Two popular choices
WooCommerce and Shopify power a huge number of online shops. We build with both, including pet supply and retail shops for Sussex businesses, and each has clear strengths.
Shopify in brief
Shopify is a hosted platform. Hosting, security and updates are handled for you, and the admin area is straightforward. You pay a monthly subscription, and many extra features come from paid apps.
- Quick to get selling
- Little technical maintenance
- Monthly fees and app costs add up
WooCommerce in brief
WooCommerce runs on WordPress, so your shop and website content live together. It is very flexible and you own everything, but you are responsible for hosting, updates and security, usually through a support plan.
- Full control and flexibility
- Strong content and blogging alongside the shop
- Needs regular maintenance
SEO for online shops
Whichever platform you choose, rankings depend on the same things: unique product descriptions, clear category pages, fast loading images and a good structure. Copying manufacturer descriptions word for word makes it hard to stand out.
Which should you choose?
If you want minimal maintenance and a quick launch, Shopify is often a good fit. If you want flexibility, rich content and full ownership, WooCommerce is usually stronger. We are happy to talk through your products and plans before you decide.
Related:
eCommerce websites ↗