16 Shopify Pros and Cons Reviewed

For many entrepreneurs, Shopify is the perfect solution. It requires minimal effort and virtually zero website-building skills. You don't have to worry about programming, hosting or buying a domain through a reseller.
We will tell you how you can quickly start a Shopify store without experience in creating websites and selling on the Internet. Do you want to accept payments from all over the world?

Let’s explore the pros and cons of Shopify.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is one of the best e-commerce platforms out there. Without additional technical knowledge, you can easily and quickly register your store and start selling quickly. All you need to do is choose the pricing plan, pay for it, and use the unique builder to create a store that suits your business.

Of course, there are other similar services, such as Weebly or Wix. Compared to them, Shopify is more dynamic and designed with business scalability in mind. It seems that everyone, from the creators of new e-сommerce projects to the owners of large online stores operating in the international market and bringing in millions every year, already uses the Shopify platform.

Why Learn About Shopify Pros and Cons

Shopify was founded in Canada in 2006 by Scott Lake, Daniel Weiland, and Tobias Lutke. Since the company's launch, the platform has developed rapidly, turning from a small project into one of today's leading online trading solutions.
According to Shopify, it currently powers about a million online stores. So, if you're looking for an easy-to-use, feature-packed online selling solution, Shopify is worth a try. We will share all the tips and tell you how to make money with Shopify.

How Does Shopify Work?

How to Use Shopify? You connect your account through the built-in payment gateway - and that's it, the store is ready. For more in-depth customization, there are paid advanced themes that expand functionality and allow your business to scale. You can find all the necessary modules to create a store in the built-in catalog and integrate it with other platforms. With a simple interface, Shopify is one of the most manageable e-commerce systems and doesn't require much money or time. It is suitable for both small businesses and large companies. So, what are the Shopify pros and cons?

Pros and Cons of Shopify: What's Good and Bad
 

Let's take a closer look at each pro and con of Shopify.

Pros of Using Shopify

Shopify Pro #1 

The platform is easy to use as it has an intuitive interface. Register, add the product you need in just a few clicks, and start selling. The site does not require technical skills. However, if you want to customize the platform entirely, you can turn on the developer mode.

Shopify Pro #2

The site has many different themes to personalize your page. You can buy a premium version of the account, which unlocks additional visual design features. Also, there are themes designed specifically for various industries.

Shopify Pro #3

The platform allows you to scale your page and develop your business. In the beginning, you probably won't need all the features of the site, but in the future, when sales go up, you will discover new management tools that will help you reach even more audiences. Payment for the service also adapts to your capabilities, increasing the entire project's profitability.

Shopify Pro #4

All your data stored on servers is securely protected. Information is stored in the cloud and has several levels of protection. Therefore, you can be sure that your data, passwords, and logins will be safe. In addition, the site has proxy protection against DDOS attacks, which applies to mobile and PC versions.

Shopify Pro #5

Thanks to the peculiarity of the Shopify server system, the platform is designed to ensure that all data loads quickly, even if you are in an area with poor Internet coverage. It allows you to process a considerable number of orders that are optimized even on mobile devices. Therefore, you can manage your store anywhere.

Shopify Pro #6

The platform has mobile applications for the two most popular operating systems - Apple and IOS. Optimization is carried out for each platform. That allows you to run applications even on the weakest devices. Mobile versions of the site practically do not differ in features from the older version. Besides, they are also free.

Shopify Pro #7

Shopify is a very modular platform. It is open to other services; therefore, you can integrate almost any available modules and plugins into your site. You can choose the tools you need in the built-in catalog, or upload your own, connect and customize them to your needs.

Shopify Pro #8

The platform has a built-in Braintree gateway that makes it easy to set up and enable payments once the store is up and running. Thanks to this system, your payments and transactions will be protected from hacks. One of the advantages of Shopify is a reasonably low price for a monthly subscription, several pricing plans, and a 14-day trial period of all site functionality.

Cons of Using Shopify

Shopify Con #1

The platform has a more significant bias towards the US and UK markets. This can only be done in English if you want to use the site's full functionality. Although the company introduces new languages, they only allow you to use some features. The site has a built-in Weglot automatic translator, but it translates some pages of the platform incorrectly.

Shopify Con #2

There are certain problems with the fact that all your data is stored exclusively on the company's servers. And if one day the service stops working, you will lose all your data, customer data, and other important information. Therefore, you should make backup copies of all important information when working with the platform. Since after disconnecting from the company's servers, there will be no access to your data.

Shopify Con #3

If you do not use the built-in payment module Shopify Payments, the platform will take a certain commission from any transactions in your store. It may happen that Shopify Payments will not be available in some countries. In this case,  the user will have to pay an additional fee for all their transactions and payments, as well as have a lower level of transfer security compared to the built-in module.

Shopify Con #4

At the beginning of its development, the platform had many free themes that allowed you to expand the store's functionality to suit your needs. However, over time, their number began to decrease. More and more paid versions appear in the store, prices for some of which reach up to $300. It’s one of the disappointing disadvantages of Shopify.

Shopify Con #5

If you want to switch to another platform, it won't be that easy, as Shopify doesn't give you the ability to download all the data you need automatically. Therefore, to transfer data, you will have to copy all the necessary information manually. If you have a small store, this is not a big problem, but specific difficulties arise with thousands of customers.

Shopify Con #6

If you plan to use the platform to the maximum, you must pay for the most expensive subscription. It will allow you to collect analytical data and reports. However, when choosing a subscription, this is not indicated. Therefore, people initially buy the cheapest one ($5). Then they have to purchase extra features, which is more expensive than if the company immediately informed them about the entire difference in subscriptions.

Shopify Con #7

Although the platform has a built-in blog module, it cannot boast a wide set of functions.  It is quite inconvenient for working with large amounts of information, and therefore users are more likely to try to integrate third-party modules. However, Shopify has limited compatibility with this module, which causes additional difficulties.

Shopify Con #8

Shopify supports developer mode for more fine-grained store customization. However, the platform is built on its programming language. It is difficult to customize PHP pages or add and integrate third-party modules, which other e-commerce sites need to have.

Shopify Is the Perfect Solution for E-Commerce

Shopify software allows you to design, launch and run your online store and keep it running for a monthly fee. The platform has the most simple set of functions for users without advanced design and technical skills. It has a wide range of templates that allow you to quickly and easily launch any website.

With Shopify, you don't have to worry about hosting. The platform provides you with everything you need to create and manage your store. If you're still offline, a review of the pros and cons of Shopify will let you go online and focus on building new products while your online store generates sales for you.

FAQ

1. Will I be able to use the service if I do not have technical skills?

Yes, with a simple interface, Shopify is geared toward casual users.

2. What is the payment scheme of the platform?

Shopify uses a subscription system. You can choose a plan and subscribe for a month or a year.

3. Is it safe to make payments through Shopify?

Yes, since Shopify has a built-in payment gateway. This means that all transactions have a high level of protection and are verified before each payment.

4. Is Shopify right for me if I plan to expand my business in the future?

Yes, the main idea of the service is that your online store will scale with your business, enabling you to connect new modules that will expand your audience reach.

5. Will I be able to use the site if I have a highly specialized industry?

Of course. Thanks to a vast selection of modules, you can customize each store element to suit your needs. If this is not enough, unique themes can expand the functionality further.

6. Can I only manage my store using my phone?

Yes. Shopify has optimized mobile apps for the two biggest operating systems - IOS and Android. They have all the same features available for the “older” version of the platform.

7. If I'm not sure I want to pay for the plan right away, can I somehow test the features of Shopify?

Yes, the site has a free 14-day trial version that will allow you to familiarize yourself fully with all the functions of the site.