Shopify Website vs WordPress: Which Platform Works Best for You?

If you’re planning to launch your first online business, one of the most significant decisions you’ll make is choosing the right website platform. Two of the most popular options today are building a Shopify website or creating one with WordPress. Both platforms offer powerful features, but they cater to slightly different needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between a Shopify website and a WordPress site, compare ease of use, flexibility, costs, and who each platform suits best. Whether you’re browsing options yourself or looking at Shopify website designers for help, this article will help you decide which one works best for you.

(Disclaimer: Some of my links are affiliate links, which means clicking on them brings me a small amount of profit. But don’t worry – I only recommend what I have used.)

What is a Shopify Website?

A Shopify website is an all-in-one hosted solution that allows you to set up, manage, and grow an online store without needing technical skills. Shopify takes care of hosting, security, payment processing, and even website updates. All you need to do is create an account, pick a theme, and start adding products.

Shopify is built specifically for e-commerce, making it ideal if you intend to sell physical or digital products online. You also have access to a large marketplace of apps that can enhance your store’s functionality.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that you can use to build any website, from a blog to a full e-commerce store. However, when comparing Shopify versus WordPress for e-commerce, it’s important to know that WordPress alone doesn’t handle e-commerce out of the box. You’ll need to install a plugin like WooCommerce to set up an online store.

WordPress offers unlimited flexibility, but it also requires you to manage your hosting, security, backups, and software updates—unless you pay for managed hosting plans.

Shopify Website vs WordPress: Key Differences

When comparing Shopify to WordPress, my take is that Shopify simplifies the entire process, while WordPress gives you more control but requires you to manage more technical elements. If you’re working with a website designer, ask for recommendations on which platform suits your long-term needs better.

When Should You Choose a Shopify Website?

Building a Shopify website is ideal if:

• You want to launch quickly without learning complex web development skills.
• Your primary focus is selling products online.
• You want a worry-free solution that handles hosting, security, and technical maintenance.
• You prefer to rely on professional Shopify website designers to set up a sleek store using customizable templates.

Many entrepreneurs love Shopify because they can launch in a weekend without needing any coding knowledge.

When Should You Choose WordPress?

Building on WordPress makes sense if:

• You need a highly flexible website, such as one that combines a blog, membership area, and store.
• You prefer full ownership and total design freedom.
• You have technical experience or plan to hire developers.
• You’re willing to manage hosting, security, and maintenance.

In my opinion, WordPress is a better fit for content-heavy websites that plan to scale beyond just selling products.

Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business

You should also consider the average cost of website design for small business owners when choosing between Shopify and WordPress.

DIY on Shopify is straightforward—you’ll pay a monthly subscription (starting around $29) and can purchase apps or themes if needed. If you hire Shopify website designers, costs can rise, but you’ll benefit from a professionally branded and optimised store.

DIY on WordPress may initially seem cheaper, especially if you’re tech-savvy. But once you factor in premium themes, hosting, SEO plugins, and your own time, the investment can grow.

Pros and Cons Summary

Shopify Website Pros

✅ It’s quick and easy to set up.

✅ Shopify is designed for e-commerce.

✅ All hosting and security included.

✅ You get 24/7 customer support.

✅ No coding needed.

Shopify Website Cons

❌ The monthly fees can add up

❌ Limited customisation compared to WordPress,

❌ You are tied to Shopify’s system.

WordPress Pros

✅ Unlimited flexibility and customisation.

✅ No monthly platform fee (only hosting/domain costs)

✅ Better long-term SEO capabilities

✅ Full ownership of your website

WordPress Cons

❌ Requires technical management (or hiring someone)

❌ It can become complicated with too many plugins

❌ Slower setup if you’re new to website building

Final Verdict: Shopify Versus WordPress

Choosing between a Shopify website and WordPress depends on what you need most:

• If you want simplicity, speed, and an e-commerce focus, Shopify is the clear winner.
• If you want maximum flexibility and the ability to create any website, WordPress is your best bet.

👉 If you want to launch your store quickly with minimal stress, check out Shopify here.

👉 If you want to build a powerful, scalable website on your terms, Hostinger’s WordPress hosting is a great place to start. You can also check out Pressable, which offers a comprehensive web hosting package. (See my comparison on web hosting here.)

No matter which platform you choose, understanding the average cost of website design for small businesses helps you make a more intelligent, more confident decision for your future growth.

Need a Shopify Website Built for Your Business?

As a certified Shopify Partner, I help small businesses launch beautiful, high-converting online stores — without the stress of building it yourself.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or need a redesign, I can design a Shopify website tailored to your brand and ready to grow with you.

👉 Ready to get started?

Contact me today and let’s bring your Shopify store to life!