What is the central platform difference?
Shopify provides a hosted commerce platform. WooCommerce adds ecommerce to a WordPress installation with its own hosting and maintenance arrangements. The comparison therefore includes operating responsibility as well as shop features.
Which shop requirements need checking?
Product variants, delivery rules, subscriptions and integrations need checking against each platform. Do not assume an app or plugin solves the workflow until it has been tested. Check catalogue limits and required extension charges.
How do you compare long-term ownership?
Long-term ownership includes platform fees, payment charges, support and migration constraints. Document the accounts, licences and export options. The right decision supports the actual shop operations rather than a preference for one platform label.
What should you record before making a decision?
Record the requirements and evidence relevant to this question before accepting a proposal. Distinguish the work needed at launch from ongoing responsibilities. A clear written scope gives both the business and the supplier an agreed basis for review.
- Catalogue and variant complexity
- Payments and fulfilment
- Integration dependencies
- Support and export requirements
Sources and further reading
Related reading