#FocusOnTechnology
The right eCommerce platform can drastically change your business, both online and off-line. They help to create better customer experiences and streamline operational efficiencies. Magento and Shopify are two of the best eCommerce platforms on the market. If you want to start an eCommerce business and you’re considering both platforms, this blog was written to help you decide.
The first and obvious difference between these two service providers is how and where the platform is hosted. In this regard, Shopify is a hosted eCommerce solution available as an inexpensive Software-as-Service, meaning your store is always hosted on their services as soon as you set up your account.
Both platforms have robust customization options, but Shopify is more rigid, relying on fixed templates and plugins, meaning you might suffer some limitations in achieving your goals. Some aspects of Shopify can be customized while others can’t be.
Magento is very flexible and allows vendors to roll out their eCommerce in phases and expand it further in the future. On the other hand, Shopify has a lot of restrictions on template, platform elements, catalog size, and other related features that limits how much you can change the underlying system. In short, there will be potential limits on your creativity and flexibility using Shopify solutions.
Magento uses PHP language and has a global community of solution partners, technology partners, and solution insiders who can help to solve problems and build new features. Shopify uses a proprietary language, leaving it with fewer developers who can offer support and technological expertise.
Shopify offers more out of the box gateway options than Magento, but Magento can integrate with most payment gateways using a plugin solution. Pay careful attention to the fee structure—some plugins or features may appear to be free, but you might be racking up transaction fees as a percentage of your sales.
Shopify follows a monthly subscription plan. There are four such plans ranging from $9 to $299. They are Shopify Lite Plan at $9, Basic Shopify Plan at $29, Shopify Plan at $79 and advanced Shopify Plan at $299. Magento is free for the user but the cost of hosting can be anywhere between $5 to $100. It also has a paid version of the plan, but it is very expensive and is only meant for large enterprises. For transaction charges, Magento depends on the gateway provider, while Shopify is free if you use their gateways (though there could be charges).
Shopify provides end-to-end security as a hosted eCommerce solution, but Magento security can depend on the choice of hosting partner. This is another area where you have more flexibility, but are likely to need more technical help.
Both Magento and Shopify are excellent eCommerce platforms. Shopify is easier to get started on, but has limitations as you grow. In our opinion, Shopify is well suited for businesses looking to do it themselves and who are just getting started with their eCommerce initiatives. More mature businesses can benefit from Magento’s more advanced features, flexibility, and customizations.
Korcomptenz is a US-based digital transformation services provider, headquartered in New Jersey. We specialize in web, mobile, and marketing technologies such as Sitecore, Magento, Shopify, Kentico, and more. Contact us now for an assessment on how to better leverage your eCommerce platform.
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