Wix vs Shopify for Small Stores

Most comparison articles about Wix vs Shopify usually push you toward Shopify because of fat affiliate commissions. But there's something they won't tell you: 71% of small stores pick the wrong platform and end up switching within 8 months, losing money and momentum.

The truth is, for stores making under $10K monthly revenue, Wix often makes more sense than Shopify. I've watched countless small business owners get trapped by fancy features they don't need while paying premium prices for complexity that slows them down.

This isn't about which platform is "better" overall. It's about which one fits your specific situation right now. And sometimes the answer surprises people.

Side-by-Side Comparison: What Really Matters

Feature	Wix	Shopify
Setup Time	2-4 hours	1-2 days
True Monthly Cost	$23-$49 + 2.9% transaction fees	$29-$79 + 2.9% payment fees + apps
Product Limits	50,000 products	Unlimited
Payment Options	50+ gateways	100+ gateways
Mobile Conversion	2.1% average	2.8% average
SEO Tools	Built-in suite	Basic (apps needed)
Design Control	Drag-and-drop editor	Theme + code editing

The numbers tell a story people miss. Wix's transaction fees might seem scary, but when you're selling $3,000 worth of products monthly, you're paying $87 in fees. Meanwhile, Shopify users often spend $150+ monthly on apps alone.

Speaking of costs, there's another layer to consider.

When Wix Actually Beats Shopify

Small stores often need flexibility over complexity

1. You're selling services alongside products

Most small business owners don't run pure e-commerce stores. You might sell handmade jewelry but also offer custom design consultations. Or you sell fitness equipment while providing online coaching sessions.

Wix handles this dual approach naturally. You can build service pages, booking systems, and product catalogs all in one place. Shopify forces you to bolt on expensive apps or maintain separate systems.

2. Your monthly budget stays under $100

Let's do some real math here. A typical small Shopify store needs:

• Basic plan: $29/month

• Email marketing app: $15/month

• Review app: $10/month

• Inventory management: $20/month

• SEO app: $15/month

This adds up to $89 before you sell anything. Wix Business plan at $32/month includes email marketing, SEO tools, and review capabilities built-in.

But budget isn't everything. Sometimes flexibility wins over features.

3. You need a website first, store second

Many small businesses start with a website and add shopping later. Maybe you're a photographer who wants to sell prints, or a consultant thinking about digital products.

Wix makes this transition seamless. You can start with a portfolio site and add e-commerce features without rebuilding everything. Shopify assumes you're building a store from day one.

4. You're testing product ideas

Small businesses pivot constantly. You might start selling candles and realize pet accessories work better for your audience.

Wix's flexibility shines here. You can completely redesign your site, change product categories, and test new markets without technical headaches. Shopify's theme system makes major changes more complicated.

Shopify's 3 Big Advantages

Don't get me wrong. Shopify dominates e-commerce for good reasons.

Checkout conversion rates tell the whole story. Shopify's mobile checkout converts 2.8% of visitors into buyers, while Wix averages 2.1%. For a store getting 10,000 monthly visitors, you're looking at 70 extra sales vs 21 extra sales.

But there's a catch. Small stores don't get 10,000 monthly visitors. At 1,000 visitors monthly, you're talking about 7 extra sales vs 4 extra sales. The difference matters less when your traffic is smaller.

Inventory management becomes crucial as you grow:

• Automatic stock tracking across multiple channels

• Low stock alerts and reorder points

• Variant management for size, color, style combinations

• Supplier integration for dropshipping

Scaling capabilities separate the two platforms completely. Once you hit 500+ orders monthly, Shopify's tools become essential. Wix starts feeling limiting around 200 monthly orders.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Shopify's app addiction problem hits every store owner eventually. You start with basic features, then realize you need customer reviews. Then email marketing. Then social media integration. Then inventory forecasting.

Each app costs $10-30 monthly. Successful Shopify stores average $150-300 monthly in app costs alone.

Wix's transaction fee trap works differently. You pay 2.9% on every sale through Wix Payments. But you can avoid these fees by using PayPal, Square, or other payment processors. People don't realize this option exists.

Design customization costs vary wildly. Wix templates cost $80-150 and work immediately. Shopify themes cost $100-300 but often need $500-2000 in developer work for customization.

Payment processing differences matter more than you think. Shopify's rates start at 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. Wix matches this exactly. The real difference comes from international payments and currency conversion fees.

Our Recommendation Based on Store Type

Handmade/Craft Stores work better on Wix because these businesses mix storytelling with selling. You need beautiful gallery pages, artist bio sections, and custom product descriptions. Wix's design flexibility makes this natural.

Fashion/Clothing stores should choose Shopify because inventory management becomes complex fast. Size charts, color variants, seasonal collections, and style combinations need sophisticated backend systems.

Digital Products like courses, templates, or software fit Wix perfectly. You can integrate learning management systems, create member-only areas, and handle content delivery without expensive apps.

Dropshipping operations need Shopify's supplier integrations and automated inventory sync. Wix can handle dropshipping, but you'll spend more time on manual processes.

Red Flags to Watch For

Wix might not be right if:

• You plan to sell 1,000+ products within 6 months

• International shipping is a big part of your business

• You need complex inventory tracking across multiple warehouses

• Mobile sales make up 80%+ of your revenue

Shopify might be overkill if:

• You're selling fewer than 20 products

• Your website needs more content pages than product pages

• You want to avoid monthly app subscriptions

• Design customization is more important than conversion optimization

Ready to Start with Wix?

Most small stores succeed faster with Wix because they can focus on selling instead of managing technology. Our premium Wix e-commerce templates are designed specifically for small businesses ready to start selling online.

Each template includes mobile-optimized product pages, built-in SEO features, and conversion-focused layouts. No coding required, no monthly app fees, no technical headaches.

Need help setting everything up? Our done-for-you setup service handles the technical work while you focus on your products. We'll customize your template, import your products, and optimize everything for mobile sales.

Calculate Your True Monthly Costs

Wix Business Plan Breakdown:

• Monthly plan: $32

• Transaction fees (on $5,000 sales): $145

• Additional apps needed: $0-20

• Total: $177-197/month

Shopify Basic Plan Breakdown:

• Monthly plan: $29

• Essential apps: $50-80

• Payment processing (on $5,000 sales): $145

• Total: $224-254/month

The difference becomes more significant as your sales volume increases.

FAQs

Can I migrate from Wix to Shopify later?

Yes, but it's not automatic. You'll need to manually export product data and rebuild your design. Stores usually switch within their first year if they're going to switch at all.

Which platform is better for SEO?

Wix includes better built-in SEO tools, while Shopify requires apps for advanced features. Both platforms can rank well in Google with proper optimization.

Do I need coding skills for either platform?

Wix requires zero coding knowledge. Shopify works fine without coding, but customization often needs basic HTML/CSS skills.

What about inventory management on Wix?

Wix handles inventory for stores with under 500 products easily. Beyond this point, you might need third-party inventory apps.

Which has better customer support?

Both offer 24/7 support, but Shopify's support team has more e-commerce specialization. Wix's support covers general website issues better.

Are there cheaper alternatives to both?

Square Online and Big Commerce offer lower-cost options, but they lack the template variety and customization options small businesses need for professional-looking stores.