Shopify Platform – What Is It, What Makes It Unique, and Why Should You Use It?

What Is Shopify? Shopify is a platform that allows the creation of template-based and custom online stores in…

Written by

Krzysztof Stola

Published in

27-11-2024

What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a platform that allows the creation of template-based and custom online stores in a SaaS model. As an eCommerce platform, Shopify is one of the leading solutions in the market. Currently, Shopify boasts over a million users worldwide.

It is a fully integrated eCommerce solution, offering ready-to-use online stores and open APIs, giving both administrators and developers the flexibility to adapt the platform to meet users’ specific needs. Shopify is an excellent eCommerce platform for both existing online stores and newly launched eCommerce services.

Shopify: A Platform Growing in Popularity

As seen in the chart above, WooCommerce and Shopify dominate the eCommerce market. These platforms have significantly increased their user base in recent years, even at the expense of other solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, led to dramatic growth in the eCommerce sector, driving higher adoption rates across various platforms.

For instance, in 2018, the market share of WordPress WooCommerce-based online stores was approximately 21%. By 2020, it had risen to 30%. Meanwhile, Shopify’s growth rate remained stable at 18%. However, considering the overall expansion of the eCommerce market, maintaining the same percentage has resulted in a significant increase in users.

An interesting trend concerns Magento, which saw its market share decline from 13% in 2018 to 9% in 2020, mainly due to its complexity and the availability of simpler platforms. The rest of the market is shared by platforms like BigCommerce, Squarespace, OpenCart, PrestaShop, Shopware, and others.

Why Choose Shopify for Your Online Store?

While Shopify, like any eCommerce platform, has its drawbacks, it also offers several standout features that make it a competitive choice:

Ease of Use

Shopify provides a simple way to quickly launch an online store without worrying about server setup or development costs. Its user interface is clear and intuitive, with logically organized features.

No Need for Large Development Teams

Launching a basic online store on Shopify does not require technical knowledge. Shopify provides all the software and hosting, simplifying operations while ensuring security and performance. Shopify also handles all software updates, allowing store owners to focus on sales and optimizing their business.

24/7 Support

Shopify offers full, dedicated support. The platform’s administrators provide round-the-clock assistance, available via email, live chat, or phone, depending on the region.

A Wide Range of Valuable Themes

The Shopify Theme Store offers over 160 themes (both free and paid), all mobile-responsive. Additionally, hundreds of themes are available on platforms like ThemeForest. Each theme can also be fully customized, enabling the creation of bespoke online stores.

Shopify App Store

The Shopify App Store provides valuable extensions for both administrators and developers, offering access to over 1,200 plugins and applications.

Marketing Tools

Shopify includes powerful SEO features to help stores achieve high search engine rankings. The platform also provides advanced analytics, allowing users to track customer origins. Additionally, Shopify offers tools for social media integration, product reviews, and email marketing. Discount codes are included by default, with gift cards available at higher plan levels. Social media icons are built into all Shopify themes.

Editing and Customization Options

Each theme comes preloaded with a default configuration, which can be modified according to the user’s preferences via the built-in CMS. For developers, Shopify offers an API that allows for straightforward and efficient code modification.

Nowy motyw referencyjny Shopify 2.0 Dawn

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