Hi everyone, I’m Jennifer Rogers. I’ve been in the tech world for the last couple of decades, and I’ve seen many trends come and go. Recently, I’ve noticed a lot of people trying to set up their own e-commerce businesses. Many of them gravitate towards Shopify as their go-to platform, but I believe this can lead to a never-ending trap.
The Shopify Trap
Shopify often starts with an enticing $1 trial, but soon after, it begins charging you $50 to $120 monthly. If your brand starts to grow, these charges can increase even more over time. Missing a payment can result in your Shopify store being taken offline, which can be devastating for your business.
Moreover, you never truly own your Shopify store. The platform retains control, and you are essentially renting your online space. Additionally, Shopify’s SEO capabilities are limited, which can hinder your website’s organic growth on Google.
The WooCommerce Solution
I’ve suggested to many business owners to consider WooCommerce instead of Shopify, and it has worked out well for them. Here’s why:
- 1. Customization: WooCommerce allows you to design your store exactly how you want it, offering complete customization.
- 2. Ownership: You own your WooCommerce store. By connecting your domain and hosting, you ensure that your store remains yours, without the risk of it being taken down due to missed payments.
- 3. Cost-Effective: Unlike Shopify, WooCommerce does not require monthly payments. You only need to cover your domain and hosting charges, which can be as low as $500 per year for a store with 50 products on a good hosting server.
For example, I had a client, Thomas, who was paying $540 monthly to Shopify. When we calculated it, he was spending almost $7,000 per year. Switching to WooCommerce saved him a significant amount of money.
Getting Started with WooCommerce
A fully customized WooCommerce store can cost between $800 to $2,500, but you get to own the website and keep backups of your files. This ensures that your store never goes down as you are the owner.
Make sure to choose the right type of hosting server to ensure your store runs smoothly. For any further information or guidance, feel free to contact my team. We would love to help you, or you can reach out to any trusted designer or developer to make this possible for you.
God bless you all,
Jennifer Rogers
Owner of American Design Network
