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E-commerce

Shopify vs WooCommerce vs Custom: Choosing an E-commerce Platform

Your e-commerce platform affects costs, speed and growth for years. Here is how Shopify, WooCommerce and custom stores compare.

Comparing e-commerce platforms for an online store
On this page 6 sections
  1. Shopify
  2. WooCommerce
  3. Custom e-commerce
  4. Questions that decide it
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Indian payment and shipping needs

STG Digital Solutions builds online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce and fully custom platforms, and each is the right answer for different businesses.

Shopify

A hosted platform: Shopify handles servers, security and updates.

Choose it if: you want to launch quickly, prefer low maintenance and sell standard physical or digital products.

Consider: monthly fees, app costs, and some limits on deep customisation.

WooCommerce

A free e-commerce plugin for WordPress, hosted on your own server.

Choose it if: you already use WordPress, want content and store together, or want more control over hosting and costs.

Consider: you're responsible for hosting, updates, security and performance.

Custom e-commerce

A store built specifically for your business.

Choose it if: you have complex pricing (B2B, wholesale, bulk tiers), need deep integration with ERP or inventory systems, run a marketplace, or have unique workflows.

Consider: higher upfront investment and longer build time.

Questions that decide it

  1. How many products, and how complex are variants and pricing?
  2. Do you sell B2C, B2B, or both?
  3. Which systems must the store connect to: ERP, billing, couriers?
  4. Who will manage the store day to day?
  5. Where are your customers: India, abroad, or both?

Frequently asked questions

Is Shopify or WooCommerce better for India?

Both work well in India with UPI and Indian payment gateways. Shopify is easier to manage; WooCommerce gives more control and suits businesses already on WordPress.

When should I build a custom e-commerce website?

When you have complex B2B pricing, run a marketplace, need deep ERP integration or have workflows that standard platforms can’t handle.

Can I move my store to another platform later?

Yes. Products, customers and orders can usually be migrated, with redirects to protect your search rankings.

Indian payment and shipping needs

For Indian customers, plan for UPI, cards, net banking, wallets and cash on delivery, plus courier integrations and GST-ready invoices. For international sales, plan currencies, taxes and shipping zones.

Not sure which fits? Our e-commerce development team will recommend the simplest platform that meets your needs. Book a free consultation.

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