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Original Source: https://smashingmagazine.com/2023/09/facilitating-inclusive-online-workshops-part2/

Earlier in the first part of the series, we defined inclusivity and how it contributes to enriching the workshop experience. We established that inclusivity is about ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and contribute, regardless of their background or identity. It goes beyond merely having diversity in attendance. It’s about creating an environment where different perspectives are valued and used to drive innovative outcomes.

In the second part, I will introduce you to the principle of the inclusive workshop through the acronym P.A.R.T.S. (which stands for Promote, Acknowledge, Respect, Transparency, and Share). After the principle is explained, we will dive into what you can do during and after the workshop to implement this principle.

The P.A.R.T.S. Principle

Often, we fall into the trap of thinking, “I’ve got a mixed group of folks here. My inclusivity job is done!”

Yes, having a diverse set of individuals is often an essential first step. But it’s just that — a first step. It’s like opening the door and inviting people in. However, the real task begins after the guests have arrived. That’s when you need to ensure they feel welcome, heard, and valued.

As a facilitator, how can you make sure that people feel safe to express their ideas and participate actively during the workshop? Here’s where the P.A.R.T.S. principle comes in.

The P.A.R.T.S. principle is an acronym that encapsulates five key principles that can form the foundation of any inclusive workshop: Promote, Acknowledge, Respect, Transparency, and Share.

P — Promote
Promote active participation from all attendees.

This begins with creating an environment where participants feel at ease sharing their ideas, opinions, and experiences. As a facilitator, your role is to set this tone from the beginning. One practical way to promote participation is by establishing some ground rules that encourage everyone to contribute. Another approach is to use different facilitation techniques to draw out quieter participants, such as having a quiet brainstorming session where participants can spend more time on their own to contribute their ideas or having round-robin techniques where everyone gets a turn to speak.

A — Acknowledge
Acknowledging participants’ contributions validates their input and makes them feel heard and valued.

This can be as simple as saying, “Thank you for sharing,” or “That’s an interesting perspective.” It’s also about demonstrating that you’ve understood their input by summarizing or paraphrasing what they’ve said. By doing this, you not only confirm their feelings of being heard but also model listening behavior for other participants.

R — Respect
Respect for all ideas, experiences, and perspectives is fundamental to an inclusive workshop.

This starts with setting expectations that all ideas are welcome, no matter how outside-the-box they may seem. It also means respecting the varied communication styles, personalities, and cultural backgrounds of the participants. As a facilitator, you should encourage respect by addressing any inappropriate comments or behaviors immediately and decisively.

T — Transparency

Transparency involves clear and open communication.

As a facilitator, it’s essential to articulate the workshop’s goals and processes clearly, address questions and concerns promptly, and keep channels for feedback open and responsive. This can be done by stating the agenda upfront, explaining the purpose of each activity, and regularly checking in with participants to ensure they’re following along.

S — Share
Share the workshop’s objectives, expectations, and agenda with all participants.

This shared understanding guides the workshop process and provides a sense of direction. It also empowers participants to take ownership of their contributions and the workshop outcomes.

The P.A.R.T.S. principle is a high-level principle you can try to implement in your workshop to make sure that all voices are heard, but to guide you further into how the principle can be used, here are some practical steps you can follow before, during, and after the workshop.

Applying The P.A.R.T.S. Principle: Before And During The Workshop
Step 1. Set The Stage

Setting the stage for your workshop goes beyond just a simple introduction. This is the point at which you establish the environment and set the tone for the entire event. For example, you can set rules like: “One person speaks at a time,” “Respect all ideas,” “Challenge the idea, not the person,” and so on. Clearly stating these rules before you start will help create an environment conducive to open and productive discussions.

It’s important to let participants know that every workshop has its “highs” and “lows.” Make it clear at the outset that these fluctuations in pace and energy are normal and are part of the process. Encourage participants to be patient and stay engaged through the lows, as these can often lead to breakthroughs and moments of high productivity later, during the highs.

Step 2. Observe The Participants

As a facilitator, it’s essential for you to observe and understand the dynamics of the group — to ensure everyone is engaged and participating effectively. Below, I’ve outlined a simpler approach to participant observation that involves looking for non-verbal cues, tracking participation levels, and paying attention to reactions to the content.

Here are a few things you should be paying attention to:

Non-verbal cues
Non-verbal cues can be quite telling and often communicate more than words. Pay attention to participants’ body language as captured by their cameras, such as their posture, facial expressions, and eye contact. This also applies to in-person workshops where it is, in fact, much easier to keep track of the body language of participants. For instance, leaning back or crossing arms might suggest disengagement, while constant eye contact and active note-taking might indicate interest and engagement. When you’re facilitating a remote workshop (and there is no video connection, so you won’t have access to the usual body language indicators), pay attention to the use of emojis, reactions, and the frequency of chat activity. Also, look for signals that people want to speak; they might be unmuting themselves, using the “raise hand” button, or physically raising their hands.
Participation levels
Keep track of how often and who is contributing to the discussion. If you notice a participant hasn’t contributed in a while, you might want to encourage them to share their thoughts. You could ask, “We haven’t heard from you yet. Would you like to add something to the discussion?”. Conversely, if someone seems to be dominating the conversation, you could say, “Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t had a chance to speak yet.” It’s all about ensuring a balanced participation where every voice is heard.
Reactions to content
Observe participants’ reactions to the topics which are being discussed. Nods of agreement, looks of surprise, or expressions of confusion can all be very revealing. If you notice a reaction that suggests confusion or disagreement, don’t hesitate to pause and address it. You could ask the participant to share their thoughts or provide further explanations to clarify any possible misunderstandings.
Managing conflict
At times, disagreements or conflicts may arise during the workshop. As a facilitator, it’s your role to manage these situations and ensure a safe and respectful environment. If a conflict arises, acknowledge it openly and encourage constructive dialogue. Remind participants of the ground rules, focusing on the importance of respecting each others’ opinions and perspectives. If necessary, you could use conflict resolution techniques, such as active listening and meditating or even taking a short break to cool down the tension.

Another helpful tip is to have a space for extra ideas. This could be a whiteboard in a physical setting or a shared digital document in a virtual one. Encourage participants to write down any thoughts or ideas that come up, even if they are not immediately relevant to the current discussion. These can be revisited later and may spur new insights or discussions.

Another tip is to use workshop-specific tools such as Butter, where participants can express their emotions through the emoji reaction features and be queued to ask their questions without interrupting the speakers. Lastly, if you have a group larger than 5-6 people, consider dividing them into sub-groups and using co-facilitators to assist in managing these sub-groups. This will make the workshop experience much better for individual participants.

Observing others through laptop cameras can be difficult when there are more than 5-6 people in the virtual room. That’s a big reason why you’ll need to set the stage and establish a few ground rules at the beginning. Rules such as “Speak one person at a time,” “Use the ‘Raise Hand’ button to speak,” and “Leave questions in the chat space” can really improve the experience.

Remote workshops might not be able to replace the full experience of in-person workshops, where we can clearly see people’s body language and interact with each other more easily. However, with the right combination of tools and facilitation tips, remote workshops can probably match very closely the in-person experience and make the participants happy.

Step 3. Respect Your Schedule

As you go about your workshop, respecting your agenda is essential. This is all about sticking to your plan, staying on track, and communicating clearly with the participants about what stage you’re at and what’s coming next.

Scheduled breaks are equally as important. Let’s say you’ve planned for a 10-minute break every 45 minutes, then stick to this plan. It offers participants time to rest, grab a quick snack (or coffee/tea), refresh their minds, and prepare for the next part. This is particularly significant during online workshops where screen fatigue is a common problem.

We know workshops don’t always go as planned — disruptions are often part of the package. These could range from a technical glitch during a virtual workshop, a sudden question sparking a lengthy discussion, or just starting a bit late due to late arrivals. This is where your “buffer time” will come in handy!

Respecting the buffer time allows you to handle any disruption that may come up without compromising on the workshop content or rushing through sections to recover the lost time. If there are no disruptions, this time can be used for additional discussions or exercises or even finishing the workshop earlier — something that participants usually appreciate.

Remember to stay focused. As the facilitator, you should keep discussions on track and aligned with the workshop’s goals. If the conversation veers off-topic, gently guide it back to the main point.

Applying The P.A.R.T.S. Principle: After The Workshop
Step 1. Follow Up

A critical part of concluding your workshop is following up with participants. This not only helps solidify the decisions and actions that were agreed upon but also maintains the collaborative momentum even after the workshop ends.

Meeting Minutes
Send out a concise summary of the workshop, including the key points of discussion, decisions made, and next steps. This serves as a reference document for participants and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Action Plan
Detail the agreed-upon action items, the person responsible for each, and the deadlines. This provides clarity on the tasks to be accomplished post-workshop.
Next Steps
Clearly communicate the next steps, whether that’s a follow-up meeting, a deadline for tasks, or further resources to explore. This ensures that the momentum from the workshop continues.

Step 2. Celebrate

Completing a workshop is no small feat. It takes dedication, focus, and collaborative effort from all participants. So, don’t let this moment pass uncelebrated. Recognizing everyone’s contributions and celebrating the completion of the workshop is an essential concluding step.

This not only serves as a token of gratitude for the participant’s time and effort but also reinforces the sense of achievement, promoting a positive and inclusive culture. Reflect on the journey you all undertook together, emphasizing the progress made, the skills developed, and the insights gained.

In your closing remarks or a follow-up communication, highlight specific achievements or breakthrough moments from the workshop. You might also share key takeaways or outcomes that align with the workshop’s objectives. This helps to not only recap the learning but also underscore the value each participant brought to the workshop.

Consider personalized gestures to commemorate the workshop — certificates of completion, digital badges, or even just a special mention can make participants feel recognized and appreciated. Celebrations, no matter how small, can build camaraderie, boost morale, and leave everyone looking forward to the next workshop.

Conclusion

Let me conclude Part 2 by quoting Simon Raybould, who wonderfully encapsulates the art of facilitation, by saying:

“The secret of facilitating is to make it easy for people to learn. If you’re not making it easy, you’re not doing it right.”
— Simon Raybould

I couldn’t agree more. The inclusive workshop is not just about getting things done; it represents the symphony of diverse voices coming together, the exploration of ideas, and the collective journey toward shared objectives. Embracing this essence of inclusivity and embedding it into your workshop design and delivery makes for an environment where everyone feels respected, collaboration is enhanced, and innovative thinking flourishes.

As a facilitator, you have the power to make the workshop experience memorable and inspiring. The influence of your efforts can extend beyond the workshop, cultivating an atmosphere of respect, diversity, and inclusivity that spills over into all collaborative activities. This is the true impact and potential of well-executed, inclusive workshops.

Further Reading & References

Here are a few additional resources on the topic of workshops. I hope you will find something useful there, too.

Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers, by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and James Macanufo
This well-known playbook provides a wide range of strategies and activities for designing workshops that encourage a creative, productive thinking environment. If you’re leading workshops and wish to encourage more out-of-the-box thinking, this book is a perfect source of inspiration.
Sprint, by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz
This is another well-known book in the workshop space. The book focuses on mastering the facilitation of Design Sprint, a workshop method by Google aimed at solving business problems and fostering collaboration. If you’re keen on leading tech teams or startups, this book is a great pick.
The Workshop Survival Guide, by Devin Hunt and Rob Fitzpatrick
This guide navigates you through the end-to-end process of designing and conducting successful workshops. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced facilitator, this resource gives comprehensive support to facilitate workshops confidently.
Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary S. Stager
Even though it is primarily for school educators, the book shares a wide range of methods and techniques that you can adapt to any workshop setting to create inclusive, creative, and hands-on learning environments. Highly recommended for those interested in creating an inclusive environment in any setting.
No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work, by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
Although it doesn’t focus on workshops specifically, the book gives useful insights on managing emotions at work from both participant and facilitator perspectives. It offers a broad overview of different personalities at work and how to foster emotional inclusivity, which can be valuable when facilitating workshops.
“A Comprehensive Checklist For Running Design Workshops,” by Slava Shestopalov
Slava’s article is a thorough guide to designing and conducting a successful workshop. This is a highly recommended read for designers, product managers, or even engineers looking to understand the nuances of running a design-centric workshop.
“The Workshopper Playbook — A Summary” (AJ&Smart)
The summary of “The Workshop Playbook” discusses the 4C technique that AJ&Smart developed for constructing any workshop. The 4C’s — Collect, Choose, Create, and Commit — form an exceptional workshop framework that adheres to the double-diamond method of workshop creation. If you’re interested in gaining a more profound understanding of the 4C framework, consider reading the full book by AJ&Smart.
“The Secret To Healthy Remote Work: Fewer Meetings, More Workshops,” by Mehdi En-Naizi
The article promotes the shift from traditional meetings to workshops in remote work settings to boost productivity and decrease stress. It highlights the workshops’ effectiveness, enhanced focus, and their role in promoting team unity and social interactions.
“10 Tips On Running An Online Meeting Your Team Won’t Hate (And Free Templates To Try!),” Anamaria Dorgo and Cheska Teresa
This guide provides a detailed approach to overcoming the fatigue and frustration often associated with online meetings. The tips include clearly defining the meeting’s purpose, sticking to an agenda, creating an inclusive space for active participation, scheduling regular breaks, and using breakout rooms for more focused discussions.
“How Silent Brainstorming Easily Engages Introverts On The Project Team,” by Annie MacLeod (DPM)
Try out this brainstorming technique next time you need to get the team’s input on a problem or solution or if you’re working on a team with a lot of introverts.
“Dot Voting: A Simple Decision-Making and Prioritizing Technique in UX,” Sarah Gibbons (NN/g Nielsen Norman Group)
A few UX workshop activities work well in any situation, and dot voting is one of them. Dot voting is a simple tool used to democratically prioritize items or make decisions in a group setting. It is an easy, straightforward way to narrow down alternatives and converge on a set of concepts or ideas.
“How Do You Encourage Introverts And Quiet Participants To Share Their Ideas In A Meeting?” (LinkedIn — Meeting Facilitation)
Meetings are essential for collaboration, creativity, and innovation. But not everyone feels comfortable speaking up in a group setting. Some people may be introverted, shy, or simply prefer to listen and process information before sharing their thoughts. How do you encourage these quiet participants to contribute their valuable ideas in a meeting?
“Teacher Toolkit: Think-Pair-Share” — YouTube, (Think-Pair-Share webpage)
This versatile tool can be used in any classroom. The discussion technique gives students the opportunity to respond to questions in written form before engaging in meaningful conversation with other students. Asking students to write and discuss ideas with a partner before sharing with the larger group builds confidence, encourages greater participation, and results in more thoughtful discussions.
(Editor’s Note: The Teacher Toolkit webpage is temporarily down. Until their server is restored, you can use a full webpage copy preserved by the WayBack Machine. — MB)
“Fishbowl Conversation”
Fishbowl Conversation is great for keeping a focused conversation when you have a large group of people. At any time, only a few people have a conversation (the fish in the fishbowl). The remaining people are listeners (the ones watching the fishbowl). The caveat is that the listeners can join the discussion at any moment.
“Lightning Talks” (Design sprints by Google)
Lightning Talks are a core Design Sprint method and a powerful opportunity to build ownership in the Design Sprint challenge. Plan and set up Lightning Talks before your Design Sprint begins. After all the Lightning Talks are finished, hold an HMW sharing session to capture and share all the opportunities your team has come up with.
“AJ&Smart’s Remote Design Sprint”
The lightning demo activity from Design Sprint is a perfect example of the “Idea Gallery” type of activity. Participants work individually to create a visual or written representation of their ideas (like a poster), and then everyone walks around to view the “gallery” and people discuss the ideas.
“Poster Session” (Gamestorming)
The goal of a poster session is to create a set of compelling images that summarize a challenge or topic for further discussion. Creating this set might be an “opening act,” which then sets the stage for choosing an idea to pursue, or it might be a way to get indexed on a large topic.
“Jigsaw Activities” (The Bell Foundation)
Jigsaw activities are a specific type of information gap activity that works best when used with the whole class. The class is first divided into groups of four to six learners who are then given some information on a particular aspect of the topic, which they later become experts in.
“Disney Brainstorming Method”
The Disney method was developed in 1994 by Robert Dilts based on Walt Disney’s creative approach. It’s a good mix of creativity and concreteness as it’s not only about generating ideas but also looking at them with a critical eye and, eventually, having a few of them ready to be further explored and implemented.
“Support Extroverted Students in Remote Environment — Group Discussions”
Several video platforms have options for small group discussions. If you’re using one of these, breaking into small groups can be a great opportunity to help your extroverted students feel fulfilled (and for your more introverted students to “warm up” for group discussion).
“37 brainstorming techniques to unlock team creativity,” by James Smart (SessionLab)
It’s important to find a framework and idea-generation process that empowers your group to generate meaningful results, as finding new and innovative ideas is a vital part of the growth and success of any team or organization. In this article, several effective brainstorming techniques are explored in detail in categories such as creative exercises and visual idea-generation games.
“Round-Robin Brainstorming” (MindTools blog)
It’s all too easy to start a brainstorming session with good intentions but then overlook or miss potentially great ideas simply because one assertive person sets the tone for the entire meeting. This is why a tool like Round-Robin Brainstorming is so valuable. This method allows team members to generate ideas without being influenced by any one person, and you can then take these ideas into the next stages of the problem-solving process.
“Eysenck’s Personality Theory” (TutorialsPoint)
What is Eysenck’s Personality Theory? This theory has been influential in personality psychology and used to explain various phenomena, including individual differences in behavior and mental health.
Meeting Design: For Managers, Makers, and Everyone, a book by Kevin Hoffman
Meetings don’t have to be painfully inefficient “snoozefests” — if you design them well. Meeting Design will teach you the design principles and innovative approaches you’ll need to transform meetings from boring to creative, from wasteful to productive.
“State of Meetings Report 2021”
How did meetings actually change in 2020? What will the long-term impact of this change be? And could 2020 have changed the way we meet for good? These are questions that will be answered in this detailed report.
Social Identity Theory (Science Direct)
Social identity theory defines a group as a collection of people who categorize themselves as belonging to the same social category and internalize the category’s social identity-defining attributes to define and evaluate themselves — attributes that capture and accentuate intragroup similarities and intergroup differences.
“Clarizen Survey Pins Falling Productivity Levels on Communication Overload” (Bloomberg)
A new survey by Clarizen, the global leader in collaborative work management, finds that companies’ efforts to improve collaboration among employees by opening new lines of communication can have the opposite effect.
“Conflict Resolution Skills: What They Are and How to Use Them” (Coursera)
Handling conflict in any context is never fun. Often, issues become more complicated than needed if the people involved need more conflict resolution and general communication skills. In this article, you’ll learn more about conflict resolution and, more specifically, how different conflict resolution skills may be useful in various situations.
“Meeting Parking Lot” (The Facilitator’s School)
A free template for handling off-topic questions, topics, and discussions. Available in Miro Template and Mural Template format.
SmashingConf Online Workshops
Finally, do meet the friendly Smashing Magazine front-end & UX workshops! These remote workshops aim to give the same experience and access to experts that you would have in an in-person workshop without needing to leave your desk or couch. You can follow along with practical examples and interactive exercises, ask questions during the Q&A sessions, and use workshop recordings and materials to study at your own pace, at your own time.

Original Source: https://abduzeedo.com/studio-oker-crafting-vision-field-bridging-geospatial-technologies-design

Studio Oker: Crafting the vision for Field – Bridging geospatial technologies and design

AoiroStudio0918—23

In the picturesque landscapes of Norway, where fjords meet mountains and innovation thrives, Studio Oker has emerged as a creative force in the world of design. Their latest venture led them to collaborate with Field, a pioneering tech company with a mission to revolutionize the geospatial industry. Together, they embarked on a journey to shape the visual identity of Field, a project that showcases the power of design in conveying complex ideas and fostering innovation. Field is not just any tech company; it’s a trailblazer in leveraging geodata competence, proprietary software, and geospatial technologies to develop critical solutions. They provide invaluable data and insights that empower the builders of tomorrow, from urban planners to infrastructure developers. To convey this vision effectively, a strong visual identity was paramount, and Studio Oker was the perfect collaborator for the job. What sets Studio Oker apart is their ability to grasp the essence of a brand and translate it into visuals that resonate with the target audience. For Field, this meant encapsulating the ideas of innovation, precision, and connectivity. Studio Oker’s expertise in design strategy was the catalyst that brought these concepts to life. The resulting visual identity for Field is a testament to Studio Oker’s creative prowess.

The logo, a stylized representation of a compass rose, evokes a sense of direction and purpose. It symbolizes Field’s commitment to guiding clients through the complexities of geospatial data, much like a compass guiding travelers through uncharted territory. The color palette, a harmonious blend of deep blues and vibrant greens, mirrors the earth’s natural hues, reaffirming Field’s connection to geospatial technologies and environmental sustainability. These colors create a visual landscape that is both calming and inspiring. Typography, often an unsung hero in design, plays a crucial role in Field’s visual identity. Studio Oker selected a typeface that exudes modernity and clarity, enhancing the readability of complex data-driven content—a vital consideration in the tech industry. But Studio Oker’s contribution goes beyond aesthetics. Their collaboration with Field extends to the development of a comprehensive design system that covers everything from marketing materials to user interfaces. This consistency ensures that Field’s message remains cohesive and impactful across all touchpoints.

Visual identity

Studio Oker is a design agency based in Stavanger, Norway. You can check out more of their works via the links below:

Behance
Instagram
Studio site

All product photos are used only for presentation for non-commercial purposes only. All rights reserved.

Original Source: https://abduzeedo.com/los-kalakos-tequila-blanco-minimalist-packaging-design

Los Kalakos Tequila Blanco: Minimalist Packaging Design

abduzeedo0913—23

Los Kalakos’ Tequila Blanco 2023 isn’t just another beverage in the spirits aisle – it’s a masterclass in brandjng and packaging design presented on a bottle. Commissioned by the illustrious Ernesto Serna, known to many as Sr. Brander, this project had its visual DNA mapped out by the artful hands of Moisés Guillén.

What is immediately striking is the deceptive simplicity of the design. Guillén doesn’t just do minimalism. He *owns* it. His minimalistic approach allows the beauty of the white label to shine, painting a canvas of purity and refinement. But do not mistake this simplicity for lack of depth. With the faintest of strokes, Guillén ensures that every element sings, even in its subtlety.

The custom logotype, for instance, is a feat in itself. While many might marvel at the clean lines, the cognoscenti will appreciate the cunning use of negative space that gives the letters an illusion of depth. It’s reminiscent of the agave leaves folding in on themselves – a delightful nod to the very heart of tequila. This is not just a logotype; it’s Guillén’s witty tip of the hat to the spirit’s origins.

Perhaps the true hallmark of great design is scalability. And this branding identity doesn’t falter, whether it’s embossed on glass, stamped on cork, or imprinted on paper. Guillén has crafted an identity for Los Kalakos that seamlessly adapts, echoing a consistent narrative irrespective of the medium.

In a world overflowing with loud designs clamoring for attention, Los Kalakos’ Tequila Blanco reminds us of the power of restraint. It isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being remembered. Guillén’s work isn’t just about branding; it’s about leaving an indelible impression.

For those who understand design, Los Kalakos isn’t just another tequila. It’s a visual narrative, bottled. Cheers to Guillén, for serving us design perfection with a hint of agave.

Branding, packaging design and visual identity 

Credits

Project Concept, Art Direction, Graphic Identity, Illustration & Packaging: Moisés Guillén.
Commissioned by: Ernesto Serna (Sr. Brander).

Original Source: https://ecommerce-platforms.com/articles/shopify-vs-custom-website

For ecommerce web design, two paths stand before you, each promising unique experiences for building an online store.

On one side, there’s Shopify, the renowned platform that offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for ecommerce web design.

On the other side, there’s the allure of a custom website, crafted by a skilled developer, offering limitless possibilities and complete control over your digital kingdom.

But which path should you choose?

In this blog post, we compare Shopify vs custom website builds.

We highlight the pros and cons of each path, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your unique vision and goals.

We should mention: Shopify is just about the polar opposite of a custom website build. It’s not quite as “rudimentary” as a solution like Wix, but the whole idea behind Shopify is for merchants to create an online store on their own, without the need for a college degree in web design.

A custom website build, on the other hand, requires web development knowledge from you, or the person you hire. In short, Shopify is a more clean, packaged, off-the-shelf platform for launching an ecommerce site within minutes (if you’re really fast).

A custom website, although pricey and complicated and more time-consuming, provides significantly more flexibility and control over the final product that is your site.

They both have advantages, and significant downsides. So, we’ve done the work to break down a detailed comparison of Shopify vs custom website builds.

This way, you’re equipped with knowledge. The knowledge needed to launch a website with confidence, with the control or convenience you want from an ecommerce website. Now that you’re prepped, keep reading to learn all about the differences between Shopify vs custom website builds. 

The Main Differences Between Using Shopify vs Custom Website

When it comes to creating an online store, merchants have various options, two of which are: using Shopify or building a custom website.

The differences between these two approaches are significant and can greatly impact the success of an online business. In this section, we detail the main differences between the two approaches to ecommerce website development.

These are the basic, surface-level elements that make them unique. 

Shopify: A SaaS Solution for Ecommerce

Shopify is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that allows anyone to build an online store thanks to templates, apps, and built-in tools for marketing, inventory management, and product sourcing. It is designed specifically for ecommerce and provides a seamless experience for merchants.

On Shopify, you don’t have to worry about getting your own hosting, domain name, or additional tools to make your site run well. All of this is managed by Shopify, which also takes care of site security, performance, and overall maintenance. This makes it incredibly easy for anyone to get started with their online store.

One advantage of using Shopify is that it offers a wide range of themes and apps to choose from, allowing merchants to customize their store to some extent. However, the flexibility is limited compared to a custom website.

Custom Website: More Control, More Responsibility

A custom website is generally built using an open-source system like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, or Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento). In some cases, a custom ecommerce site may be generated without an open-source site builder or content management system. Instead, the developer would produce site files from scratch.

With a custom website, you have full control over the visuals and functionality of your site. You can build anything you want, but this also means you have to piece together multiple elements like hosting, a domain name, custom plugins, and site files.

All of this is managed by your developer. As is site security, performance, and overall maintenance, which could get expensive or end up falling onto your shoulders.

While a custom website offers advanced control, it requires more technical knowledge and can be time-consuming and expensive to set up and maintain.

There you have it. On the surface, Shopify is a neatly packaged software. It’s affordable and easy to use, but without the infinite control of a custom website.

A custom site promises nothing. It’s a surprise depending on your developer. However, you can communicate as much as possible to get exactly what your brand needs. For an in-depth comparison of areas like ease of use, pricing, and features, take a look at the sections below. 

Try Shopify with $1 per month for the first 3 months!

Shopify has begun offering a special deal for sellers who sign up for a new Shopify plan. That deal? Pay Shopify $1/month for 3 months of full access to the platform! Learn more about the trial here.

This offer is is now available on all standard plans: Starter, Basic, Shopify, and Advanced.

» Start your free trial here «

A Complete Comparison of Shopify vs Custom Website Builds

When deciding between Shopify and a custom website, it’s important to consider various aspects of the site building process and the maintenance that comes along with it. Let’s compare these two options in detail.

Ease of Use: Shopify vs a Custom Website

Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboard. It provides a smooth experience for both the launch and management of an online store. Anyone can learn how to use Shopify, even without technical knowledge.

On the other hand, building a custom website may require you to learn a content management system that is more complex. This can be a steep learning curve for those who are not familiar with web development.

Shopify Ease of Use:

User-friendly interface

Intuitive dashboard

No technical knowledge required

You still get access to custom file areas for advanced customization

Apps help extend the functionality of your site

Custom Website Ease of Use:

Full control over the website

Ability to customize every aspect

Total freedom to hire whomever you want to design and develop the site

You may have to learn a new content management system, but many of the usuals—like WordPress and Joomla—are simple enough

Limited to how much you can do yourself; you’re almost always going to be reliant on the developer, sometimes even for simple changes on the site (depending on the platform

As you can see, the ease of use from Shopify is unmatched. Yet, that’s because a custom website isn’t meant to be user-friendly for the business owner. It’s an option that you go with when you’d rather not pick a template (that many other businesses have used) from Shopify. It’s an option for gaining complete control of the design of your site. That calls for a professional developer/designer, and a more robust platform. 

With some clarity on the overall ease of use from each option, let’s dive into the amount of time it takes to launch a website with Shopify vs custom website builds. 

Launch Time: Shopify vs Custom Website

Shopify allows for an incredibly quick launch of an ecommerce store. With its pre-built templates and easy-to-use tools, you can have your store up and running in minutes—at least for a smaller store without much content. Realistically, you can launch a Shopify site within a few hours, and have it completely filled with product content, marketing elements, and apps within about a week.

Creating a website, after all, is a continuous process, so you technically never really finish when it comes to development and maintenance. Launching (publishing the site for the world to see, and buy products) actually only takes a few seconds with Shopify.

Though, we’d argue a truly professional website, with solid content and media, will take anyone a few days to complete. 

Building a custom website, on the other hand, can take longer. It involves designing the website from scratch, integrating various features, and ensuring everything works seamlessly.

Not to mention, you may need to hire a developer, or even a team of developers and designers, to work on everything from the wireframes to the media elements and site infrastructure.

With such an undertaking—one that’s highly customized and involving so many moving parts— we would expect to spend at least a month on a small ecommerce website, one that’s custom made.

For a website considered medium or large (with hundreds or thousands of products) budget anywhere from 3 to 6 months to launch a custom online store. 

Shopify Launch Time:

Quick and easy

You can technically launch a website within seconds or minutes

To realistically complete all your content and optimization, expect to spend a few days or weeks

Custom Website Launch Time:

Longer and more time-consuming

Small websites may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to launch

Medium and large websites have longer timeframes, often ranging between 3 to 6 months for a complete site launch

Design Potential and Control: Shopify vs A Custom Website

There’s something to be said about the ability to design a beautiful online store without touching any code. That’s what Shopify offers its users. With that, however, comes various restrictions due to the simplicity of it all. 

Shopify offers a wide range of themes and a drag-and-drop builder, allowing you to create a beautiful website without any coding knowledge. 

You can, however, utilize custom coding to add specific features or designs. So, there’s always the option to hire a professional Shopify developer, or try your hand if you have the experience.

But to be clear, the main focus of Shopify is to generally eliminate that requirement. It’s a platform built on simplicity, helping merchants sell more, without spending too much on web development. 

That said, Shopify has limitations when it comes to the control over your website. It uses proprietary code, making it harder to transfer to another platform, and you have less access of your site files. Again, you’re still able to access many of the site files for customization, but it’s not quite as “open” of a platform as you would get from the likes of WordPress or Joomla. 

With a custom website, you have granular control over the site’s design and functionality. You can build anything you want, but this requires technical expertise and can be more expensive.

Shopify Design Potential and Control:

Quick and seamless design with templates and a drag-and-drop builder

Beautiful templates for a wide range of industries

Yet, you’re never getting something entirely custom; you always know that there’s another (if not thousands) of other companies using the same template as yours

Less control over site files

Proprietary coding language makes for complicated customizations (even if you hire someone)

It’s nearly impossible to migrate away from Shopify to another platform, thanks to the proprietary coding languages and its theme system

Custom Website Design Potential and Control:

Complete control over design and functionality

Requires technical expertise

You can ask your developer to create anything on your website, or integrate with any app or plugin 

There’s still the potential to utilize simpler elements like templates and apps, as long as your developer opts for a platform like WordPress or Joomla

Custom sites generally use well known coding languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript, allowing you to turn to a different developer in the future if the previous one doesn’t pan out

Features: Shopify vs Custom Website Builds

Shopify covers the vast majority of required ecommerce features you would expect to run a viable online store. It supports:

Physical and digital products

Payment processing

Professional reports

Product sourcing 

Shipping management 

Abandoned cart recovery

A point of sale

And much more

With a custom website, you have the flexibility to add any feature you desire. However, this can often lead to clutter and unnecessary complexity. It can also be expensive to create custom features.

Shopify Features:

Built in features like payment processing, reports, shipping, abandoned cart recovery, POS, product sourcing, and

Access to apps help obtain functionality for anything that’s not built into Shopify, like for advanced marketing tools or accounting apps

There’s still the potential for adding your own integrations with access to the Shopify API and its site files (though this isn’t nearly as common)

Custom Website Features:

Flexibility to add any feature, as long as your budget allows

Potential for clutter and unnecessary complexity, considering it’s tempting to add every feature that comes to mind

Perfect for extremely unique feature building, like if you need a specialty ordering system for a monthly box subscription

Customer Support: Shopify vs Custom Website Builds

Shopify provides excellent customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. 

They also have extensive documentation and a vibrant community of users. As a large company, Shopify is more likely to remain as a customer support option when compared to a developer who works on a custom website build. After all, Shopify is more likely to be around in ten years than a random guy who created your website. 

Customer support for a custom website depends on the developer or agency you hire. There is a risk that the developer may disappear or stop providing support, leaving you with a website that is difficult to maintain. Luckily, you’re able to call up another developer if that happens. For your own online documentation and support, it’s simply not possible for a merchant to just call up WooCommerce or someone from Joomla to assist with a downed website. Instead, you must browse the sea of online articles to locate the information needed. 

Shopify Customer Support:

Live chat, email, and phone support

Extensive documentation

Large community of users

All of this is included with your monthly subscription 

When you stop paying for your subscription, that customer support comes to a halt

Custom Website Customer Support:

Depends on the developer or agency hired

You most likely have to pay a steep fee for customer support from the original developer of your site

Risk of disappearing support

You can still always hire a new developer for customer support

Some companies offer small monthly subscriptions to handle customer support and minor maintenance of WordPress and Joomla sites 

There’s a significant amount of documentation online about content management systems like WordPress and Joomla online; yet, that makes for daunting research when you need to resolve your own issues

Pricing of Shopify vs Custom Website

Shopify offers various pricing plans to suit different business needs. The plans range from basic to advanced, with different features and transaction fees. The costs include hosting, security, updates, and customer support, all wrapped into one simple subscription fee.

Shopify Pricing Plans:

Basic: $29/month

Shopify: $79/month

Advanced: $299/month

Building a custom website can be more expensive. Scratch that. It will almost always be more expensive in the short term, but not necessarily the long term (depending on your site). The costs include custom development work, domains, themes, plugins, apps, hosting, transaction fees, shipping labels, payment processing, marketing, SEO, and more. Fees vary depending on the complexity of the website and the expertise of the developer.

You may be able to find a developer who offers packages for website building and maintenance. For instance, some agencies and freelance developers charge several hundred dollars per month for the entire package of building the site and running it into the future. 

Estimated Costs for a Custom Website:

Development work: $5,000 – $50,000+

Domains: $10 – $50/year

Themes: $0 – $200+

Apps and plugins: $0 – $500+

Hosting: $5 – $500+/month

Transaction fees: Varied, but often starting around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction 

Shipping labels: Varies

Payment processing: Sometimes you must pay a monthly or setup fee

As such, a custom website is likely going to cost you more money than using Shopify. Having said that, a small site, with a reasonably priced developer, may end up saving you money compared to one of the higher priced Shopify pricing plans. That’s especially true if you end up installing a handful of pricey apps in Shopify. 

Maintenance, Security, and Updates

Shopify takes care of all maintenance, security, and updates in the background. This is included in the subscription fee, allowing you to focus on running your business. You don’t have to worry about hiring a developer or relying on one person to keep your website secure and up to date.

With a custom website, maintenance, security, and updates are handled by the developer or yourself. This means additional payments and potential reliance on one person for ongoing support. While this often results in personalized customer experience, it can also mean in a website that is rarely maintained.

Shopify Maintenance, Security, and Updates:

Handled by Shopify

Included in subscription fee

You never have to think about any of these elements

Shopify is constantly improving its approach toward security and optimization

Custom Website Maintenance, Security, and Updates:

Handled by the developer or yourself

Additional payments required

This could actually be a good thing, since you may get very personalized customer support, as opposed to the generic support from Shopify

Third-party Extensions, Apps, and Services

Shopify has a large app store with thousands of apps to extend your store’s functionality. These apps cover various categories, including marketing, inventory management, customer support, and more.

It’s impossible to predict which third-party services and apps will be used when launching a custom website. The developer may choose the extensions they prefer, which could come with a steep learning curve for you. These extensions are often paid for by the developer and included in the maintenance fees. This means you won’t end up saving money; the costs are just wrapped up into your maintenance charges. 

Shopify Third-party Extensions, Apps, and Services:

Marketing apps

Inventory management apps

Customer support apps

And hundreds of other categories

Custom Website Third-party Extensions, Apps, and Services:

Depends on the developer’s choices

Potential for a steep learning curve

Costs included in maintenance fees

There’s the possibility of the developer utilizing extensions in an efficient manner, resulting in lower costs and a highly optimized website

Our Conclusion on Shopify vs Custom Website Builds

Both Shopify and custom websites have their advantages and disadvantages. Shopify is a user-friendly and comprehensive solution for ecommerce, offering ease of use, a quick launch time, and a wide range of features. It provides excellent customer support and takes care of maintenance, security, and updates.

On the other hand, a custom website offers more control and flexibility in design and functionality. It allows for any feature you want, but requires technical expertise and can be more expensive to set up and maintain. Customer support and ongoing maintenance can also be less reliable.

Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and a custom website depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. 

If you’re looking for a hassle-free and comprehensive ecommerce solution, Shopify is a great choice. 

If you require complete control and customization, a custom website may be the better option.

For those with questions about Shopify, or building a custom website, feel free to leave a comment below. We’re here to help!

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