Should I use WooCommerce or Shopify?+
WooCommerce is the right choice when: the business has product types or ordering workflows that Shopify's architecture cannot adequately model, data ownership and portability are requirements (WooCommerce data lives in the business's own database, not a third-party platform's), content and e-commerce integration within a single WordPress installation is needed, or transaction volume is high enough that Shopify's platform-level transaction fees on third-party payment gateways become meaningful. Shopify is the right choice for most DTC retail businesses whose requirements fit within the platform's standard architecture its managed infrastructure, checkout performance, and app ecosystem reduce the development and maintenance overhead compared to WooCommerce. We provide specific recommendations based on each client's requirements during the initial consultation.
How much does WooCommerce development cost?+
A custom WooCommerce store (custom theme, standard product types, typical integrations, up to 500 products) typically costs $12,000 to $30,000. A WooCommerce store with custom product types, complex ordering workflows, subscription systems, or B2B functionality typically costs $30,000 to $80,000. Performance optimisation engagements for underperforming WooCommerce stores typically cost $3,000 to $10,000. Integration development (ERP, accounting, warehouse, shipping) is typically scoped separately at $2,000 to $15,000 per integration depending on complexity.
How long does WooCommerce development take?+
A custom WooCommerce store (custom theme, standard product types, standard integrations) typically takes 8-12 weeks from design approval to launch. A WooCommerce store with custom product types, subscription systems, or B2B functionality typically takes 12-20 weeks. Performance optimisation engagements typically take 2-4 weeks. Integration development is typically delivered within 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity of the integration and the availability of the third-party system's API documentation and test environment.
Is WooCommerce secure for processing payments?+
WooCommerce processes payments through payment gateway plugins the actual card data handling is performed by the payment gateway (Stripe, PayPal, etc.), not by WooCommerce itself. When implemented correctly, WooCommerce does not store or transmit card data making PCI DSS compliance achievable without the full SAQ D assessment burden. The specific compliance level required depends on how the payment gateway is integrated. We implement payment processing on WooCommerce using the gateway's hosted fields or redirect approach that minimises PCI scope, and we review each implementation against PCI DSS requirements as standard practice.
Can WooCommerce handle large product catalogs?+
WooCommerce scales to large catalogs with the right database and query optimisation. The standard WooCommerce product query architecture begins to show performance limitations at 1,000+ SKUs without optimisation. With appropriate product query caching, database indexing, search integration (Elasticsearch or Algolia replacing WooCommerce's standard search), and the correct server infrastructure, WooCommerce stores with 10,000+ SKUs can perform well. The specific performance engineering required depends on the catalog structure, the query patterns of the store's navigation and filtering, and the hosting environment. We assess catalog scale requirements during the project brief and implement the appropriate technical architecture.
Do you migrate existing WooCommerce stores to new themes or to Shopify?+
Yes both directions. For WooCommerce stores requiring new themes (whether custom replacement of a poor-performing purchased theme or complete rebuilds of stores with significant technical debt), we conduct a technical audit before the migration to identify what to preserve and what to rebuild. For WooCommerce to Shopify migrations, we manage the complete data migration (product data, customer data, order history), redirect implementation (comprehensive 301 redirect mapping preserving SEO equity), and post-migration verification.
How do you handle WooCommerce updates without breaking the store?+
Our managed maintenance retainer process: WooCommerce core updates, payment gateway plugin updates, and other updates are applied to a staging environment identical to the production store, tested including end-to-end purchase flow verification, and then deployed to production. Payment gateway plugin updates receive specific attention a broken payment gateway update is a revenue-critical failure, and our testing process verifies payment processing end-to-end before any payment-related update reaches production.
Can WooCommerce support wholesale and retail customers in the same store?+
Yes we build WooCommerce stores that serve both retail and wholesale customers from the same installation, with appropriate separation of pricing, product access, and checkout experience for each customer type. Wholesale customers are identified through their user role or customer group, and the store's pricing rules, minimum order quantities, payment terms, and checkout flow adapt accordingly. Retail customers see and experience the standard retail store; wholesale customers see their negotiated pricing, account-specific catalogue, and appropriate B2B checkout options.
How do I get started?+
Book a free WooCommerce consultation. We discuss your product catalog structure and any custom product type requirements, your ordering workflow and any B2B or subscription requirements, your integration needs, and your timeline and budget. For existing WooCommerce stores with performance or functionality problems, we conduct a technical audit before recommending a course of action. No commitment required at the consultation stage.
