Shopify vs. Wix: Which One Should You Use?

Shopify and Wix are two popular platforms for building online stores, but which one is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Shopify is built for eCommerce, offering advanced inventory tools, multichannel selling, and access to over 13,000 apps. Plans start at $29/month.
• Wix is a website builder with eCommerce features, ideal for small businesses. It provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and built-in marketing tools. Plans start at $17/month.

Quick Comparison

Bottom Line:

• Choose Shopify if you need robust eCommerce tools, support for large inventories, or plan to scale your business.
• Go with Wix if you’re a small business looking for an easy-to-use platform with built-in features.

Your choice depends on your business size, growth plans, and technical needs.

Shopify and Wix: Platform Basics

Shopify Platform Overview

Shopify is an eCommerce platform designed specifically for online retail businesses. It offers tools for managing inventory and selling across multiple channels, including platforms like Pinterest, Walmart, and Target Plus. Additionally, Shopify provides wholesale opportunities through its Handshake marketplace.

With support for transactions in over 130 currencies, Shopify caters to businesses operating globally. Its analytics dashboard delivers detailed sales reports, helping businesses make informed decisions about inventory, pricing, and marketing. Now, let’s look at how Wix stands out with its website-building and eCommerce capabilities.

Wix Platform Overview

Wix is primarily a website builder that includes eCommerce features, making it a good option for small to medium-sized CPG brands launching their online presence. It comes equipped with basic selling tools, reducing the need for extensive integrations.

The platform’s shopping cart system allows customers to purchase a mix of products and services in one transaction. For instance, a beauty brand could sell skincare products while also offering service bookings for consultations, all processed in a single checkout.

Wix also allows checkout customization even in its standard plans, giving brands the ability to design a checkout experience that suits their needs. Below is a comparison of Shopify and Wix across key features.

Key Features Comparison

Store Design Tools

Shopify offers more than 70 themes designed specifically for eCommerce, making it easy to create a professional-looking store. It also allows you to switch themes without disrupting your content. On the other hand, Wix provides a drag-and-drop editor that gives you more control over your layout and design. However, switching themes on Wix requires starting from scratch, which can be time-consuming.

Product Management Tools

Once your store is set up, managing products efficiently becomes a top priority. Shopify is well-suited for handling large product catalogs and complex variations, making it a great choice for businesses with extensive product lines. Wix, though, is better for simpler setups, offering basic tools for managing smaller product lists.

Marketing Tools

Strong marketing features are essential for driving traffic and sales. Wix includes a built-in marketing suite that covers everything from social media management to email automation and CRM tools. Shopify also offers advanced marketing options, but you might need to add third-party integrations to achieve the same level of functionality that Wix provides out of the box.

SEO and Data Tools

Shopify takes care of technical SEO tasks like managing canonical tags and generating sitemaps automatically, while still allowing for manual adjustments. Wix also meets key SEO requirements, offering tools like Semrush integration for keyword research and AI-driven content suggestions. These features are particularly useful for brands managing multiple product pages.

Cost Analysis

Shopify Plans and Costs

Shopify offers pricing options starting at $29/month for basic needs and going beyond $2,500/month for enterprise-level solutions. Each plan is designed to cater to businesses at different growth stages, providing tools, reporting, and support tailored to their needs.

Keep in mind that additional expenses may come from third-party apps and integrations to expand functionality.

Wix Plans and Costs

Wix also follows a tiered pricing structure for its eCommerce plans, ranging from a free option to $159/month for more advanced capabilities. These plans are designed to meet the needs of businesses at various stages of growth.

Wix’s paid plans include perks like a free custom domain for the first year and built-in features, helping to reduce the need for extra integrations – a useful advantage for businesses looking to grow.

Platform Setup and Growth

Setup Process

Setting up an online store requires a platform that’s both user-friendly and packed with essential features. Shopify simplifies this process with a setup tailored for e-commerce. It includes hosting, SSL, PCI-DSS compliance, fraud detection, unlimited storage, custom subdomains, and integrated payment options. On the other hand, Wix primarily focuses on website building with basic e-commerce capabilities, which may not meet the needs of more advanced online retailers. Shopify also offers a Buy Button, a handy tool for businesses looking to ease into the platform without fully migrating their operations.

Business Growth Features

Shopify is designed to grow with your business, offering tools for managing inventory, fulfilling orders, and analyzing data in real-time. Here’s how Shopify stacks up against Wix in terms of growth-focused features:

Shopify’s infrastructure is built to handle the demands of modern e-commerce. With tools for inventory tracking, payment processing, and marketing campaigns, the platform is constantly updated – hundreds of times each year – to keep pace with industry needs. Whether it’s a flash sale or a surge in traffic, Shopify ensures smooth performance and robust security, making it a reliable choice for scaling businesses.

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Digital Marketing Tools

Marketing Platform Integration

Shopify relies on third-party apps, while Wix provides built-in marketing features. Shopify’s app marketplace offers tailored integrations for email marketing, analytics, and social media.

Wix, on the other hand, includes native tools like a CRM and marketing features, reducing the need for multiple external apps. Here’s a quick comparison:

These tools provide a foundation for addressing the specific needs of CPG brands, which we’ll explore next.

CPG Marketing Features

Expanding on these marketing tools, let’s dive into features tailored for CPG brands. Wix uses AI to craft SEO-friendly content and create dynamic graphics for social media, simplifying the process of launching products. Shopify focuses on automating key SEO tasks, as mentioned earlier.

Both platforms also offer branding tools like logo makers and business name generators, ensuring a cohesive identity across digital channels.

For brands prioritizing marketing efficiency, Wix’s native solutions provide a streamlined experience. Its direct connection to tools like Semrush boosts SEO performance, while the built-in CRM simplifies outreach across multiple channels. This setup helps brands maintain consistent messaging while reducing the complexity of managing multiple tools.

Wix vs Shopify (2025) – Which Store Builder is Better?

Platform Selection Guide

Looking to find the right platform for your business? Here’s a breakdown of what Wix and Shopify offer based on your needs:

Wix

• Combines tools for marketing, CRM, and sales into one platform.
• Handles physical products, services, and event tickets in a single cart.
• Offers flexible design options without requiring coding skills.
• A budget-friendly option for smaller businesses.

Shopify

• Ideal for multi-channel sales and managing large inventories.
• Comes with specialized eCommerce tools through integrations.
• Designed for businesses focusing on B2B or wholesale operations.
• Perfect for brands with high-volume sales or complex needs.

Key Considerations

Your team’s technical expertise and your growth plans should influence your choice. Wix is user-friendly, featuring a drag-and-drop interface that’s great for teams with limited technical skills. On the other hand, Shopify offers a structured editor and advanced customization options for those comfortable with more technical setups.

For pricing, Wix’s Business Elite plan costs $159/month and is suited for mid-sized businesses. Shopify’s Advanced plan, priced at $299/month, provides robust eCommerce tools. For enterprise-level operations, Shopify Plus starts at $2,500/month and includes advanced customization capabilities.

Keep in mind that switching platforms later can be a complex process. Select a platform that not only meets your current needs but also supports your future growth. These recommendations aim to help CPG brands optimize their digital marketing efforts and improve online store performance.

FAQs

What should I consider when deciding between Shopify and Wix for my online store?

When choosing between Shopify and Wix for your online store, focus on what matters most for your business. Key factors include:

• E-commerce features: Shopify is designed specifically for online selling, offering advanced tools like multichannel selling and inventory management. Wix provides essential e-commerce features but is better known for its website-building flexibility.
• Design flexibility: Wix’s drag-and-drop editor allows for highly customizable designs, while Shopify offers professional templates optimized for e-commerce.
• Ease of use: Both platforms are user-friendly, but Shopify’s setup process is streamlined for selling products, while Wix offers AI tools to simplify website creation.
• Scalability: Shopify is ideal for businesses planning to grow quickly, thanks to its robust e-commerce infrastructure. Wix is better suited for smaller stores or businesses prioritizing creative control.

Ultimately, your decision should align with your business goals, whether that’s maximizing sales, creating a unique website design, or scaling for growth.

Which platform is better for scaling a growing business: Shopify or Wix?

Shopify is built to support businesses as they grow, offering robust tools to manage large sales volumes, diverse product catalogs, and multiple sales channels. Its pricing plans are designed to adapt to your business’s expansion, making it easier to scale without outgrowing the platform.

For businesses looking to expand internationally, Shopify provides features like multi-currency support, localized checkout options, and integrations with global shipping providers. These capabilities make it a strong choice for businesses aiming for long-term growth and scalability.

Do you need technical skills to use Shopify or Wix effectively?

Wix is designed to be user-friendly for everyone, offering a drag-and-drop builder that makes it easy to create and customize your store without any coding experience. For those with technical skills, Wix also allows advanced customization options, making it a versatile choice.

Shopify, on the other hand, provides a straightforward and intuitive interface with predefined templates that are easy to use. While coding knowledge is not required, customizing beyond the available templates may involve working with Shopify’s Liquid code or hiring a developer. Both platforms cater to users with varying levels of expertise, but Wix is generally more accessible for beginners who want more design flexibility without learning to code.

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