COMMERCE / BEGINNER'S GUIDE
Is Shopify right for your small business?
Shopify can help businesses sell physical products, digital goods and other eligible offerings online. But it isn't automatically the best choice for every business. Here's how to decide.
Affiliate disclosure: WHATIF may earn a commission if you sign up through our Shopify link. That does not change the price you pay through the link or guarantee a particular offer. Compare current terms directly with Shopify.
When Shopify makes sense
Shopify is worth considering when you need a storefront with product listings, checkout, order management, inventory features and access to commerce integrations. It can reduce the amount of technical work involved in running a store.
When you might not need Shopify
If your main goal is a simple informational site, portfolio, or service-business landing page without online checkout, a general website builder may be a better fit. If you need extensive custom functionality, compare development costs before choosing a platform.
Five costs to check before signing up
- Subscription: compare the current plan tiers and what each includes.
- Payment processing: calculate fees for your expected payment methods and locations.
- Apps: some integrations charge separate monthly or usage fees.
- Theme and design: determine whether free templates meet your needs.
- Shipping and fulfillment: include packaging, returns, and delivery costs.
Plans, promotions, transaction fees and available features can change. Verify them on the provider's official pricing pages rather than relying on an old comparison.
Questions to answer first
How many products will you sell? Do you need shipping, pickup or subscriptions? Will you sell internationally? Which payment methods do your customers use? What is your monthly software budget after the promotional period ends?
Our recommendation
Start with your actual selling workflow, then compare Shopify's current plans against your needs. If checkout, inventory and order management are essential, Shopify deserves a close look. If you only need a brochure-style website, compare alternatives before committing.
Also read: Shopify vs. Webflow · Explore more software.