Shopify Review: All the Pros and Cons

Shopify Highlights

New Shopify users can begin using the software right away with a 14-day free trial. We always prefer services that offer a generous trial period, because not only does it give us the opportunity to try the software, but also implies that the company is confident in their product.

Shopify is connected to a vibrant app market, which is filled with add-ons that can expand your website’s features, functionality, and potential for success. The eCommerce platform accepts a multitude of payment options in nearly every currency and is available to use in approximately 150 countries.

Pros and Cons of Shopify

Pros

• Over one hundred free and paid professionally designed templates that most other builders can't even touch.
• A great library of free and premium third-party apps make your business more capable.
• Live chat and customer support is available whenever you need it, creating a safety net around your business.

Cons

• Some plans are expensive, and fees and paid add-ons can add up quickly.
• Features and editing tools may overwhelm people who have never created a website, or run an online business.
• Full customization of websites can only be done with a proprietary coding language called Liquid.

Ease of Use

Since Shopify is geared towards anyone who wants to start an online business, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the platform is extremely easy to use. There is a tutorial that walks you through the sign-up and website building process, so once the tutorial is over, you shouldn’t have a problem creating and altering your website.

The templates are separated into many categories. Premium templates are somewhat costly at $180 each, so be prepared to spend some money if you find a template you absolutely love but isn’t free. Once you choose your template, uploading your product images, and filling your website with information, as well as editing the overall design of your website is extremely easy to do. In fact, it is so easy, that you are guaranteed to have your website designed and live within minutes.

User Interface

The Shopify user interface is reminiscent of the WordPress dashboard, relying on a sidebar to direct you to all of your customizable settings. Users are provided with all of the information they need at a glance, including Orders, Customers, Products, Reports, and Blog Posts.

Adding products is as simple as typing in product information and you can even add variants of products with a single click of a button. Shopify has built-in gift card management, allowing you to offer customers the option of purchasing credit. Discounts are also simply inputted via the easy-to-use dashboard.

Customizing your actual site is just as simple, although unlike website builders that use a drag-and-drop interface like Wix, all website edits are made using a text entry interface, making the themes less customizable unless you have coding experience and knowledge of Shopify's proprietary Liquid programming language.