Wix eCommerce vs Spree Commerce: Customizable Open-Source Ecommerce vs Simplified Website Design

In the competitive world of eCommerce, selecting the right platform for your online store is paramount. With so many options available, decision-makers need clarity to navigate this complex landscape. In this blog post, we will delve into two distinct eCommerce solutions: Wix eCommerce and Spree Commerce. Each platform offers unique strengths and capabilities—one is a customizable open-source solution, while the other is a simplified website design platform. By comparing these two technologies, we aim to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.

Understanding Wix eCommerce

What is Wix eCommerce?

Wix eCommerce is part of the Wix website builder, a user-friendly platform designed to empower entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses to create an online store with minimal technical knowledge. Known for its ease of use and extensive selection of beautifully designed templates, Wix eCommerce simplifies the process of building a functional and aesthetically pleasing online shop.

Ease of Use

One of the standout features of Wix eCommerce is its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This means that users can easily add, remove, and customize elements on their online store without needing to write any code. The simplicity of Wix’s design tools ensures that even those with no technical background can create a professional-looking store in a matter of hours.

Built-in Features

Wix eCommerce offers a variety of built-in eCommerce features, such as inventory management, payment processing, and SEO tools. These tools are integrated right out of the box, providing users with everything they need to start selling products online immediately. Additionally, Wix supports multiple payment gateways, making it easy to accommodate customers' preferred payment methods.

Templates and Customization

Wix gives users access to over 500 designer-made website templates, including numerous templates specifically for eCommerce. These templates are highly customizable, allowing users to tweak colors, fonts, and layouts to match their brand identity. Though the customization options are plentiful, they are also constrained within the boundaries set by Wix’s design interface, which may not be ideal for those seeking extensive control over every aspect of their store’s design and functionality.

Exploring Spree Commerce

What is Spree Commerce?

Spree Commerce is an open-source eCommerce platform built with Ruby on Rails. It is designed for businesses that need a highly customizable solution and have the technical resources (or willingness) to develop and maintain their platform. Unlike Wix, which is a hosted solution, Spree Commerce requires users to host their own website and manage server configurations.

Flexibility and Customization

The primary strength of Spree Commerce is its flexibility. As an open-source platform, Spree provides complete access to the source code, allowing developers to tailor every aspect of the eCommerce experience to their specific needs. This is invaluable for businesses that require custom functionalities that are not available in out-of-the-box solutions.

Community and Extensions

Being an open-source project, Spree Commerce benefits from a vibrant and active community of developers who contribute to its ongoing development. There is a plethora of extensions and integrations available, ranging from payment gateways to marketing tools. This community-driven ecosystem ensures that Spree Commerce remains a cutting-edge solution that can adapt to evolving eCommerce trends and requirements.

Server Management and Technical Requirements

Unlike Wix, which handles server management and maintenance, deploying a Spree Commerce store requires a certain level of technical expertise. Users must manage their hosting environment, including server configurations, security updates, and performance optimizations. For some businesses, this might be a significant consideration, but for those with a capable IT team or a managed hosting provider, the control and customization offered by Spree Commerce could far outweigh this drawback.

Performance and Scalability

Wix eCommerce

Wix is designed to cater primarily to small to medium-sized businesses. While it can handle a moderate amount of traffic and transactions efficiently, it may not be the best option for rapidly scaling enterprises that anticipate a high volume of traffic. Performance bottlenecks can occur, and customization options for optimizing site performance are limited compared to custom solutions.

Spree Commerce

In contrast, Spree Commerce excels in performance and scalability, provided it is implemented correctly. Since you have complete control over your hosting environment, you can optimize your store to handle high traffic volumes and complex transactions efficiently. Spree’s architecture is designed to scale, making it a preferred choice for larger enterprises and businesses with significant growth trajectories.

Cost Considerations

Wix eCommerce

Wix offers several pricing tiers tailored to different business needs, with transparent monthly fees covering everything from hosting to website maintenance. This out-of-the-box pricing model helps businesses manage their budgets by providing predictable costs. However, additional features, such as advanced marketing tools or specialized plugins, may incur extra costs.

Spree Commerce

While Spree Commerce is free to use, the associated costs can vary widely based on your specific needs. Businesses must account for expenses related to hosting, domain registration, SSL certificates, and any extensions or custom development work. Additionally, maintaining a Spree store may require dedicated IT resources, which can increase overhead. For businesses that prioritize customizability and control, these expenses are often justified by the platform’s capabilities.

SEO and Marketing Tools

Wix eCommerce

Wix includes built-in SEO tools that guide users through optimizing their site for search engines. It also offers integrated marketing features, such as email marketing and social media integrations, to help drive traffic and sales. While these tools are accessible and useful, they may lack the depth and sophistication required by more advanced marketing strategies.

Spree Commerce

On the other hand, Spree Commerce allows for deeper SEO customization and integration with advanced marketing tools. Because it is an open-source platform, developers can implement any SEO best practices and integrate third-party marketing tools that fit their strategy. This flexibility provides an advantage for businesses that rely heavily on organic traffic and sophisticated marketing campaigns.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing between Wix eCommerce and Spree Commerce largely depends on your business’s specific needs, technical capabilities, and long-term goals. Wix eCommerce is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use platform with robust built-in features. It offers an all-in-one solution that minimizes the need for technical intervention, allowing business owners to focus on growing their brand rather than managing the technical aspects of their website.

Conversely, Spree Commerce is ideal for businesses that require extensive customization, scalability, and control over their online store. It is particularly suited for larger enterprises or startups with technical expertise and the resources to manage an open-source platform. While it demands a higher initial investment in terms of time and technical resources, the flexibility and performance benefits can provide significant competitive advantages.

Conclusion

At Deploi, we understand that selecting the right eCommerce platform is a critical decision that can impact your business’s success. Whether you opt for the ease of use and integrated features offered by Wix eCommerce or the customizable, high-performance capabilities of Spree Commerce, the key is to align the platform with your strategic objectives. Our team is here to help you navigate these decisions, ensuring that you choose a solution that drives growth and meets your unique needs. Contact us today to discuss your eCommerce ambitions and discover how we can support your digital journey.