The platform you choose for your online store affects your monthly costs, how much you can customise, and how easily you can leave later. There is no best option, only a best fit for your business.
Shopify: fastest to launch, simple to run
Shopify is a hosted store. The platform handles hosting, security updates and the checkout, and you pay a monthly fee plus transaction costs.
Strengths
- Live in days, not months.
- Security and uptime are handled for you.
- Strong apps for shipping, email and marketing.
Limits
- Monthly fees and app costs add up.
- Custom features are limited to what the platform allows.
- Payment options depend on what is supported in your country. Check your local gateway first.
Best for: retailers with a clear catalogue who want to sell quickly, and teams without technical staff.
WooCommerce on WordPress: flexible and owned
WooCommerce turns a WordPress site into a store. You host it yourself, so you control the data, the design and the payment methods.
Strengths
- Full control and a very large plugin ecosystem.
- Works well with local payment gateways and delivery rules.
- Store and content (blog, guides) live on one site, which helps SEO.
Limits
- You are responsible for hosting, updates and security. A neglected WooCommerce site is a common target.
- Too many plugins slow it down.
Best for: businesses that want flexibility, content-led sales, and a store they fully own. It needs a proper hosting plan and regular maintenance, which is what a Care Plan covers.
Custom build: when the shop is part of a bigger system
A custom store is built specifically for your business, often connected to stock systems, an internal ERP, or a B2B portal.
Strengths
- Fits your process exactly.
- Integrates with inventory, accounting and delivery.
- No platform limits.
Limits
- Highest upfront cost and longest timeline.
- You depend on the developer for changes.
Best for: wholesale and B2B sellers, businesses with special pricing rules, and shops that must sync with internal systems. We built Gemcolony this way, with an internal automation system and a buyer portal sharing one stock record.
A simple decision guide
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want to launch in two weeks with minimal tech | Shopify |
| Want to own everything and sell through content and SEO | WooCommerce |
| Sell to trade buyers or need internal system integration | Custom |
| Have under 50 products and no technical staff | Shopify |
| Have hundreds of products with detailed specifications | WooCommerce or custom |
Three questions before you decide
- How will customers pay, and does the platform support it? Confirm your payment gateway first.
- Who will run the store day to day? If nobody technical, pick a hosted option or budget for a care plan.
- Where will you be in two years? A platform that is easy to start on but hard to leave can cost more later.
Not sure? Talk to us. We build on all three, so the advice does not depend on selling you one.
