What is Shopify?
A plain-English introduction to Shopify — what it is, what it does, and whether it is the right platform for your store.
Shopify is a platform that lets you sell products online. You sign up, add your products, and Shopify gives you a complete online store — including a website, a shopping cart, and payment processing.
Quick summary
Shopify is a fully hosted e-commerce platform. You pay a monthly subscription and Shopify handles the technical side: servers, security, software updates, and checkout. You focus on your products and customers.
What "hosted" means for you
When we say Shopify is "hosted," we mean Shopify runs everything for you. You do not need to set up a server, install software, or manage backups. Your store lives on Shopify's infrastructure.
This is different from a platform like WooCommerce, where your store runs on your own WordPress website and you (or your developer) are responsible for hosting, updates, and security.
Hosted = less maintenance for you. Fewer technical headaches.
What Shopify includes
Every Shopify plan includes:
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Online storefront | A website your customers visit to browse and buy |
| Shopping cart & checkout | The pages where customers add items and pay |
| Payment processing | Accept credit cards through Shopify Payments (or a third-party processor) |
| Order management | See and manage every order in one place |
| Inventory tracking | Know when stock is running low |
| Mobile-friendly design | Your store looks good on phones and tablets automatically |
| SSL security | Your store address starts with https:// — safe for customers |
| 24/7 uptime | Shopify keeps your store online |
What Shopify does not include
Being honest about limitations helps you make a good decision:
- Less design freedom than a custom site. You choose from themes. Deep customization usually requires a developer.
- URL structure is fixed. Product pages always live at
/products/your-product-name. You cannot change this pattern. - Transaction fees if you do not use Shopify Payments. If you use a third-party payment provider (like PayPal or Stripe directly), Shopify charges an extra fee per transaction — 0.5%–2% depending on your plan. See Payment providers for details.
- Monthly subscription cost. Unlike a one-time platform purchase, you pay every month.
- Code changes require a developer. If you want functionality that no app provides, you need someone who can edit Liquid (Shopify's template language).
Transaction fees add up
If you plan to use PayPal or Stripe directly instead of Shopify Payments, check the transaction fee for your plan before you commit. On the Basic plan, this is currently 2% per order on top of your payment processor's own fees.
Shopify vs WooCommerce
Both platforms let you sell online. Here is a quick comparison:
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Included — Shopify manages it | You manage your own (or pay a host) |
| Setup effort | Lower — ready out of the box | Higher — requires WordPress + setup |
| Monthly cost | Fixed subscription | Varies (hosting + plugins) |
| Design control | Good within theme limits | More flexible with a developer |
| Transaction fees | Yes, if not using Shopify Payments | No platform fee (gateway fees only) |
| Updates & security | Shopify handles it | You (or your team) handle it |
Neither platform is universally better. It depends on your business, budget, and how much technical help you have. If you are unsure which platform you are on, check your login URL or ask us.
Who manages Shopify for Chykalophia clients?
Chykalophia can build your Shopify store, set up products and collections, configure payments and shipping, and customize your theme. Once your store is live, day-to-day tasks — like adding products and processing orders — are usually handled by you or your team using these guides.
We are always available if something needs changing. Just reach out through ClickUp or email.
Common questions
Related guides
- How to log in to Shopify
- A tour of your Shopify admin
- Shopify plans & billing
- Payment providers
- Give us Shopify collaborator access
Need a hand?
Learn more
Shopify: the complete store guide
Everything you need to manage your Shopify online store — from adding products and processing orders to setting up payments, themes, and apps.
How to log in to Shopify
Step-by-step instructions for logging in to your Shopify admin on a computer or phone, plus what to do if you cannot get in.