Shopify
Shopify website creation – is it worth it or is there a better solution?
- Website Creation
- Platforms
- Shopify
Building Your Site with Shopify Is It the Right Choice for Your Business?
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms, offering entrepreneurs a quick and affordable way to launch their online business.
Without requiring technical expertise, Shopify enables easy management of products, orders, and payments in a simple, intuitive manner.
However, like any platform, Shopify has both advantages and limitations. In this article, we analyze Shopify’s key features, associated costs, and possible alternatives for your online business.
Shopify Advantages
Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform that lets users create a store quickly without advanced programming knowledge.
Ease of Use
The intuitive interface allows store creation and management without technical knowledge.
Fast Onboarding
You can set up a store in a few hours using available themes and apps.
24/7 Support
Shopify provides dedicated technical support to its users.
Hosting Included
No need to manage servers or server administration.
Integrated Payment Processing
Shopify Payments removes the need for a third-party payment processor.
Advanced Security
Includes SSL certificate and protection against cyberattacks.
Access to External Apps
Over 6,000 apps available to extend store functionality.
Mobile Optimization
All Shopify themes are responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
Marketplace Integration
Connect your store to Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Instagram for multichannel sales.
Shopify Limitations
While Shopify offers many benefits, there are certain limitations users should consider before choosing this platform.
Product & Variant Limits
Each product can have up to 100 variants, and Shopify limits adding to 1,000 new variants per day.
Storage Limits
Although Shopify doesn’t publicly specify maximum storage, users have reported a 50GB limit for non-video files and 500GB for video files.
API Rate Limiting
Shopify enforces rate limits, which can affect apps making many API requests in a short time.
Customization & Design Constraints
Advanced changes require coding skills or hiring a Shopify Expert developer.
Transaction Fees
If you don’t use Shopify Payments, transaction fees up to 2% apply on each sale.
Reliance on Third-Party Apps
Many standard features on a custom site require paid apps, increasing monthly costs.
SEO & URL Limitations
Shopify doesn’t allow full customization of URL structures, affecting advanced SEO strategies. Schema.org and advanced technical optimizations are limited, requiring extra apps or complex workarounds.<br/>Automatically generated meta tags are not optimized, requiring manual setup for each page.
Pricing Management Limits
Custom pricing for customer groups requires paid apps, unlike custom solutions.
Advanced Product Filtering
Shopify doesn’t include advanced native filtering; users must rely on premium apps for that feature.
🔍 Hidden Costs & Required Apps
Shopify offers several pricing plans, but many essential features require additional apps, increasing monthly expenses.
| Feature | Approximate Cost | Potential Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | $15–$30/month | Separate app management |
| Product Bundles | $19–$50/month | Recurring additional costs |
| Loyalty Program | $29–$100/month | Complex setup |
| Advanced SEO Optimization | $20–$50/month | Requires SEO expertise |
| Wishlist | $10–$30/month | Dependent on a third-party app |
| Live Chat | $15–$50/month | Requires dedicated human resources |
| Product Comparison | $5–$20/month | Requires additional customization |
Feature
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Approximate Cost
$15–$30/month
Potential Issues
Separate app management
Feature
Product Bundles
Approximate Cost
$19–$50/month
Potential Issues
Recurring additional costs
Feature
Loyalty Program
Approximate Cost
$29–$100/month
Potential Issues
Complex setup
Feature
Advanced SEO Optimization
Approximate Cost
$20–$50/month
Potential Issues
Requires SEO expertise
Feature
Wishlist
Approximate Cost
$10–$30/month
Potential Issues
Dependent on a third-party app
Feature
Live Chat
Approximate Cost
$15–$50/month
Potential Issues
Requires dedicated human resources
Feature
Product Comparison
Approximate Cost
$5–$20/month
Potential Issues
Requires additional customization
Shopify Costs vs. Custom Website
Shopify has hidden costs and reliance on third-party apps, whereas a custom website provides full control.
Shopify Plan
From $29 to $299/month, depending on subscription.
Paid Apps
Features like abandoned cart, bundles, advanced SEO, etc.
Transaction Fees
Up to 2% per sale if not using Shopify Payments.
🔍 Comparing Costs & Features: Shopify vs. Custom Website
This table highlights the key differences between Shopify and a custom-built website.
| Option | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | Estimated 5-Year Cost | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29–$299/month | Additional apps $50–$300/month | $1,500–$10,000+ | Fast setup, 24/7 support, hosting included | Transaction fees, SEO limitations, reliance on paid apps |
| Custom Website | $1,500–$10,000 | $100–$500/month for maintenance | Scalable, no hidden fees | No transaction fees, full customization, advanced SEO optimization | Requires initial development, higher upfront cost |
Option
Shopify
Upfront Cost
$29–$299/month
Monthly Cost
Additional apps $50–$300/month
Estimated 5-Year Cost
$1,500–$10,000+
Advantages
Fast setup, 24/7 support, hosting included
Disadvantages
Transaction fees, SEO limitations, reliance on paid apps
Option
Custom Website
Upfront Cost
$1,500–$10,000
Monthly Cost
$100–$500/month for maintenance
Estimated 5-Year Cost
Scalable, no hidden fees
Advantages
No transaction fees, full customization, advanced SEO optimization
Disadvantages
Requires initial development, higher upfront cost
🚀 Contact Us for a Custom-Built Website!
- ✅ No product or variant limitations
- ✅ No transaction fees
- ✅ Full control over design and functionality
- ✅ SEO optimized for organic growth
- ✅ Lower costs in the long run
Compare Popular Website Creation Platforms
Explore the advantages and limitations of each platform before making an informed decision.