Introduction
E-commerce is booming in the UK. From independent boutiques to growing startups, more businesses are moving online to reach customers and scale beyond local markets. But one question keeps coming up: Which e-commerce platform should I choose?
For most UK businesses, the choice comes down to Shopify or WooCommerce. Both are powerful, but they work in very different ways. In this guide, we’ll break down their features, pricing, pros and cons — and help you decide which is the right fit for your business in 2025.
Why Your Choice of Platform Matters
Your website isn’t just a digital storefront — it’s the backbone of your business. The right e-commerce platform impacts:
- Customer experience (ease of shopping, checkout speed).
- Your costs (hosting, transaction fees, apps).
- Scalability (how easily you can grow).
In the UK, online shopping continues to rise year on year, with e-commerce sales expected to exceed £120 billion in 2025. Choosing the right platform now ensures your store can keep up with that growth.
Shopify Overview
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform — meaning everything from hosting to security is handled for you. It’s designed for business owners who want to launch quickly without worrying about technical details.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- Secure hosting included
- Built-in payment gateway (Shopify Payments)
- App Store with 8,000+ integrations
- Mobile-friendly, responsive themes
Pricing in the UK
- Basic: £25/month
- Shopify: £65/month
- Advanced: £344/month
- 2.0% → 0.5% transaction fees (unless you use Shopify Payments).
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Easy to set up, no coding needed
- 24/7 support
- Reliable hosting & fast performance
Cons:
- Monthly subscription fees
- Extra cost for apps/themes
- Less flexible for advanced customisation
WooCommerce Overview
What is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that transforms your WordPress site into a fully functional online store. Unlike Shopify, it’s self-hosted — giving you more control but also more responsibility.
Key Features
- Free plugin (open-source)
- Full control over design & customisation
- Thousands of themes & plugins
- Strong SEO capabilities (WordPress-based)
- Wide range of payment gateways
Pricing in the UK
WooCommerce itself is free, but you’ll need:
- Hosting: £5–£25/month
- Domain: £10–£15/year
- SSL certificate: ~£50/year (often free via hosting)
- Premium themes or plugins: £30–£200 one-time or annual
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Highly customisable
- Lower long-term costs for large stores
- Full ownership of your website
- Excellent for SEO
Cons:
- Requires hosting & technical setup
- More maintenance (updates, security)
- No official support (community-based)
Shopify vs WooCommerce – Head-to-Head Comparison
Here’s how they stack up side by side:
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly, all-in-one solution | Requires setup & WordPress knowledge |
| Design | 100+ paid & free themes | Thousands of WordPress themes |
| Payments | Shopify Payments + 100+ gateways (fees apply) | 100+ gateways, no extra WooCommerce fees |
| SEO | Good, but limited | Excellent (WordPress SEO power) |
| Scalability | Scales easily with higher plans | Scales with hosting & plugins |
| Support | 24/7 official support | Community forums, plugin docs |
| Costs | £25–£344/month + apps | Hosting + plugins (~£15–£50/month) |
Which Platform is Right for UK Businesses?
- Choose Shopify if:
You’re a startup, freelancer, or small shop that wants a quick, hassle-free launch. It’s more expensive long-term but saves you time. - Choose WooCommerce if:
You want flexibility, control, and scalability. It suits growing businesses that need advanced features and don’t mind handling a bit of technical setup.
Final Verdict
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Shopify is ideal for speed and simplicity. WooCommerce is better for flexibility and control.
👉 At Webigen, we design and develop professional e-commerce websites on both Shopify and WooCommerce, tailored for UK businesses. Ready to launch your store? Explore our E-commerce Packages starting from just £795.
FAQs
Q1: Is Shopify or WooCommerce cheaper in the UK?
WooCommerce usually has lower ongoing costs if you manage hosting well, while Shopify offers predictable monthly pricing.
Q2: Which is better for beginners?
Shopify — it’s designed to get you selling fast without tech skills.
Q3: Which is better for SEO?
WooCommerce — because it runs on WordPress, it offers stronger SEO tools and flexibility.
Q4: Can I switch between Shopify and WooCommerce later?
Yes, but migration requires technical support. It’s best to choose carefully from the start.