Shopify

[MarkSS]

Shopify is one that is constantly mentioned by people but is it just another site that fails to deliver?

 

[Phil Sproson Photography]

The post is sweeping, it’s running well for my business partner who is some years in to using Shopify within their main business, and in our joint concern we’re about to launch a Shopify site and no major issues are looking to be on the cards. What failings are you thinking of specifically? Some inflexibility and finding workarounds is one of my issues, categories and subcategories when everything is in collections is a pain and organising content can be painful, but most systems have a compromise somewhere unless you’re going a bespoke route.

 

[fisicx]

@MarkSS. If you plan to dropship Shopify isn’t the best choice.

Even for a normal e-commerce store is can get very expensive if you need to expand or add more functionality. If you are just selling 30 products to start with your costs could be disproportional.

 

[MarkSS]

@MarkSS. If you plan to dropship Shopify isn’t the best choice.

Even for a normal e-commerce store is can get very expensive if you need to expand or add more functionality. If you are just selling 30 products to start with your costs could be disproportional.

Yes true I guess a wider choice wider potential audience

 

[MarkSS]

The post is sweeping, it’s running well for my business partner who is some years in to using Shopify within their main business, and in our joint concern we’re about to launch a Shopify site and no major issues are looking to be on the cards. What failings are you thinking of specifically? Some inflexibility and finding workarounds is one of my issues, categories and subcategories when everything is in collections is a pain and organising content can be painful, but most systems have a compromise somewhere unless you’re going a bespoke route.

I guess it’s the tech side but there are plenty of training articles on the site.

 

[Mr D]

Shopify, like any other site provider, suits some people.
They have a lot of users. Some do well with it, some don't.

A lot depends on what you are doing and what you want from the site. Perhaps Shopify does meet all your needs. Perhaps somewhere else would suit better.

I've used it and sold with it, would have no trouble using it again. But that is for my business types, not necessarily the same for yours.

 

[ORDERED WEB]

With SAAS ecommerce stores you are boxed in to the price structure, mindset and limitation of the service.

This can be a good thing if you dont want to do anything special or work too hard at producing a website. If it does what you want at the price you are prepared to pay it's perfect. SAAS ecommerce stores work, dont need debugging and server issues are someone elses problem.

That's also the main problem with SAAS platforms. Businesses grow and change, and soon find the hard limitations of the SAAS platform or the pricing model don't fit thier needs. At that point they find out that migrating from a proprietary SAAS model to a different platform is awkward or near impossible.

That's why SAAS are both lauded and moaned about

 

[Paul Norman]

I think shopify largely does what it says on the tin.

Lots of people don't read the tin, though.

I chose not to use it for our projects, but not because it can't be made to work.

 

[WebshopMechanic]

In my experience, Shopify is the best converting ecommerce platform out of the lot.

Yes, it's relatively pricey at times with all the monthly app subscriptions and Shopify Plus isn't cheap. Then again, I do have a client who is turning over £1.5m and pays £30 a month for it with just a few apps bolted on.

But for shear usability and customer experience it is unrivalled. For mobile, it's the best hands down.

Of course, if you have many back-end integrations or need custom functionality, then you may be better off with another platform. (FYI My pet hate is Magento. Constant gremlins and headaches.)

It all really depends on the complexity of your business. If you run a single channel ecommerce business then you'd be brave to bet against it. The designers love it as well because they can get a nice fluffy aesthetic experience.

Matt

 

[MarkSS]

In my experience, Shopify is the best converting ecommerce platform out of the lot.

Yes, it's relatively pricey at times with all the monthly app subscriptions and Shopify Plus isn't cheap. Then again, I do have a client who is turning over £1.5m and pays £30 a month for it with just a few apps bolted on.

But for shear usability and customer experience it is unrivalled. For mobile, it's the best hands down.

Of course, if you have many back-end integrations or need custom functionality, then you may be better off with another platform. (FYI My pet hate is Magento. Constant gremlins and headaches.)

It all really depends on the complexity of your business. If you run a single channel ecommerce business then you'd be brave to bet against it. The designers love it as well because they can get a nice fluffy aesthetic experience.

Matt

Hi Matt thank you for your reply. Yes mine is a gift store using a couple of UK suppliers for fast delivery. I was advised start with small number products 20 plus 5/10 popular sellers. Are you sole trader yourself?

 

[WebshopMechanic]

Hi Matt thank you for your reply. Yes mine is a gift store using a couple of UK suppliers for fast delivery. I was advised start with small number products 20 plus 5/10 popular sellers. Are you sole trader yourself?

Hi Mark, Shopify should be fine for that because it's easy to manage.

Yes, good idea to start small with a few products, find out what shifts and then scale from there.

Make sure you focus on the loyalty side with customers. Hardest part is winning them. Make sure you look after them and build a relationship once you've got them. The real profit comes on the future sales.

I do run an online store (Shopify - no affiliation) but I also help others as my main job is running an ecommerce and digital marketing agency.

Matt

 

[MarkSS]

Hi Mark, Shopify should be fine for that because it's easy to manage.

Yes, good idea to start small with a few products, find out what shifts and then scale from there.

Make sure you focus on the loyalty side with customers. Hardest part is winning them. Make sure you look after them and build a relationship once you've got them. The real profit comes on the future sales.

I do run an online store (Shopify - no affiliation) but I also help others as my main job is running an ecommerce and digital marketing agency.

Matt

Thank you for the tips and good point about customer loyalty too! Do you have a link to your store if you can’t share it’s ok.

 

[antropy]

Of course, if you have many back-end integrations or need custom functionality, then you may be better off with another platform. (FYI My pet hate is Magento. Constant gremlins and headaches.)

This paragraph sums it up really. Shopify is great unless you need functionality customisation. In that case don't use Shopify but avoid Magento like the plague and consider something simple like OpenCart or Prestashop.

Paul.