Pros and Cons of WooCommerce

WooCommerce is one of the most used WordPress plugins and allows users to build an online store directly onto their WordPress domains. In 2023, it's estimated that over 6.5 million live websites will use WooCommerce, demonstrating the size of its impressive market share. 

WooCommerce wouldn't have that many users if it wasn't any good. In fact, WooCommerce is an excellent option for people looking to sell products on their websites. That said, it's not the only option. 

If you've not just started an online store, or are looking to get a new host, here are the pros and cons of WooCoomerce to determine if it's the right option for you.

Advantages of WooCommerce 

Using WooCommerce over other available e-commerce plugins has many benefits. Here's a rundown of some of the most beneficial advantages of the platform.

Flexibility in what you can sell

WooCommerce is, by its very nature, a flexible program. You can make your store look just how you want it to, thanks to the near-limitless templates available, and you have complete customization regarding how you sell your items. 

A notable advantage of WooCommerce is its capability to facilitate the sale of diverse product types, a feature that can significantly contribute to the growth and success of your business. For example, as well as being able to sell physical items and products, you can also use the software to sell downloads, external products from bigger sites like Amazon, and even invites to webinars and other digital events. 

Eric Mills, Owner of Lightning Card Collection, says, "Selling just physical products is becoming less common online. You need an e-commerce platform that allows you to share multiple types of products and media, as it allows you to pivot and rejuvenate your brand. WooCommerce is great as it offers just that."  

WooCommerce also accepts various payment types, making it a flexible option for your customers. Allowing multiple payment options, such as card payment, PayPal, Apple Pay, and even more, allows your customers to connect with your products. 

Numerous possibilities for customization

As it comes with so many different templates and customization options, each WooCommerce store has the capabilities to be unique and align with your brand image. You can set different layouts, fonts, and more, helping you capture a set-up that suits you. 

Plus, as it's an extension of WordPress, you also have the capabilities for advanced customization thanks to being able to input HTML code to alter your pages. 

However, perhaps the most significant benefit of the link between WooCommerce and WordPress is that you can install multiple plugins to boost the functionality of your store. There are plugins for anything you may want to add, which can also be used to help with stuff behind the scenes. For example, it can be used to improve the e-commerce website's management, simplify VAT, or enhance your SEO. 

Just make sure not to overdo it with your plugins. Jonathan Elster, CEO at EcomHalo, says, "Plugins can make your e-commerce store even better, but be aware that too many plugins can harm your functionality and website performance. You need to be selective about which plugins you use so that your performance doesn't dip."

It has robust security 

Being as big as it is, WooCommerce is an attractive target for cybersecurity breaches. The platform knows this and understands its duty of care to its user's data. That's why WooCommerce implements some of the best security features to help keep your e-commerce stores secure.  

By incorporating encryption and two-step authentication, WooCommerce establishes itself as one of the most secure e-commerce platforms available. This reliability positions it as a trustworthy choice compared to alternative options. 

Volodymyr Shchegel, VP of Engineering at Clario, says, "Where security is concerned, it's good to know what the platform you're using also takes it seriously. Although you shouldn't rely on the platform itself, knowing that you're partnering with a top-of-the-range security service brings peace of mind." 

It has a large community 

WooCommerce is already trusted by millions of people worldwide and has built a massive community of people around the platform. This community is a huge advantage, as it means that other users and experts publish more resources and information to help you get the most out of your WooCommerce website. 

For example, you can easily find tutorials and guides to help you implement more advanced features to help your store become more successful. You can obtain this information from official posts from WooCommerce or early adopters who have gained a lot of experience with the program. Whether you want to use WooCommerce for affiliate selling and dropshipping, there will already be community-generated guides to help you. 

Disadvantages of WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a great way to open an e-commerce store, but some drawbacks mean that it may not suit everyone. Here are some things you need to consider before committing to the platform. 

It can only be used for WordPress sites 

Being an exclusive plugin for WordPress means that if you aren't using the hosting software to create your website, you won't be able to access WooCommerce and its benefits. If you've already built a website that's ranking and performing well, it can be risky to start again with WordPress just so that you can access WooCommerce. 

In addition, the fact that it's WordPress-exclusive can potentially limit your growth in the future and prevent you from being able to move beyond WordPress. 

Ben Knegendorf, Co-founder of Dropship Breakthru, says, "WooCommerce works for businesses using WordPress to host their sites, but if you ever decide to use a different web host or develop your own website, you'll have to find an alternative on how to sell your products online. This can cause a major headache." 

There are hidden costs

WooCommerce is free, which is great for those who want to start exploring what this e-commerce platform offers. However, when things start getting serious, you'll need to pay for extra functionality, which can be costly if you're a large business and need extras to ensure your e-commerce store is fit for purpose. 

There's nothing wrong with paying for a quality e-commerce platform, but the fact that WooComernce isn't upfront about its costs can rub users the wrong way. In fact, hidden costs do not match the e-commerce expectations of Gen Z or Millennial users, which may put you off from using it. 

It's tough for beginners

E-commerce is not an easy platform to start if you're inexperienced or unfamiliar with e-commerce and digital marketing practices. This means that people new to selling online may not get the most out of the software. You can find tutorials to help you figure things out, but it will slow down your progress. 

If you're new to e-commerce, looking for a more user-friendly option that can help introduce you to the process and common jargon might be best. 

Conclusion

WooCommerce is the right choice for over 6.5 million e-commerce websites, but that doesn't mean that it will automatically be the right choice for you. Review these pros and cons to determine if it suits your needs and requirements to assess their suitability for your website. 

The likelihood is that WooCommerce will make a good platform for you, but if not, there are always plenty of other alternatives equally as positive and effective. Shopify is a great alternative, whereas plugins like MemberPress can be a great option if you sell subscriptions or exclusive content.