Which Platform Should You Choose to Sell Digital Products? Stan Store, WooCommerce, or Shopify?

As an entrepreneur, you’ve probably asked yourself this question more than once:

Where should I host and sell my online course, coaching offer, or digital product?”

Between WooCommerce, Shopify, Kajabi, Stan Store, and so many others, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tech options.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned after helping dozens of creators and small business owners build their digital presence:

• You don’t need to be a tech genius to start selling.
• You just need to start simple and grow strategically.

 

Let’s explore these three popular platforms: Stan Store, WooCommerce, and Shopify to help you decide which one best fits your stage of business.

Stan Store: Simplicity First

Stan Store has become a go-to tool for creators and coaches who want to sell straight from their social media bios.
It’s designed to help you turn followers into customers in just a few clicks.

Advantages

• Quick setup: build your mini-store in under 30 minutes.

• Mobile-friendly design: perfect for Instagram and TikTok audiences.

• Instant payments: integrates easily with Stripe or PayPal.

• All-in-one: sell digital downloads, courses, coaching, or memberships.

• Built-in affiliate links: collaborate easily with partners.

• Zero tech maintenance: hosting and updates are handled for you.

Limitations

• Limited design and branding control.

• Weak SEO (not ideal for organic traffic).

• Hosted under Stan’s domain (e.g., stan.store/yourname).

• Best for simple product lines, not complex course ecosystems.

In short

Stan Store is ideal for testing your first offer, validating your market, or selling a quick mini-course.
It’s the digital equivalent of a pop-up shop — fast, light, and friction-free.

Example: an entrepreneur launching a “Stay Consistent Without Burning Out” program could use Stan Store to sell her first cohort and gather testimonials before investing in a bigger platform.

Use Stan Store if:

• You’re an influencer or social media content creator.
• You want social media integrations that are simple to understand.
• Having a link-in-bio tool is a bigger priority than an eCommerce platform.

 

WooCommerce: Power and Freedom

Once your offer gains traction, it’s time to own your digital home.
That’s where WooCommerce, the e-commerce plugin for WordPress shines.

It turns your WordPress site into a fully customizable online store, giving you complete control over your design, content, and SEO.

Advantages

• Total ownership: you control your website, data, and hosting.

• Limitless customization: add plugins for SEO, memberships, or learning platforms like LearnDash.

• Excellent SEO performance: perfect for long-term visibility.

• Full marketing integration: connect to email tools like ConvertKit or GetResponse.

• Ideal for course creators: host lessons and build communities directly on your domain.

Limitations

• Slightly more technical setup.

• Regular updates and maintenance required.

• Additional costs for premium themes or plugins.

In short

WooCommerce is your best choice when you’re ready to build a long-term brand ecosystem , one that houses your blog, courses, and community under one roof.

You may want to check it out on my e-commerce boutique at candlesbook.com

As an open-source platform, WooCommerce remains a cost-effective solution for building a professional and fully functional e-commerce store. This makes it particularly attractive for small and medium-sized businesses looking to maximise their return on investment without sacrificing.

Shopify: The All-In-One Growth Solution

Shopify is known for its stability, sleek design, and ease of use.
It’s ideal if you want to scale quickly and prefer a fully hosted, worry-free experience.

Advantages

• Simple, intuitive interface.

• Secure, reliable hosting included.

• Built-in analytics, subscriptions, and checkout systems.

• Large app ecosystem for marketing, upsells, and automation.

• Professional look and feel right out of the box.

Limitations

• Monthly subscription fees.

• Some advanced features require paid apps.

• Less flexible than WordPress for customization.

In short

Shopify is perfect for established entrepreneurs who want to automate their sales process and focus on growth instead of tech management.

Use Shopify if:

• You don’t mind dealing with a long learning curve.
• Are willing to pay ongoing transaction fees or use their in-house payments platform.
• You want access to a large library of app integrations.

 

UPDATE: October 22,2025

The 3-Step Migration Plan

The smartest strategy isn’t to pick one tool forever, it’s to use each at the right time.

Here’s the growth path I recommend to my clients:

This approach allows you to start light, then gradually move toward more robust, professional systems without losing momentum.

-Start with Stan Store to test your offer and collect feedback.
-Move to WooCommerce when you’re ready to grow your brand and improve SEO.
-Graduate to Shopify or Kajabi once you need automation, affiliates, and scaling features.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progression. Start with the platform that lets you sell today, then evolve intentionally. Your online ecosystem is like a living garden. It doesn’t need to be perfect on day one, it just needs your care and consistency.

Stan Store, WooCommerce, and Shopify are not competitors; they’re stepping stones on your entrepreneurial path. Start where you are, grow with purpose, and build a digital home that reflects your mission and energy.

Start simple. Grow with strategy. Your online presence will bloom naturally.

To Your Cart’s Success,

Janice

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Janice Dugas, Strategist for Brand Visibility specialize in helping entrepreneurs, local businesses, and solopreneurs enhance their online visibility, credibility, and ultimately, profitability. Through strategic content creation and optimization across platforms like websites, blogs, newsletters, and social media, she guide her clients toward building a strong and authentic digital presence.

You might enjoy a course I recently co-created with Connie Ragen Green: The Entrepreneur’s Trifecta—Focus, Creativity & Confidence. It’s designed to help you strengthen these three core pillars that drive both personal growth and business success. Discover how it can make a real difference in your life and business at https://janiceloves.com/EntrepreneursTrifecta

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