E-shop platform guide
Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom e-shop: which platform fits you
Three different philosophies for the same problem
Shopify is a SaaS service: the store is hosted by the platform itself and you pay a monthly subscription, plus the apps you need for extra features. It is quick to set up and you never deal with servers or updates. On the other hand, you are bound by the platform's rules, fees and limits, and some Greek-market needs, such as specific courier or invoicing integrations, may require third-party apps.
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that runs on your own hosting. It is flexible, has a huge range of extensions and comfortably covers most small and medium stores. It does need upkeep, though: updates, keeping plugins in check and good hosting so it stays fast.
A custom e-shop, like the ones we build on Laravel, is made for one specific business. It makes sense when the catalogue is complex, when you sell B2B with different prices per customer, or when the store must talk directly to an ERP, a warehouse and accounting. It costs more up front, but you do not have to bend your operations around an off-the-shelf product.
We build WooCommerce and fully custom e-shops. We do not build Shopify stores, but we can advise whether Shopify is the right fit for you and integrate it with other systems through its API.
Quick answer
- Shopify: fast start, monthly subscription plus apps, less control
- WooCommerce: flexible and affordable for most small and medium stores
- Custom: for complex catalogues, B2B and deep ERP integrations
- WooCommerce needs regular maintenance and good hosting
- Custom costs more up front but adapts completely
- Our e-shops start from €1,200, advanced ones from €1,500
What to consider before you choose
Total cost
Do not look only at the build cost. Add up subscriptions, apps, plugins, hosting and maintenance over the next few years.
Integrations
Couriers, payment methods, ERP, myDATA and accounting. Check in advance how each platform will connect to what you already use.
Product catalogue
Many variations, thousands of SKUs or customer-specific pricing are signs you may need something more tailored.
Speed
A slow store loses sales. Too many plugins and cheap hosting are the most common causes.
Maintenance
Every platform needs looking after. Decide who handles updates and who answers when something stops working.
Control and flexibility
The more particular your operations, the more it matters that the platform can change around you rather than the other way round.
Shopify, WooCommerce and custom side by side
| Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom (Laravel) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Hosted SaaS service | WordPress plugin, self-hosted | Software built for you |
| Running costs | Monthly subscription plus app fees | Hosting, plugins and maintenance | Hosting and maintenance |
| Initial cost | Low | Low to medium | Higher |
| Customisation | Within the platform's limits | Extensive, via plugins and code | Complete |
| ERP / accounting integration | Via apps or API | Via plugins or custom code | Direct, exactly as needed |
| B2B and custom pricing | Limited or via apps | Possible with plugins | Designed in from the start |
| Updates and security | Handled by the platform | Site owner's responsibility | Handled by the maintenance team |
| Best for | Fast start, simple catalogue | Small and medium stores | Complex catalogues, B2B, integrations |
How we work
From first call to live, in five steps
The same process whether it is a five-page website or a platform your whole company runs on. What changes is the depth of each step, not the order.
FAQ
Shopify, WooCommerce or custom: common questions
Prefer to talk it through? Call us or send a short message — we reply within one business day.
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