Why Shopify Sucks

The biggest names in software, shoes, you name it, are rarely the best products. Almost everyone has heard of Shopify, but it's not the best website builder, it's not even the best eCommerce website builder. Do not use it for your home services business or local business. This article explains why Shopify sucks and why we partnered with Duda after trying out over 20 website builders.

shopify's shortcomings

Imagine this: you're running a successful home improvement company, offering premium services like roofing, HVAC installations, or custom remodeling. You want a website that not only showcases your high-quality work but also converts visitors into customers. You see a shopify ad and it has amazing designs and you jump right into building your site for free.

With its reputation for being user-friendly and reliable, it seems like a solid choice. But when you're selling high-ticket services or thinking about adding recurring revenue with maintenance plans, Shopify's limitations might make you feel a bit boxed in.

Customization is essential when your business offers specialized services.

You need a website that reflects your brand's expertise and the value of your work. Unfortunately, Shopify's standard templates might not offer the flexibility you need. It can feel like trying to run a construction business with basic tools—sure, they'll get the job done, but it won't be nearly as impressive or efficient as it could be.

When you're selling premium services, your website should convey professionalism and trust. Limited customization options on Shopify can leave your site looking generic, which may not inspire confidence in your customers. It's like trying to sell custom cabinetry in a cookie-cutter showroom. And if you're planning to offer recurring maintenance plans to generate long-term revenue, you'll want more robust features that can handle this type of setup smoothly.

shopify's design learning curve

When you’re trying to sell home improvement services like roofing or HVAC, your website needs to provide a seamless, personalized experience for potential clients. Unfortunately, Shopify’s lack of customization can make that difficult. With only a few theme options and limited flexibility, your site may end up looking generic and failing to meet the specific needs of your business. This can hurt your conversion rates, as homeowners and businesses look for a professional, tailored experience that resonates with them.

Even if you do find a theme that looks decent, you're stuck with only surface-level cosmetic tweaks. Want to add a custom feature or adjust the layout to better suit your business? You’ll quickly hit a wall unless you bring in a developer, which means extra costs and headaches.

Duda: Tailored for Service-Based Businesses

In contrast, Duda is built with service-based companies in mind. It offers far more robust customization options, allowing you to design custom pages that speak directly to your clients. Whether you’re offering roofing services, remodeling, or HVAC maintenance plans, Duda’s drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to showcase your services, add interactive features, and optimize images without the hassle of resizing or uploading. Plus, Duda supports recurring revenue models, like maintenance plan sign-ups, out of the box.

shopify's pricing issues

Developer Fees

You chose Shopify to avoid hiring developers and its easy customization promise. Now, with fees of $150 to $300 per hour for small changes, the "easy-to-use" platform seems much pricier.

Theme Fees

Choosing a new look can be expensive. Themes range from $150 to $300, turning a low-cost DIY project into a money pit with hidden fees. Then what if you don't the theme a day later...

Annual Fees

Your'e going to spend $700 to keep your website live and running. You get a FREE year of hosting, security, and compliance with our Duda partnership. Then it's only $500 per year.

multi-lingual website options

Shopify: Multilingual Limitations

Shopify may have a strong reputation in e-commerce, but when it comes to bilingual or multilingual websites, it falls short. Shopify’s language support is restricted to a few select themes, only available in languages like French, German, and Spanish. If your market speaks anything outside of those, you’re left to manage translations yourself or hire a developer—both costly and time-consuming options. Even then, the language integration isn't seamless across the entire site, leading to a disjointed experience for your users.

Duda: Multilingual Made Simple

Duda, on the other hand, offers built-in multilingual support, making it much easier to translate your home improvement website into any language you need. No coding required. Duda's platform allows you to quickly create versions of your site in multiple languages, helping you reach clients from diverse markets without the hassle of manually implementing each translation.

more complicated seo

Shopify: Basic SEO with Big Gaps

While Shopify offers some fundamental SEO tools, such as customizable URLs and alt tags for images, it falls short when it comes to more advanced features. Things like structured data markup and automatic redirects—both critical for boosting your search rankings—are either absent or require plugins or external tools. For a platform that markets itself as user-friendly, these gaps make it harder for home improvement companies to effectively manage their SEO in-house.

Duda: SEO Simplified for Service-Based Businesses

By comparison, Duda simplifies the SEO process. Duda’s SEO tools are built directly into the platform, allowing you to manage meta tags, structured data, and redirects without leaving the page you're working on. Everything is designed to be user-friendly, even for those without technical expertise. It’s a platform built to give home improvement companies more control over their SEO without needing to hire an expert or spend hours researching fixes.

The True Cost Comparison

Shopify: Limited Payment Options and Extra Fees

With Shopify, your options for accepting payments can be limited. Many home improvement businesses using Shopify are restricted to credit and debit card payments through Shopify Payments. This might not work for clients who prefer alternative payment methods, such as PayPal, which Shopify doesn’t support in certain countries.

If you want to offer more options, you’ll need to integrate a third-party payment processor, which can be complicated and often comes with extra fees. These additional costs can add up fast, especially if you’re managing large transactions or recurring payments for services like maintenance plans. For home improvement companies working on tight margins, these limitations can affect the bottom line.

Duda: More Payment Flexibility at a Lower Cost

In contrast, Duda offers greater flexibility with a variety of built-in payment options that cater to your clients’ preferences. Whether your customers prefer to pay via credit card, PayPal, or other methods, Duda makes it easy to set up multiple payment options without needing a third-party service. This flexibility ensures that you don’t miss out on potential clients simply because their preferred payment method isn’t supported.