WordPress vs Shopify

When it comes to launching an e-commerce business, two names dominate the conversation: WordPress (with WooCommerce) and Shopify, both of which Deep deliver.

Both platforms have proven track records, powering millions of online stores worldwide. However, they cater to different business needs, budgets, and technical skill levels.

This article breaks down the key differences between WordPress and Shopify to help you decide which platform best aligns with your goals. Please call to discuss any of these options, and we can help steer you in the right direction.

Ease of use

Shopify: Built for simplicity, Shopify is an all-in-one solution for basic sites. Merchants can set up a store, add products, and start selling in hours with little technical expertise. The dashboard is intuitive, and hosting, updates, and security are managed by Shopify.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Requires more setup. You’ll need to arrange hosting, install WordPress, configure WooCommerce, and manage updates. You will need a developer to help you.

Verdict: Shopify wins for ease of use; WordPress offers more control but demands more involvement.

Design & customisation

Shopify: Offers professionally designed themes (both free and premium) that are mobile-friendly. Customisation is possible but limited unless you use Shopify’s Liquid coding language or third-party apps.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Unlimited flexibility. Thousands of themes and plugins allow for complete design control. Developers can tailor sites to precise brand requirements, integrating custom features that Shopify cannot match.

Verdict: WordPress is unbeatable for flexibility; Shopify is streamlined but less customisable.

Scalability & performance

Shopify: Handles scaling seamlessly. Whether you sell 10 products or 10,000, Shopify’s cloud hosting adapts to traffic spikes and growth.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Scalability depends on your hosting and site optimisation. With the right hosting provider (e.g., dedicated servers or managed WordPress hosting), WooCommerce can scale to enterprise-level stores, but it requires careful planning and management.

Verdict: Shopify is easier to scale “out of the box,” while WordPress can match performance but requires expertise.

Cost

Shopify: Monthly plans range from basic to enterprise-level. Costs are predictable but can add up with premium apps and transaction fees (unless you use Shopify Payments).

WordPress + WooCommerce: Open-source and free to install, but costs vary. You’ll need to pay for hosting, domain, premium themes/plugins, and potentially a developer. While WooCommerce can be cheaper, costs are less predictable than Shopify’s subscription model.

Verdict: Shopify has clear, predictable pricing; WordPress can be more cost-effective long-term but varies depending on setup.

E-commerce features

Shopify: Purpose-built for e-commerce. Inventory management, payment gateways, shipping tools, and abandoned cart recovery are built in but you are wedded to using Shopify’s Apps for these.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Provides robust e-commerce features, but many advanced tools (subscriptions, advanced analytics, etc.) require additional plugins. The ecosystem is vast, so nearly any feature is possible.

Verdict: Shopify offers e-commerce essentials out of the box; WooCommerce offers more flexibility with the right plugins and much more solid customisation.

Security & maintenance

Shopify: Security, updates, backups, and PCI compliance are handled by Shopify. Merchants have little to worry about from a technical perspective.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Merchants (or their agencies) must manage security, updates, and backups. With the right measures (SSL, firewalls, monitoring, and regular updates), WooCommerce can be highly secure, but responsibility lies with the store owner.

Verdict: Shopify provides peace of mind with managed security; WordPress requires more active management so you need a maintenance contract with your agency.

SEO & content marketing

Shopify: Offers solid SEO capabilities and supports blogging, but customisation is limited.

WordPress + WooCommerce: Industry-leading SEO and content tools. With plugins like Yoast SEO, you have full control over meta tags, sitemaps, schema markup, and advanced customisation.

Verdict: WordPress is the stronger platform for SEO and content-driven marketing.

Final thoughts: Which should you choose?

Choose Shopify if… you want a simple, reliable, and fully hosted e-commerce solution with minimal technical responsibility. It’s ideal for small to medium businesses that value speed, simplicity, and scalability.

Choose WordPress + WooCommerce if… you want complete control over your store, unlimited customisation, and the ability to integrate advanced features. It’s ideal for businesses that prioritise flexibility, SEO, and long-term scalability — and are willing to invest in hosting and security.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities: simplicity vs flexibility, predictable costs vs custom solutions, and managed infrastructure vs full control. Both platforms can power a successful online store — the best choice depends on your vision for growth.