Quick Verdict
If you’re running a WordPress site and want to sell print-on-demand merch without switching platforms or dealing with WooCommerce headaches, Shopify’s new WordPress plugin is the fastest, cleanest solution right now.
You keep your WordPress setup exactly how it is.
You add products straight from Shopify into any post or page.
You get the checkout that converts 17% better than WooCommerce — without writing a single line of code.
It’s secure, scalable, and built by Shopify itself — not some third-party workaround.
For anyone selling print on demand products on WordPress, this is a no-brainer.
When I started building ecommerce stores, I was constantly torn between two things: the freedom and flexibility of WordPress, and the conversion power and reliability of Shopify.
If you’ve been in ecommerce for any amount of time, especially with print-on-demand, you’ve probably faced the same dilemma.
WordPress is great for content, blogs, SEO, and custom branding. Shopify is built for selling. But making them work together? That used to be messy.
Now it’s not.
Shopify launched an official WordPress plugin that makes integrating products, collections, and a high-converting checkout into your existing WordPress site nearly effortless.
Here’s everything I’ve learned using it myself—and why I think this changes the game for print-on-demand sellers like us.
Why Combine Shopify with WordPress?
There are a lot of website builders out there, but WordPress still powers more than 40% of the web.
If you’ve already built an audience, blog, or brand using WordPress, the idea of switching platforms just to sell products might feel like starting from scratch.
That’s where Shopify comes in. It’s arguably the best ecommerce platform in the world, known for:
- Its rock-solid uptime
- Industry-leading checkout performance
- Secure payment processing
- Clean backend UX for product and order management
By combining WordPress and Shopify, you can build content, grow my SEO traffic, and sell my print-on-demand merch—without rebuilding my site or giving up the control that WordPress offers.
Benefits of Integrating Shopify with WordPress:
- Keep your existing WordPress design and structure
- Add Shopify’s powerful ecommerce engine underneath
- Use Shopify’s 17% higher converting checkout
- Avoid dealing with clunky WooCommerce plugins
- Centralize all inventory and fulfillment through Shopify
This isn’t just a convenience—it’s a massive upgrade in how we build stores today. Especially if you’re in print-on-demand and need to ship products without building a complex system.
What the Shopify WordPress Plugin Does (and Why It Matters)
Shopify’s new official WordPress plugin completely simplifies how products are displayed and sold on your site. You no longer need to:
- Manually embed buy buttons
- Hack product embeds with shortcodes
- Rely on third-party plugins that break with updates
Instead, everything is now baked into the WordPress editor.
How It Works:
Here’s the simple workflow after installing the plugin:
- Install the Shopify WordPress plugin
- Connect it to your Shopify store
- Open any page or post in the WordPress block editor
- Click “Add a Shopify Collection” or choose individual products
- Shopify checkout is automatically integrated
- Hit publish and start selling
It’s that easy. The plugin lets you manage product placement without touching code, while Shopify handles the checkout, inventory, and orders behind the scenes.
Key Features of the Plugin
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Add Shopify Products or Collections | Drop products into any WordPress page or blog post via the block editor |
| Shopify Checkout Integration | Uses Shopify’s secure and high-converting checkout (17% higher than Woo) |
| No Coding Required | Entire setup can be done by non-tech users in a few minutes |
| Product Block Customization | Adjust layout, images, and fields for SEO and design alignment |
| Secure and Reliable | PCI, GDPR, and SOC compliant with 99.9% uptime |
This plugin is maintained by Shopify, not a third party, which is important. It ensures ongoing support, security, and compatibility with core updates.
Why This Is Perfect for Print-on-Demand
If you’re in the print-on-demand space, this plugin unlocks major advantages. You probably already know the friction involved in setting up WooCommerce, especially with print on demand services like Printful or Printify.
Here’s what I used to deal with on WooCommerce:
- Clunky plugin integrations
- Constant updates breaking functionality
- Slow load times and poor mobile UX
- Lack of support when things went wrong
After switching to Shopify and using this plugin, I got:
- A smoother product setup experience
- Seamless integration with Printful and Printify
- Reliable order routing and shipping
- Better checkout performance and fewer abandoned carts
Why Shopify + WordPress Wins for POD
| Area | WooCommerce | Shopify Plugin on WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Longer, more manual setup | Quick plugin install and product sync |
| Plugin Conflicts | Common with multiple extensions | Minimized (all commerce handled by Shopify) |
| Checkout Performance | Average (higher cart abandonment) | Optimized checkout converts better |
| Maintenance | Frequent manual updates | Shopify manages most backend functions |
| Print-on-Demand | Needs multiple plugins | Easy Printful/Printify connection via Shopify |
If you’re selling merch drops, limited collections, or print-on-demand apparel, this is one of the cleanest setups I’ve ever used.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Shopify on Your WordPress Site
Let me walk you through the setup, from start to finish.
Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store
- Head to shopify.com and create an account (starts at $39/month for Basic plan)
- Add your products manually or sync with POD providers like Printful or Printify
- Organize products into collections if needed
- Set up your payment provider (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
Step 2: Install the Shopify Plugin on WordPress
- Go to your WordPress dashboard
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New
- Search for Shopify
- Install Shopify Starter Plugin (built by Shopify, not third party)
- Activate the plugin
Step 3: Connect Your Shopify Store
- Once activated, click on the Shopify plugin settings
- Log into your Shopify account and authorize the connection
- Your store data is now synced with WordPress
Step 4: Add Products or Collections to Your Pages
- Open any page or post in the block editor
- Click “+” to add a block
- Search for “Shopify”
- Choose to add a product or collection
- Customize how it appears (grid, list, single)
Step 5: Publish and Sell
- Once your page is ready, publish it like any other WordPress post
- Your customers will now see products and be directed to Shopify checkout when they click
This process took me less than an hour the first time, including syncing POD products.
Shopify vs WooCommerce: A Reality Check
If you’re trying to decide between WooCommerce and Shopify (or you’re considering switching), here’s the real deal based on my experience:
What WooCommerce Does Well
- It’s free to start (but plugins add up)
- Integrates natively with WordPress
- Large plugin ecosystem
Where Shopify Wins
- Built for selling out of the box
- Easier to maintain
- Checkout that converts better
- Better mobile performance
- Integrated security and compliance
Here’s a breakdown that helped me decide:
| Feature | WooCommerce | Shopify with WordPress Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Start | Free core, but plugins often needed | $39/month (Basic plan) |
| Plugin Conflicts | Frequent | Minimal (Shopify handles ecommerce) |
| Checkout Conversion | Lower | 17% better conversion |
| Mobile Optimization | Depends on theme | Shopify checkout is mobile-ready |
| POD Integration | Needs separate setup | Printful/Printify integrate cleanly |
| Speed & Reliability | Varies by host | Shopify handles uptime |
Unless you absolutely need custom logic that only WooCommerce offers, Shopify’s plugin route is faster, cleaner, and more profitable long-term.
Real-World Tip: How You Can Sell Merch from Your WordPress Blog Using Shopify
If you’re running a WordPress blog and want to start selling print-on-demand merch, you don’t need to migrate your entire site to Shopify or mess with WooCommerce.
With the new Shopify WordPress plugin, you can keep everything where it is and still add ecommerce functionality in minutes.
Here’s what you can do:
- Create your merch designs using tools like Canva or Adobe Express
- Connect your Shopify store to a print-on-demand provider like Printful or Printify
- Use the Shopify plugin to embed products or full collections directly into any WordPress post or page
- Add links to your product pages in your site’s header, footer, sidebar, or within blog content
This setup gives you the best of both platforms:
- WordPress handles your content, SEO, and traffic
- Shopify manages the store, checkout, payments, and fulfillment
You won’t need any custom code, buy buttons, or iframe hacks. It’s a straightforward way to monetize an existing blog or content site with physical products—especially if you’re starting out with print-on-demand.
For anyone with a WordPress site and an audience, this is one of the most practical ways to start selling online quickly and professionally.
Maintenance, SEO, and Performance Tips
If you want to get the most out of this setup, keep a few things in mind:
SEO Considerations
- WordPress still controls your metadata, slugs, and on-page SEO
- Use RankMath or Yoast to manage this
- Add proper alt text and structured data using blocks
Speed Tips
- Use a fast WordPress theme like Astra or GeneratePress
- Install a caching plugin (WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache)
- Compress images with ShortPixel
- Avoid too many extra plugins—Shopify handles most ecommerce logic
Maintenance
- Keep WordPress core and plugins updated
- Shopify handles PCI, checkout updates, and security patches automatically
- Backup your site regularly using UpdraftPlus or BlogVault
This hybrid setup minimizes the maintenance most ecommerce stores need while giving you full control over content and branding.
Final Thoughts: Who This Is For
If you’re just starting a print-on-demand brand and already have a WordPress site, the new Shopify plugin gives you everything you need to start selling without rebuilding your site.
If you’re an agency or freelancer, this setup is perfect for clients who want to keep WordPress but need a simple, reliable way to sell products.
If you’re tired of maintaining WooCommerce and chasing down broken plugins, switching to Shopify with WordPress might be your best move in 2025.
It’s flexible. It converts better. And it’s built to scale.
