This article is going to be comparing Shopify vs Volusion.  

Before we begin, it’s important to note that Shopify is the superior platform and the one that we recommend you choose.  

That being said, Volusion still has its perks. 

If you’d like to learn more about the nuances of both these online store builders, then please, read the rest of this article.  

Safe Pick

Why Go With Shopify?

The short answer is that Shopify IS the market leader, with 2000+ integrations and a one of a kind third party APP MARKETPLACE. Upsells, downsells, crossells, emails, triggers, reviews....theres an app for that with Shopify!

Try Shopify Free

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

The Main Differences Between Shopify vs Volusion

The Main Differences Between Shopify vs Volusion include:

• Shopify does not limit products nor sales, whereas Volusion does.  
• Shopify is heavily reliant on apps but offers superior SEO features, whereas Volusion boasts a lot of pre-built features and functions
• Shopify makes you pay transaction fees if you don’t use its payment processor, whereas Volusion does not
• Shopify boasts “Out of the Box” blogging functionality, Volusion does not.  

Volusion is an online store builder, comparable to Shopify.  

Kevin Sproles founded Volusion back in 1999.  

The company offers features that will enable you to create an online store. You can then use it to sell products online. 

Prestigious companies such as Intel and 3M have availed of its services, so you know you’re in safe hands.  

The online store builder is also a SaaS (like Shopify), which means you’ll be paying monthly. Like Shopify, you also have the option to be billed annually.  

But unlike Shopify, not biennially.  

Creating a store with this builder is relatively quick, so you no longer need to dread the set-up speed of your online store.  

With Volusion, you’ll also have access to a whole host of templates. All of which, come equipped with built-in shopping carts.  

Which should save you some cash down the line because you won’t have to be buying in third party software.  

Feature Comparison of both Shopify and Volusion 

Both Shopify and Volusion offer similar core features. You’ll be able to:  

While both these eCommerce platforms offer a similar service, they are far from the same.  

Volusion Features in a Nutshell 

For instance, Volusion is superb when it comes to managing data and analytics. One of their most noteworthy analytical features is their search term analysis. It allows you to see what search terms are popular in Google right now. So, you can adjust your content accordingly to optimize for views. A tool such as this one can go a long way toward improving a business’s content marketing strategy.  

But Volusion lacks some features, which many marketers would regard as essential. A prime example of this is the fact that the eCommerce platform offers no built-in blogging tool. You’ll have to look to a third-party software company to create and host your blog. Once you’re finished, you’ll then have to link your blog to your Volusion domain and store. And if you’re thinking this sounds long and complicated, that’s because it is. 

But to give credit where it’s due, it offers a mobile app that lets you manage your store when you don’t have access to a laptop or computer. Also, there are no transaction fees on the platform.  

By in large, if you love data, you’ll get along just fine with Volusion. But you’ll struggle if you’re big into the site design.  

Shopify Features in a Nutshell  

Unlike Volusion, Shopify will charge you for transaction fees. Well, that is if you don’t use their payment processor, Shopify Payments. 

If you don’t want to use Shopify Payments, there over 100 other payment processors for you to choose from. So, you never have to worry about feeling trapped.  

What’s great about Shopify, is its app store. You’re quickly able to access a tonne of apps within its user interface, which will help you in areas such as marketing and shipping.  

Integrating with Social Media is also super easy too.  

You see, you’ll be able to integrate Shopify with all other main social media platforms, which will assist you in marketing your business.  

If you’re looking for something that will allow you to adapt as you grow (scalable), as well as an awesomely well-rounded eCommerce platform. Well, Shopify is for you.  

Verdict – Shopify  

Shopify has better features than Volusion. Although Volusion offers fantastic analytics, you cannot ignore the huge range of apps on the show with Shopify. On top of that, you’ll be treated to excellent sales features and multiple sales channels. Also, in terms of what platform will give you the features and functions you need to scale your business, Shopify is the clear winner.   

Shopify vs Volusion Design Comparison  

In the current digital economy, having an aesthetically pleasing, as well as an extremely functional digital storefront is imperative. 

Especially when you consider that nowadays, almost half of all consumers will click on a digital store and bounce immediately.  

Anyway, we already know that both Shopify and Volusion offers features to help you design an attractive storefront. But what about the details?  

Well, Shopify offers 10 free themes. As well as over 50 premium options. All of which, cost between $140-180.  

Verdict: Shopify  

There’s not a lot to separate either platform. But Shopify does offer more premium themes, at a more affordable price. So, for that reason, we’ll give them the nod ahead of Volusion. 

Ease-of-Use – How do Shopify and Volusion Compare 

When we talk about Ease-of-Use, what we’re referring to is the backend-frontend interface performance and relationship. As well as functionality offered, of course.  

With Shopify, you will enjoy a:  

Anyway, on the sales front, it’s quite easy to get the hang of managing orders and adding products to your store with Shopify. 

But if you’re struggling with this, you can download an app called Oberlo. It’ll simplify the process for you, or at least make it more manageable. 

If you need to update your store on the front end, you can add content quickly and easily using keyboard shortcuts.  

Long story short, Shopify makes the entire process of creating an online store super simple.  

But the same cannot be said for Volusion.  

Simple tasks, such as adding a page to your website, are overly complicated, and not clear whatsoever.  

Another thing wrong with Volusion is the constant updates being made to the platform. This means that its interface is constantly changing, which makes it hard for you to become accustomed to it.  

Something else that is extremely irritating, is that Volusion’s editing interface is split between the store-front and backend. Meaning you have to keep flicking between the two.  

As you can imagine the constant flicking gets annoying after a while and makes you appreciate the live editor-style offered by Shopify. (A.K.A. no flicking between the backend and frontend) 

Also, Shopify makes editing super easy by including the equivalent to an undo button on their platform. If you make a mistake managing your site, you can simply hit the undo button and the situation has been rectified. 

Verdict – Shopify 

Pricing – Shopify vs Volusion?  

Every business owner is heavily weighed down by cost. But don’t let cost be the sole determining factor when it comes to investing in the running of your business.  

Save a little bit of cash here, but spend a little too much time there, and you could find what you thought to be a shrewd investment, to be well, nothing short of a nightmare. 

So, what we’re all looking for, is something worth the money we’re investing in it.  

And sometimes, to get something worth investing in, we may have to pay a little more than what cheaper, but less reliable, alternatives are offering. 

Forward-thinking such as this, will serve you well when comparing the pricing of Shopify and Volusion.  

Shopify Pricing Structure – Paying Monthly  

Shopify Pricing Structure – Paying Annually  

Paying Biennially With Shopify  

For those interested, Shopify also offers its customers the chance to pay biennially at a 20% discounted rate. This means that you’ll have to pay all the money upfront, at the start of every second year. The first payment will be made the initial year you start using Shopify.  

Paying biennially is a good option for long-time users of Shopify, who are satisfied with the service.  

Volusion Pricing Structure – Paying Monthly 

Volusion Pricing Structure – Paying Annually  

Also, it’s pretty much industry-standard, for SSL protection to come with all website builders. 

So, although Volusion appears to be of equally as good value, you’ll find that once you factor in the cost of paying for SSL protection, it’s more expensive.  

So, for that reason, Shopify offers superior pricing.   

Safe Pick

Why Go With Shopify?

The short answer is that Shopify IS the market leader, with 2000+ integrations and a one of a kind third party APP MARKETPLACE. Upsells, downsells, crossells, emails, triggers, reviews....theres an app for that with Shopify!

Try Shopify Free

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Support  

When journeying with any technological software, it’s only natural that you’ll encounter a few bumps in the road. These bumps are part of the process, but you’ll find that they’ll quickly become mountains if you don’t address them. 

So, when you are addressing them, you must have a reliable support system behind you every step of the way. As your ability to solve problems as you go is imperative to your success.  

According to their help page, the best method to contact them using, regarding support, is chat. You can access chat, by clicking “message us” in the admin area on the top left of Volusion’s user interface.  

Both Shopify and Volusion offer documentation to help its members through commonly occurring issues on their respective platforms. 

Verdict: Draw  

Both platforms offer similar support features, and both have been subject to mixed reviews online. So, it’s difficult to say which platform offers superior support. A draw is probably the fairest result.  

Dropshipping 

A lot of our readers probably want to know how Shopify and Volusion compare when it comes to dropshipping.  

So, we thought it’d be wise to include a section on the topic.  

We’ll quickly begin by explaining what drop shipping is, for those who have never encountered the term before.  

In a nutshell, dropshipping is about selling goods without ever holding the goods in your inventory. You’ll simply receive an order, alert whoever is supplying your product and they’ll ship it off to the customer.  

For many people, this form of commerce is extremely attractive. Mainly because you don’t have the huge overheads that come with buying property to store and sell products on.  

Before this article continues though, it would be irresponsible of us to fail to stress how tough it is to succeed as a Dropshipper. You’ll not only need to find amazing products; you’ll need to spend a great deal of time and money testing and marketing said products. If you’re not willing to spend that time and money, well, your dropshipping business will fail. There is no leeway for shortcuts because currently the competition is stacked in the dropshipping industry.  

Verdict – Shopify  

Anyway, Shopify is the better platform when it comes to Dropshipping. It offers more flexibility; with a never-ending list of dropshipping apps, you can integrate with. Volusion by comparison only offers two dropshipping apps: Doba and Kole Import.  

Shopify vs Volusion Pros/Cons  

Shopify  

Volusion  

It’s worth noting though that it’s not easy to succeed in eCommerce. Skylar didn’t like the fact that everyone had the same products to sell from because it left nothing to differentiate each store. But the truth is, the onus is on you to make your store stand out. That involves going to extreme lengths to market your products online using videos, social media ads, etc.  

Shopify is merely a platform that’ll give you the functionality you need to create an e-store. But that’s it. 

They won’t make your store stand out, although they do market it as such. Which, is a tiny bit unethical.  

Mainly because they make it sound like setting up a store and selling products through it is a straightforward process.  

Volusion Reviews 

The following customer reviews were taken from g2.com and trustpilot.com. 

The Good  

Our most positive Volusion review comes from an anonymous reviewer who works in graphic design. The review begins by highlighting the benefits of using the platform to sell products online. Specifically, for those who are beginners in the industry and don’t have a lot of experience writing HTML code. Or, lack technical knowledge when it comes to building a website in general.  

The reviewer goes on to mention the benefits of the built-in themes offered by the platform. They allow newbie users to get a professional and clean looking store straight away. Having a store that looks the part is essential to your success making money online.  

From choosing a template, it’s also easy to start updating your store’s content before it goes live. Which according to this reviewer, is a major bonus.  

But there were aspects that they did not like. Pricing was one such aspect, with the cheapest option coming to $29.99 per month.  

Regardless of the pricing, the reviewer still feels that it’s worth giving this e-store builder a try. Highlighting that $29.99 a month is a small price to pay for a store that looks like the real deal and is making sales for you.  

The Bad  

Next, we have another anonymous reviewer. The only information we have on them is that they are an administrator in consumer electronics with a small business.  

Their review had its ups and downs, and they ended up giving Volusion a two-star rating. They were happy with the customer service offered by Volusion, labeling it “great”. They were also happy with the layout and structuring of pages, as well as the overall aesthetics offered by the platform.  

Also, they mention the possibility to integrate with a range of third-party apps. Having the ability to do this can get you out of a pickle if you’re not overly tech-savvy, so it’s an obvious plus. One last positive that they listed, was the fact that their plans are priced based on bandwidth.  

Now, it’s time for the negatives the reviewer left regarding the platform. The first negative listed being, that their support was not as good as other eCommerce platforms. Other negatives that were highlighted include slow updates and a lack of progress in comparison to competitors in the market.  

The reviewer concludes by recommending Shopify to others in search of an eCommerce platform, as it is the market leader.  

The Ugly   

Our most negative customer review comes from Trustpilot.com. We couldn’t find anything recent on g2.com, so we felt it was only fair to look elsewhere and report on an up to date experience.  

Anyway, our review comes from Neil Kauffman. He was disappointed with what he referred to as being Volusion’s, “technical limitations”. He laid out what he meant by this term using three examples.  

The first being that they charge you extra for SSL. For anyone new to selling products online, SSL is a must if you wish to receive payment for the goods you sell. It’s also a metric measured by search engine crawlers, so it affects your site’s visibility within those engines. Neill is rightly ticked off that this feature is not included in the payment plan, as it should be.  

Secondly, he was unhappy with the inability to edit the URL on category pages. “_s/123.htm” shows up on all URLs on category pages, which Neill felt looked unprofessional. And, we’d have to agree.  

The third and final issue he lists is the lack of a category hierarchy in the URL. In the nutshell, this means that subcategories do not appear within the main categories in the URL. That means your ability to optimize for search engines is being hindered. Also, it feeds into the above point of not looking professional.  

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