Shopify is a popular platform for building an online store. This can greatly simplify the process of its creation. But, even its high popularity does not mean that it is the best choice for beginners in the field of e-commerce.
We will explain why it’s best not to start developing with Shopify. We will also tell you what is the best platform to use and who provides Shopify store setup service.
Several reasons why Shopify is not the best choice for starting a business
If you’ve decided to dive into business and have opted for e-commerce for that, there are some things to be aware of when it comes to Shopify. Below we will tell you what are the reasons why it is better not to create an online store on this platform.
Supplier blocking
One of the main reasons Shopify is no longer the best option for starting an ecommerce project is because it is a hosted platform. This means that you do not need to worry about finding a hosting company or installing software.
This is good because the technical details will be decided for you. But it also carries a significant threat of losing the store if the company decides to ever close its doors.
Another problem is porting to another platform. This is difficult enough as you get the CSV file of the products. The store design, blog posts, rules, and other pages will need to be re-created.
These issues are called vendor binding with hosted platforms. Therefore, you need to take this into account if you want to become a huge company in the future.
Price formation
There are many different plans on the platform, the cheapest one is 9 dollars per month. Considering that this is a hosted platform, you will be able to enjoy many features bundled together. It depends on the tariff plan.
The prices seem low, but as soon as you start to understand, you will realize that launching a project can be expensive. Regardless of the plan you choose, you need to pay per transaction when using payment providers other than Shopify Payments. You also need to pay for the processing of the credit card. But the commission will be lower if you choose an expensive plan.
If additional functions are needed, you will also have to pay extra for this. Considering all this, one can conclude that you can spend decently instead of making a good profit.
Expensive topics
The design of an online store is of paramount importance. The platform contains interesting topics. But there are also disadvantages. The first of these will be that the official store offers 71 themes, which means that customers will not always be able to distinguish your store from competitors. It will become difficult to achieve recognition. There are third-party marketplaces where you can purchase themes, so if you are not satisfied with the options on Shopify, you can take advantage of offers from others.
Another disadvantage is that themes can be quite expensive, ranging from 140 to 180 dollars. There are free ones, but they do not provide as many customization options and features as paid ones. For best results, develop Shopify website design with Makebecool.
Very expensive apps
To expand the functionality of the store, you can use third-party applications. They can be used to automate some of the store’s functions, and also allow you to better promote the resource. Some of them are free, but the most essential ones are very expensive.
Setting options
It is convenient to upload a logo for a store, customize colors, and fonts. But for most of the settings, you need a professional. Or you need to learn how to program. Customization options for a beginner are limited, so if you want complete control over your design, Shopify isn’t your best bet. It has its own language Liquid that will need to be learned.
Alternatively, hire a developer who specializes in working with this platform. But his services can be expensive, especially if you are on a tight budget and just starting a project. Shopify developers have an hourly rate higher than WordPress specialists.
Learning curve
You need to go through training, since there are specific terms that are specific only to this platform. For example, a collection of descriptions of product categories. This is not a significant factor, but you need to know it.
If you are determined, please contact our company. Our experts will help you achieve your goals.
