Launching an online store on Shopify comes with certain concerns for many entrepreneurs. Let’s examine the most common fears and see how justified they really are.
1. Difficulties with the payment system
Fear: “Integrating payment systems will be complicated, especially for Ukrainian businesses. And what about transaction fees?”
Reality: Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, including many popular options in Ukraine:
- Built-in Shopify Payments system (where available);
- PayPal, Stripe, and WorldPay;
- Local solutions via API integration.
Additionally, Shopify supports popular Ukrainian payment gateways such as Fondy (through an additional agreement with a bank) and Monobank (custom integration). Most payment solutions can be connected directly through the admin panel, with transaction fees averaging 2-3%.
2. Problems with integrating delivery services
Fear: “It’s impossible to set up convenient shipping for the local market, and customers will receive inaccurate delivery time estimates.”
Reality: Shopify offers robust integration capabilities for various delivery services:
- Nova Poshta is supported via specialized apps;
- Real-time shipping cost calculation;
- Customizable shipping rates for different regions;
- Package tracking directly from the store interface.
94% of Shopify store owners report that logistics integrations work smoothly without issues.
3. Difficulties integrating ERP systems (1C, BAS)
Fear: “Shopify won’t integrate with my accounting system, so I’ll have to enter data manually.”
Reality: Several effective solutions exist for integrating Shopify with popular ERP systems:
- Custom integrations via private apps for syncing with 1C, BAS, and other accounting systems;
- Shopify API for developing custom integrations;
- Middleware services that automatically synchronize data between platforms.
Integration automates data exchange for orders, products, prices, and customers. On average, setting up such an integration takes 1 to 5 days, after which synchronization happens automatically.
For large businesses, we recommend considering Shopify Headless — an architectural approach that separates the frontend from the backend. This enables deep integration with existing corporate systems and proprietary ERP solutions, which is particularly valuable for businesses with complex accounting and logistics processes.
4. High costs for the plan and apps
Fear: “Shopify will be too expensive due to the monthly subscription and the need to buy additional apps.”
Reality: Shopify’s pricing is predictable and affordable:
- The basic plan costs $32 per month;
- Most essential features are available out of the box, with no extra costs;
- Apps that expand functionality typically cost $20-30 per month;
- Many necessary apps offer free versions.
For more details on pricing and features, visit the official website: https://www.shopify.com/pricing.
5. Low conversion rates due to a template-like design
Fear: “All Shopify stores look the same, so conversion rates will be low due to a lack of uniqueness.”
Reality: Shopify stores offer extensive customization options:
- Over 100 professional themes with various design styles;
- Full HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editing capabilities;
- Page Builder for creating unique pages without coding;
- The ability to integrate a fully custom design.
The average conversion rate for Shopify stores is 1.6-3.3%, which surpasses the average for custom-built stores (1.5-2.5%) thanks to optimized templates, tested UX solutions, and fast loading speeds.
Conclusion
Most fears about using Shopify are based on outdated perceptions of the platform’s capabilities. In reality, Shopify offers flexible solutions for businesses of all sizes, with predictable costs and broad integration options with local services.
More than 2 million active stores in 175 countries use Shopify, proving its effectiveness and reliability as an e-commerce tool. From small entrepreneurs to corporations leveraging advanced Headless Commerce technologies for omnichannel sales, Shopify scales with your business, removing technical limitations.
