vs Shopify

Shopify is built for stores. Not every business is a store.

Shopify is good at selling products. You pay a monthly plan. Many extra features are apps that cost more each month.

See what you’d get

Type your web address. We show you what your site does today, and what a Launch would set up for you. It’s free.

Free. No email. No credit card.

The short version

Shopify is like renting a booth at a busy market. It works, and the rent never stops.

If you sell lots of products, Shopify can be a good fit. If you mostly sell your time, like lessons, trips, or appointments, a store is the wrong shape. We build the site around how your business really works. If you sell things, your Launch can include an online store.

The fair list

What staying on Shopify means for you

  • cost

    A monthly plan, plus apps

    You pay Shopify every month. Features Shopify does not have often come as apps, and many apps charge every month too.

  • cost

    Extra fees if you use another payment company

    Shopify adds its own fee on sales if you don't use Shopify's own payments. Check your plan to see what you pay.

  • design

    Made for products, not services

    Booking a time, taking a deposit, or letting clients sign in can be hard to fit into a store.

  • lockin

    Your theme stays with Shopify

    Shopify themes use Shopify's own code. If you leave, you rebuild the look of your site.

The Launch

What you get with us instead

  • We build the site for what your business really is: a service, a store, or both.

  • If you sell things, we set up an online store with you. Money goes to your own Stripe, PayPal, or Square account. We never hold your money.

  • We teach you to change your site yourself. You type what you want in plain English, and the site changes.

  • You own the code. Your site runs in your own account with a web host. The host bills you about $20 US a month. We charge $0 a month.

  • Pay once for the build. Card fees go to your own payment company, not to us.

FAQ

Questions people ask

I sell products. Should I leave Shopify?

Maybe not. If Shopify works well for you, keep it. If you also want booking, a client portal, or a site you own, book a free call and we will tell you honestly.

What does “change it yourself in plain English” mean?

It is called vibe coding. You type what you want, like “add a page about our new service.” An AI tool makes the change. You look at it and keep it or ask again. We show you how on your Launch call.

Own your site

See what you’d get, free

Type your web address. We show you what your Shopify site does today and what a Launch would set up. Or book a free 20-minute call and ask us anything.

Free. No email. No credit card.