Mark Miller - Questions

WooCommerce is better than Etsy if you want full brand control, customer ownership, and no marketplace competition on your own listings. With WooCommerce, you control design, pricing, email list, SEO, and marketing. You also avoid Etsy’s frequent policy changes and growing fees, but you must handle hosting, security, and traffic yourself. Etsy is better for beginners who want quick sales from built-in marketplace traffic and trust. It is easier to start, but you compete with many similar products, have limited branding, and rely on Etsy’s rules. If you want a long-term brand, choose WooCommerce. If you want fast exposure, choose Etsy first.

WooCommerce is better if you want full control, lower long-term cost, and deep customization on WordPress. You own your store, can choose hosting, and extend features with plugins and custom code. Shopify is better if you want the fastest setup, simple upkeep, and an all-in-one platform with hosting, security, and support included. Shopify is easier for beginners, but apps and transaction fees can add up, and customization is more limited. For content SEO and flexibility, WooCommerce often wins. For speed, simplicity, and stable operations, Shopify often wins. If you scale, both work; pick based on budget, skills, and required integrations.

The best high-risk payment gateway for WooCommerce depends on your country, business type, and approval needs. For many high-risk merchants, PaymentCloud is a strong option because it helps with underwriting, offers multiple banking partners, and supports WooCommerce through compatible integrations. Host Merchant Services is another reliable choice for higher-risk categories, with good support and transparent setup guidance. If you need global coverage, some merchants use Authorize.net through high-risk merchant accounts, or NMI as a payment gateway with a high-risk processor. Always compare rolling reserves, chargeback tools, payout speed, monthly fees, and contract terms before signing. Also confirm supported currencies, recurring billing, and fraud screening tools.

For most WordPress sites, Stripe is the best all-round payment gateway. It integrates smoothly with WooCommerce, supports cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, subscriptions, and strong fraud tools. Setup is fast, checkout feels modern, and payouts are reliable in many countries. If you want instant trust and wide coverage, add PayPal as a second option. For in-person plus online selling, Square is great. In India, Razorpay is often easier for UPI and local cards. Choose based on your country, fees, subscription needs, and refund/chargeback handling. Also ensure PCI compliance, saved cards, webhooks, and good support for your currency and taxes too.