Shopify vs custom webshop — how to choose
Both can work. The right answer depends on catalogue size, margins, integrations and how much you want to touch.
The two most common webshop questions I get are "should I go Shopify?" and "should I build custom?". Here is the honest breakdown.
Shopify shines when
- You want to launch in weeks, not months.
- Your catalogue fits standard patterns (products, variants, collections).
- You value hands-off hosting, security and PCI compliance.
- You want a huge app ecosystem for shipping, accounting, marketing.
Custom (or CMS-based) makes sense when
- You need unusual product configurators or pricing logic.
- You are integrating with a local ERP, POS or invoicing system Shopify does not natively speak to.
- Your margins are so tight that Shopify's monthly fee changes the maths.
- Content, editorial and community are as important as transactions.
What I recommend most often
Start with Shopify if you can. Move to custom only when you outgrow it. Both options live on the services page, including ongoing Shopify management. Feel free to get in touch to talk through your catalogue.
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Related reading
- Website types explained: simple sites, CMS, webshops, landing pages, web apps and intranets
A plain-English guide to the main website types, when to use each, and how they map to the services I offer.
- CMS or a simple static site — which one fits you?
If you plan to publish regularly, you need a CMS. If not, a fast static site will serve you better and cost less.
- Landing page essentials — one page, one goal
A great landing page is not a shrunken website. It is a single conversation with a single ask.