Shopify vs WIX: Unveiling Strengths and Weaknesses

The most efficient way to find the right-your-size eCommerce solution is simply to match the key features and functions of platforms and then come up with the decision. The post aims to compare Wix vs Shopify - two popular user-friendly hosted shopping carts and uncover their “good” and “bad” sides.

Choosing the proper platform for your online business among tons of eCommerce market options offered is always a challenge. There is never absolute "top" or "best." Everything is individual. Sit tight. We're starting hot rivalry!

Pros and Cons of Wix vs Shopify

Shopify Pros

• User-friendly platform.
• Exceptionally easy to get started with.
• Huge app store with tons of extensions and themes.
• Top-notch customer support.
• 100+ payment options for your eCommerce store.

Shopify Cons

• Can be too expensive if you choose premium themes and apps.
• Limited number of free Shopify themes to choose from.

Wish to change your old eCommerce platform for something more advanced? Run a free demo migration with Cart2Cart now!

Wix Pros

• Perfect for eCommerce newbies.
• Acceptable pricing as for an average user.
• Lots of vibrant templates to choose from.
• Drag-and-drop store builder.

Wix Cons

• Won't suit the growing business needs.
• Hectic redesign process with no access to HTML and CSS.
• Minimal third-party integrations.

Wix vs Shopify: Brief intro

Apparently, it's worth mentioning at the beginning of our Wix vs Shopify review that both platforms are hosted easy-to-use solutions. They can boast of modern and fancy looks along with drag-and-drop interfaces. It makes selling online for non-tech users quick and comfortable.

Let's look at the graphical statistics of Wix vs Shopify in Google trends in the past 5 years:

As we can see, Shopify's popularity has been increasing rapidly over the past five years, sometimes being surpassed by Wix over the last period. These days Shopify is slightly ahead if compared with Wix.

When it comes to Shopify vs Wix, one must remember the main difference that lies down in the background of platforms. What is this all about?

Here's a Wix vs Shopify video comparison from the WebsiteToolTester:

Wix is the website builder, whose primary aim is to build and maintain professionally-looking and beautifully-designed sites. This could explain why it has quite limited eCommerce functionality comparing to the world's adorable cart - Shopify.

 

Quick facts about Wix

Wix is a perfect match for artists, restaurants, or small businesses, offering a limited assortment of products. Just in a few clicks, you can create an attractive website. To launch your e-store, you need to use any of the apps available on the Wix marketplace, enabling you to sell 100-500 items without coding expertise.

Quick facts about Shopify

In its turn, Shopify is all eCommerce, it was designed to build and run online stores. This platform is among the world's most loved and used choices, and it's not ungrounded. Shopify offers top-notch tools and features. It is highly SEO optimized and mobile responsive, not to mention user-friendliness and a nice look.

Shopify is an all-inclusive solution for those looking to build a store from scratch in few clicks and keep it customer-engaged thanks to advanced functionality. We should mention that each Shopify's plan allows you to sell an unlimited number of products.

Shopify vs Wix: Core Features Compared

To help you make the right choice, we'll do our best to provide you with worthy research of what these two shopping carts can give you.

Magento vs WooCommerce vs Shopify vs OpenCart vs PrestaShop Comparison

Ease of Use

If you wish to create a webstore from scratch within a few clicks - Shopify will help you with that. It is perfect for beginners. Adding products is easy. Moreover, the platform supplies its users with tons of valuable tutorials.

Wix is one of the most accessible store builders in the eCommerce world. Thanks to the in-built artificial intelligence Wix ADI, you'll be able to make your first store template in just a couple of seconds. It will create a special algorithm that suits your personal preferences. Besides, the drag-and-drop option is precisely what non-techies need to get started with.

Customization

As previously stated, both shopping carts are hosted solutions. But comparing customization options, Shopify can offer you much more.

 

For now, there is little you can edit on the Wix site if you need to change something. Shopify gives you complete control over the HTML and CSS of your site, and you're able to change it whatever you wish. This leads to a conclusion that Shopify is more flexible and customizable than Wix.

SEO-friendliness

Now, let's compare Wix vs Shopify regarding their level of SEO optimization. There is no reason to remind you how crucial it is to appear on SERP and get high Google rankings. Taking Wix or Shopify, whatever, one must admit that both platforms offer basic SEO tools to be visible in Google, including customization of page titles, meta descriptions, image alt texts.

Shopify can also offer you amazing SEO apps - free and paid plugins that you can find on the official marketplace, designed to boost your appearance in search engines. There are no such add-ons for your Wix store.

Continuing our Wix vs Shopify review we cannot misregard that according to the study by ecommerce-platforms.com, Shopify ranks much higher than Wix in terms of SEO optimization. Shopify vs Wix scores 98 vs 68 out of 100.

The reason for such a difference between platforms could be explained by AJAX technology on which Wix runs websites. Search engine bots usually experience difficulties in crawling such pages comparing to those written in HTML and CSS. Not insisting, but suggesting to choose Shopify if you're still deciding whether Wix or Shopify.

Worth the read: Wix vs Shopify vs Squarespace review

Integrations and unique features

There are a few more unique possibilities of Shopify that should be mentioned in our Wix vs Shopify review. This robust cart has an excellent implementation called POS system (point-of-sale). It enables you to manage all together with your offline and online stores and accept payments if you're connected to PayPal. Very few platforms can boast of such a top-notch functionality.

Shopify can be proud of many integrations. Among most popular is partnership with Pinterest (all products pinned from Shopify will become Buyable Pins automatically) and Facebook (customers can browse your products and buy them in Shop section).

Another bonus offered by Shopify is the integration with Amazon. Now you can add the world's biggest largest marketplace as a sales channel and sell directly to Amazon from the Shopify admin panel. Isn't it awesome?

What is irreplaceable for shopping carts’ industry is Shopify’s “Buy Button”, the easiest way to add eCommerce functionality to your site. "Buy Button" gives you the only possibility to sell not only via this robust platform but connect to websites built with WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Squarespace, and even Wix.

Regarding Wix and Shopify, we couldn't but mention extensive blogging possibilities offered by both platforms. Experienced marketers and store owners never deny the benefits that could be gained by qualitative blog, including raise of customer engagement and SERP.

Wix to Shopify Migration Checklist. Best Practices & Recommendations

Pricing

To be honest, comparing Shopify vs Wix pricing, we should admit that Shopify is much more expensive. The main reason is that it provides you with more advanced and comprehensive eCommerce functionality. Shopify monthly plan price starts from $29.

There is also a lower-priced plan offer by Shopify, called Shopify Lite. You can subscribe for it when you already have a site or store on another platform.

Wix offers more plans, but not all of them allow you to build an e-store. This option is available only in eCommerce and VIP plans. The price starts from $17.

The difference between monthly plans of Wix vs Shopify pricing is noticeable. Shopify's Basic plan is more expensive than Wix's VIP. The point is that Shopify's cheapest plan offers more effective tools to build a progressive eCommerce store than the most expensive Wix plan.

Wondering how to migrate from Wix to Shopify? Read on, we know how to do that fast!

Payment Gateways

Shopify is a lucky ticket in terms of the versatility of payment gateways. It allows you to accept payments almost in all existing currencies and from almost anywhere. There are more than 100 different payment gateways, including the most popular payment provider - PayPal.

You need to know that transactions via the Shopify payment system are free of charge, but you'll pay up to 2% using external gateways, e.g., PayPal. Note that your monthly fees will grow proportionally to revenue.

Wix vs Shopify payment methods look little poor and limited. But no worries, you'll have PayPal and Authorize.net.

Support

The last thing we talk about in this Wix vs Shopify review is support, of course. Wix vs Shopify has fewer to offer here, as it gives you very limited options.

For instance, if you need your issues to be solved, you can post your questions on the Wix forum. You can also use email or phone support and request a callback, but only during opening hours (Monday-Thursday from 6 am to 5 pm). For this moment, Wix doesn't offer live chats.

Shopify vs Wix is the absolute leader in terms of support, offering merchants 24/7 assistance via multiple channels. Shopify is reachable through phone, email, chats, forums, social media whenever you need it.

We can't blame Wix for the lack of support. We need to say that both platforms provide users with explanation guides, showing newbies how to operate a store using Wix or Shopify. Though sometimes starters need more assistance. And here Shopify’s help center is a good example to many platforms, offering solid documentation and instructions on how to sell, run web store and so on.

Check out our infographic to get a better understanding of the migration process via Cart2Cart:

FAQ Block

Is Shopify cheaper than Wix?

No. Wix is a bit cheaper than Shopify. But it offers a limited number of eCommerce features, since it was initially created as a website builder. Whereas Shopify is an all-in-one platform for creating an online store.

Can I use Shopify on Wix website?

Of course. You can add eCommerce functionality to your Wix by embedding the Shopify Buy Button on your website. Therefore, you'll be able to start selling goods using the Shopify payment system.

Can I change from Wix to Shopify?

Absolutely. If Wix platform no longer meets your growing eCommerce needs, you can easily migrate Wix data to Shopify in a completely automated way with Cart2Cart. Move your products, customers, orders and more with no tech experience at all.

Is Wix or Shopify better for dropshipping?

It's obvious that Shopify's dropshipping capabilities are better than Wix's since it offers greater eCommerce features.

Which is better for SEO, Wix or Shopify?

The Shopify platform is better from an SEO perspective, since it uses a fully responsive design (something that can lead to preferential treatment in search results) and has more ways of meeting Google's new Core Web Vitals standards.

Wrapping Up

Summing up the key moments mentioned above, both platforms are easy to start with, making them a good choice for those just entering the eCommerce industry. Shopify comes up to be a bit more flexible and customizable solution with a richer set of tools. One just can't deny it.

Doesn’t it provoke a wish to switch from Wix to Shopify??

However, if you're not planning on growing your business in the future, choose Wix. It's a comfy place for small retailers with all the needed functionality.

If you are in search of a platform that can intentionally scale to correspond your needs and fit your goals - Shopify is definitely what you need. Start up your eCommerce business with Free 14-days trial.

If you are ready to step into the niche of successful and profitable businessmen as soon as possible, try our Free Demo migration now!