Which platform for your online store?
There are three popular routes to building an online store. Each option has its own strengths.
Option 1: Shopify
A hosted platform that gets a store up quickly.
Suited to: beginners, small product catalogues, launching fast
Cost: €29 – €349/month + transaction fees
Pros: easy, fast, good support
Cons: limited flexibility, ongoing monthly cost, vendor lock-in
Option 2: WooCommerce (WordPress)
A free plugin for WordPress that turns it into a store.
Suited to: existing WordPress sites, mid-sized catalogues
Cost: €3,000 – €15,000 (one-off) + hosting
Pros: flexible, no transaction fees, large plugin library
Cons: needs maintenance, performance can be a challenge
Option 3: Custom
A fully bespoke store built with Next.js, Medusa or Saleor.
Suited to: unique requirements, high volumes, B2B
Cost: €15,000 – €50,000+
Pros: full control, maximum performance, unique UX
Cons: higher initial investment, longer lead time
Comparison table
| Criterion | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start-up cost | Low | Medium | High |
| Ongoing cost | High | Low | Low |
| Flexibility | Limited | Good | Unlimited |
| Performance | Good | Average | Excellent |
| SEO | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Scalability | Good | Limited | Unlimited |
Which to choose?
Discuss your store project with VirtuoLab.