As Christmas approaches, more and more small businesses are looking to start selling online — whether it’s handmade gifts, festive hampers, or new year offers. Choosing the right e-commerce platform can make all the difference. Two of the biggest names you’ll come across are Shopify and WooCommerce.
Both are popular, powerful, and beginner-friendly. But which one is really the best fit for your business? Let’s break it down — and explain why, for many UK business owners, WooCommerce often comes out on top.
1. What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform. That means it’s an all-in-one system where your website, hosting, and store management tools are included in one monthly subscription.
It’s designed to make setup quick and simple — perfect for beginners who want to get selling fast without worrying about technical setup.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Secure hosting included.
- 24/7 support.
Cons:
- Monthly costs can quickly add up.
- Limited design flexibility.
- Extra fees for third-party payment gateways.
2. What Is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin built for WordPress. It gives you full control over your online shop, from design to functionality, without the restrictions of a closed platform.
It’s ideal for businesses that want flexibility, scalability, and complete ownership of their website.
Pros:
- No monthly platform fees (just hosting and domain).
- Fully customisable — you can design your site however you like.
- Seamlessly integrates with WordPress SEO tools like RankMath or Yoast.
- You own your data — no dependency on a third-party provider.
Cons:
- Slightly more setup involved than Shopify.
- You’re responsible for hosting and updates (which a web designer can handle for you).
3. Pricing: Upfront Costs vs Long-Term Value
At first glance, Shopify looks simple: you pay a monthly fee starting at around £25/month. But that price can rise quickly when you add apps, premium themes, or extra payment fees.
WooCommerce, on the other hand, is free to use. Your only regular costs are hosting, your domain name, and any optional premium plugins. Over the course of a year, most businesses find WooCommerce to be the more affordable and sustainable choice — especially if you’re planning to grow your store long term.
4. Design & Flexibility
When it comes to custom design, WooCommerce wins hands down.
Because it’s built on WordPress, you can create a completely bespoke look and feel that matches your brand perfectly. You’re not limited by rigid templates or theme restrictions — something that can be frustrating with Shopify.
If you want a store that looks and feels unique (and not like everyone else’s), WooCommerce gives you that freedom.
5. SEO & Marketing Tools
One of the biggest advantages of WooCommerce is its connection with WordPress — the most SEO-friendly platform on the web.
You can optimise everything from product titles and meta descriptions to site speed and structured data, giving your shop the best chance of ranking high on Google.
While Shopify offers some built-in SEO options, it’s far more limited compared to the depth and flexibility WordPress provides. For businesses that care about organic traffic and visibility, WooCommerce has a clear edge.
6. Payment Options and Fees
Both platforms support major payment methods like Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
However, Shopify charges additional transaction fees unless you use their own payment system. WooCommerce doesn’t — you have full freedom to choose the best, lowest-cost provider for your business.
7. Scalability and Long-Term Control
Here’s where many business owners make their decision: control.
With Shopify, your store lives entirely on their servers. If Shopify changes its pricing, policies, or tools — you’re stuck.
With WooCommerce, your website is yours. You can switch hosts, change design, or expand functionality whenever you want. It’s scalable, flexible, and built for long-term growth.
So, Which Platform Is Better?
If you want a quick, plug-and-play setup and don’t mind ongoing fees, Shopify is convenient.
But if you want full control, better SEO, and long-term affordability — WooCommerce is the smarter investment. It’s flexible, powerful, and integrates perfectly with your overall website design and marketing strategy.
At Dog and Pig Design, I help businesses across the UK build beautiful, high-converting WooCommerce websites that are fully tailored to their brand — no templates, no unnecessary subscriptions, and no limits.
Get Your Online Store Ready for Christmas
If you’re thinking about selling online this festive season (or want to improve your existing shop), now’s the perfect time to get started.
Let’s chat about your WooCommerce website — I’ll help you design, build, and launch an online shop that looks great and sells even better. Contact me today for a consultation and let’s turn your e-commerce aspirations into reality. You can also message me directly on Facebook!