In a world where there's a lot of digital transactions that take place, it's essential for any online business to have software that should make any processes that take place between customers and businesses to be as seamless as possible. Let's take something as simple as finding the right products by your customers as an example.  An integrated business solution such as a customizable ecommerce platform should make this and more possible. 

Knowing what platform to use for your business should help to reduce common business mistakes, and ensure that it changes your entire commercial landscape. This is where Woocommerce and Magento come in. Read on to find out how to choose between these two platforms to enhance your overall business offering. 

WooCommerce vs. Magento: An Introduction 

If you own an online store, there's a high chance that you've come across these two ecommerce platforms. If you've ever needed your online business to have a variety of useful features, knowing what these two ecommerce platforms are and what they offer is vital. In fact, with the growing trend of online store owners wanting to know what the difference between Woocommerce vs Magento is, it's hard to miss the influential benefits that an ecommerce platform can provide store owners. 

Before you can learn more about what these ecommerce platforms provide your online store, it's crucial for you to understand what they are. First things first, let's look at Woocommerce as a platform. The thing is that this is a WordPress plugin. 

Online store owners generally use a hosting provider to manage setting up their ecommerce store. A WordPress plugin of this magnitude ensures that the creation and setup of your store is not only simple, but that it's also equally reasonable to use. Moreover, without relying on your hosting provider at all times. The main features that make the Woocommerce plugin an ecommerce solution worth considering are these. 

• Inventory management 
• Secure payment options 
• Multi store management
• Integrated shopping
• Flexibility with shipping integration 

On the other hand, you have the Magento commerce platform. It's different from the Woocommerce plugin because it's an open source software. In recent years, it has become one of the very few ecommerce platforms that most businesses have chosen to migrate to. 

The thing about Magento is that it's already a detailed solution that's primarily designed for businesses. This means that it doesn't rely on a connection to any other CMS. In essence, this makes it an ideal platform for larger business entities, but smaller ones can still enjoy the various benefits that it has to offer. 

One of the most notable features that this platform offers online business store owners is the flexibility to manage more than one store at a time despite the currency that's being used. Other key features that keep making it a viable business solution for various international online stores are these. 

• Efficient integration options.
• Effortless checkout for consumers. 
• Guest checkout. 
• Scalability features. 
• Intuitive admin interface.

Woocommerce vs Magento: Features 

The fact of the matter is that both these business solutions are aimed towards ensuring that you have more flexibility while you're building and running your online store. They make it so much easier for you to rely less on a developer and hosting provider to run your store for you. The seamless integration options and features make the admin of your store less time-consuming for you. 

These are the features that you should have for your online store depending on the platform that you decide to use. 

1. Woocommerce Store Features 

Picking the most ideal platform usually relies on the features that your business is looking for. If you're thinking of using the Woocommerce store option, these are some of the great features that you should have. 

• Limitless customization. Standing out from your competitors has been made easy with this unrestricted customization feature. You can edit any part of your online store to enhance the overall feel of your store. 
• Embedded Products. The main idea behind your store is to get your customers to check out as effortlessly as possible. Now, you can create short codes to use to embed your products on your blog or even to redirect customers to landing pages. These should take them straight to where you need them to go, to check out. 
• Built-in Blogging. The best way to improve your brand is through consumer engagement. A blog is the easiest way for you to maintain this. Plus, WordPress is known as one of the leading content sharing platforms. 
• Sort and Filter Products. Your customers can choose how they want to sort through your products, from new to the most popular ones. Your platform gives them a sense of control while they're buying your products. 
• Various Shipping Options. You can choose to get your customers to pick up your products in-store or to have it delivered to their door. You can set the shipping rate and the location limits for where deliveries can take place. 

2. Magento Store Features 

If you want to take your business to international heights, there are loads of features that you should consider. These are the key features that Magento should provide for your online store. 

• Google Analytics Support. For an ecommerce platform to maintain its functionality, iy should provide key and up-to-date analytics reports. This store platform provides you with this and much more. For instance, you have access to your updated sales and tax reports. 
• Catalog Management. The fact is that your catalog will be one of the most important things for your business. Catalog management is one of the most crucial and extensive support features that your business needs. You can showcase your products, edit product reviews, change pricing, and so much more. 
• Order Management. The days of making errors on your orders are long over. This software handles the admin of placing an order, printing an invoice, and setting up email notifications for your business. Plus, you can still customize your orders. 
• Site Management. The great news is that you don't have to worry about the technical support issues that your store might be prone to. Your website management on this platform should be exceptional to say the least.
• Mobile Friendly Purchases. In a world with nearly 8 billion people, more than half of those that order online prefer to use their smartphones for convenience. Having a mobile friendly website is crucial. Magento offers that and more. 

Woocommerce vs Magento: Pricing 

While functionality plays a crucial role in the type of platform that you choose, the price that you should pay can also influence what you end up choosing at the end of the day. Let's face it, you're likely to look for an option that gives you the most without denting your wallet at the same time. Understanding how pricing can influence your choice between Woocommerce vs Magento is essential. 

The thing is, it's possible for you to spend less when you set up your business store on either of these platforms. However, if you wish to do more, you'll find that it's important for you to pay to access certain premium extensions. 

Generally, the amount that you end up paying for any of these platforms depends on the type of plan that you feel is the best suitable for your business goals and current needs. If you're still starting out, it's possible for you to spend less than someone who has a larger online store to set up on either platform. 

Woocommerce vs Magento: Security and Site Performance 

Now that you have a better idea of the benefits of either platform and the complex nature of the pricing, it's essential for you to know how safe your products and customer information will be on these platforms. This is the most crucial consideration that you should make when it comes to choosing your online store management platform. Without adequate security and top-of-the-range site performance, your customers won't trust that you can deliver quality products. 

The great news is that both these platforms are big on your site's performance. Their focal point is high efficiency through speed. However, the type of hosting provider that you use can also impact your overall site performance. 

It's vital for you to learn the best practices that should ensure that you improve your website's performance. Whether you need to use extensions and add-ons or to remove anything that can cause your site's speed to lag. The same goes for the security that you choose for your site. 

Both Woocommerce and Magento allow you to take control of how much security you want your site to have. The last thing that you want to do is to compromise on your security. As a result, it's highly advisable for you to understand how the security add-ons and extensions work to ensure that your site is highly effective and secure. 

Woocommerce vs Magento: The Verdict? 

In summary, it all depends on what you want to achieve with your online store. What you choose to provide you with the utmost support is affected by various factors such as the size of your online store, the products that you sell, the countries that you sell to, and a lot more other things. It's good to know that both platforms provide the end-user with a quality and beneficial interface. 

And, who said that you can't start small with Woocommerce and then migrate to Magento when your business reaches international standards?