GoSpaces vs Shopify: Which Ecommerce Platform is Better?

Ecommerce has become an essential part of business operations for both small and large companies. Choosing the right ecommerce platform can make a significant difference in the success of an online business. With numerous platforms available in the market, deciding which one to choose can be overwhelming. This blog aims to compare two of the most popular ecommerce platforms: GoSpaces vs Shopify.

By understanding each platform’s features, pros, and cons, businesses and entrepreneurs can make informed decisions and choose the one that best suits their needs. It’s time to set up your own online store.

GoSpaces vs. Shopify: In Brief

GoSpaces is a simple and affordable ecommerce platform that offers customizable page templates, making it easy for businesses to create an online store. On the other hand, Shopify is a more comprehensive and scalable platform that provides many features and integrations, allowing businesses to grow and expand their online sales presence.

Choosing the right platform for selling physical products can determine the success or failure of an online business. Therefore, evaluating each platform’s features, pricing, customer support, and ease of use is crucial before deciding. This blog aims to comprehensively compare GoSpaces and Shopify to help businesses choose the right ecommerce platform for their specific needs.

What is GoSpaces?

GoSpaces is a cloud-based international ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create and launch an online store quickly and easily.

But did you know? GoSpaces is Shopify’s experimental project. It has been launched in 38 countries, making it available in 20 different languages. The project has been under development by a dedicated team for approximately six months under the Shopify Garage umbrella.

GoSpaces enables users to create a website for free, with features similar to Shopify, such as payment processing, task automation tools, and an intuitive website builder.

The platform offers a range of customizable templates, making it easy for businesses to put business ideas and design into creating a unique online store without the need for any coding skills.

Pros of using GoSpaces

1. Simplicity and ease of use: GoSpaces is a user-friendly platform that requires no technical expertise, making it easy for businesses to create and launch an online store quickly.
2. Affordable pricing: GoSpaces offers affordable pricing plans, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that are just starting with their online store.
3. Customizable templates: GoSpaces offers a range of customizable templates, allowing businesses to create a unique online store that aligns with their branding and style.

Cons of using GoSpaces

1. Limited features and integrations: Compared to other ecommerce platforms, GoSpaces offers limited features and integrations, which may not be sufficient for businesses with more complex requirements.
2. Limited customer support options: GoSpaces offers limited customer support options, which may be frustrating for businesses that require quick and comprehensive support.

Why use GoSpaces?

GoSpaces platform can be customized to suit the language and payment gateway requirements of each country it markets and operates in.

In addition, the platform will feature translations on the backend for supported languages, and an upcoming auto-currency setting will enable international customers to view product prices in their local currency. GoSpaces is now available in 19 languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Turkish, Italian, Thai, Polish, Dutch, Czech, Swedish, Bulgarian, Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian.

The expansion is a significant move for GoSpaces, which highlights that only 5% of the world’s population speaks English, making the platform’s multi- lingual support a competitive advantage.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a popular enterprise ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create and launch an online store quickly and easily. The platform offers a range of features and integrations, making it a comprehensive and scalable digital front option for businesses of all sizes.

Pros of using Shopify

1. Wide range of features and integrations: Shopify offers a wide range of features and integrations, allowing businesses to customize their online store to meet their specific requirements.
2. Excellent customer support: Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, making it easy for businesses to get the help they need quickly and efficiently.
3. Scalability and flexibility: Shopify is a scalable platform that can grow with businesses as they expand their online presence. The platform also offers flexibility, allowing businesses to customize their online store as per their needs. You can even offer digital downloads of specific products.

Cons of using Shopify

1. Higher pricing: Shopify’s pricing plans can be expensive compared to other ecommerce platforms, making it less accessible for small businesses with limited budgets.
2. Steep learning curve: Shopify can have a steep learning curve for users who are new to ecommerce platforms, making it challenging to get started quickly.

Why Use Shopify?

The Shopify platform has one thing that GoSpaces doesn’t – support for feature-rich plugins.

Many popular plugins and apps are available for Shopify that can help businesses optimize their online stores and improve their customer experience.

Some of the most popular Shopify plugins include:

1. Oberlo – an app that allows businesses to import products from AliExpress and other dropshipping platforms easily.
2. Yotpo – a customer review and marketing app that helps businesses collect and showcase customer reviews and photos.
3. Klaviyo – an email marketing automation tool that allows businesses to send targeted emails based on customer behavior and preferences.
4. Bold Product Options – a plugin that enables businesses to offer customizable product options, such as size, color, and material.
5. Smile.io – a loyalty program app that allows businesses to reward customers for repeat purchases and other actions.
6. ReCharge – a subscription billing and management app that allows businesses to offer subscription products and services.
7. Loox – a photo review app that allows businesses to showcase customer photos alongside reviews.
8. ShipStation – a shipping and order fulfillment app that allows businesses to manage shipping rates and track packages.

These plugins and apps are just a few examples of the many options available for Shopify users. Businesses can choose the ones that best fit their needs and budget to help them grow, sell and optimize their online stores. Think Ecommerce platforms and convenience of app stores with feature-rich user experience.

Features Compared

Here is an example of how Shopify and GoSpaces stack up in terms of features for your online store:

1. Design and customization options: Both GoSpaces and Shopify offer a range of customizable templates, making it easy for businesses to create a unique online store. However, Shopify offers more design options and customization features compared to GoSpaces.
2. Payment options: Both platforms offer multiple payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and other payment gateways. However, Shopify offers a more extensive range of payment options, making it easier for businesses to cater to customers worldwide.
3. Shipping options: Both platforms offer a range of shipping options, including flat rates, free shipping, and real-time carrier rates. However, Shopify offers more advanced shipping features, such as custom shipping rates based on weight and destination.
4. SEO features: Both platforms offer basic SEO features, such as meta tags and descriptions. However, Shopify offers more advanced SEO features, such as URL redirects and canonical tags.

Comparison of pricing

GoSpaces offers affordable pricing plans, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that are just starting with their online store. In contrast, Shopify pricing plans can be more expensive, making it less accessible for small businesses with limited budgets.

Comparison of customer support

Both platforms offer customer support via phone, email, and live chat. However, Shopify offers 24/7 customer service and support, making it easier for businesses to get the help they need quickly and efficiently.

Comparison of ease of use

Both platforms are user-friendly and require no technical expertise. However, GoSpaces is more straightforward to use, while Shopify has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and integrations.

Overall, while GoSpaces is an excellent option for businesses with simpler site requirements, Shopify is a more comprehensive and scalable option for businesses that want to grow and expand their online presence, even if they sell digital products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I integrate third-party apps and plugins on GoSpaces and Shopify?

Both GoSpaces and Shopify offer integrations with third-party apps and plugins to enhance the functionality of your online store. However, Shopify offers a wider range of integrations compared to GoSpaces.

How do GoSpaces and Shopify handle website security and payment

processing?

Both platforms offer secure payment processing, including SSL encryption and PCI compliance. However, Shopify also offers its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which provides an integrated payment solution.

Can I migrate my existing online store to GoSpaces or Shopify?

Both platforms offer migration services to their clients to help you transfer your existing online store to their platform. However, each platform’s process can differ and may require technical expertise.

How do GoSpaces and Shopify handle SEO optimization?

Both platforms offer basic SEO features, such as meta tags and descriptions. However, Shopify offers more advanced SEO features, such as URL redirects and canonical tags, that focus on making optimizing your online store for search engines easier.

Can I customize the design of my online store on GoSpaces and Shopify?

Both platforms offer customizable templates and themes to help you create a unique design for your brand or online store. However, Shopify offers more design options and customization features compared to GoSpaces.

Conclusion

While GoSpaces offers simplicity, affordability, and customizable templates, it has limited features, integrations, and customer support options. In contrast, Shopify offers comprehensive features and integrations, excellent customer support, scalability, and flexibility. However, it can have a steeper learning curve and be more expensive than GoSpaces.

The choice between GoSpaces and Shopify ultimately depends on specific business requirements and priorities. If the business has simpler requirements and a limited budget, GoSpaces may be a suitable option. However, if the business wants to expand its online presence, has more complex requirements, and can afford higher pricing, Shopify may be a more comprehensive and scalable option. We hope this GoSpaces vs Shopify comparison analysis helps you decide on the best tool for your online business needs.