A key decision when developing an eCommerce website is which content management platform is best for your online store. As specialists in both Magento and WordPress, we at the Savvy Socialista, can help you make the best decision for your company when deciding between Magento vs WordPress for eCommerce.
Each platform has its strengths. On the surface, the two platforms may seem similar. They both are highly customizable, SEO friendly, can be extensively themed, and feature a strong online support community.
In addition, of course, they are both essentially content management systems, enabling you to add, modify, and manage your content in a simple yet effective manner. However, the differences become apparent when you examine their core purpose. Let’s check out to some of the differences separating Magento vs WordPress for ecommerce.
WordPress is a blogging platform. Some estimates indicate it’s the single largest content creation platform. Thanks to it’s huge base, WordPress created a marketplace for creating plug-ins. Many of those plug-ins enable people to turn a blog into an e-commerce site.
We typically create WordPress for ecommerce sites for people who have determined that blogging or having an informational site is their first priority and their second priority is their “shop”. Also we like to take into account the amount of products a site is going to carry.
Check out a blog post that we did awhile back about our client, Mommy & Company and how they utilize a WordPress eCommerce site.
Several of our eCommerce clients do utilize WordPress eCommerce. In The Pink Boutique, Marigolds and Marmalade, Mommy & Company, Baby Moo and A Blissful Nest are a few who use it for their online marketplace.
Magento, on the other hand, was an eCommerce site first. It started as open source software. It quickly grew and now experts say there’s more money spent on Magento-run sites around the world than is spent on Amazon. Magento has a blogging plug-in for the site which we typically install a WordPress blog to help you gain SEO traction for your site if you so choose.
If you intend on selling more than 100 items and your main focus is not blogging, we recommend a Magento eCommece site. The platform offers more options for maximum functionality of your website. It is also simple for customers to make a purchase. To understand Magento a little further check out this blog post we did a few months back. Here are a few of our clients using Magento. You can see how customizable each site is for each customer:
- Glitzy Things
- Layna Lark
- Invite Cottage
- Pea Pod Paper & Gifts
- I Thee Bling
- CiCi & Ryann
- Knotieties
- Robyn & Wren
- Peggy Jay Bridal
- Initial Proper
- Everything’s Better Monogrammed
As you try to decide which content platform is best, think about the pros and cons of Magento vs WordPress for ecommerce. Think about the main purpose of your site.
If the primary purpose of your website is to blog and sell a few items, a WordPress for eCommerce site is likely your best bet.
If your main goal is to sell products, Magento for eCommerce is highly recommended.
If you are unsure about which content platform you should choose for your eCommerce site, contact us to discuss!