First time Woocommerce user, long time WP-Ecommerce user. I recently built a store using WordPress to sell some t-shirts online as a work project via my employer which had basic variations, bulk pricing and you pay via Paypal – sounds simple enough right?
I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about Woocommerce, this was a HUGE mistake. Seriously, if you are considering Woocommerce by all means reconsider unless you have deep pockets. In comparison to WP-Ecommerce (whom I have no affiliation with) Woocommerce feels like a cash grab more than it does an e-commerce solution for WordPress.
Sure, the plugin works well and looks nicely but simple extremely basic functionality that comes as standard in WP-Ecommerce is non-existent by default in Woocommerce. In-fact a lot of the functionality offered for free in WP-Ecommerce and other free plugins like Dukapress isn’t free in Woocommerce.
Case in point, “the ability to export orders” – exporting your orders seems like a highly likely thing someone running an online store for basically anything needs, correct? WP-Ecommerce supports exporting your orders no questions or credit card numbers asked, Woocommerce requires a plugin they have for sale on their site for $35 to export your orders to a .csv file vs a freely downloadable plugin for WP-Ecommerce for free.
Another piece of crucial functionality, “Wholesale pricing” there is a free plugin for that but for the hefty price of $75 in comparison to a plugin that lets you have different tiers of payment discounts depending on how many of one or more items you purchase.
Another piece of functionality many will find themselves wanting, “Paypal Express Payments” by default WP-Ecommerce supports Paypal Express, for the same functionality in Woocommerce it’s $50.
I understand developers have to make a living, but how can a limited free shop plugin with almost only paid plugins truly be an actual choice for a company or developer? Considering the competition in the space you would think Woocommerce would be a little more competitive back.
I won’t ever be using Woocommerce again. What a joke.