FAQ's
Own vs Rent Your Online Store - FAQs
Do I still pay monthly if I own my online store?
Yes. Every website needs hosting, which is the monthly cost to keep your site online. In South Africa, hosting is typically a few hundred rand per month depending on the package and traffic.
Owning your store means you are not paying monthly platform rent to use the system. Once Storevia builds your WordPress and WooCommerce store, the store belongs to you.
What’s the difference between hosting and platform fees?
Hosting is the basic monthly cost for your website to exist online, like paying for space and infrastructure.
Platform fees are subscriptions charged by hosted platforms like Shopify for access to their ecommerce system. Those fees can increase over time, and many stores also add paid apps and features.
With an owned store, you pay hosting, but you are not paying a platform subscription to run your shop.
Is owning a WordPress and WooCommerce store cheaper than Shopify in South Africa?
For many South African small businesses, yes. Shopify typically charges monthly fees in dollars, and stores often pay for apps and add-ons as they grow. Currency changes can also affect costs.
With a WordPress and WooCommerce store, hosting is usually paid locally, and you avoid monthly platform subscriptions. The main cost is the once off professional build and setup.
Do I need to buy a theme and pay for a payment gateway?
A professional store usually uses a quality theme and proper configuration, whether you choose Shopify or WooCommerce.
Payment gateways typically charge transaction fees on payments processed. That is normal across most ecommerce setups. The key difference is that some platforms also charge additional fees on top of gateway fees, depending on your plan and setup.
Storevia sets up a professional design and configures payments so the store is ready to sell.
Is it harder to run an owned WooCommerce store?
Not if it is built correctly.
Storevia handles the setup, design, mobile optimisation, product setup, and payment configuration. You get a store that is easy to manage and update, without needing technical skills.
Why do some businesses move from Shopify to an owned store?
Shopify is known for being seamless to start with. Some businesses later move when monthly costs, apps, and limitations start to affect profit margins or flexibility.
An owned store gives businesses more control over design, features, and long-term costs.
Which option is better for my business?
Both can work.
Shopify is a strong choice if you want the quickest start and prefer paying a monthly platform fee for convenience.
An owned WordPress and WooCommerce store is a strong choice if you want full ownership, more control, and lower long-term platform costs, while paying only for hosting and normal transaction fees.
How does Storevia help?
Storevia builds complete online stores for South African small businesses. We handle the full setup from design to payments, so you can launch with confidence and focus on selling.
You own the store, you choose your hosting, and you are not locked into a platform subscription.
Is WordPress and WooCommerce secure for online payments?
Yes. WordPress and WooCommerce are used by millions of online stores worldwide, including large brands.
Security depends on proper setup, hosting, updates, and payment gateway configuration. Storevia sets up secure hosting, SSL certificates, and trusted South African payment gateways to ensure customer data and payments are protected.
What monthly costs should I expect after my store is built?
Most Storevia clients only pay:
• Website hosting (usually R150 to R300 per month depending on provider and traffic)
• Transaction fees charged by the payment gateway on each sale
There are no monthly platform subscription fees like Shopify.
Can I move my store to another hosting provider later?
Yes. Because you own your WordPress and WooCommerce store, you can move it to another hosting company at any time.
You are not locked into a specific service provider. This gives you long term flexibility and control.
Will my online store work well on mobile phones?
Yes. All Storevia stores are built mobile-first and fully responsive.
This means your store automatically adjusts to phones, tablets, and desktops, ensuring a smooth shopping experience for customers on any device.
Can I add more products and features later?
Yes. You can add unlimited products, categories, and features as your business grows.
WooCommerce is highly flexible and supports advanced features such as delivery zones, discount codes, subscriptions, bookings, and more when needed.
How long does it take to build my online store with Storevia?
Most Storevia online stores are launched within 7 business days, depending on product quantity and content readiness.
You receive a fully functional store that is ready to accept payments and orders.
Do I need technical skills to manage my store after launch?
No.
Storevia builds your store in a user friendly way and provides guidance and training so you can easily add products, update prices, and manage orders without coding or technical experience.
What happens if my business grows and I need more performance?
Your hosting can be upgraded at any time as traffic increases.
Because you own your store, scaling is simple and does not require rebuilding the website or changing platforms.
Is WordPress better for SEO than Shopify?
WordPress and WooCommerce are widely considered some of the best platforms for SEO because you have full control over:
• Page structure
• Metadata
• Speed optimisation
• Blog content
• Advanced SEO tools
This makes it easier to rank on Google long term compared to closed platforms.
What payment methods can I accept in South Africa?
Storevia stores can accept common South African payment options such as:
• Credit and debit cards
• EFT and instant EFT
• Mobile payments (depending on gateway)
We help configure the best gateway based on your business needs.
Is a once off website build really worth it compared to monthly platforms?
For many small businesses, yes.
A once off investment combined with low monthly hosting often becomes cheaper within the first year compared to ongoing subscription platforms, especially when app costs are added.
Long term, ownership usually saves thousands of Rands.
Will Storevia help if I need updates or changes later?
Yes. Storevia offers optional ongoing support and maintenance for businesses that want help with updates, backups, improvements, and troubleshooting.
Support is available, but not required to keep your store running.
Want to understand the best option for your business?
Own Your Store vs Hosted Platforms
Simple comparison for South African businesses
Storevia (Owned Store)
- Once-off professional setup
- Low local monthly hosting only
- No platform subscription fees
- Full ownership of your website and data
- Flexible design and features
- Strong long-term SEO control
- Easy to scale as your business grows
- Not locked into any provider
Best for: Businesses that want long-term savings, control, and a professional online presence.
Hosted Platforms (e.g. Shopify)
- Very quick to start
- Hosting included
- Monthly platform fees (often in dollars)
- Paid apps for many features
- Limited control over system and costs
- Locked into the platform long term
Best for: Businesses that prioritise quick setup and don’t mind ongoing subscriptions.
💡 The Real Difference
Hosted platforms charge for convenience every month.
Owned stores cost more upfront but are cheaper and more flexible long term.
Both work. It just depends how you want to grow.