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Shopify eCommerce Website Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.6 / 5 (Excellent)
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Shopify, Inc. is an eCommerce website founded in 2004. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Shopify provides a platform for online small to medium-sized retailers. Its software and cloud-based programs can be used across all sales channels, from web and mobile to physical, brick-and-mortar stores.

How is Shopify rated?

Breakdown

4.6/5
Hosting Capabilities
4.8/5
Ease of Use
4.5/5
Marketing and Analytic Tools
4.5/5
Cost

Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5 (Excellent)

Shopify is truly a one-stop shop for everything an online retailer could need. Hundreds of attractive templates and a step-by-step wizard make it possible to set up a fully functioning site in under an hour, depending on how many products a seller wishes to upload. Shopify also gets high marks on its app store, where it offers thousands of third-party created applications covering everything from product sourcing to social media management and marketing analytics. This provides users with the ability to choose exactly how they want to enhance their plan, instead of being stuck with features they don't need. The site also features tight security features, with SSL encryption, PCI DSS compliance, and fraud analysis to catch suspicious transactions. Although there are customer complaints about Shopify placing holds on their account or freezing funds, it also means that the company takes responsibility for the stores it hosts and, if it detects anything out of the ordinary, it will take action.
However, customer experience is still an issue, with hundreds of complaints against the company at the Better Business Bureau and a poor Trustpilot score (2.4 out of 10). Additionally, although there are several ways to reach the company and there is customer support 24/7, its terms and conditions note that technical support is only available over email.

Overall, however, its versatility, security, and comprehensive list of features deservedly make Shopify the unquestionable leader in eCommerce platforms.

Shopify Hosting Features

Hosting Capabilities - 4.6 / 5

Unlike other eCommerce sites, Shopify does not set a limit on products, bandwidth, or file storage. The company includes free SSL certification in all its plans and is PCI DSS compliant, making all the stores it hosts compliant as well. PCI DSS - the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard - is an essential security standard for organizations that handle credit or debit card information. Shopify also has fraud analysis as part of its security measures, a way of protecting sellers and buyers from fraudulent transactions.
Bandwidth
Unlimited
Staff Accounts
2 to 15
File Storage
Unlimited
Security Features
SSL Protection
PCI Compliance
Fraud Analysis/Score
Number of Products
Unlimited
Payment Methods Supported
Apple Pay
PayPal
Amex
Mastercard
Discover
VISA
Google Wallet
Responsive Websites
Yes
Search with Filters
Yes

Shopify Marketing and Analytics

Ease of Use - 4.8 / 5

You can't get much more versatile or customizable than Shopify. The company has its own app store with thousands of third-party created apps that can enhance your Shopify plan by adding just what you need, instead of paying for extras you'll never use. There are apps for everything from product sourcing to social media management and integration, so you can choose what exactly what works for your particular business.

Sales Channels

  • Google Shopping
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Amazon
Customer Outreach Tools
Blogging
Mobile Storefront
Third-Party Apps
Social Media Integration
Email Marketing
Conversion Tools
Abandoned Cart Saver
Product Ratings and Reviews
Customer Groups and Segmentation
Discounts
Gift Cards
SEO Optimization
Yes

Shopify Cost

Marketing and Analytic Tools - 4.5 / 5

Shopify has three pricing plans - Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify - with prices ranging from $29 per month to $299. It does not charge commission fees but does charge transaction fees on credit card payments. One of Shopify's strengths is its app store, which lets you choose ways to enhance the plan you choose with exactly the features you need for your particular business. It also has hundreds of professionally designed templates that can help you have a site up and running in less than an hour.
Plan 1
$29
Plan 2
$79
Plan 3
$299
Transaction Fees
Yes
Setup Fees
No
Free Trial
14 days
Free Templates Available
Yes

Shopify Customer Experience

Cost - 4.5 / 5

Shopify gets an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau. It has 11 negative reviews and 124 complaints, mostly concerning holds on payment. According to the company's responses to these complaints, it conducts reviews on businesses operating on its platform periodically and, if it finds anything it considers a red flag, it will place a hold or freeze the customer's account. This has resulted in some customer reporting that they experienced delays in collecting payments. The company receives a poor Trustpilot score of 2.4 out of 10 with 89 reviews posted. Many of the complaints involve issues with accounts being frozen and a lack of helpful customer service. Additionally, although the company notes several ways to reach them, please note that technical support is only available by email.
Year Founded
2004
BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
3
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
11
Trustpilot Rating
2.4 out of 10
Date Collected
2018-06-27
Customer Service Phone Number
1-888-746-7439
Customer Service Hours
24/7
Contact Method
Phone
Email
Chat
Mobile App
Yes

Company Profile

Full Name
Shopify eCommerce Website
Company Website
Headquarters
150 Elgin Street, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Canada

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Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
J
Jim S
12/26/2023
These ratings here are not accurate. If you look around, they get 1-star review on most platforms. The worst customer service I have encountered. Publicy traded but no support via phone, and once you actually find their chat support, it is no help. I've been locked out of my store for over a week now because their multi-factor authentication isn't working. I can't fill orders, and after the initial chat over a week ago Im unable to get any email replies.


F
Frank S
9/27/2023
Shopify is horrible. They absolutely do not take calls. Their chat is worthless. They pretend to have effective support for the store owners, but, in reality it is non-existent. If you can afford to have your $ held for stupid reasons, then by all means use them at your peril.



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