Here is a complete, high-level yet client-friendly comparison of Shopify vs. WordPress (WooCommerce) that you can share directly with your client:

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Shopify vs WordPress + WooCommerce

A Detailed Comparison for Business Decision-Making

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1️⃣ Platform Overview

Feature	Shopify	WordPress + WooCommerce
What is it?	Fully hosted eCommerce platform	Open-source CMS + eCommerce plugin
Best for	Businesses wanting easy, fast setup	Businesses needing flexibility & control
Technical Knowledge	Low	Medium to High
Hosting	Included	Separate hosting required
Security	Shopify manages everything	You must manage updates & security

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2️⃣ Cost Comparison

Cost Area	Shopify	WooCommerce
Initial Setup	Low effort but subscription based	Can be economical initially but requires setup work
Platform Cost	Subscription monthly	Free plugin (WordPress also free)
Hosting	Included	Paid separately (depends on server quality)
Themes / Templates	$150–$350 premium themes	$50–$120 premium themes
Maintenance Cost	Minimal	Ongoing (server, plugins, developer updates)
Transaction Fees	0% with Shopify Payments; otherwise charge	No platform fees; only payment gateway fees

Conclusion:

• Shopify: predictable monthly costs

• WooCommerce: potentially lower monthly costs, but more responsibility

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3️⃣ Design & Customization

Area	Shopify	WooCommerce
Flexibility	Limited to theme and app rules	100% customizable
Custom Features	Requires apps (paid mostly)	Any custom logic possible
Ownership of Code	Limited	Full control & ownership

Conclusion:

• Shopify = faster setup, fewer customization choices

• WooCommerce = full customization freedom

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4️⃣ Scalability & Performance

Factor	Shopify	WooCommerce
Handles Large Traffic Automatically	✔	Depends on hosting & architecture
CDN (Site speed boost)	Provided by Shopify	Needs configuration
Maintenance	Shopify handles everything	Your technical team must manage

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5️⃣ Apps, Plugins & Integrations

Requirement	Shopify	WooCommerce
Third-party integrations	Very easy but apps costly	Wide library, many free options
Custom API integration	Limited flexibility	Fully flexible & cost-effective
POS (Offline Billing)	Integrated Shopify POS	Requires additional setup/platform

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6️⃣ SEO & Marketing

Feature	Shopify	WooCommerce
SEO Strength	Strong but limited control	Excellent full control
Blogging	Basic	Excellent (WordPress strength)
Page Speed	Optimized	Depends on hosting quality
Multi-Language & Multi-Region	Possible with apps	More flexible & cost-efficient

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7️⃣ Security & Compliance

Aspect	Shopify	WooCommerce
PCI Compliance	Shopify handles	Must configure manually
Data Ownership	Shopify stores on their servers	100% owned by you
Backup	Included	Need backup plan/plugins

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8️⃣ Support & Maintenance

Service	Shopify	WooCommerce
Customer Support	24/7 Official support	Community + Developer support
Technical Maintenance	Very low	High (tech team required)

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9️⃣ Time to Launch

Stage	Shopify	WooCommerce
Setup Duration	Very quick (1–2 weeks)	Longer (3–6+ weeks depending complexity)

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✔️ Who Should Choose What?

Choose Shopify if:

• You want quick launch

• You don’t want to manage servers/security

• Standard features are enough

• You prefer predictable monthly cost

Choose WordPress + WooCommerce if:

• You want full control of design & functionality

• You want advanced or custom store features

• You want ownership of data and server

• You want strong SEO and content marketing

• You want multi-country, multi-currency flexibility

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Final Recommendation Summary

Factor	Shopify	WordPress + WooCommerce
Cost Control	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Customization	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time to Market	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
SEO Power	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ownership	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Conclusion

Both platforms are excellent — the right choice depends on business priorities:

• If convenience, stability, and faster launch matter more → Shopify

• If flexibility, advanced features, long-term cost control & SEO results matter → WooCommerce

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🚀 Shopify vs WordPress + WooCommerce

Decision Support Document for Online Store Development

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1️⃣ Pricing Proposal

Option A: Shopify Online Store

Cost Component	Details	Amount
Setup & Development	Theme setup, design customization, category/products, basic apps	₹ 85,000 – ₹ 1,50,000 (one-time)
Shopify Plan	Basic plan	~$29/month (₹2,500/mo approx)
Premium Theme (optional)	One-time	₹12,000 – ₹25,000
Paid Apps (if required)	For advanced features & automation	₹1,000 – ₹8,000/mo
Maintenance	Shopify handles hosting & security	Minimal

Estimated Year-1 Cost: ₹1,35,000 – ₹2,50,000
Year-2+: ₹30,000 – ₹96,000 (depending on apps)

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Option B: WordPress + WooCommerce Online Store

Cost Component	Details	Amount
Setup & Development	Full custom design, plugins configuration	₹1,10,000 – ₹2,00,000 (one-time)
Hosting	High-performance managed cloud hosting	₹8,000 – ₹25,000/year
Paid Plugins & Theme	SEO, security, automation	₹5,000 – ₹20,000/year
Maintenance & Support	Monthly security updates, backups	₹18,000 – ₹50,000/year

Estimated Year-1 Cost: ₹1,41,000 – ₹2,95,000
Year-2+: ₹30,000 – ₹95,000

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✔ Financial Summary

Factor	Shopify	WooCommerce
Initial Investment	Lower	Slightly higher
Long-term Cost	Higher due to apps	More economical long-term
Flexibility	Limited	Unlimited

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2️⃣ Timeline Comparison

Project Stage	Shopify	WooCommerce
UI Design & Theme Setup	1–2 weeks	2–3 weeks
Product & Category Setup	3–6 days	1–2 weeks
Payment, Shipping & Integrations	4–6 days	1–2 weeks
QA & Launch	3–5 days	5–7 days
Total Go-Live	3–4 weeks	6–8 weeks

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3️⃣ Technical Architecture

Shopify

[Visitor] → [Shopify Frontend] → [Shopify Secure Hosting + CDN] 
          → [Shopify Apps] → [Payment Gateway (Shopify Pay/Razorpay/WooCommerce)] 
          → [Order Fulfillment]

All managed end-to-end by Shopify

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WooCommerce

[Visitor] → [WordPress Theme + WooCommerce]
          → [Cloud Hosting + CDN Integration]
          → [Plugins & Custom Modules]
          → [Payment Gateway Integration]
          → [Order Fulfillment + Admin Panel]

Full ownership & control over every layer

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4️⃣ Feature Checklist

Phase-1 (Launch-Ready)

Feature	Shopify	WooCommerce
Responsive Storefront	✔	✔
Products, Categories, Filters	✔	✔
Cart & Checkout	✔	✔
Razorpay / CC / UPI Payments	✔	✔
Order Tracking & Notifications	✔	✔
Coupon & Discount System	✔	✔
SEO Setup – Basic	✔	✔
Blog/Content Pages	✔	✔
Delivery Pincode/Zone Support	App-based	Custom + Plugin

Delivery: 3–4 weeks (Shopify) / 6–8 weeks (WooCommerce)

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Phase-2 (Growth & Automation Enhancements)

Feature	Shopify	WooCommerce
Loyalty & Rewards Program	App	Custom/Plugin
WhatsApp Marketing Integration	App	Plugin/Custom
Multi-Vendor Expansion	App (Expensive)	Full Custom Possible
Multi-Language & Multi-Currency	App	Native customization
App Development (Android/iOS)	Shopify API	Full integration control
ERP/POS Integrations	Limited flexibility	High flexibility
Auto Inventory Sync Multiple Locations	App Based	Custom build possible
Marketplace Onboarding	Limited	Full control

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Final Recommendation Summary

Factor	Shopify	WooCommerce
Speed to Launch	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Custom Features	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Long-Term Growth Potential	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ownership & Control	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SEO Performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Conclusion

Business Stage	Best Option
New business / Want quick launch	Shopify
Growing brand / Requires customization & automation	WooCommerce
Multi-location / Multi-currency / Marketplace vision	WooCommerce