mobile sales, accepting payments through Square or SumUp, though this setup lacks many vital store features.

Shopify edges out Wix in POS functionality with its extensive features, optional hardware purchases, and broader availability. Wix POS could still appeal to North American users, offering certain features that Shopify charges for free.

WIX vs. Shopify: Pricing Options

When choosing a website builder, pricing is a crucial factor that can significantly affect your decision, especially when balancing cost with the features required for your business. Both Wix and Shopify offer tiered pricing structures designed to cater to a range of business needs, from small startups to large enterprises.

Below, we break down the pricing plans for Wix and Shopify, highlighting what each platform offers at various price points and how these options align with different business goals.

Pricing of Wix

Wix stands out as the more economical option when comparing value for money. The platform provides a range of pricing options from $17 to $159 per month, billed annually, and includes four premium plans. If you aim to engage in online sales, you will need at least the Core plan, priced at $29 per month. Although Wix offers a free plan with no time limit, it may not be suitable for small businesses aiming to establish a professional presence due to its inclusion of ads and limited storage.

The platform is structured to support e-commerce effectively through three specialized plans and an additional plan tailored to enterprise-level needs. Each e-commerce plan from Wix comes with several benefits, such as abandoned cart recovery, unlimited bandwidth, a free domain for the first year, and customer accounts. Other features include handling recurring subscription payments, sending SMS notifications, offering mobile tickets for events, facilitating online orders for restaurants, and supporting point-of-sale (POS) systems for physical payment transactions.

The details of the e-commerce plans are as follows:

• The Basic plan: $17 per month, including 20GB of storage and 25 lead-capture forms.
• The Unlimited plan: $25 per month, providing 35 GB of storage, 75 lead-capture forms, and extra capabilities like 1000 product reviews and drop shipping for up to 250 products.
• The Business VIP plan: $35 per month, offering extensive services such as unlimited drop shipping, 50GB of storage, 150 lead-capture forms, customized reports, and up to 3000 product reviews.

Pricing of Shopify

Business owners can choose from several Shopify subscription plans tailored to different business sizes and requirements. Shopify offers three main plans—Basic, Shopify, and Advanced—along with additional options like Shopify Plus and Shopify Starter.

New customers can take advantage of a 3-day trial and use any plan for just $1 during the first month. The pricing for the standard monthly plans is as follows:

• Basic: This plan costs $39 per month, or $29 with an annual subscription, making it suitable for new e-commerce businesses. It includes an online store with unlimited products, sales reports, and two staff accounts, as well as features like multiple sales channels, security certificates, and customer segmentation tools.
• Shopify: Priced at $105 per month, or $79 with an annual subscription, this plan is designed for growing businesses. It includes everything in the Basic plan, plus additional shipping discounts and lower payment processing rates.
• Advanced: At $399 per month, or $299 annually, this plan is intended for larger businesses with more complex needs. It offers advanced reporting tools for product sales, along with all the features of the lower-tier plans.

The most affordable option, Shopify Starter (at $5 per month), offers a simple storefront that integrates with existing websites. It provides limited access to Shopify apps, a “Buy” button feature, and Point of Sale (POS) capabilities for transactions at various locations, along with invoice and order creation tools.

Aimed at large enterprises, Shopify Plus, (costing $2,300 per month) includes advanced features for managing multiple stores under one account, significant shipping discounts, and detailed reporting. Shopify Plus is designed to support faster setup times and potentially improve conversion rates with its enhanced capabilities.

WIX vs. Shopify: SEO and Marketing Tools

SEO and Marketing Tools on Wix

Wix offers various SEO tools, such as Wix SEO Wiz, that enable users to enhance their website’s search engine ranking. Key features include inserting meta tags, tailoring page titles and descriptions, crafting custom URLs, and more. Wix also provides a built-in analytics tool that allows users to monitor their website’s performance and strategize improvements to increase visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Wix simplifies social media integration, facilitating content sharing across platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. This feature expands audience reach and increases website traffic. Additionally, Wix users can create custom social media buttons that link directly from their site or blog to their social media profiles.

Moreover, Wix’s Ascent packages include email marketing capabilities, enabling businesses to generate leads efficiently. Businesses can send automated emails triggered by user actions or specified criteria, organize contacts into segmented lists based on attributes like location or interests, deliver personalized messages to each segment, monitor engagement metrics such as open rates and clicks, and schedule campaigns ahead of time—all without needing any coding skills.

Utilizing Wix’s SEO and marketing tools effectively can significantly improve your site’s search engine ranking, enhance social media reach, and streamline lead generation through targeted email campaigns.

SEO and Marketing Tools on Shopify

Shopify supports keyword research and content optimization through third-party tools like Semrush and Ahrefs, which are crucial for identifying high-volume keywords to enhance product descriptions, blog posts, and metadata. Shopify also offers built-in SEO features that facilitate the creation of SEO-friendly titles and descriptions.

For image optimization, tools such as Crush. Pics help compress images to speed up site loading times, while the Lazysizes Library aids in lazy loading images, improving page performance without compromising user experience. Google Search Console is essential for monitoring Google’s site performance, offering insights into indexing and identifying potential issues that might affect rankings.

Screaming Frog is useful for conducting site audits to spot problems like duplicate content or poor internal linking. To cater to mobile users, Shopify has a Mobile Optimization Checker to ensure mobile-friendly stores, enhancing user experience and SEO rankings. Additionally, for targeting local customers, the Local SEO Booster tool improves visibility in local search results.

For email marketing, Shopify integrates with tools such as Klaviyo and Omnisend, enabling automated email campaigns tailored to customer behaviors to nurture leads and encourage repeat purchases. Shopify also integrates with major social media platforms, facilitating targeted advertising and direct sales through these channels.

The Customer Review Integrator boosts SEO by adding customer reviews to product pages, which helps add relevant content and build credibility. Lastly, the Content Strategy Planner assists in developing an SEO-focused content plan by suggesting topics based on trending keywords, which helps increase store visibility and engagement.

WIX vs. Shopify: Shipping Options Comparison

Shopify excels in shipping capabilities, providing comprehensive services that Wix also supports with essential features. Wix offers three shipping methods: free, flat-rate, and weight-based. Additionally, Wix allows for custom shipping rules tailored to specific regions, which is a considerable advantage.

However, Wix’s options for printing and buying labels and real-time shipping are somewhat limited. For more complex requirements, you may need to integrate a third-party application.

Shopify, on the other hand, handles shipping effectively. It enables in-house management of shipping rates, locations, and labels and supports well-known carriers like DHL, UPS, and Canada/US Post. Higher-tier plans on Shopify also offer significant discounts on parcel costs. Furthermore, Shopify provides no-contact shipping options such as curbside pickup and local delivery.

Shopify also includes a feature to calculate shipping costs to specific locations, yet it does not restrict you to its built-in tools alone. You have the flexibility to choose third-party applications to manage your shipping needs.

WIX vs. Shopify: Customer Support Options

Choosing the right e-commerce platform for a beginner or a new store owner is crucial, and one key factor is the quality of customer support offered.

Wix provides a robust support system that includes a variety of written tutorials and a wealth of marketing blogs designed to help users navigate its features. For direct assistance, Wix offers phone support during business hours and round-the-clock live chat support. Additionally, Wix boasts a large community and forums where users can seek help and share solutions.

On the other hand, Shopify also offers comprehensive support options, including 24/7 access via live chat, email, and phone. Shopify’s community is active, with numerous forum threads available for troubleshooting and peer advice. Moreover, Shopify maintains a detailed blog that provides guidance on growing an e-commerce business, which many users find exceptionally useful.

In summary, both platforms provide substantial support, but Shopify extends its phone and email support to operate 24/7, unlike Wix, which limits phone support to business hours. Furthermore, many find Shopify’s resources and blogs more geared towards effective business growth compared to those of Wix.

Which Option Is Better for Dropshipping?

If you’re interested in assembling product catalogs without the responsibility of shipping and storage or focusing on print-on-demand, both Wix and Shopify offer dropshipping solutions. There’s even some overlap in their offerings.

Wix primarily suggests using Modalyst, a platform that integrates well with Wix websites. Modalyst is available at no cost for up to 25 products. Beyond that, subscription rates begin at $30 per month. Modalyst offers extensive catalogs across eight categories, such as fashion, lifestyle, pets, and home goods. Wix also provides other dropshipping platforms like Printful, Spocket, 365Dropship, and Printify.

On the other hand, Shopify supports both in-house and external dropshipping applications. Currently, Shopify lists hundreds of dropshipping apps. Choosing among them can be challenging, but some options are reliably solid.

Shopify’s own Oberlo is a recommended choice, offering a wide range of categories and products. It’s essential to assess suppliers thoroughly. Starting is free for up to 500 products, allowing users to test if Shopify meets their needs before committing to a paid plan. Shopify’s dropshipping services are also well-received, with a 4.3 rating in its app store.

Other notable Shopify options include Spocket, Printful, Printify, and Modalyst, among hundreds. While Shopify has a broader array of dropshipping suppliers, the options available on Wix are equally popular among Shopify users, ensuring you don’t compromise on quality with either platform.

Conclusion

The choice between Wix and Shopify hinges on your business needs and long-term goals. Wix offers a versatile platform ideal for small businesses, creative projects, and those seeking a balance between affordability and functionality. Its ease of use, design flexibility, and basic e-commerce capabilities suit those prioritizing a simple setup and broad design options.

On the other hand, Shopify is a specialized e-commerce platform tailored for businesses that require advanced selling features, scalability, and robust inventory management. Its comprehensive tools, extensive integrations, and a strong focus on e-commerce make it the better choice for medium to large businesses with complex needs or plans for growth.

Ultimately, Wix is best for those needing a multi-purpose site with e-commerce as one of several features. At the same time, Shopify excels as a dedicated solution for businesses focused primarily on online retail.

Frequently Asked Questions