WordPress vs. Shopify for CBD Dropshipping
When launching a CBD dropshipping business, your choice of platform can make or break your success. Let’s compare the two most popular solutions: WordPress + WooCommerce and Shopify.
🧩 Summary Table
| Feature / Factor | WordPress + WooCommerce 🌿 | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| CBD Friendliness | ✅ Full flexibility (no restrictions) | ⚠️ Limited (CBD only in certain countries with select payment providers) |
| Startup Cost | 💸 Low (Hosting + free plugins possible) | 💵 Medium-High (Monthly fee + paid apps) |
| Ownership & Control | ✅ 100% Self-owned, full control | 🚧 Limited control over backend |
| Customization | 🔧 Unlimited with code/plugins | 🔒 Limited to Shopify’s framework |
| Payment Gateways for CBD | ✅ Supports high-risk providers like Square, VivaWallet, Pinwheel, etc. | ⚠️ Limited CBD-friendly options |
| Subscription Capability | ✅ Easily added with plugins | ✅ Built-in (Shopify Subscriptions app) |
| SEO Control | 🔥 Full control (Yoast, RankMath) | 📦 Basic, limited to structure |
| App/Plugin Costs | 🆓 Many free tools available | 💳 Most apps paid monthly |
| Scalability | 🚀 Highly scalable | 🚀 Scalable but costly at higher levels |
| Ease of Use (for non-tech users) | 🧠 Moderate learning curve | 🟢 Very user-friendly |
| Support | 🧑💻 Community + developer | 🛠️ 24/7 official support |
| Theme Variety & Cost | 🎨 Thousands, often free | 🎨 Limited free themes, most paid |
| Blogging Features | 📝 Native and powerful | ✏️ Basic blogging tool |
| Long-term ROI | 💰 Higher (lower recurring cost) | ⚖️ Depends on app reliance |
| Dropshipping Integrations | ✅ GreenDropShip, Spocket, AliDropship, etc. | ✅ Oberlo, DSers, Spocket |
Below is a detailed breakdown of key features that affect how successful your CBD dropshipping store can be.
CBD Friendliness & Payment Gateways
| Metric | WooCommerce (WordPress) | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| CBD Product Approval | ✅ No restrictions | ⚠️ Restricted to US (with conditions) |
| High-Risk Payment Support | ✅ Extensive (e.g. VivaWallet, Square, Pinwheel) | ⚠️ Very limited (e.g. only third-party gateways like DigiPay or Authorize.net) |
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Shopify explicitly limits CBD sales based on your country, the product type, and the payment method.
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WooCommerce lets you decide your payment processor and hosting—so even high-risk industries like CBD can operate freely using custom gateways.
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If Shopify decides your store violates policy, they can shut you down. WordPress gives you freedom + control.
🟩 Winner: WooCommerce
Startup & Long-Term Cost
| Metric | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup Cost | 💰 $200–$500 (one-time) | 💵 $29–$299/month |
| Plugin/App Expenses | ⚠️ Mostly one-time fees | ⚠️ Mostly monthly fees |
| Annual Renewal (est.) | 🧾 ~$150–$300/year | 🧾 $500–$1,400/year |
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WooCommerce plugins (like payment integrations, subscriptions, SEO tools) are mostly one-time fees or annual licenses.
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Shopify apps work on a monthly billing model, meaning you can end up paying $100–$300/month just for the tools.
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This cost difference adds up drastically in 12–24 months.
🟩 Winner: WooCommerce
Customization & Flexibility
| Metric | WooCommerce (WordPress) | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Full Code Access | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited (Liquid theme language only) |
| Plugin Library | 🛠️ 55,000+ WP plugins | 🧩 Shopify App Store (fewer free tools) |
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Want a custom upsell popup for CBD bundles? Or an animated dosage calculator? You can code or install anything on WordPress.
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Shopify limits backend access; advanced customization requires a developer who knows Liquid (Shopify’s proprietary language).
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WooCommerce is developer-friendly. Shopify is developer-dependent.
🟩 Winner: WooCommerce
SEO & Content Marketing
| Metric | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Blog & CMS Tools | 📝 WordPress = Best-in-class | ✏️ Basic built-in blog |
| SEO Plugin Support | ✅ (RankMath, Yoast) | ⚠️ Limited native controls |
| URL Structure Control | 🔧 Full control | 🔒 Shopify locks some URL formats (e.g., /products/) |
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For CBD products, education is key—that means you’ll need a blog, FAQs, content-rich product pages, and schema markup.
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WordPress was built for content and SEO. With tools like RankMath, you get full control over titles, descriptions, schema, 301 redirects, etc.
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Shopify has decent SEO but lacks control over permalinks, category structure, and technical tuning.
🟩 Winner: WooCommerce
Dropshipping Plugin Ecosystem
| Metric | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Dropshipping Support | ✅ GreenDropShip, Spocket, AliDropship | ✅ Oberlo (now DSers), Spocket |
| Custom Supplier Support | ✅ Easily added via plugin or API | ⚠️ Restricted unless app exists |
| Auto Order Fulfillment | ✅ Yes (via plugins) | ✅ Yes (via apps) |
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Both platforms support dropshipping, but WooCommerce gives you more flexibility in choosing and integrating suppliers.
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Shopify requires app compatibility, and some CBD suppliers don’t support Shopify’s terms.
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WooCommerce also works well with private suppliers through custom integrations—ideal for niche CBD brands.
🟨 Draw: Both good, WooCommerce is more flexible
Plugin & App Costs
| Metric | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tools Available | ✅ Thousands | ⚠️ Fewer free apps |
| Must-Have Tools Cost | 🧾 One-time / Annual fees | 💳 Recurring monthly |
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On WooCommerce, you can often find free versions of premium tools.
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Shopify apps are subscription-based—pay monthly or lose access.
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For example:
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Reviews app (like Judge.me): Free on WP, paid on Shopify
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Subscriptions: Paid plugin vs monthly Shopify plan
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🟩 Winner: WooCommerce
Ease of Use
| Metric | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | ⚠️ Less beginner-friendly | ✅ Drag & drop builder |
| Maintenance Needed | 🔧 Manual updates | 🔄 Auto updates |
| Hosting & Security | 🚧 User handles hosting | 🛡️ Shopify hosts for you |
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Shopify wins in user-friendliness: It’s plug-and-play, especially for people without tech experience.
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WooCommerce requires more setup: Hosting, updates, backups, and basic WordPress knowledge.
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However, once setup is complete, it’s easy to use—especially if you have a developer handle it for you.
🟨 Draw: Shopify wins for DIYers; WooCommerce wins with support
In summary…
| For Your Business Goal | Best Platform |
|---|---|
| CBD Flexibility (Legal + Payment) | WordPress 🏆 |
| Long-Term Cost Control | WordPress 🏆 |
| Deep Customization / Growth Strategy | WordPress 🏆 |
| Beginner-Friendly Start | Shopify 👍 |
| No Maintenance Involvement | Shopify 👍 |
