Shopify vs Custom E-Commerce: Which is Better?
Starting an online store in Nigeria? One of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing between a hosted platform like Shopify or a custom-built e-commerce solution. Both have their advantages, and the right choice depends on your business needs, budget, and growth plans.
Quick Overview
Shopify
Best for: Beginners, quick launch, small-medium catalogs
Starting cost: $29/month + transaction fees
Custom E-Commerce
Best for: Unique requirements, full control, scaling businesses
Starting cost: ₦600,000+ (one-time)
Detailed Comparison
| Factor | Shopify | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Speed | Days | Weeks |
| Upfront Cost | Low | High |
| Ongoing Cost | High (monthly + fees) | Low (hosting only) |
| Customization | Limited | Unlimited |
| Technical Skills Needed | None | High (or hire developer) |
| Nigerian Payment Gateways | Limited | Full Integration |
| Ownership | Rented | You Own It |
Choose Shopify If...
- You need to launch quickly (days, not weeks)
- You have a small product catalog (<100 products)
- You don't want to manage technical aspects
- You're testing a business idea
- You have limited upfront budget
- You're comfortable with monthly fees
Choose Custom E-Commerce If...
- You have unique business requirements
- You need full integration with Nigerian payment gateways
- You have a large product catalog
- You want to avoid ongoing platform fees
- You need custom features not available on Shopify
- You want complete ownership and control
- You plan to scale significantly
Cost Analysis: 3-Year Comparison
Shopify (Basic Plan)
- Monthly: $29 × 36 = $1,044 (~₦1,566,000)
- Transaction fees (assume 2%): varies by sales volume
- Premium apps: ~$50/month = $1,800 (~₦2,700,000)
- Total 3 years: ~₦4,000,000 - ₦6,000,000+
Custom WooCommerce Solution
- Development: ₦800,000 - ₦1,500,000 (one-time)
- Hosting: ₦50,000/year × 3 = ₦150,000
- Maintenance: ₦50,000/month × 36 = ₦1,800,000 (optional)
- Total 3 years: ~₦1,000,000 - ₦3,500,000
Key Insight: For businesses with significant sales volume, custom e-commerce often becomes more cost-effective after 1-2 years due to eliminating transaction fees and monthly platform costs.
Nigerian Payment Integration
This is a crucial consideration for Nigerian businesses:
Shopify
Limited Nigerian payment options. Paystack integration available but with limitations. Some Nigerian banks not supported directly.
Custom Solution
Full integration with Paystack, Flutterwave, Interswitch, bank transfers, USSD payments, and more. Complete flexibility to add any payment method your customers need.
Our Recommendation
For most Nigerian businesses serious about e-commerce, we recommend custom solutions (WooCommerce or similar).
The reasons: better payment integration, lower long-term costs, full ownership, and complete customization. While Shopify is great for testing ideas quickly, custom solutions make more sense for established businesses.
Related: E-Commerce Website Development Cost in Nigeria
Need Help Deciding?
Let us analyze your business needs and recommend the best e-commerce solution.