It’s 2024! And it’s good to see that you have started thinking about starting your own business and selling products, great! Though it’s good to see run your own business, you should be aware of whether to use a pre-built website builder like Shopify or opt for a fully customised one.
But here’s the catch! There is no specific answer to your question! It boils down to the specific needs and goals of your business. So before we choose the right platform for selling products, it’s time to first understand their meanings and associated benefits.
Let’s dive in!
What is Shopify?
Shopify is an online tool that helps you build and run your own store on the internet. It’s super easy to use and you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. With Shopify, you can set up your shop quickly and sell your stuff to people all over the world. Since it started in 2004, millions of stores in almost 175 countries have used Shopify, making it the top choice for online shopping carts.
Understanding a Custom Website
A custom website is tailor-made for your business, not like a ready-made template you might find on Shopify. It’s built from scratch to fit your specific needs and goals, giving you more freedom and control over its design and features. While this approach offers flexibility, it can also be pricier and more complex to set up. Even though coding knowledge isn’t as essential as it used to be thanks to technology, you might still need some basic understanding, or a web development company to handle tasks like maintaining and optimising your site.
What are the Incredible Benefits of Shopify?
Shopify offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for launching an online store. Here is a list of the benefits of Shopify that every business should know about.
- Low Startup Costs
With Shopify, setting up your online store is affordable. After a 14-day free trial, you’ll need to subscribe to one of their monthly plans. These start at $29 per month for the basic plan, $79 for the mid-tier plan, and $299 for the advanced plan.
- Beautiful & Customizable Themes
Upon signing up, you get access to over 70 free themes and additional paid ones. These themes are professionally designed and easy to customize. While there are paid themes available, they come with a one-time fee.
- Safety and Reliability
Security and reliability are crucial for any online business. Shopify ensures the safety of sensitive customer data and ensures that your store is reliably accessible at all times. They regularly update and maintain their platform to uphold these standards.
Benefits of Considering a Custom Website
Custom website development offers several benefits that can enhance your online presence and streamline your business operations. Let’s discuss them in detail!
- Speed
Custom websites are optimized for performance, ensuring faster load times, which is crucial for retaining visitors, especially those browsing on mobile devices. By eliminating unnecessary functionalities and optimizing design, custom development reduces bloat and ensures efficient functionality.
- Improved Security
Website security is a top priority in today’s online landscape. Custom development allows for the integration of robust security measures from the ground up, including SSL encryption, to protect sensitive data and ensure a secure browsing experience for visitors. With custom development, potential security issues can be addressed proactively, minimizing risks in the long run.
- Enhanced Business Function Automation
Custom websites can be tailored to automate various business functions, such as connecting internal point-of-sale and inventory management systems for seamless updates and restocking. This automation not only improves efficiency but also reduces the time and resources required for manual management of customer data and inventory.
Comparison Between Shopify vs. Custom Website
Let’s take a look at the differences between Shopify vs. Custom Website on the basis of the following parameters.
| Parameters | Shopify | Custom Website |
| Ease of Setup | Quick and easy setup with no technical expertise required | Requires technical expertise for setup |
| Cost | Monthly subscription fees + transaction fees | Upfront development cost + hosting fees |
| Customization Options | Limited customization options within the platform | Fully customizable according to requirements |
| Scalability | Easily scalable with built-in features for growth | Scalability depends on initial development and infrastructure |
| Maintenance | The platform handles maintenance and updates | Requires regular maintenance and updates |
| Payment Processing | Integrated payment processing with Shopify Payments | Custom integration with payment gateways |
| Security | Managed security with regular updates | Security depends on implementation and maintenance |
Final Thoughts
So, that’s all about Shopify vs. Custom Websites! Remember that choosing between Shopify and a custom website depends on various factors such as budget, technical skills, and marketing objectives.
If you’re operating on a limited budget, Shopify could be the way to go as it offers a ready-made solution without upfront development costs. However, investing in a custom website provides greater flexibility and control over your online presence, especially if you have the financial means to do so. Planning to build a Shopify or a custom website? If so, contact EitBiz to hire dedicated developers
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your unique needs and goals. Conduct thorough research and select the option that aligns best with your requirements. Whether you opt for Shopify or a custom website, ensure it serves your purpose effectively.
