Every business should have an online website to capture the opportunities that digitalization has to offer new entrepreneurs and business owners. With the right website design and SEO strategy, your business can rank at the top of the search engine result pages for the desired keyword, and you will get information about potential leads and orders from different corners of the city, nation, or world.
However, with evolution, there are ample ways to launch your website, which can confuse anyone. For instance, there are custom websites and eCommerce platforms that help you build an online store. Does it sound confusing? Let’s make it clearer.
In custom websites, a team of website developers, designers, and testers workaround to create an eCommerce website from scratch. This means that there will be a new tailored wireframe, and it is a time-consuming process.
Then, there are eCommerce platforms like Shopify, which offer a range of online store templates and a multitude of plugins. You will have to select a desired template, customize it, add the required plugins to improve the website’s functionality and deploy it. This is a less time-consuming process, and it can easily be handled by a Shopify development agency.
Now that you know the major difference, are you wondering which is the best way to build an eCommerce website? This blog will help you get a concrete answer to your dilemma.
Shopify vs. Custom Websites: 5 Key Comparisons
To compare Shopify with custom websites, one should consider several criteria that affect the online presence of your business. Here’s what you need to know:
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Features Offered
Shopify is relatively easy to use because many features are already integrated into this platform to help in operating an online store. These include a payment gateway, inventory management, and marketing tools. Certified Shopify experts can build on those options, adding plugins, designs, and integrations relevant to the needs of the particular brand.
On the other hand, custom websites are extremely flexible in terms of features and can provide almost anything the client wants. As applications are developed from scratch, one can implement any functionality, ranging from complicated calendars to special user interface functions. However, this flexibility often comes with increased complexity, cost, and development time.
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Ease of Use
Shopify’s greatest asset is its simplicity. The platform was developed to be user-friendly for non-developers and business people so that they can create and manage their stores. If you have a little coding or technical knowledge, you can use the Shopify platform with guidelines, instructions, and a knowledge base.
However, we suggest you hire a Shopify development agency. Navigating the Shopify platform is tough because there are a multitude of plugins available for integration. You will have to spend extra hours to understand the platform, its features, and its offerings. The certified Shopify experts can work on building an optimized and top-notch website while you focus on your core business activities.
Custom websites, however, require extensive intervention. As they are developed from the ground up, managing and upgrading a custom website may require the services of a web developer or knowledge of website development. This can be a disadvantage, especially for organizations that lack the technical capacity within the firm.
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Design and Customization
Shopify provides general and more professional themes. They are also relatively simple to use, but they might not be as special as having a custom website. While certified Shopify experts can help you extend these templates to the limit, the result will always be somewhat limited compared to the fully unique website built from scratch.
Custom-made websites also have a better understanding of design and customization. Every aspect of the site can be designed with your brand DNA woven into it, making it a fully customized experience for users. This level of customization helps businesses create a unique selling point within their specialized markets, although it takes a lot of time and resources to achieve.
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Scalability
Another important parameter is scalability. Shopify is designed to scale your business. As you grow, Shopify offers different plans with additional features to suit your business. This is an essential aspect of the platform’s architecture since it caters to organizations experiencing a high level of traffic. However, as your business evolves, you may need some more sophisticated options that Shopify may not offer out of the box.
Custom websites are more versatile than instant websites, for they can be designed with room to grow right from the onset. This allows developers to plan the site’s architecture with a view to the further growth of the site, traffic, products, and features as your company evolves. This flexibility makes custom websites an excellent long-term investment for businesses that are likely to grow in the future.
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Pricing: Budget and Costs
Cost plays an important role when determining whether to opt for Shopify or custom websites. The most significant advantage of using Shopify is that it is affordable and has a pricing scale that caters to everyone. Shopify offers a standard plan, which costs $29 per month, and an unlimited plan, which costs up to $299 per month.
These plans include hosting, security, and customer support. Partnering with a Shopify SEO company can further enhance your store’s visibility performance and pay. However, the mode of payment will differ as a dedicated team of developers from the Shopify development agency will work on your website.
On the other hand, customized websites, which are developed uniquely for a certain company or individual, cost more initially. The price of a custom website also differs largely depending on the type of project that is being worked on. However, do not forget that you will have to spend money on hosting, security of your site, and further maintenance.
Comparison Table: Shopify vs. Custom Websites
Here’s a table that represents the differences between Shopify and customer websites.
| Factors | Shopify | Custom Websites |
| Features Offered | Built-in eCommerce tools, apps, and certified Shopify experts for enhancements | Unlimited customization options |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly, minimal technical expertise required | Requires technical knowledge or developer assistance |
| Design and Customization | Pre-designed themes with some customization | Fully customizable to match brand identity |
| Scalability | Scales with tiered pricing plans | Built for long-term scalability from the start |
| Pricing | Starts at $29/month, with additional costs for higher-tier plans | Higher upfront costs, with potential long-term savings |
Shopify vs. Custom Websites: Where Should You Invest?
You have to compare the needs of your business, the cost, and the objectives you want to achieve when choosing between Shopify and a custom website. Here’s a closer look at where you should invest:
- Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: If you are operating a small to medium business, you are likely to find Shopify suitable for your business. The platform is quite cheap and one of the easiest to use in setting up and managing an online store. You can get assistance from Shopify SEO company to make your store perform even better without having to understand a lot of technical details. Shopify can be recommended for businesses that want to have their online presence as soon as possible.
- Large Enterprises or Businesses with Specific Needs: In large companies or where specific needs are required, a company may need to build a custom web application. Custom development is the most flexible and allows one to design a website that best suits the business.
If you need more functionality, such as advanced eCommerce tools, complicated integration, or a more unique look, a custom site may be for you. However, you must be ready to invest a lot of your time and, even more importantly, a lot of money.
Wrapping up
Shopify and custom websites are two primary options to consider when deciding what your business will look like online. Shopify is a cost-effective solution that is easy to use and already has many of the tools integrated and has great potential to grow with businesses.
However, customized web solutions offer greater flexibility and personalization, which works for extraordinary businesses and long-term strategic visions.
When you weigh the pros and cons of each option with the help of certified shopify experts, you can determine which is the best fit for your business needs and financial status. Icecube Digital can help you by suggesting the best option that aligns perfectly with your needs and budgets.