Selling online is a relatively cheaper option for businesses as it helps them avoid a number of overheads like showroom rent, utility bills, and decor. It also helps bring down the cost of labor, as an online store can be run by a single person or with just one or two employees and a modest warehouse.
However, we can see today that many businesses that started off as e-commerce businesses have opened up brick-and-mortar stores that customers can physically visit. Now, how will you let your customers know where your store or stores are located? What you need is a store locator tool like LocateStore.
Then comes the question of how you will add your store locator app to the website. Which platform is the most conducive?
So one of the first things to do is decide on a platform on which to build your online store. There are many free and open source platforms available today, and each has its own pros and cons. Today, we will look at two key website builders, WooCommerce and Shopify. Both are very popular globally.
We need to examine and compare these two sites from the point of view of embedding a store locator.
WooCommerce vs Shopify in 2025
For several US retailers and brands, picking the appropriate e-commerce platform is a critical decision. The choice impacts how fast you launch, how much you have to spend, how flexible you are, and whether you can integrate third-party tools like a store locator.
In this discussion of WooCommerce vs Shopify, we will not only examine which platform works best for e-commerce generally, but also which is preferable when you plan to add a store locator on your site. This is a feature that is increasingly becoming more important for omni-channel businesses; that is, businesses that have physical stores and online stores via websites.
A Quick Snapshot: Market Share & Platform Reach
Here is a look at how the two platforms compare in 2025.
What this means:
Shopify is the most popular platform among US e-commerce businesses, especially among stores experiencing high traffic and growth.
WooCommerce is slightly behind Shopify in US share, but is very popular globally and is especially favored by e-commerce sites built on WordPress.
Going by a purely US perspective, undoubtedly, Shopify is the leader. However, if we were to talk about it from a standpoint of flexibility and integration, WooCommerce is a strong contender.
What Makes WooCommerce and Shopify Different?
Shopify: Pros
- It is a completely hosted and managed platform, and you don’t need to set up hosting, security, servers, or think about updates.
- It is super easy for beginners, and anyone can launch a basic store fast, with minimal coding skills or technical setup.
- Shopify has a great ecosystem, with a robust app store, built-in payment mechanisms, smooth checkout flows, and reliable scalability during traffic spikes (in festive seasons and special sale days
WooCommerce: Pros
- As it is built on WordPress, you get deep customization, complete control over design, features, and integrations.
- A vast plugin ecosystem gives you the ability to add almost any functionality you want, and is good for content-driven stores, complex requirements, or a tailored user experience.
- Users have a lot more flexibility where hosting, integrations, and data are concerned.
Trade-offs
Shopify offers convenience and simplicity, but it is somewhat more locked down when it comes to deep customization.
WooCommerce provides greater flexibility and control, but it places more responsibility regarding hosting, maintenance, and security on you.
Ultimately, which platform you must use depends on factors like the size of your business, level of technical comfort, and long-term goals.
Store Locator Support: WooCommerce Store Locator vs Shopify Store Locator
As we mentioned above, if your e-commerce business has a physical presence in the form of stores, pick-up centers, service centers, outlets, or even partner retailers, integrating a store locator tool like LocateStore can add real value. It helps shoppers find the nearest store, driving in-store foot traffic, increasing trust, and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Let us see how the two platforms compare when it comes to store locator functionality:
WooCommerce Store Locator
Integrating a store locator in WooCommerce is as simple as it is highly customizable. You can simply use a tool or plugin that smoothly integrates with WordPress, customize the appearance of the map, set a filter, and add store data. Complete control over how store data is recorded and managed rests with you.
Shopify Store Locator
Shopify supports embedding store locators via apps. Setup is usually very easy: simply install the app, configure your store data, and lastly, embed the locator.
It is less flexible as compared to WooCommerce when it comes to deep customization, as the Shopify theme and app framework place constraints.
Conclusion on store locators:
If it is flexibility, customization, and complete control that you are looking for, then WooCommerce Store Locator is ideal for you.
But if you are looking for an easy setup and minimal technical maintenance, then Shopify Store Locator is definitely more appealing.
Remember, whichever platform you choose, you also must have a reliable, easily manageable store locator solution. Here is where a tool like LocateStore shines.
How LocateStore Fits In
The main strength of LocateStore is that it is platform-agnostic, which means it works with both WooCommerce and Shopify and a few other platforms as well.
LocateStore uses Mapbox instead of Google Maps to power its maps, ensuring a smooth, contemporary, and engaging map experience with excellent performance and deep customization.
Store data like addresses, phone numbers, and store hours is fully managed via Google Sheets. This makes location management a breeze. You can add or update store information in a spreadsheet, and the map on your website is automatically updated.
This setup is perfect for US businesses that have multiple store locations, franchises, or partner retailers across cities or even states. You don’t have to worry about complicated backend databases. Everything works from a spreadsheet, and any team member who has access to the sheet can edit the information.
For many businesses, especially those scaling with multiple locations, this combination of Mapbox, Google Sheets, and easy integration with either WooCommerce or Shopify makes LocateStore a great choice.
Also read: How Shopify store locator helps your e-commerce business
Also read: How WooCommerce Store Locator Helps Your E-Commerce Business
Conclusion
Businesses that prioritize speed, simplicity, and easy maintenance, and are looking to make the store go live quickly, should choose Shopify. It is popular, stable, has wide support, and is ideal for small to medium e-commerce businesses in the US.
Businesses that prioritize flexibility, customization, and complete control, and want the freedom to build a complex, content-rich store, should choose WooCommerce. The platform is also ideal for businesses looking to scale in the long term, add custom features, or integrate deeply with third-party tools. Which platform you must go with depends on whether you need more control or more convenience.
As for store locators, LocateStore is ideal as it is built entirely on Google Sheets and is driven by Mapbox. It also works as smoothly on WooCommerce as it does on Shopify. Regardless of which e-commerce builder you choose, LocateStore is the perfect store locator tool.
For brands in the US that operate both online and offline, and are planning to expand, the combination of WooCommerce and LocateStore offers the best of both worlds: power, flexibility, and simplified location management.
FAQs
Which is better for e-commerce, Shopify or WooCommerce?
It all depends on your requirements. Shopify is the right choice if you want a quick, simple setup with no fuss, minimal maintenance, built-in hosting, and robust security. WooCommerce is ideal if you need flexibility, customization, complete control over design and integrations, especially if you already run a WordPress site.
What are the best store locator tools for both WooCommerce & Shopify?
LocateStore is one of the best tools as it works smoothly on both platforms, uses Mapbox for map navigation, and stores data in Google Sheets. This simplifies location management and makes it scalable and platform-agnostic. LocateStore stands out for ease, reliability, and flexibility compared to other tools.
What is the main difference between WooCommerce and Shopify?
The key difference is in control vs convenience. WooCommerce offers complete control, and you manage hosting, design, updates, and plugins. Shopify, however, gives you greater convenience. The platform takes care of hosting, security, updates, and offers a comprehensive package for launching a store quickly.
How does a store locator help e-commerce businesses?
A store locator helps customers find the nearest physical store or pick-up point and helps to build trust by displaying actual store locations. It also drives walk-in traffic, boosting offline sales. Store locators support omnichannel shopping; that is, shoppers can search online and purchase or pick up in stores. For businesses in the US with both online and offline presence, this tool bridges the gap, increasing conversions and enhancing customer satisfaction.
What are some affordable store builders other than Shopify and WooCommerce?
You can use Store.link, which lets you quickly build an online store using Google Sheet, no coding required, and very affordable.