Many Perth business owners ask whether they should build their website on WordPress or Shopify. Both are well-established platforms, and both can work very well.

The right choice depends on what your website needs to do, how much you plan to sell online and how hands-on you want to be with the technical side. Here is a plain-English comparison to help you decide.

SLINKY has been building websites for Perth businesses since 1998. You can see some of our work in our case studies.

The Short Answer

Shopify suits businesses whose main goal is selling products online and who want the platform to look after hosting and security.

WordPress suits businesses that want a flexible website for services, content and lead generation. You can still add an online shop through WooCommerce.

If you sell products and also rely on detailed content, either platform can work. The deciding factors are usually budget, control and who will look after the site.

What WordPress Is

WordPress is open-source software that runs a large share of the world’s websites. There are two versions, which often causes confusion.

WordPress.org is the free software you install on your own hosting. WordPress.com is a hosted service with its own paid plans. Most business websites, including the ones we build, use the self-hosted WordPress.org version.

With self-hosted WordPress, you own the website and its content. You can move it to another host or developer whenever you like.

Where WordPress Works Well

Flexibility: plugins let you add bookings, quote forms, memberships, an online shop and much more to the same site.
Content and SEO: WordPress handles blogs, service pages and location pages easily, and SEO plugins give you control over titles, descriptions and page structure.
Ownership: your site is not tied to one company’s subscription, so you can change hosting or developers without rebuilding.
Online selling: WooCommerce is a free e-commerce plugin for WordPress. It connects with common payment providers, and paid extensions add extra features as you need them.

The Downsides of WordPress

WordPress needs regular care. The core software, theme and plugins all need updating, and the site needs security monitoring and reliable backups. A neglected WordPress site is far more likely to be hacked or to break after an update.

Hosting quality also matters. Cheap, crowded hosting can make even a well-built site slow.

Costs vary from site to site, depending on hosting, premium plugins and developer time. If you would rather not manage updates yourself, our WordPress care package covers this.

What Shopify Is

Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform. You pay a monthly subscription, and Shopify looks after the hosting, security and software updates.

It includes the main things an online store needs: product listings, a shopping cart and checkout, payments, stock management and shipping settings.

Where Shopify Works Well

Quick setup: a straightforward store can be up and taking orders relatively quickly.
Less technical work: Shopify handles hosting, security and backups of the platform itself.
A dependable checkout: the checkout is built and maintained by Shopify, which suits businesses that sell a lot online.
Apps: the Shopify App Store adds features such as reviews, subscriptions and extra shipping options.

The Downsides of Shopify

The ongoing costs can add up. On top of the monthly plan, you may pay for apps, a premium theme and payment processing. Shopify may also charge transaction fees if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments.

Plans, fees and features change from time to time, so check the current pricing on Shopify’s website before you decide.

You also have less control. Themes can be customised, but some changes need an app or a developer. Content-heavy sites with many service or location pages are usually easier to manage in WordPress.

Moving away from Shopify later takes work. Product data can be exported, but the design and some settings do not transfer directly to another platform.

Comparing Costs Without Guesswork

Prices for both platforms change regularly, so we have not quoted figures here. Instead, list every cost you would expect over a few years.

For WordPress, include the design and build, hosting, domain, any premium plugins or theme, ongoing maintenance and payment gateway fees.

For Shopify, include the design and setup, the monthly plan, paid apps, any premium theme, payment processing and transaction fees, and the domain.

Then check current prices on each provider’s website, and ask your web designer for a quote covering the build and ongoing support.

SEO on Each Platform

Both platforms can rank well in Google. Rankings depend much more on content quality, site speed, structure and local signals than on the platform itself.

WordPress gives you a little more control over URL structure and technical settings. Shopify uses some fixed URL patterns for products and collections, which is rarely a problem in practice.

For a Perth business aiming for local search results, either platform needs the same groundwork: clear service or product pages, a well-maintained Google Business Profile and steady SEO.

Choose WordPress When

your business is mainly services or lead generation
content and local SEO are central to how you win customers
you want bookings, memberships or custom features alongside a shop
you want full ownership and the freedom to change hosts

Choose Shopify When

selling products online is the main purpose of the site
you want a reliable store without managing hosting or updates
you have a large or growing product range
you prefer a predictable subscription to looking after software

Three Common Scenarios

A Perth trades or professional services business usually suits WordPress. Its website exists to generate enquiries, and it needs strong service and location pages.

A fashion boutique that sells mostly online often suits Shopify. Frequent stock changes and a high volume of orders are what Shopify handles best.

A furniture retailer could go either way. If the business relies on detailed buying guides and inspiration content, WordPress with WooCommerce is a strong option. If the focus is on a large catalogue and a fast checkout, Shopify may be simpler.

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

Who will update the website day to day?
Will you sell products now, or perhaps later?
Which payment options do your customers expect, such as buy now, pay later?
Do you need to connect with accounting software such as Xero or MYOB?

Both platforms connect with many common Australian payment and accounting services through plugins or apps. Check that the specific integration you need is available and supported before you commit.

Getting Advice

We do not push one platform over another. Our web design team can help you weigh up both options for your plans. If you would like a second opinion before choosing, get in touch.