What Is Shopify? Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Shopify (2025)

What Is Shopify

Shopify is a robust cloud-based eCommerce platform designed to help businesses and individuals seamlessly build and manage online stores. With its flexibility and extensive sales management tools, Shopify is a top choice for both emerging entrepreneurs and well-established brands.

But is Shopify the right fit for your retail needs? Let’s dive into its key features, benefits for merchants, and how it stacks up against other eCommerce platforms.

5 Advantages of Using Shopify

Shopify offers several user-friendly features that make it easy for businesses to set up and manage their online stores. Here are some of the key ones:

Shopify is user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage an online store without needing technical skills.

• Drag-and-Drop Store Builder – No coding skills are required; users can easily customize their store layout using drag-and-drop functionality.
• Intuitive Dashboard – The dashboard is simple and well-organized, allowing users to track sales, manage inventory, and process orders with ease.

2. Customizable and Scalable
With numerous themes and apps, Shopify allows businesses to customize their store and scale as they grow.

• Mobile-Optimized Themes - Shopify offers responsive themes that ensure a seamless shopping experience across all devices.
• One-Click App Integration - Users can enhance their store’s functionality by installing apps from the Shopify App Store with just one click.

3. Multiple Payment Options
Shopify supports multiple payment options to ensure smooth transactions for customers. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Shopify Payments - Built-in Payment Gateway with no third-party fees, supports major credit/debit cards, and faster checkout process.
• Third-Party Payment Gateways - Over 100+ options like PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.NET, and Square
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services - Apps like Shop Pay Installments, Afterpay, and Klarna allow customers to pay over time in installments, often without interest or with low fees.

4. Reliable Security & Hosting
Shopify handles security, updates, and hosting, ensuring that stores run smoothly with minimal downtime.

• 99.9% Uptime - Ensures your store is always online, even during high-traffic periods.
• PCI-DSS Compliance - Keeps payment information secure, meeting industry security standards.
• SSL Certificate Included - Encrypts customer data for safe transactions

5. 24/7 Customer Support
Shopify’s 24/7 customer support is a major advantage for businesses, ensuring that merchants get help whenever they need it. Here are the key benefits:

• Instant Assistance Anytime - Support is available 24/7 via live chat, phone, and email, so you can get help even during late hours or weekends.
• Faster Issue Resolution - Quick responses help solve technical issues, payment problems, or order concerns without disrupting business operations.
• Expert Guidance - Shopify’s support team consists of trained professionals who can assist with everything from store setup to advanced troubleshooting.

5 Disadvantages of Using Shopify

Shopify offers plenty to appreciate, but like any service, it comes with a few drawbacks. While these issues may not be deal-breakers for everyone, some users might find them significant enough to reconsider choosing Shopify:

1. Credit Card Processing Fees
These fees apply when you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in payment processor). The rate varies based on your Shopify plan:

• Basic Shopify -  2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction
• Shopify Plan -  2.6% + 30¢ per online transaction
• Advanced Shopify -  2.4% + 30¢ per online transaction

2. Third-Party Payment Processor Fees
If you use a payment gateway like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee:

• Basic Shopify - 2.0% per transaction
• Shopify Plan - 1.0% per transaction
• Advanced Shopify - 0.5% per transaction

3. Currency Conversion Fees
Currency conversion fees in Shopify can pose several disadvantages for businesses operating in multiple currencies. Here are some key drawbacks:

• Increased Costs for Merchants - Shopify charges 1.5% (or 2% on the Basic plan) for converting currencies through Shopify Payments. This extra cost reduces profit margins, especially for businesses with high international sales volume.
• Higher Prices for Customers - If the merchant passes on the currency conversion costs to customers, product prices may appear higher in certain regions. This can discourage potential buyers and hurt conversions.
• Limited Alternatives - Merchants using Shopify Payments have no way to bypass these fees, as Shopify does not allow third-party currency exchange services to process transactions directly.

4. Limited Customization
Advanced customization often demands technical skills or hiring developers, which can be costly for small businesses.

• Restricted Theme Customization - Shopify uses Liquid, a proprietary coding language, which limits deep customization unless you have coding knowledge or hire a developer. Unlike open-source platforms, you can’t freely modify core functionality.
• Limited Checkout Customization - The checkout page is locked for customization unless you're on Shopify Plus (the enterprise plan). This means standard users can’t fully modify checkout fields, layouts, or the customer experience.
• URL Structure Restrictions - Shopify forces a fixed URL structure (e.g., /collections/ and /products/), which cannot be changed. This can negatively impact SEO and branding flexibility compared to platforms like WooCommerce or Magento.

5. Content Management Challenges
Shopify's blogging and content creation tools are not as advanced as platforms like WordPress, making it less ideal for content-driven businesses.

• Limited Blogging Features - Shopify's built-in blogging tool lacks advanced formatting, SEO customization, and plugin support compared to platforms like WordPress, making content marketing less effective.
• Restricted Page Editing - The default page editor has basic customization options, and creating complex layouts often requires third-party apps or custom coding. This limits flexibility for non-technical users.
• No Native Multi-Language Support - Shopify doesn’t have built-in multilingual content management. Merchants need third-party apps or Shopify Markets, which can add costs and complexity.

Determining If Shopify Is the Right Fit for You

Shopify is a top name in eCommerce for a reason—it offers a highly functional platform that caters to a wide range of online retailers. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution and might not be ideal for every business. To decide if Shopify aligns with your eCommerce needs, consider these questions:

• How much customization do you need?
• Are you planning to use plugins or apps to enhance functionality?
• Do you need more payment processing options?
• Do you plan to sell both online and in physical stores?
• How many inventory locations (e.g., warehouses, pop-ups, physical stores, or online shops) will you manage?
• How many integrations (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Faire) will you need?
• Are you considering working with dropshipping platforms that require API or plugin integration for seamless sales and inventory management?

Answering these will help you assess if Shopify is the right choice for your business. If you need help making a decision, feel free to reach out to the Shopify experts at DaBrian Marketing Group. Our approach is to provide Shopify solutions that set you apart from the competition and position you for continued growth.