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Shopify Alternatives

Explore Shopify alternatives for kitchen-table sellers without an agency and find the best e-commerce platform for your online store

GoWithFund Editorial Team
GoWithFund Editorial Team
••6 min read
Merch shop owner using a laptop to manage their online store

Quick answer: Shopify alternatives offer more control and flexibility for online store owners

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Key takeaways
  • More control over design and functionality
  • Potential to reduce transaction fees
  • Customization options for online store

Before You Switch from Shopify, Get These Ready

You should have your product listings, customer contacts, and order history ready before you switch from Shopify, so you can move them to your new platform quickly and easily. This will save you time and reduce the risk of losing important data during the transition. Taking the time to prepare now will make the migration process much smoother, and ensure that your new online store is up and running with minimal disruption to your business. You will need to export your product listings from Shopify, which can be done from the admin dashboard, and make sure you have all the necessary information, such as product descriptions, prices, and images.

What Will You Lose and What Will You Gain by Leaving Shopify?

When you leave Shopify, you will lose access to its built-in payment processing and shipping integrations, but you will gain more control over the design and functionality of your online store, as well as the potential to reduce your transaction fees. You will need to find alternative payment gateways and shipping providers, but many of the Shopify alternatives offer similar or even better functionality, and at a lower cost. On the other hand, you will gain the ability to customize your store's design and layout, and to add or remove features as you see fit, which can be a major advantage for businesses that want more control over their online presence.

Is Leaving Shopify Really Worth It?

Leaving Shopify can be a good decision if you are looking for more flexibility and control over your online store, but it's not the right choice for everyone. If you are happy with the features and functionality that Shopify offers, and you don't mind paying the transaction fees, then it may not be worth switching. However, if you are looking for a more customized solution, or if you want to reduce your costs, then leaving Shopify could be a good option for you. It's worth taking the time to weigh the pros and cons, and to consider your specific business needs, before making a decision.

What Are the Alternatives to Shopify?

There are many alternatives to Shopify, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, and the right one for you will depend on your specific business needs. Some popular options include WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento, as well as newer platforms like GoWithFund, which offers a unique approach to e-commerce with its charitable cause pledges. When choosing an alternative to Shopify, consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, payment processing fees, and integrations with other tools and services.

How Do the Alternatives to Shopify Compare?

The alternatives to Shopify vary in terms of their features, functionality, and pricing, so it's worth comparing them side by side to find the best fit for your business. Here is a comparison table of four alternatives to Shopify:
Comparison of Shopify Alternatives
Platform Customization Options Payment Processing Fees
WooCommerce Highly customizable Varying fees depending on payment gateway
BigCommerce Customizable templates and design options 2.9% + 30Β’ per transaction
Magento Highly customizable with extensive development options Varying fees depending on payment gateway
GoWithFund Customizable store design and charitable cause pledges Competitive fees with optional cause pledges
Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the right one for you will depend on your specific business needs and goals.

How to Migrate from Shopify to a New Platform

Migrating from Shopify to a new platform can be a complex process, but it can be done with minimal disruption to your business if you plan carefully. Here are the steps to follow:
  1. Export your product listings and customer contacts from Shopify
  2. Choose a new platform and set up your account
  3. Import your product listings and customer contacts into the new platform
  4. Configure your payment and shipping options
  5. Test your store to make sure everything is working correctly
  6. Launch your new store and direct customers to the new URL
It's also a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong during the migration process, and to communicate clearly with your customers about the changes you are making.

What to Do on Day One in Your New Store

On day one in your new store, you should focus on getting everything set up and tested, and making sure that your customers can find and purchase your products easily. This includes configuring your payment and shipping options, setting up your product listings, and testing your store's functionality. You should also take the time to customize your store's design and layout, and to add any necessary features or integrations. By the end of day one, your new store should be up and running, and you should be ready to start selling to your customers.

Five Tips for Success in Your New Store

Here are five tips for success in your new store:
  • Make sure your product listings are complete and accurate, with high-quality images and detailed descriptions
  • Configure your payment and shipping options carefully, to minimize costs and maximize convenience for your customers
  • Test your store's functionality thoroughly, to make sure everything is working correctly
  • Customize your store's design and layout, to create a unique and engaging brand experience for your customers
  • Monitor your store's performance closely, and make adjustments as needed to optimize sales and customer satisfaction
By following these tips, you can set your new store up for success, and start selling to your customers with confidence.

Worked Example: Calculating the Costs of Switching from Shopify

Let's say you are currently paying 2.9% + 30Β’ per transaction on Shopify, and you are processing 100 transactions per month. Your monthly transaction fees would be $290 (2.9% of $10,000) + $30 (30Β’ per transaction x 100 transactions) = $320. If you switch to a new platform with a lower transaction fee, such as GoWithFund, you could save $100 per month on transaction fees. Over the course of a year, this would add up to $1,200 in savings, which could be a significant boost to your bottom line.

Checklist for Switching from Shopify

Here is a checklist for switching from Shopify:
  • Export product listings and customer contacts from Shopify
  • Choose a new platform and set up account
  • Import product listings and customer contacts into new platform
  • Configure payment and shipping options
  • Test store functionality
  • Launch new store and direct customers to new URL
By following this checklist, you can ensure a smooth transition from Shopify to your new platform, and minimize disruption to your business.

To <a href="https://gowithfund.com/shop"">open your merch shop on GoWithFund today, and start selling with a cause, click the link and follow the prompts to set up your account. As of 2026, this is a great option for businesses that want to make a positive impact on their community, while also generating revenue. GoWithFund's merch engine sells physical or digital merchandise with optional charitable cause pledges, and the pledged share is transferred to the verified cause when an order is paid.

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of leaving Shopify?

You gain more control over the design and functionality of your online store, as well as the potential to reduce your transaction fees. GoWithFund's merch engine is one option, which sells physical or digital merchandise with optional charitable cause pledges, and the pledged share is transferred to the verified cause when an order is paid, and it is free to open a shop.

How do I migrate from Shopify to a new platform?

You can migrate by exporting your product listings and customer contacts, choosing a new platform, and importing your data into the new platform. Then, configure your payment and shipping options, test your store, and launch your new store.

What are some popular Shopify alternatives?

Some popular alternatives include WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento, as well as newer platforms like GoWithFund.

GoWithFund Editorial Team
Verified E-E-A-T Author

GoWithFund Editorial Team

Staff Contributor

Published on behalf of GoWithFund Inc., a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity in Idaho (EIN: 33-1243835 | Idaho SOS #5902503). Articles are reviewed for statutory compliance under IRS Internal Revenue Code Section 170.

Related Topics

#Shopify alternatives for kitchen-table sellers without an agency #shopify alternatives #online store #merch shop #e-commerce platform
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Direct Answers & Search Q&A

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of leaving Shopify?

You gain more control over the design and functionality of your online store, as well as the potential to reduce your transaction fees. GoWithFund's merch engine is one option, which sells physical or digital merchandise with optional charitable cause pledges, and the pledged share is transferred to the verified cause when an order is paid, and it is free to open a shop.

How do I migrate from Shopify to a new platform?

You can migrate by exporting your product listings and customer contacts, choosing a new platform, and importing your data into the new platform. Then, configure your payment and shipping options, test your store, and launch your new store.

What are some popular Shopify alternatives?

Some popular alternatives include WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento, as well as newer platforms like GoWithFund.

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