Frost & Sullivan, half a decade ago predicted global B2B is expected to reach6.7 Trillion USD by the end of 2020.
Superpowers like the United States and China are leading the B2B eCommerce marketplace.
Big brands, including Amazon and Alibaba, are now quite popular in the B2B market.
If you’re inspired with these top-notch brands and thinking to transform your brand, you’ve made the best decision ever.
But to take your business online, you require an eCommerce platform to establish your brand in an online marketplace.
There are plenty of eCommerce platforms available out there. Shopify vs WooCommerce are the two most reputable and stable eCommerce platforms.
But the billion-dollar question which most of you will ask, which eCommerce platform is better? Shopify or WooCommerce?
Not just that which platform is suitable for a B2B eCommerce store?
Today, in this article, we’ll discuss both the eCommerce platforms from a B2B perspective.
But before that, let’s first compare Shopify and WooCommerce in terms of features and pricing.
So let’s begin.
Overview: Shopify vs WooCommerce
Shopify
An eCommerce dedicated platform; Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform used to build and design an online store. It offers an array of advanced tools- from order management to accept payments, and much more- to make your online store processes seamless.
Shopify takes care of all your business needs efficiently. This closed-source eCommerce solution not only helps in creating an online store but also looks after the technical aspects of it.
WooCommerce
Primarily WooCommerce is a plugin of the most popular CMS platform, WordPress. It’s not just a simple plugin but go-to eCommerce platform for WordPress users.
Since it’s based on WordPress, which is an open-source platform, it’s highly flexible and customizable. Looking from an eCommerce lens, it offers all the necessary tools with which you can create an awe-striking online store.
Unlike Shopify, on WooCommerce, you’ve to look after the technical factors by yourself. From hosting account, security, and user roles management, you need to manage all of it from your end.
For the sake of comparison, we’ve decided to showcase the critical differences between the two eCommerce platforms with a tabular form.
| Shopify is a subscription-based tool. Complete eCommerce solution. | A WordPress plugin. It requires a hosting account, domain name and SSL certificate. |
| 24/7 live customer support via chat, email, and Twitter. | Support from WooCommerce.
Online forums and channels available.
No phone support. |
| Unlimited website storage. | Website space depends on the chosen hosting plan. |
eCommerce Online Store Design
| Over 70 templates | Hundreds of thousands of free and paid themes |
| Closed-source system- you cannot modify your store according to your own choice | Open-source system- allows to modify and customize store freely |
| SSL certificate already included | Users need to look for a hosting provider who offers SSL certificate or purchase it manually |
However, both eCommerce platforms allow selling any product physical or digital including, services, apps or software etc.
Pricing
|
Basic Shopify plans $29 per month.
If that isn’t enough for you can upgrade to the Shopify main plan that costs $79 per month or the Advanced Shopify plan at $299 monthly. |
Free of cost just like other WordPress plugins |
|
Each plan provides domain name, web hosting and SSL certificate |
You’ll have to purchase a domain name, WordPress hosting account and SSL certificate to start your business on WordPress.
A domain name can cost around $14.9.9, web hosting account costs $7.99 per month and SSL certificate costs $69.99. |
| Shopify offers its own payments solution. It costs 2.9% +30 cents flat rate per transaction.
However, it charges 2% extra fees on every transaction if you use a third-party payment gateway. | By default, it offers Stripe & PayPal payments. You can also add third-party payment gateways.
WooCommerce doesn’t charge a single penny on any transaction. |
After giving a short general overview of both eCommerce platforms, now let’s explore both eCommerce solutions from a B2B perspective.
Shopify vs WooCommerce for Business-to-Business eCommerce
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus is a perfect flagship product offering amazing B2B specific features. The top-notch features help users in making a powerful B2b eCommerce store.
Aside from providing a dedicated B2B eCommerce setup, it offers many value-laden advanced features including,
- Password Protected Shop
- Product Catalog Management
- Purchasing Terms
- Search Engine Visibility
- Expert Inventory Management
- Integrates easily into existing systems
B2BWoo
Previously, there was a lack of a dedicated B2B WooCommerce Plugin for eCommerce setup. Thanks to WooCommerce, the situation has now changed totally.
Similar to Shopify Plus, WooCommerce offers an all-in-one B2B Solution in the form of a plugin, B2BWoo.
B2BWoo comes with numerous advanced features to improve the wholesale experience.
Let’s check out some of them.
- Corporate Account Management
- Quick Order
- Quotation Management
- Hide or Show Products
- Integration
Shopify vs WooCommerce: Which is the best B2B eCommerce solution?
Since we’ve discussed the main features offered by both the B2B eCommerce Platform, now, it’s time to give the final verdict, which one is better?
Considering the marketplace stats, WooCommerce is more commonly used by online merchants then Shopify. However, in terms of enterprise websites, Shopify takes the lead.
But what about B2B eCommerce? Who is winning the game?
In terms of performance and functionality, both platforms are essentially similar. The main objective of both is to optimally improve user and customer experience.
Whether it’s Shopify or WooCommerce, both are highly-scalable, seamlessly integrate on existing systems and allow users to reach customers globally.
Using these eCommerce platforms helps in painlessly digitizing your business.
However, at the end of the day, the ball is in your hand. It depends totally on your business needs and personal preferences.
Just to make it clear if you’re not ready to handle the technical aspects of your eCommerce business then Shopify Plus is the best option for you.
On the other end of the spectrum, B2BWoo allows you to create a highly-customized store. However, you have to manage all the technical functionalities on your own.
Wrapping Up
On an ending note, we would just like to state that we’ve tried to give a brief overview of both the eCommerce platform.
Both eCommerce solutions are amazing in their own way. It’s up to you which option you choose, before making any decision to check out the demo to find out what you’re getting in each eCommerce solution.
