If you’re planning to launch an online store in Australia, one of the first decisions you’ll face is choosing the right platform. Two of the most popular options are Shopify and WordPress (with WooCommerce). Both are powerful, but they cater to different needs. In this guide, we’ll compare Shopify and WordPress side by side to help Australian businesses choose the right fit for growth in 2025.
Shopify vs WordPress: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | WordPress (WooCommerce) |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly, all-in-one solution | Requires setup & plugins (more hands-on) |
| Pricing | From $29/month (first 3 months at $1) | Free core software + hosting from $2.95 |
| Customization | Limited compared to WordPress | Unlimited customization via plugins & themes |
| Apps & Plugins | 8,000+ apps (secure & tested) | 60,000+ plugins (varied quality) |
| Sales Features | Built-in abandoned cart, discounts, multi-channel sales | WooCommerce needed for eCommerce |
| Security | High-level, hosted by Shopify | Depends on hosting & plugin security |
| Best For | Businesses wanting to scale fast | Content-heavy websites with flexibility |
Shopify: Best for Growing Australian Online Stores
Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform built for selling. It’s an all-in-one package that includes hosting, security, payment gateways, and built-in features like:
- Unlimited products<br>
- Abandoned cart recovery<br>
- Discount codes<br>
- Multi-channel selling (Instagram, TikTok, marketplaces)<br>
Shopify’s local advantage for Australians:
- Integrates seamlessly with Aussie payment gateways like Afterpay and PayPal AU.<br>
- Complies with Australian GST rules.<br>
- Strong local community and support.<br>
💡 Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses that want to scale quickly without worrying about technical maintenance.
WordPress: Best for Content-Heavy Websites in Australia
WordPress.org is the world’s most popular CMS, powering 40%+ of websites. For eCommerce, it works with the WooCommerce plugin.
Key benefits include:
- Limitless customization with 60,000+ plugins<br>
- Cost flexibility (start cheap, scale with premium tools)<br>
- Excellent for businesses that focus on content marketing + sales<br>
⚠️ But here’s the catch:
- You’ll need hosting (from $2.95/month in Australia with providers like Bluehost or Hostinger).<br>
- You’ll manage plugins, updates, and security yourself.<br>
💡 Best for: Australian businesses running blogs, media sites, or content-heavy stores that also want eCommerce flexibility.
Shopify vs WordPress: Marketing, SEO & Design Comparison
Marketing Features
Getting customers to discover your store is just as important as managing inventory. Both Shopify and WordPress offer strong marketing capabilities, but in different ways.
- Shopify:<br>
- Built-in tools like Shopify Email for campaigns and contact forms for lead capture.<br>
- Seamless integrations with social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even Roblox for community building and multichannel marketing.<br>
- Easy access to all marketing tools directly from your dashboard—no third-party hunting required.<br>
- WordPress:<br>
- Relies on plugins such as Mailchimp (email), Hubspot (CRM), Google Ads, and Pretty Links (affiliate marketing).<br>
- Offers more variety, but requires manual setup and management.<br>
👉 Verdict: Shopify is more convenient for beginners, while WordPress offers flexibility for advanced marketers.
SEO Performance
- Shopify:<br>
- Beginner-friendly SEO features built in, including editable metadata, alt text, and automated site suggestions.<br>
- Shopify Magic (AI) helps generate optimized product descriptions for better visibility.<br>
- Strong site speed and technical SEO handled automatically.<br>
- WordPress:<br>
- Provides more control for advanced SEO users.<br>
- Plugins like Yoast SEO and RankMath allow deep customization.<br>
- Requires technical knowledge to optimize speed and structure.<br>
👉 Verdict: Shopify simplifies SEO for new users, while WordPress is better for businesses that want advanced optimization control.
Design Flexibility
- Shopify:<br>
- Offers 24 free themes and 800+ premium themes ($100–$500 one-time).<br>
- New Horizon editor (2025) introduces AI-powered design blocks and personalized themes.<br>
- Fast onboarding, but design customization is more limited compared to WordPress.<br>
- WordPress:<br>
- Over 13,000 themes (many free) and complete creative freedom.<br>
- Advanced users can tweak every detail with coding.<br>
- Relies on plugins and templates to simplify the editor.<br>
👉 Verdict: WordPress wins for total creative control, but it demands more time and technical skill. Shopify is better for businesses that want a clean, professional store without coding.
