How to Integrate Wix with Shopify for Enhanced E-Commerce Functionality
Shopify and Wix are both renowned e-commerce platforms, each with its unique strengths. Determining which one is the ideal fit for your business can be a challenge. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the process of integrating Wix with Shopify to harness the advantages of both platforms.
Exploring Wix and Shopify
Wix: A Beginner-Friendly Platform
Wix is an excellent choice for businesses that are in their infancy or lack extensive technical expertise. It boasts user-friendliness and offers a wide selection of templates.
Shopify: Advanced E-Commerce Functionality
On the other hand, Shopify caters to businesses seeking advanced e-commerce features. While it may seem like the go-to choice for these functionalities, sometimes a more basic solution aligns better with the needs of budding companies. This is where the seamless integration of Wix with Shopify comes into play.
Can Wix Work with Shopify?
The good news is that you can indeed integrate Shopify with Wix using a third-party app known as “Liquid,” allowing you to reap the benefits of both platforms simultaneously.
Reasons to Integrate Shopify into Wix
Even if you already have one of the platforms in place, there are compelling reasons to consider integrating Shopify into Wix:
- Streamlined Management: Rather than managing two separate websites, using your existing site is more efficient. Over time, you can organically transition all your products to a single website.
- Consistent User Experience: Integration ensures a uniform look and feel for both websites, which can enhance user engagement.
Setting Up the Integration between Wix and Shopify
Step 1: Connect Your Wix Account to Shopify
To initiate the integration process, ensure you have accounts on both Wix and Shopify. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your Wix account and click on “Tools,” then select “Apps.”
- Search for the Shopify app in the App Store or Marketplace section (depending on your Wix version – Express or Pro), and install it.
- Enter your Shopify credentials to link the two accounts. If you don’t have a Shopify account yet, you can sign up during this process.
Step 2: Set Up Your Wix Page
After installing the Wix-Shopify integration app, you’ll need to insert some code from Shopify into your website’s HTML section on Wix. Here’s how:
- Navigate to Pages > Edit HTML/CSS in your Dashboard menu.
- Locate the section that says “Add Code to this Page” (around line 100) and select the entire <body> tag.
- Click the plus sign for “Code Inserter” to insert a new selection.
- In the dropdown menu, search for “Wix > WPAPI,” found under Products & Services > API Access. Click on it to access Shopify’s code.
- Copy all the code by pressing CTRL + A and then CTRL + C (on PC) to copy. Paste this code between the <body> tags.
- Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of your screen and test your website by logging into your Shopify store.
Advantages of Integrating Wix with Shopify
Integrating Wix with Shopify offers several key advantages:
- Template Variety: Utilize Wix’s diverse templates to craft a professional and visually appealing website for your business.
- Advanced E-commerce Functionality: Leverage Shopify’s advanced e-commerce features to efficiently manage your business.
- Synchronized Updates: Changes made on one platform automatically reflect on the other.
- Consistent User Experience: Customers enjoy a uniform shopping experience whether they visit your website or Shopify store.
It’s important to note that while most basic tasks like adding products and managing inventory can be handled within Wix, some advanced features, such as Shopify’s point-of-sale capabilities, may require using the Shopify checkout process on your website.
Adding the Shopify Buy Button to Wix
Allow customers to purchase products without leaving your Wix website by adding the Shopify buy button. Follow these steps:
- Log into your Shopify account and click “Online Store.”
- Select “Products” and click “Add product.”
- Enter product details and scroll down to the “Pricing” section.
- Choose the “Shopify buy button” option and select the channel.
- Copy the Shopify code and paste it into the “Add Code to this Page” section on your Wix website (as detailed earlier).
- Click “Save” and test the buy button by adding a product to your cart.
Connecting Your Shopify Domain to Wix
When integrating Wix with Shopify, note that you’ll need to use a subdomain for your Shopify store. To use your Shopify domain name on Wix, you’ll need to set up DNS redirects:
- Log into your Shopify account, click “Settings,” and choose “Domain.”
- Add your desired domain name for your Shopify store.
- In the “DNS” section, select “Add a CNAME Record” and enter “Wix” as the subdomain.
- Click “Save DNS settings,” then scroll down to the “Redirects” section and enable all redirect options.
- Select Wix as your website builder when prompted, and click “Create site” to redirect your Shopify domain to your Wix website.
Adding a Payment Gateway on a Wix & Shopify Integrated Website
To process payments on your integrated Wix & Shopify website, you’ll need a payment gateway. Follow these steps:
- Sign up and create an account with your chosen payment gateway provider (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify Payments).
- Configure your products, services, and pricing in your local currency.
- Add your bank account for fund transfers.
- Access Shopify’s settings to set up the integration between your Shopify account and the chosen payment gateway.
- Connect your payment gateway account to Wix, ensuring that customer data is synchronized.
- Configure payment gateway settings in Wix, specifying the currency and payment address.
With these steps completed, your Wix & Shopify integrated website will be ready to accept payments.
Conclusion
When searching for a website builder with e-commerce features, Wix is an excellent choice for its user-friendliness. However, if your needs lean toward more advanced e-commerce capabilities, Shopify may be the better option. By seamlessly integrating these platforms, you can harness the best of both worlds for a powerful online presence and efficient e-commerce operations.