If you are thinking about starting an online store, you will likely come across a variety of eCommerce platforms that you can use. Two of the most popular platforms are Ecwid and Shopify. Both platforms have their unique strengths and features, and you may find yourself asking which one is the best for your business. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between Ecwid and Shopify, helping business owners to make an informed decision.
Ecwid vs Shopify: Overview
In the world of eCommerce, both Ecwid and Shopify possess a significant presence. Shopify, founded in 2004, is one of the leading eCommerce platforms designed to help people build their own, scalable online store with hundreds of built-in features. It has powered over 1 million businesses worldwide with a focus on social commerce and mobile shopping.
Ecwid, on the other hand, launched in 2009, is a unique eCommerce solution that allows the user to seamlessly turn any existing website into a full-blown online store. Essentially, Ecwid is a widget (hence the name: ‘e-commerce’ + ‘widget’ = ‘Ecwid’) that can be integrated into any website or social media platform.
Ease of Use: Ecwid vs Shopify
Both Ecwid and Shopify prioritize user-friendliness, but there are noticeable differences in their approaches. Shopify offers a more straightforward path to starting an online store from scratch, providing all the necessary tools and hosting. Its interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Ecwid, on the other hand, is incredibly convenient for those who already have a website and want to add an eCommerce facet to it. The widget can be embedded onto any existing website, blog, or social media page. The setup process is simple and smooth and doesn’t require any web development skills.
Features and Flexibility: Ecwid vs Shopify
When it comes to feature sets, both platforms shine in their own ways. Shopify excels in the range of features it offers out of the box. It offers unlimited products, various payment gateways, SEO features, advanced analytics, and a robust app marketplace. You may also appreciate the more comprehensive abandonment recovery feature on Shopify; it notifies customers who have left items in their cart and encourages them to complete their purchase.
Ecwid, while lacking some of the standalone features that Shopify drives, is highly flexible and adaptable. Its standout feature is its ability to plug into any existing website – this flexibility is unparalleled in the eCommerce world. Also, the Ecwid “Venture” plan allows selling on multiple sites simultaneously, including social media and marketplaces, expanding your potential reach significantly.
Transaction Fees and Pricing: Ecwid vs Shopify
Pricing is always a crucial aspect when choosing an eCommerce platform. Shopify has three main pricing tiers: Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month). Note that these plans do not include transaction fees, which Shopify charges unless you use their payment gateway, Shopify Payments.
Ecwid, conversely, offers a free plan, letting you sell up to 10 products. Beyond this, it has three paid plans: Venture ($15/month), Business ($35/month), and Unlimited ($99/month). An advantage of Ecwid is that there are no transaction fees on any plan, so what you pay monthly is all you pay.
Customer Support: Ecwid vs Shopify
Both Shopify and Ecwid take customer support seriously. Both platforms provide 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone. Shopify, however, steps a bit ahead with its extensive range of resources including community forums, help centers, video tutorials, and free online training courses.
Conclusion: Ecwid vs Shopify
Both Ecwid and Shopify come with their unique sets of strengths. Shopify, with its extensive feature set, is ideal for those who want to start a new online store from scratch. Ecwid, with its flexibility, is perfect for those wishing to add eCommerce functionality to an existing website.
In summary, the decision between Ecwid vs Shopify comes down to your specific business needs, goals and budget. Take the time to analyze your requirements and choose the platform that best aligns with your business model.