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Build Guide

Build a Online Store Without WordPress

WooCommerce adds 20+ database queries per page load. Modern commerce tools are 10x faster and handle payments, inventory, and shipping natively.

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The Old Way

The WordPress Approach

Required Plugins

1WooCommerce (free but needs paid extensions) — core e-commerce
2WooCommerce Subscriptions ($239/year) — recurring payments
3WooCommerce Bookings ($249/year) — appointment products
4YITH WooCommerce Wishlist ($99/year) — wishlists
5WooCommerce Product Add-Ons ($79/year) — custom product options

Limitations

WooCommerce adds 20-40 database queries per page, killing Core Web Vitals
Extensions cost $500-1500/year for a full-featured store
PHP-based cart and checkout can't match modern JavaScript performance
Plugin conflicts during updates cause checkout failures and lost sales
Scaling past 10,000 products requires expensive hosting ($100+/month)

Typical Cost

$500-1500/year in extensions + $50-150/month WooCommerce-optimized hosting

The Modern Way

The Modern Approach

Next.js + Shopify Storefront API (or Medusa/Saleor)

Use Shopify as a headless commerce backend for product management, payments, and fulfillment while building a custom storefront with Next.js. For open-source, Medusa or Saleor give you full ownership.

Static product pages load in under 1 second — proven to increase conversion by 15-30%
Shopify handles payments, tax, inventory, and shipping compliance
Custom storefront design not limited by WooCommerce themes
Edge-rendered checkout performs better than any PHP checkout
API-first architecture works across web, mobile, and POS

WordPress vs. Modern Stack

WordPress

  • WooCommerce adds 20-40 database queries per page, killing Core Web Vitals
  • Extensions cost $500-1500/year for a full-featured store
  • PHP-based cart and checkout can't match modern JavaScript performance
  • Plugin conflicts during updates cause checkout failures and lost sales
  • $500-1500/year in extensions + $50-150/month WooCommerce-optimized hosting

Modern Stack

  • Static product pages load in under 1 second — proven to increase conversion by 15-30%
  • Shopify handles payments, tax, inventory, and shipping compliance
  • Custom storefront design not limited by WooCommerce themes
  • Edge-rendered checkout performs better than any PHP checkout
  • API-first architecture works across web, mobile, and POS

Recommended Tools

Shopify

Commerce backend — products, payments, inventory, shipping

$39/month Basic, $105/month Shopify, $399/month Advanced

Medusa

Open-source alternative to Shopify — full commerce API

Free (self-hosted) or Medusa Cloud pricing

Next.js Commerce

Pre-built storefront template with Shopify integration

Free and open-source

Algolia

Instant product search with faceted filtering

Free up to 10,000 requests/month, then $1/1,000 requests

Vercel

Edge hosting with ISR for product page updates

Free hobby tier, $20/month pro

Step-by-Step Build Guide

1

Set up Shopify and add your product catalog with variants, pricing, and images

2

Clone the Next.js Commerce starter template and connect it to your Shopify Storefront API

3

Customize the storefront design — product pages, collection pages, and navigation

4

Configure checkout using Shopify Checkout with your branding and custom fields

5

Add Algolia for instant product search and filtering across your catalog

6

Set up ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration) so product pages update without full rebuilds

7

Deploy to Vercel and configure your custom domain with SSL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is headless Shopify more expensive than WooCommerce?
Shopify Basic is $39/month with everything included. A comparable WooCommerce setup with extensions and hosting runs $80-150/month and requires more maintenance. Shopify is often cheaper total cost of ownership.
Can I migrate from WooCommerce?
Yes. Shopify has a built-in WooCommerce importer for products, customers, and orders. Tools like Matrixify handle complex migrations with custom fields and variants.
What about Medusa for open-source?
Medusa is a great open-source alternative if you want full data ownership. It requires more setup but eliminates monthly platform fees. Best for developer teams who want complete control.

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