Shopify vs WooCommerce: which is right for your online store?
Both platforms run millions of online stores. Here is what actually separates them, and a simple way to decide which one suits your business.
"We need a website" is one of the most common things a business owner says to a developer. Often, what they actually need is a web app. Sometimes it is the other way round.
The difference matters because the two are built, priced and maintained differently. This guide explains what each one is, with everyday examples, so you can ask for the right thing.
What is a website?
A website is mainly there to inform. Visitors read about your business, look at your services, browse your work and get in touch. Most of the content is the same for everyone who visits.
Typical examples:
- A company website with About, Services and Contact pages
- A portfolio or brochure site
- A blog or news site
- A landing page for a campaign or event
A good website builds trust and brings in enquiries. It needs to be fast, clear, easy to find on Google and easy for your team to update.
What is a web app?
A web app is software that runs in your browser and lets people do things. Users log in, enter information, and see results that are specific to them. Think of tools like online banking, Google Docs or an online booking system.
Typical examples:
- A customer portal where clients track orders or download invoices
- An internal dashboard where staff manage jobs, stock or budgets
- A booking or appointment system
- A marketplace where buyers and sellers trade
A web app usually has user accounts, a database, rules about who can see what, and logic that processes information. That is why it takes longer to build than a website.
A quick test: if most visitors just read, it is a website. If most users log in and get work done, it is a web app.
Where the line blurs
Many modern projects are a bit of both.
An online store is a website for shoppers browsing products, but behind it sits an application handling carts, payments, stock and orders. A company site might include a client login area. That part is a small web app inside a website.
For GRCK, a governance, risk and compliance advisory firm, we built a website tailored to how they present their services, and alongside it we organised a system that lets the team keep the site updated without a developer. The public pages are the website. The update system behind them works like an app.
For Outtabox, a workspace design company, we built both a website and internal systems, including a construction management application for tracking projects and allocating budgets. That application is a clear example of a web app: staff log in, enter data and get reports that a website could never provide.
Describe the problem, and we'll tell you what to build. Many clients come to us asking for a website and leave with a clearer plan. Book a free discovery chat.
Website vs web app: the key differences
Purpose
A website informs and persuades. A web app helps people complete tasks.
Interaction
Website visitors mostly read and click. Web app users create accounts, enter data, upload files and change things.
Content
Website content is mostly the same for everyone. Web app content is personal: your orders, your projects, your reports.
Cost and timeline
Websites are usually quicker and cheaper to build. Web apps need more planning, testing and security work, so they take longer and cost more.
Maintenance
Both need care. A website needs content updates and occasional technical updates. A web app needs ongoing support, security patches, backups and new features as your business changes.
Which one does your business need?
You probably need a website if:
- You want people to find you on Google and contact you
- You want to show your services, products or past work
- Your team mainly needs to update text and images
You probably need a web app if:
- Your team is managing work through spreadsheets, WhatsApp and email, and things fall through the cracks
- Customers keep asking for updates you could show them in a portal
- You need to store and process information, not just display it
- You are building a digital product you want to sell to others
Many businesses start with a website and add a web app later, once they understand which process is causing the most pain. That is a sensible path. If spreadsheets are where the pain is, read our guide on signs your business has outgrown spreadsheets.
How Errgo can help
Whether you need a website, a web app or both, we handle the full build so you only deal with one team:
- Business websites that are fast, clear and easy for your team to update, like the site and update system we delivered for GRCK
- Web applications such as customer portals, dashboards and internal tools, like the construction tracking and budget application we built for Outtabox
- Online stores on Shopify and WooCommerce
- Ongoing support so your site or app keeps improving after launch
We start by understanding the problem, then recommend the simplest solution that solves it. See our work.
Frequently asked questions
Is a web app the same as a mobile app?
No. A web app runs in a browser, on a computer or phone, and does not need to be installed from an app store. A mobile app is installed on the phone and can use features like notifications and the camera more fully. Some products have both.
Is an online store a website or a web app?
Both. Shoppers experience it as a website, but the cart, checkout, stock and order management are application features. Platforms like Shopify handle the app side for you.
Can a website be turned into a web app later?
Yes. You can add login areas, portals or tools to an existing website. Planning for it early, for example by choosing a flexible setup, makes it easier.
How long does it take to build a web app?
It depends on the features. A focused internal tool can take a few weeks. A larger platform with many user types, payments and integrations takes several months. A clear brief is the best way to get an accurate estimate.
The bottom line
A website tells people about your business. A web app helps people get work done. Knowing which one you need means clearer quotes, a realistic budget and a better result.
Not sure which you need? Our web applications and platforms service covers both, and we are happy to talk it through. If you are preparing to brief a developer, our guide on how to scope a software project will help.