Are you considering opening an online store but unsure which platform to select between ZID and Shopify? With so many options available, it can be difficult to make a decision.

ZID and Shopify are renowned e-commerce platforms offering various features to help businesses thrive online. However, selecting the right platform can significantly affect your store’s success.

When starting an online store, there are a few factors you should take into account, such as ease of use, customisation options, and pricing. This blog will compare ZID and Shopify to determine which platform suits your business needs. Furthermore, we’ll explain the advantages of hiring Shopify experts for setting up and running your shop.

Let’s dive in and investigate the differences between these two platforms.

1. Shopify: What You Must Know

Shopify is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that enables businesses to launch an online store and sell products online. Here are some things you should be aware of about Shopify:

User-Friendly Interface:

Shopify’s user-friendly interface makes it incredibly simple for businesses to set up and maintain an online store without technical expertise.

Superior SEO Capabilities:

Shopify’s robust SEO features give businesses the power to optimise their online store for search engines and boost their digital visibility.

One Can Hire Shopify Experts:

Businesses can hire Shopify experts to assist them with setting up their stores and providing ongoing support.

2. ZID: What You Should Know

ZID is a Saudi holding company founded in 2017 that aims to transform the retail industry by streamlining the world of e-commerce, driven by the retail sector’s needs and powered by modern technology.

ZID’s headquarters are in Riyadh and rapidly expanding throughout the MENA region. We offer merchants a comprehensive range of digital solutions, enabling them to digitise their businesses intelligently, smoothly, and effectively.

ZID is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that offers businesses an end-to-end e-commerce solution, from website design and hosting to payment processing. Here are some essential facts about ZID:

Comprehensive Marketing Tools:

ZID offers integrated marketing solutions, such as email marketing and social media integration, to help businesses connect with their desired audience.

Multilingual Support:

ZID offers support in multiple languages, enabling businesses to create an online store that appeals to a global audience.

3. Common Features of Shopify and ZID

Comprehensive App Store:

Shopify and ZID boast an expansive app store with many features and functionalities, such as marketing tools, shipping integrations, and payment gateways.

Mobile-Friendly:

Shopify and ZID offer a mobile-friendly platform that enables businesses to create a responsive online store that looks great across any device.

24/7 Customer Care:

ZID and Shopify guarantee 24/7 care to their customers, guaranteeing any issues or worries are promptly addressed.

4. ZID Vs. Shopify: Rankings

Shopify is by far the clear leader in rankings. According to BuiltWith, Shopify is used by over 1.5 million websites globally, making it one of the most popular eCommerce platforms.

On the other hand, ZID has a much smaller user base and is less well-known within the eCommerce community.

One of the primary reasons Shopify is so popular is its ease of use. The platform was created with even beginners in mind, offering an intuitive user interface. Furthermore, Shopify boasts a comprehensive library of apps and plugins to enhance your online store’s functionality.

5. ZID Vs. Shopify: USPs

ZID and Shopify offer robust features and functionalities, but some key distinctions must be considered.

ZID USPs

ZID is an all-inclusive eCommerce platform providing businesses with everything they need to launch and operate an online store. This includes website hosting, payment processing, inventory control, and more. Furthermore, ZID provides marketing tools like email campaigns and social media integrations.

Shopify USPs

Shopify is primarily tailored towards eCommerce businesses. While the platform does provide website hosting and payment processing, it isn’t an all-inclusive solution as ZID offers. On the contrary, Shopify boasts numerous features tailored toward eCommerce businesses – like built-in SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, and various payment methods.

6. ZID Vs. Shopify: Features

ZID Features

ZID offers features to assist online businesses, such as:

• Customisable storefront templates,
• Product management tools,
• Payment gateway integration,
• Shipping and tax calculation,
• Order and fulfilment processes,
• Customer management and support services.

Shopify Features

Shopify offers a range of features, such as customisable storefront templates

• Product management tools,
• Payment gateway integration,
• Shipping and tax calculation,
• Order management and fulfilment,
• Customer management and support,
• App Store with Third-Party Integrations.

Both platforms offer similar features, with Shopify adding the advantage of a robust app store and a range of third-party integrations extending its capabilities further. You can hire Shopify Experts to install all its features on your website.

7. ZID Vs. Shopify: Services

In addition to features, ZID and Shopify provide various services to help businesses sell online.

ZID provides

• Website Design/Development,
• E-commerce Strategy Consulting,
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO),
• Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC),
• Social Media Marketing Initiatives,
• Email Campaigns and Content Marketing Plans.

Shopify provides

• Website Design/Development,
• E-commerce Strategy Consulting,
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO),
• Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC),
• Social Media Marketing Initiatives,
• Email Campaigns and Content Marketing Plans.
• App Development and Integration.

8. ZID Vs. Shopify: Language Translation

Regarding language translation, ZID and Shopify differ significantly. ZID is a platform designed specifically to target people looking to make the most out of the Arabic language. But, when it comes to Shopify, it is for the global audience.

ZID Language Translation

ZID offers an integrated feature that enables your store to be translated into multiple languages, making it simpler for customers worldwide to access your products. This feature is beneficial if your target market speaks languages other than English.

Shopify Language Translation

Shopify does not, however, have an integrated translation feature. Nevertheless, numerous third-party apps are available to help translate your store into multiple languages with minimal effort on your part. While this may require more effort from you, Shopify remains a viable choice for businesses looking to expand their reach.

9. ZID Vs. Shopify: Plans Comparison

ZID and Shopify offer a selection of plans to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the features each platform provides:

ZID Plans

• Basic: Includes all essential capabilities like unlimited products, orders, and bandwidth, as well as email and live chat support.
• Pro: Provides all Basic features plus additional capabilities like abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, and advanced analytics.
• Advanced: Offers all Pro features, custom domains, multi-lingual, and priority support.

Shopify Plans

Includes the above features plus extra support for select Shopify customers.

• Basic: Provides access to essential features such as unlimited products, orders, and bandwidth with 24/7 support and a complimentary SSL certificate.
• Shopify: Upgrades the Basic plan with additional capabilities like gift cards, professional reports, and abandoned cart recovery.
• Advanced Shopify: Provides all Shopify features plus additional capabilities like advanced report building, third-party calculated shipping rates, and priority support.

10. ZID Vs. Shopify: Themes

One of the key characteristics of any e-commerce platform is its capacity to offer users high-quality, customisable themes. A theme serves as the design and layout for a website, playing an essential role in attracting and keeping customers. So let’s look at how ZID and Shopify stack up regarding themes.

ZID Themes

Shopify offers over 70 professionally designed themes that are fully customisable and responsive. Prices for themes range from free to $180, with most costing around $160. Shopify’s themes are high quality and designed with ease of use. As a result, most of their options are under $200.

One of the key advantages of Shopify’s themes is that they all share a common framework, making it simple to switch between them without worrying about compatibility issues. Furthermore, Shopify’s themes are optimised for SEO, which may improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.

Shopify Themes

Shopify offers over 70 professionally designed themes that are fully customisable and responsive. Prices for themes range from free to $180, with most costing around $160. Shopify’s themes are high quality and designed with ease of use. As a result, most of their options are under $200.

One of the key advantages of Shopify’s themes is that they all share a common framework, making it simple to switch between them without worrying about compatibility issues. Furthermore, Shopify’s themes are optimised for SEO, which may improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.

11. ZID Vs. Shopify: Community Comparison

A key aspect of any e-commerce platform is the community of users and developers surrounding it. A vibrant community can offer support, advice, inspiration, and even drive innovation for new features. So let us look closer at how ZID and Shopify stack up in the community.

ZID Community

ZID has a relatively small user and developer community compared to other e-commerce platforms like Shopify. However, the company does have an active forum where customers can ask questions, offer tips, and provide feedback. Furthermore, ZID provides various resources and tutorials to assist new users in getting started with the platform.

Shopify Community

Shopify boasts an enthusiastic community of users and developers, with over 1 million businesses using the platform worldwide.

The company provides users with various resources and support options, such as a help centre, forums, and certified Shopify Experts who can offer specialised help. Furthermore, each year Shopify hosts its annual conference called Shopify Unite, which brings together developers, partners, and merchants to exchange ideas and strategies about the e-commerce future.

12. ZID Vs. Shopify: Applications

ZID Applications

ZID provides a range of applications that can be used to customise your online store. These include:

• ZID Builder: A drag-and-drop website builder that enables you to design an attractive site without coding knowledge.
• ZID Store: An e-commerce platform enabling you to sell products online.
• ZID CRM: A customer relationship management system to help manage customer interactions.
• ZID Marketing: A suite of marketing tools to promote your online store.
• ZID provides a variety of other applications, such as accounting software, inventory management, and shipping tools.

Shopify Applications

• Shopify offers numerous apps to enhance your online store’s functionality. These include:
• Shopify POS: A point-of-sale system that enables you to sell products in person.
• Shopify Email: An email marketing platform for sending newsletters and promotional emails to your customers.
• Shopify Payments: A payment gateway that accepts credit card payments.
• Shopify Shipping: This handy software manages shipping rates and prints labels.
• Shopify also provides other applications like inventory management, accounting software, and social media marketing tools.

13. Shopify Vs. ZID: Integrations

ZID Integration

• ZID offers various integrations with Shopify to utilise both seamlessly.
• ZID offers integrations with several popular third-party tools, such as Mailchimp (an email marketing platform that lets you send newsletters and promotional emails to your customers) and Stripe (a payment gateway that enables credit card payments).
• Google Analytics: A web analytics tool that monitors website traffic and user behaviour.
• ZID also offers integrations with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Shopify Integration

Shopify provides integrations with a wide range of third-party tools, such as:

• QuickBooks: An accounting software designed to help manage your finances.
• Xero: Another solution for managing finances.
• Oberto: Dropshipping tool that lets you import products directly from AliExpress into an online store.
• Salesforce: A customer relationship management system that facilitates managing customer interactions.
• Shopify also offers integrations with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

If you need help with Shopify integration, you can hire Shopify Experts through ZealousWeb, where a team of certified Shopify Experts will help you with proper support.

Conclusion: Which Platform is Ideal for You?

Both Shopify and ZID provide various features and advantages that can assist businesses in e-commerce. Ultimately, which platform best suits your business requirements will depend on individual preference.

For a user-friendly platform with extensive app store support and strong SEO capabilities, Shopify may be your ideal option. On the other hand, if you require an all-inclusive solution with customisable templates and integrated marketing tools, ZID may be more suitable.

No matter which platform you select, hiring Shopify experts will assist you in setting up your online store and offering ongoing support. You can choose ZealousWeb for hiring Shopify Experts for your business. ZealousWeb will help you to thrive in today’s highly competitive e-commerce world with the right certified Shopify experts and guidance.