Shopify vs Wix for Pet Care Brands: Which Platform Supports Long-Term Growth?

The global pet care market is booming – but so is the competition.

Whether you’re launching a supplement brand, grooming product line or DTC subscription business, the platform you build on can either support scale or slow you down.

Two of the most accessible options are Shopify and Wix. But only one of them is designed to handle high-growth eCommerce operations.

Here’s a clear-eyed breakdown of which platform is better suited to modern pet care brands – and why more DTC operators are migrating to Shopify as they grow.

Quick Overview: What Shopify and Wix Are

• Shopify is a dedicated eCommerce platform, built to help product-based businesses scale – from launch to 9-figure operations. It powers millions of online stores, with native inventory logic, app integrations and enterprise-level functionality through Shopify Plus.

• Wix started as a drag-and-drop website builder for content creators and small businesses. It now includes eCommerce features, but commerce is not the core of its infrastructure.
  
  

Both can technically sell pet products. Only one is built for performance, complexity and growth.

Where It Matters Most for Pet Brands

1. Product Management + Variants

• Shopify: Easily supports variants like flavour, dosage, breed or age. Bundles, autoship and metafields can be managed natively or through trusted apps.

• Wix: Limited variant logic. Managing complex SKUs or bundles gets clunky without workarounds.
  
  

2. Subscriptions + Repeat Purchase Flows

• Shopify: Integrates directly with Recharge, Skio or Native Subscriptions. Supports automated flows and integrations with Klaviyo for LTV growth.

• Wix: Subscription tools exist, but lack flexibility and deep CRM integrations.
  
  

3. Fulfilment and Inventory

• Shopify: Built to scale fulfilment – with multi-location support, 3PL integrations and real-time inventory sync. Works with tools like Starshipit or ShipStation.

• Wix: Basic fulfilment logic only. Not built for scale, complexity or automation.
  
  

4. UX and CRO Flexibility

• Shopify: Mobile-first themes designed for conversion. Full access to HTML, CSS and Liquid for performance-driven UX.

• Wix: Drag-and-drop makes basic edits easy, but performance and CRO limitations appear fast on mobile.
  
  

5. Tech Stack and Growth Integrations

• Shopify: Industry-leading ecosystem – Klaviyo, reviews, loyalty, SMS, subscriptions, quizzes, fulfilment, loyalty – all work together.

• Wix: Smaller app store. Fewer growth-focused tools and limited marketing integrations.
  
  

When to Choose Shopify

You should be on Shopify if:

• You sell multiple products or variants (e.g. for different breeds, sizes or needs)

• You plan to launch subscriptions or repeat-order incentives

• You care about CRO, page speed and LTV

• You want to integrate retention tools like Klaviyo or loyalty programmes

• You’re aiming to scale beyond $1M–$2M in annual revenue
  
  

When Wix Might Work

Wix may suit brands that:

• Have one or two SKUs and need a fast, DIY launch

• Prioritise visual storytelling over eCommerce performance

• Don’t plan to integrate complex fulfilment or subscription logic

• Are pre-revenue and validating product-market fit
  
  

What Atlas Recommends

We’ve worked with pet care brands across Shopify and other platforms. In almost every case, growth exposed the limitations of DIY builders like Wix.

Shopify is the platform we recommend for brands serious about:

• Scaling operations

• Improving customer experience

• Building owned-channel retention

• Launching internationally or via retail

• Managing product complexity (e.g. age-specific, breed-specific, functional nutrition)
  
  

Not sure if your current platform is holding you back? We’ll review your stack and give you a no-obligation recommendation.