Wouldn’t it be great if everything we know about Shopify was a lie? Why is it that what we hear about one of the prominent eCommerce platforms is far from the truth? So far, what we have learned about the Shopify platform might not be accurate and that’s why today, we have those dirt secrets that ensure to clear everything from the ground up.
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that powers all types of businesses and helps them market their online stores. In terms of growth, Shopify has reached new heights and levels of success in the last few years. According to Shopify, more than 500, 000 businesses are run using Shopify in 175 different countries. Furthermore, these numbers will change daily, making the platform globally used.
It is not surprising that e-commerce is getting a lot of attention these days because of its incredible value. In this journey to success, Shopify is proving to be one of the best eCommerce platforms to rely on. Many store owners across the globe are using Shopify as the proven e-commerce platform to attract more customers and sell the merchandise they offer. There are a lot of rumors and misconceptions that arise on this platform despite the multitude of benefits.
We will cover up all those lies behind Shopify, making sure that you won’t make any mistakes in choosing your e-commerce platform.
5 Dirty Little Secrets Shopify Doesn’t Want You To Know
Shopify is used by thousands of merchants, and after Magento, Shopify is the most popular eCommerce platform. However, while choosing a platform, whatever it may be, you need to be clear about the platform to make sure whatever you spend is worthwhile and profitable for you.
In this section, we will look at some dirty facts that were no longer true, but that we have kept anyway for whatever reason. So let’s take a look at them.
1. Shopify was a store, not a platform
The very first lie was to claim that Shopify is a platform we have been using. It was an online store, and Shopify was never meant to become a platform. As soon as the company began, its aim was to serve as an online store and provide whatever customers wanted.
Later, it is decided to turn Shopify into an eCommerce platform like Magento so that eCommerce owners can use it to build online stores. The reason it is used by thousands of merchants is that it offers a lot of features, customization, and most importantly, a complete platform.
When it comes to running an online store, all you need is an efficient store to make sure you serve the customer according to their choices and preferences. There is a myth that Shopify was a platform from its inception, which isn’t true. Although Shopify is certainly the best, it was just a store.
2. Fit for everyone’s pocket
Although Shopify is not everyone’s cup of tea, there was a misconception that it was cost-effective or pocket-friendly. Shopify is an expensive platform and very few businesses can afford it.
There are extremely high transaction fees for every purchase, which is why it is so expensive. As a small business owner or start-up, it is difficult to pay this amount, and that’s why it isn’t suitable for everyone.
In Shopify, there are three types of versions: basic, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. It depends on the types of features you want for your online store and how much it costs for each version.
The basic version of Shopify is designed for new eCommerce stores that only have occasional sales. They are those who have the best sales during holidays or special days. It cost $29 USD/month for the basic version. All the basics you need to set up a new online store are included, as well as active support, 2 staff accounts, and unlimited products.
This Shopify version is a bit pricey compared to the basic version. As it is quite expensive, you will be able to take advantage of features like gift cards, professional reports, and 5 staff accounts. It can cost you &79 USD/month.
You will need to pay $299 USD/month for Advanced Shopify. We can see features like 15 staff accounts, advanced report building, and third-party shopping rates.
If you want to know more about Shopify Pricing, you can check here and get according to your needs.
You could find a cheaper payment processor if you were using another eCommerce platform like Magento. When you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments, you have to pay a penalty fee.
3. Shopify functions with SEO Features
Another lie we hear and even believe for the last few years. That’s strange! We need to understand that Shopify does not come with all of the SEO features you are looking for. There are only a few features Shopify has to offer:
- URL canonicalization
- Sitemaps
- Text file “Robot”
- Meta-descriptions and titles
- Alt tags for images
These are the only SEO features that you can use in Shopify for your online store or business. When it comes to online marketing, SEO is the only thing that keeps you afloat when you’re drowning in the middle sea.
However, you need to pay for these features, which is more expensive than those offered by other eCommerce platforms. Magento, on the other hand, provides you with free SEO tools.
4. Migration is easy in Shopify
Most people think Shopify has the capability to migrate from one platform to another easily, and this is a lie. In addition, Shopify isn’t an open-source software, so migrating between platforms is difficult.
It’s also brainer that you cannot rebuild your website from the ground up, and that is a pain. In addition, if we use another eCommerce platform, chances are that you can migrate quickly and get your work done in the meantime. Therefore, Shopify is just an extra cherry on top that shouldn’t be considered when migrating a store.
There’s no easy way to get your data from Shopify if you decide to switch to another eCommerce platform in the future. In addition, it is completely cloud-based, meaning you no longer control your own servers.
Unlike other platforms, Shopify won’t let you switch to another platform once you’ve had enough – not without rebuilding your website from scratch.
There are several alternatives to Shopify that use standardized databases that can be easily migrated to other platforms. The platform offers the option to switch to another eCommerce platform at any time, should that be your desire.
5. Best Content Management
Last but not least, we have difficulty managing content easily. Shopify is not a platform you should consider if you’re looking for a platform that allows you to provide rich shopping experiences like hosted videos, photo carousels, and animated GIFs.
The poor CMS of Shopify makes it a poor choice for your online store. If you want to provide seamless experiences to your customers, then make sure that you check twice before you choose a Content Management system.
Winding Up
The list above shows a variety of things that might not work well for your online store. Shopify can be a great option for those who are just getting started with eCommerce. It is also simple to use, manage and requires no technical skills for a new business.
Do you want to know if Shopify is the best solution for your eCommerce store? M-connect Media can help you. We have Shopify experts who can guide you based on whether you should go with Shopify or Expert Magento Developers. For more information, please contact us.