Shopify is a well-known platform in the field of ecommerce. It is suitable for businesses of different sizes and offers sophisticated technology for easy store management. Shopify has been active since 2004, and it launched the payment gateway in 2013.
Is Shopify a CMS?
Shopify serves as both an ecommerce platform and a CMS. It comes with a simple admin interface along with sections and blocks. It is also created with the SEO needs of store owners in mind.
It provides detailed and well-written documentation to help users access all its features and have a beautiful online store. However, it comes with its own set of pros and cons, which every user needs to be aware of.
Is Shopify a CMS?
Pros of Using Shopify CMS
Easy-to-Use
Shopify cms is a highly accessible platform. It offers a 14-day free trial and doesn’t require users to enter their credit card information. You can enter your contact information and store name to get started. It doesn’t require you to have any technical knowledge or skills.
The steps are simple and easy to implement. You can create a functional and visually attractive online store in no time and get started with your sales. It comes with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor that will help you create a store as per your vision and requirements.
24×7 Support
Shopify is a reliable platform that is used by a vast number of businesses from around the world. It offers high-quality support around the clock. It offers support through different means like phone, email, and live chat. One can also use their app to get instant access and support.
However, before you request Shopify support, you can browse through the self-help solutions that cover many of the common problems encountered by Shopify store owners. It also performs security compliance and prevents the possibility of hacking, data breaches, and other threats. Shopify receives regular security upgrades as well.
Detailed Analytics
Shopify loves to see businesses thrive. It provides detailed and relevant information regularly that will help businesses identify the areas of improvement and optimize their store for more sales. It provides information that is easy to understand.
It helps Shopify store owners get insights into their target audience’s mindsets, analyze the customer activity and ensure optimal performance of their store for a better customer experience. It also helps them identify and stay updated with the latest trends and preferences in the customer base.
Shopify Comes with Free Web Hosting
Another reason why Shopify is so attractive to many online merchants is that it doesn’t require them to purchase the domain and hosting for Shopify. It helps eliminate the time and effort involved in the process of software and site maintenance.
Hence, it is considered an excellent choice for small businesses as it will free up their time and allow them to focus on running and growing their business effectively. Hence, it eliminates third-party involvement in hosting.
Why Shopify web hosting?
Marketing Tools
Shopify CMS is generous in providing Shopify store owners with a wide range of useful marketing tools to grow their businesses successfully. It is known for tools like Vwala, Privy, Instafeed, Spin-a-Sale, Aimtell, and Free Shipping Bar, among others. These tools are available for use under free plans and paid plans.
You can go through the video and look into some Shopify features that make it a great CMS.
5 features of Shopify that make it an excellent CMS
Freedom of Customization
Shopify is considered one of the best CMS for its appreciation of style and aesthetics. It provides many stunning website design templates to choose from. Many of them are available for free.
Shopify store owners can easily make customizations to the templates over HTML and CSS as per their preferences. In addition, it offers many premium templates to help the Shopify store owner stand out from the competition.
Cons of Using Shopify CMS
It Isn’t An Effective Alternative for Other CMS
Although Shopify does accommodate basic CMS features such as the running of a store blog, the scope for writing detailed product descriptions, and other product content, it is originally created for e-commerce purposes. Hence, it has a limited sphere and can’t be compared to CMS like WordPress, especially when it comes to the management of its frontend experience.
It Isn’t Optimized for Fast Performance
One of the most important factors in ensuring a satisfying shopper experience is to provide them with fast performance. If you are not careful in the setting up of your store and load it with too many visuals, you run the risk of slow performance, especially on smartphones. Most shoppers like to browse products on their smartphones. Hence, this serves as an obstacle.
You can check this out if you want to optimize Shopify for fast performance:
How to optimize your Shopify speed score?
It Can Be Expensive
Shopify has a monthly subscription-based model, which can be expensive for your business in the long run. Although it offers a high level of functionality, you may still need to install and use add-ons.
Unfortunately, these add-ons can add to your expenses, and you may have no choice but to depend on them. Another disadvantage is that Shopify will charge you when you don’t use its Shopify Payments feature when running your business on its platform.
Going Headless with Shopify Has Its Challenges
Many online businesses are finding going headless to be a very appealing option for its wide range of benefits. It helps them stay relevant with the times and optimize their business. Although going headless with Shopify will offer you a high level of creative control, you will face several restrictions.
You will not be allowed to access Shopify’s theming engine and its associated add-ons anymore. You may have to rely on third-party applications that may not work well with Shopify. This means more work for your developers.
Exiting Shopify is Not Easy
Another problem that Shopify store owners face is that they find it difficult to exit the platform because of the lock-in feature. It can be a complicated task to move your store from Shopify to a self-hosted platform. Shopify doesn’t offer enough data points to ensure a smooth migration process.
You can check out this video to learn more about the CMS of Shopify:
Shopify CMS: An overview
To Sum Up
Although there is now plenty of competition among e-commerce platforms, Shopify has held its ground and has continued to grow in its popularity. It has an impressive track record and is recognized for its emphasis on creativity as well.
