What is Shopify & why are retailers loving it?

For retailers evaluating their eCommerce strategy, Shopify is increasingly a leading platform of choice. It supports businesses at every stage (from launch to large-scale growth) while removing many of the traditional barriers associated with running an online store.

Here’s a quick overview of what it is and why so many retailers are switching.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that enables retailers to manage their online (and offline) operations from a single interface. It simplifies product management, order processing, payments, and customer engagement - without the need for custom development or ongoing technical maintenance.

Why are retailers re-platforming to Shopify?

Ease of use

Shopify’s interface is intuitive and accessible. Store setup is fast, and day-to-day operations (from merchandising to promotions) can be handled internally by non-technical teams. This reduces dependence on third parties and speeds up decision-making.

A solution that grows with you

The platform supports businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re starting with a core feature set or building a complex, high-volume storefront, Shopify adapts as your requirements grow. Shopify Plus adds enterprise-level capabilities, including automation, advanced customisation, and deeper integration support.

Security and reliability built-in

Shopify handles hosting, performance, and compliance requirements. Features like PCI compliance, SSL certification, and 99.99% uptime are included as standard. This reduces operational risk and frees up internal resources.

Sell everywhere with Unified Commerce

Shopify supports omnichannel selling from a single backend (including web, mobile, marketplaces, social platforms, and physical retail through Shopify POS). Inventory, reporting, and customer data stay centralised and consistent across all channels.

Mobile-first experience

With mobile commerce on the rise, Shopify ensures every store theme and checkout process is fully mobile-optimised. That means your customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience, no matter the device.

Marketing and SEO built-in

Drive more traffic and increase your store's sales with built-in marketing tools. From SEO-friendly URLs and meta tags to discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, and email marketing integrations, Shopify equips you with the tools to grow your brand online.

A robust app ecosystem

With over 8,000 apps in the Shopify App Store, you can tailor your store to meet your unique needs. Enhance your offering with tools for subscriptions, upselling, automation, reviews, loyalty programmes, and much more.

Fast, high-converting checkout

Shopify's native checkout is one of the most optimised in the industry. With support for multiple payment gateways, Shopify Payments, and accelerated options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, customers enjoy a fast, frictionless checkout experience.

24/7 support with a thriving community

Shopify offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone, plus access to a vibrant global community of merchants, developers, and experts ready to share advice and inspiration.

Why retailers love Shopify

Shopify’s appeal lies in its ability to reduce complexity while supporting scale. It enables teams to move faster, operate more efficiently, and focus resources where they matter most: growth, customer experience, and innovation.

As a Shopify Plus Partner, Visualsoft helps retailers move to the platform with confidence. We work closely with brands to deliver tailored solutions, whether they’re replatforming, optimising performance, or preparing for expansion.

Download our latest free Shopify Migrations guide to learn more.

Turn your store into a high-performing, customer-loved experience with our Shopify experts.