When you start your journey of launching your e-commerce store, there comes a crucial point where choosing the right e-commerce platform becomes extremely important. Many people wonder why I should use Shopify? What distinguishes it from competitors? How does it even work? In this blog, we will answer all the questions you have in your mind. We’ll closely look at Shopify, a Canadian e-commerce solution, and explore some of its significant advantages.
A Brief Introduction to Shopify
Shopify is a subscription-based software that offers an easy way to create an online store and sell their products. This platform provides a flexible solution for Shopify store owners to sell their products in person using the Shopify POS (point-of-sale) application and compatible hardware.
For Shopify merchants who operate both online and physically, the platform offers automatic synchronization of inventory and stock, so you can effortlessly manage all your store operations from a single account, accessible to any device. It’s an all-in-one solution to simplify the management of your business, whether it’s online, offline, or both.
Shopify’s 11 Competitive Advantages
Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify is gaining popularity among sellers who sell their products worldwide. It has become an essential factor in the e-commerce industry.
Shopify’s user-friendly features and valuable benefits set it apart from other platforms, making it a compelling choice for e-commerce success. Turning our attention to the next part, let’s explore the attractive features of the Shopify benefits package, which provides a range of advantages for e-commerce businesses.
User-Friendly E-commerce Platform
The primary factor that attracts merchants is its user-friendly design. Adding products, applying discounts, and processing orders are simple and efficient. Web design becomes accessible with Shopify’s drag-and-drop editing tool. You can have a fully functional webshop in just four minutes. The Shopify platform handles the technical aspects by providing both the software and hosting, simplifying the process of launching your web store.
Shopify All-Inclusive Business Support
Shopify supports a diverse range of e-commerce businesses, allowing users to sell physical, digital, or drop-shipped products (if they comply with legal regulations). Shopify sellers use the platform to promote a wide range of products, such as:
- Handcrafted goods.
- Beauty Supplies.
- Fitness Products.
- Home decor goods.
- Outdoor gear.
- Digital Products.
- Online Classes.
- Gift Cards.
- eBooks.
There are numerous possibilities for selling products on Shopify. The only strict rule is that you cannot sell illegal items. The Prohibited products are alcohol, e-cigarettes, tobacco, drugs, fireworks, firearms, weapons, video game currency, and hateful Content.
Budget-friendly Startup Cost
Shopify offers an affordable setup with reasonably priced monthly fees. If you’re wondering how much Shopify costs? Shopify has a 14-day free trial, after which users choose from various subscription options. The most basic plan starts at $29 per month, and a premier package is available at $299 per month.
All these plans encompass SSL security and web hosting. SSL is the standard technology for securing internet connections and protecting sensitive data. If you prefer a custom domain name without the brand name in your URL, it costs an extra $14 per year. Entry-level Packages support two users per account while providing unlimited product and storage space.
Captivating and Customizable Themes
Once you register for a Shopify account, you’ll instantly unlock a collection of more than 70 free themes alongside various paid premium themes. These themes are user-friendly and professionally designed. Remember that buying a theme from the Shopify store requires a one-time fee.
Mobile-Friendly Themes
Shopify offers mobile-friendly themes and user-friendly apps that allow users to manage their shops from their mobile phones. In the mobile-centric world, this feature is important as shoppers use their smartphones for online purchasing.
Seamless Dropshipping
It is the preferred platform for numerous dropshippers. Its seamless dropshipping integrations with industry leaders, like Spocket and Oberlo, streamline the process directly from your Shopify admin.
Reliable Customer Support
Shopify provides 24/7 technical support via phone, live chat, and email. They also offer self-help options. Customers appreciate their extended support beyond business hours.
Multichannel Support through Shopify POS
For merchants operating across multiple channels, including in-person and online, Shopify is a perfect platform.
Shopify simplifies selling in brick-and-mortar and pop-up shops through its integrated POS system. Upon signing up for a Shopify eCommerce store, you’ll automatically get access to Shopify POS. This system streamlines in-person retail transactions and card payments, which ensures smooth sync between your online store and POS.
Marketplace
Shopify’s Marketplace offers an impressive array of over 3,500 add-ons. Shopify provides a basic setup you may need to integrate additional tools like shipping software, payment getaways, or email marketing solutions. With the extensive selection of add-ons, you can easily find the extensions to enhance your store. You can also discover free Shopify apps that can elevate the appearance and functionality of your store without any cost.
Consider integrating shipping software to optimize your order processing. For instance:
- Waredock: Connect to the Waredock fulfillment network by delivering your products to our warehouses and start shipping operations.
- ShippingEasy: It allows you to effortlessly import orders, generate shipments, and conveniently handle postage payments and label printing.
- Ordoro: Ordoro offers comprehensive shipping solutions that include optional inventory management. Customers appreciate Ordoro’s robust dropshipping features.
Security and Consistency
Security, particularly the protection of customer’s sensitive data, should be of utmost importance for all e-commerce merchants. While prioritizing the protection of customer data, the consistent accessibility of this data is crucial. Shopify has a robust technical infrastructure that prevents server interruptions, even during peak traffic periods like Black Friday.
Shopify’s Analytics
It provides Analytics tools that help users track their store’s performance, including sales, website traffic, and various metrics that empower you to make data-driven decisions for business growth.
Explore Our Shopify Development Services to boost your online presence and achieve e-commerce success.
The Few Most Searched Questions:
What is Shopify used for?
Shopify is primarily used for creating and managing online stores, making it accessible to emerging entrepreneurs and established businesses.
What does Shopify offer to entrepreneurs and businesses?
It’s an all-in-one solution that provides a set of comprehensive features, including customizable website templates, secure payment processing, and efficient inventory management, empowering your business to thrive in the competitive online marketplace.
What are Shopify’s most prominent product categories?
As of June 2023, fashion merchants emerged as the leading users of Shopify services, with more than 500,000 online apparel stores. Following closely, the home and garden category secured the second-highest level of popularity.
Conclusion
Initially, Shopify primarily appealed to small and medium-sized online retailers. Its user-friendly interface and extensive range of options for integrating internal and external apps are the two factors contributing to its popularity among e-commerce businesses.
In 2015, Shopify broadened its features, presenting an appealing option for large e-commerce and multi-channel companies. The enterprise platform Shopify Plus is used by the most renowned brands, including some companies featured in the Forbes 500 list.
Shopify is an ideal choice for those who are looking to create their online store. Explore it yourself or collaborate with Hashlogics to build your e-commerce website.
