Why Shopify is Bad in 2025?

Shopify powers over 2 million online stores, celebrated for its intuitive interface and powerful features like dropshipping tools and modern themes.

However, Shopify drawbacks—including high costs, customization limitations, and technical issues—make it a poor fit for some businesses. Drawing from Reddit communities and expert sources like Style Factory Productions and IdentixWeb, this post explores why Shopify is bad for certain users.

We also offer solutions to avoid Shopify store failures and compare Shopify vs. alternatives.

Steep Pricing Challenges Small Businesses

Shopify’s pricing can be a significant barrier for startups or small businesses with tight budgets.

Subscription Fees: Plans range from $14/month (Starter) to $399/month (Advanced), with costs rising as businesses scale (Shopify Pricing).
Transaction Fees: Third-party payment gateways incur 0.5%-2% fees per sale, and high-volume stores face 0.25%-0.35% tax-related fees (Style Factory Productions).
App Costs: Features like product reviews or SEO tools require paid apps, costing $10-$100/month each (IdentixWeb).
POS Add-Ons: Shopify POS Pro for physical stores costs $89/month per location (Shopify POS).

💬 Reddit user says:
“You’re locked into the platform. Even if you put your store on hold, you still have to pay $14/month, and it’s very difficult to transfer out.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Limited Customization Stifles Unique Designs

Shopify’s themes are visually appealing but lack flexibility for bespoke designs.

Few Free Themes: Only 13 free themes are available, compared to 1,550 from Wix or 186 from Squarespace. Premium themes cost $180-$350 (Style Factory Productions).
Restrictive Editor: The drag-and-drop editor limits content editing, requiring coding for complex layouts (IdentixWeb).
App Dependency: Features like custom forms or product filters rely on paid apps from the Shopify App Store.
Hosted Platform Constraints: Limited server control restricts technical customization (IdentixWeb).

💬 Reddit user says:
“Far less customizability than Presta, Woocommerce, etc. Anything but the basics require a paid plug-in.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Technical Glitches Disrupt Store Operations

Shopify’s technical issues can hinder sales and frustrate users, especially those without technical expertise.

Unannounced Updates: Updates can alter site elements like menus or checkout flows without notice (Style Factory Productions).
Platform Downtime: Occasional outages disrupt sales during peak hours (Reddit r/Shopify).
Steep Learning Curve: Setup and optimization are challenging for beginners (IdentixWeb).

💬 Reddit user says:
“Shopify performs updates without notification, which can change site elements.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Weak Customer Support Delays Solutions

Shopify’s 24/7 support is accessible but often lacks the depth needed for urgent issues.

Chat-Only Support: Most plans rely on live chat with an AI chatbot, which can feel impersonal (Shopify Help Center).
Limited Language Support: Available in only nine languages, relying on Google Translate for others (Style Factory Productions).
Slow Resolutions: Urgent issues can take days to resolve (Reddit r/Shopify).

💬 Reddit user says:
“24/7 support team has basic training, escalation takes days for response.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Marketing Demands Require Extra Resources

Unlike marketplaces like Etsy or eBay, Shopify requires users to drive their own traffic, which can be resource-intensive.

No Built-in Audience: Stores depend on SEO, paid ads, or social media to attract customers (IdentixWeb).
Basic Marketing Tools: Built-in features are limited, requiring paid apps from the Shopify App Store.
SEO Limitations: Advanced SEO features like custom metadata need apps or coding (Style Factory Productions).

💬 Reddit user says:
“You must drive traffic yourself, unlike marketplaces like Etsy or eBay, requiring ads, outreach, SEO, and investment.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Poor Store Design Reduces Conversion Rates

A poorly optimized Shopify store can deter customers and lower sales.

Low-Quality Themes: Free themes often feature inconsistent fonts or low-resolution images (IdentixWeb).
Outdated Blogging Tools: Shopify’s blogging platform lacks features like version history or drag-and-drop editing (Style Factory Productions).
Conversion Issues: Unoptimized themes or slow load times require additional apps to fix (Shopify App Store).

💬 Expert insight:
“Poor spelling, low-quality images, and inconsistent fonts reduce customer trust, leading to failure.” (IdentixWeb)

Shipping Issues Harm Customer Trust

Shipping problems can lead to negative reviews and lost sales.

Costly Real-Time Rates: Accurate shipping rates are exclusive to Advanced or Plus plans (Style Factory Productions).
Unreliable Delivery: Dropshipping delays or missed orders frustrate customers (IdentixWeb).
Complex Setup: Configuring international shipping zones is time-consuming (Shopify Help Center).

💬 Expert insight:
“Third-party calculated shipping rates are expensive, only available on monthly ‘Advanced Shopify’ or ‘Shopify Plus’ plans.” (Style Factory Productions)

Poor Niche and Product Choices Lead to Failure

Selecting the wrong products or niches is a common cause of Shopify store failures.

Unresearched Niches: Trending niches without demand result in low sales (IdentixWeb).
Unsuitable Products: Products that don’t meet customer needs or have low margins hinder growth (IdentixWeb).
Low Margins: Declining margins make profitability challenging (IdentixWeb).

💬 Expert insight:
“Choosing trending niches without research leads to failure.” (IdentixWeb)

Scalability Barriers for Growing Businesses

Shopify excels for small to medium stores but struggles with complex or global operations.

Multi-Currency Restrictions: Lower plans support only three markets; additional markets cost $59 each on Advanced plans (Style Factory Productions).
User Account Limits: Basic plans offer no extra user seats, and Advanced plans cap at 15 (Shopify Pricing).
B2B Weaknesses: Lacks native B2B features like custom pricing, unlike BigCommerce (BigCommerce Features).

💬 Expert insight:
“Limited to 3 markets on ‘Basic,’ ‘Grow,’ and ‘Advanced’ plans; additional markets cost $59 each.” (Style Factory Productions)

Real-World User Complaints Reveal Pain Points

Shopify users report specific frustrations that highlight its limitations:

POS Downtime: Software updates have disrupted point-of-sale systems during trading hours (Style Factory Productions).
High Refund Fees: Post-March 2020 policies increased refund and cancellation fees (Shopify Community).
Scammer Concerns: Some claim Shopify hosts scam sites without prompt action (Style Factory Productions).

💬 Community feedback:
“Transaction fees on refunds after March 2020 are a nightmare.” (Shopify Community)

Shopify’s Low Success Rate: A Sobering Statistic

Industry estimates suggest only 5% of Shopify stores achieve long-term success, with 95% failing due to poor niche selection, weak marketing, or operational errors (IdentixWeb). Shopify’s ease of use can mask the effort required for success.

💬 Expert insight:
“Choosing trending niches without research leads to failure.” (IdentixWeb)

Shopify vs. Alternatives: Finding a Better Fit

Shopify shines in dropshipping and design but falls short compared to alternatives that address specific needs:

WooCommerce: Offers greater customization and no platform fees (WooCommerce).
BigCommerce: Eliminates transaction fees and supports B2B/global stores (BigCommerce).
Wix: Provides more free themes and lower costs for small businesses (Wix).
Marketplaces: Etsy and eBay offer built-in audiences, reducing marketing demands.

💬 Reddit user says:
“Shopify’s business model is based on selling the dream of launching a website and making passive income.” (r/Entrepreneur)

Platform	Key Advantage	Best For
WooCommerce	Full customization, no fees	Tech-savvy, budget-conscious
BigCommerce	No transaction fees, B2B focus	Global, high-volume stores
Wix	More themes, lower cost	Small, design-focused stores
Etsy/eBay	Built-in audience	Quick-start sellers

Is Shopify the Right Platform for You?

Scenario	Shopify Fit?
Limited budget	Poor – High fees and app costs
Advanced customization	Poor – Relies on paid plugins
Non-technical user	Mixed – Easy setup, complex management
Dropshipping business	Excellent – Top-tier tools
Global or B2B store	Poor – Limited native features
Need robust support	Mixed – Fast but shallow support

How to Avoid Shopify Store Failures

To address Shopify drawbacks and increase your chances of success:

Research Your Niche: Validate demand using tools like Google Trends or Jungle Scout.
Optimize Your Store: Select high-quality, fast-loading themes from the Shopify Theme Store and ensure clear product descriptions.
Test Marketing Channels: Experiment with SEO, social media, and ads via Google Ads or Meta Ads.
Compare Platforms: Evaluate Shopify vs. alternatives like BigCommerce or WooCommerce to find the best fit.
Leverage Free Trials: Test Shopify’s 3-day trial + $1/month for 3 months (Shopify), BigCommerce’s 15-day trial (BigCommerce), or Wix’s free plan (Wix).

Shopify is a top choice for dropshipping and small, design-focused stores but struggles with costs, customization, and scalability. By researching thoroughly and exploring alternatives, you can avoid Shopify store failures and choose the right platform for your business.