Turkish merchants & leaders of e-commerce gathered at Worldef 2025 Istanbul to discuss e-commerce and share experiences.
Thinking about moving your online store to Shopify but feeling unsure? You’re not alone. At the recent Worldef 2025 Istanbul e-commerce event, many Turkish merchants voiced similar questions and concerns about Shopify. Common misconceptions, from limited payment gateways to high costs and localization issues, were front and center in conversations. The good news is that most of these concerns are based on outdated information or myths. Shopify’s presence at Worldef (its first major official appearance in Turkey) signaled a clear commitment to supporting Turkish businesses. In this blog, we’ll explore what Turkish sellers learned at Worldef 2025, bust the myths, and explain how Shopify can meet local needs. We’ll cover payment gateways, migration costs, typical hesitations (language, support, setup, customization), and even highlight useful apps for Turkish stores. By the end, you should have a clearer picture of whether Shopify is right for your business, with facts straight from fellow merchants’ experiences.
Payment Gateways: Myth vs. Reality
One of the biggest misconceptions among Turkish store owners is that “Shopify only supports a few payment gateways, none of which work well in Turkey.” This is not true. While it’s correct that Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in processor) isn’t available in Turkey and global options like PayPal or Stripe are restricted locally, Shopify actually integrates with many local payment providers. In fact, Shopify supports a variety of payment gateways operating in Turkey, including popular Turkish solutions like İyzico, PayTR, and even direct bank “sanal POS” systems such as Garanti Sanal POS (Garanti Bank’s virtual POS) and others. This means you can offer customers the familiar payment experiences they trust (like local credit/debit cards, installment payments, etc.) through providers that cater to Turkey’s market.
Real-world example: “I hesitated to switch to Shopify because I thought I wouldn’t be able to use our local payment gateway. But I discovered at Worldef that Shopify has plug-and-play support for İyzico and others – it was a relief!” shared one fashion retailer at the event.
In practice, integrating these gateways is straightforward: you create an account with the local payment provider and then connect it to your Shopify store via the admin settings or a simple app provided by that gateway. There’s no complex custom coding needed. Shopify’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up payment options, a point highlighted by many at Worldef. Some merchants were surprised that they could even accept cash on delivery (Kapıda Ödeme) with the help of Shopify apps or manual payment settings.
The bottom line is that Shopify does not limit you to foreign payment methods. You can use Turkish credit card processors and other local payment solutions on your Shopify store, ensuring your customers have familiar and convenient ways to pay. The platform’s flexibility in payments is one reason Shopify is “the choice of entrepreneurs worldwide with its user-friendly interface, strong integration options, and scalable structure“ and Turkish entrepreneurs are no exception to this trend.
Migration and True Cost: Is Shopify Expensive?
Another concern we heard from Turkish business owners is the fear that “Shopify will be more expensive to run than local e-commerce platforms.” It’s true that Shopify is a paid platform (with monthly plans starting around $29 USD) and that there are transaction fees if you use external payment gateways. At first glance, this can seem pricier than some local solutions or open-source platforms. However, a deeper look, as discussed at Worldef, reveals that Shopify can actually save you money by eliminating many “hidden” costs that merchants often overlook.
What hidden costs? If you’re coming from a self-hosted or locally hosted solution (like WooCommerce, OpenCart, or a custom site) or even a Turkish platform that requires separate add-ons, consider the following ongoing expenses that Shopify covers in its subscription:
- Server Hosting & Infrastructure: Hosting is included in Shopify. You don’t need to rent a server or cloud space or worry about uptime. Many local platforms require you to arrange your own hosting (with costs scaling up as you get more traffic). Shopify’s cloud infrastructure automatically handles traffic spikes (for example, during Black Friday sales) without extra charges. The platform is designed to be reliable and fast worldwide, with no need to invest in CDNs or backup servers; Shopify does it for you.
- Security & Maintenance: Shopify handles all security updates, SSL certificates, and platform maintenance. On a self-hosted solution, you’d have to regularly update your software, plugins, and apply security patches, often requiring a developer’s help. Those costs can add up in both time and money. As one agency noted, “Managing a Magento store requires technical expertise, and the costs associated with hosting, development, and maintenance can add up quickly”. By migrating to a fully managed platform like Shopify, merchants avoid those maintenance headaches and expenses. Shopify takes care of updates and security in the background.
- Plugins and Feature Add-Ons: Many local e-commerce software options seem cheaper until you realize you must pay for numerous plugins or modules (for SEO, backups, payment integrations, etc.). Shopify, on the other hand, comes with a rich set of built-in features and an App Store for additional needs. While some Shopify apps do have their own fees, you often can choose which ones you truly need. And you won’t be paying a developer to custom-build basic functionality; you can add features with a click. This was mentioned often at Worldef: merchants loved that with Shopify, you can often find an app for a given need (more on apps later) instead of funding a full custom development. And one more thing, most of the local service providers give 6-month+ ETAs for simple requirements, and merchants have to wait for them since they don’t have access to the code or it’s not allowed to make their own changes.. But in Shopify, you can handle it with built-in solutions, already implemented Shopify apps, or you can easily find a Shopify developer who works freelance and ask for the development. It will be very easy to handle your needs.
- Scalability: If your business grows, scaling on a traditional platform might mean upgrading your hosting plan, paying for more bandwidth, or even migrating to a new system, all costly moves. Shopify scales seamlessly: you can upgrade your plan if needed, but even the basic plan can handle a surprisingly large operation thanks to Shopify’s robust infrastructure. You won’t suddenly need to hire a DevOps engineer just because your traffic doubled overnight; Shopify’s infrastructure grows with you. One merchant at Worldef noted that during a big campaign they ran, their Shopify store handled thousands of concurrent visitors without any extra effort or cost on their part, something that would have crashed their old self-hosted site.
Real-world example: “We used to pay separately for hosting, an SSL certificate, and a developer retainer to keep our old site running. After moving to Shopify, those costs vanished, we just pay our Shopify plan and it covers everything. Overall, it turned out cheaper than patching up our previous platform,” said an Istanbul-based home décor seller during a Worldef networking session.
In summary, Shopify’s pricing often ends up very competitive when you factor in the all-inclusive nature of the platform. Yes, you have a clear monthly fee, but you avoid unpredictable expenses like server outages, security fixes, or costly custom implementations of features. You’re also freeing up your own time (or your IT team’s time) to focus on business and marketing rather than technical maintenance. When comparing costs, merchants at Worldef concluded that Shopify offers strong value, and the consistency of costs (knowing your platform expenses each month) is a relief compared to the variability of self-managed solutions.
How Easy is Migration? (Spoiler: Easier Than You Think)
Fear of a complicated migration is another factor that makes some Turkish merchants hesitant. Uprooting your online store from one platform to another sounds intimidating, but Shopify and its expert community have made the process surprisingly straightforward. At Worldef 2025, there were even discussions on “fast-track migration”, where merchants learned about tools and best practices to switch to Shopify with minimal downtime.
Here are a few reasons why migrating to Shopify is easier than it used to be:
- Data Import Tools: Shopify provides built-in import tools for products and customers (via CSV files). Many local platforms (like IdeaSoft, Ticimax, WooCommerce, etc.) allow you to export your product list and customer data. You can then import that data to Shopify in bulk. For example, you can export products to a CSV from your old system, then in the Shopify admin, go to Products > Import and upload that file. In one go, hundreds or thousands of product entries can be created on your new site. Customer lists and order history can similarly be imported. This beats having to re-enter everything manually.
- Apps and Services for Migration: Beyond the built-in tools, there are third-party migration apps on the Shopify App Store designed to transfer data from specific platforms. Whether you’re coming from WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, or a Turkish platform like Ticimax or T-Soft, chances are there’s a tool to help. These apps can migrate not just products but also categories, images, customer accounts, and even blog posts in many cases. Some merchants at Worldef mentioned using services where they just provided API access or admin login to the old store and let the app do the heavy lifting of copying everything over to Shopify.
- Expert Support (Shopify Partners): If DIY isn’t your preference, you can enlist help from Shopify experts or agencies. Turkey now has a growing number of Shopify Partners and experts, companies, and freelancers who specialize in setting up and migrating stores. In fact, some of them were present at Worldef 2025 offering guidance, such as Digifist, Holly Palm, and Byte. Hiring an expert can ensure that things like SEO (redirecting your old URLs to the new Shopify URLs to preserve search rankings) and design migration are done right. As one migration specialist noted, engaging a Shopify Partner can “automate the process, ensure data integrity, and minimize downtime” during a migration.
- Step-by-Step Guidance: Shopify’s documentation (available in Turkish as well) provides step-by-step guides for migrating from various platforms. This includes checklists for pre-migration (e.g., cleaning up your data), how to point your domain to Shopify, and post-migration testing. Because so many merchants globally have migrated to Shopify, there’s a wealth of community forums, Q&A, tutorials, and even YouTube videos on the process. You’re not the first to make the switch, and that collective knowledge makes it easier for you.
At the event, merchants who had successfully migrated shared encouraging stories. Many expected a “nightmare” but found that with proper planning, they were able to transition over a weekend or two, and their customers barely noticed an interruption. Shopify even allows you to build your new site behind the scenes (on a free development store or trial) while your old site is still live, and only switch over when you’re ready, keeping downtime minimal.
So, if “zorlu bir geçiş (a difficult transition)” is holding you back, take heart: migrating to Shopify can be a smooth journey. Proper preparation and the right tools or help are key. As one electronics store owner at Worldef joked, “The hardest part was deciding to do it; actually migrating was easier than running our Black Friday sale!”
Addressing Common Hesitations
Beyond payments and cost, Turkish merchants often have a list of other hesitations about Shopify. Let’s address the most common ones head-on, and see what was learned at Worldef:
- Language & Localization: “Will everything be in English? Can I have Turkish on my site?” These are very common worries. The truth: Shopify fully supports Turkish for your storefront, and even your admin dashboard can be switched to Turkish. The platform allows you to create a store in any language (or multiple languages). You can have your product descriptions, checkout, and emails in Turkish. In fact, Shopify has an official Turkish translation for the checkout and system messages. The admin interface itself now has a Turkish language option, so managing your store is easier if you’re more comfortable in Turkish. Additionally, Turkey-specific needs like displaying prices in TL (₺) and including KDV (VAT) taxes are all possible in Shopify’s settings. You can set your store currency to Turkish Lira and configure tax rules (for example, showing prices with 18% KDV included). Some merchants at Worldef were pleased to learn that even things like Turkey’s e-Fatura (electronic invoicing) requirements can be met with Shopify apps (as we’ll detail in the next section). In short, Shopify can feel local: your customers will navigate a Turkish storefront, and you can do your day-to-day work in Turkish if you prefer.
- Support Quality: “If I need help, will I get it? And will it be in Turkish?”, Shopify provides 24/7 customer support (via chat, email, phone) for all its merchants. This support is globally available in English, and there are community forums (and some unofficial support channels) in Turkish as well. While Shopify’s official Turkish-language support may be limited, the company’s increasing focus on Turkey (evidenced by their Worldef participation) suggests that local support options will grow. Even now, many Turkish Shopify users find help through local Shopify Facebook groups, the Shopify Turkey Community, or by working with local Shopify Experts who speak Turkish. The consensus at Worldef was that the quality of Shopify’s support is high, they are quick to resolve issues, but merchants would love to see more direct Turkish support. For now, documentation and help center articles are available in Turkish, and you can often get by with English-language live chat support (using translation tools if needed). The key takeaway: you won’t be left stranded if you have an issue. There’s a robust support system and a global community backing Shopify users.
- Ease of Setup and Use: “Is it hard to set up a Shopify store from scratch? I’m not a developer.” Ease of use is actually one of Shopify’s strongest points. Many at Worldef 2025 were existing users who attested that Shopify is very beginner-friendly. You don’t need to know how to code to launch a basic store. Shopify provides an intuitive visual editor for your website design, letting you choose themes and drag-and-drop elements. Adding products, setting prices, and organizing categories is straightforward through the admin panel. One first-time user at the event mentioned they got their Shopify store live in a single day, far faster than they expected. Of course, if you want to deeply customize your site’s look, Shopify allows editing the theme code (Liquid, HTML/CSS), but that’s optional, not a requirement. The platform’s philosophy is to empower non-technical entrepreneurs to succeed online. Plus, if you ever get stuck, there are tutorials for every step. So, setting up Shopify is generally easier than setting up most self-hosted e-commerce software. The learning curve is gentle, and once your store is up, daily operations (fulfilling orders, updating inventory) are designed to be efficient and user-friendly. It’s no coincidence that merchants worldwide praise Shopify’s “accessible” interface. Turkish merchants can enjoy that same benefit.
- Customization & Development Flexibility: “Will I be able to customize Shopify as much as I want? What if I need a specific feature?” This is a fair concern, because unlike open-source platforms, Shopify’s core code isn’t open for you to change. However, Shopify is highly flexible through themes and apps. You can pick from hundreds of free and paid themes to change your site’s look and layout. These themes are often very customizable through settings (no coding needed for most design tweaks). If deeper customization is required, developers can use Liquid (Shopify’s template language) to modify the theme or even build a completely custom theme. For functionalities, the Shopify App Store contains thousands of apps that add features, from SEO boosters to product options to integrations with other services. As one comparison noted, “Shopify excels in providing a wide range of customizable themes and apps that help businesses scale effectively, whereas local platforms may not match the breadth of Shopify’s ecosystem”. And if an app for your need doesn’t exist yet, you can have a custom app developed via Shopify’s API, many Turkish agencies and developers can create tailor-made solutions that plug into your Shopify store. During Worldef, a few tech-savvy merchants shared how they built custom integrations (for example, syncing their Shopify with a bespoke ERP system) using Shopify’s APIs and webhook system, so integration with external systems is possible. In short, you won’t be boxed in with Shopify: it’s open to a wide range of extensions. From the visuals to the features, almost everything can be adjusted to fit your business, either by using existing apps or commissioning some development. The key advantage is that you start from a solid, managed foundation and customize on top of it, rather than reinventing the wheel from scratch.
There’s an App for That: Shopify Apps for Turkish Businesses
One of Shopify’s greatest strengths, much appreciated by merchants at Worldef, is its ecosystem of apps and integrations. The Shopify App Store contains both global and Turkey-specific applications that can extend your store’s capabilities in a few clicks. This is crucial for localization: if Shopify’s core doesn’t do something out-of-the-box, chances are an app exists to fill the gap. Here are some examples of how Turkish merchants can solve local needs with Shopify apps or built-in features:
| Need or Feature | Solution via Shopify |
|---|---|
| Accepting local payment methods | Built-in integration with Turkish payment gateways (e.g. İyzico, PayTR, bank’s POS) enables these to accept credit cards in TL. |
| Shipping & Delivery | Apps like Kargo Entegratör integrate major Turkish cargo carriers (Yurtiçi, Aras, PTT, MNG, Sürat, etc.) for label printing, tracking, and bulk shipment management. This automates your fulfillment by connecting Shopify orders to local couriers. |
| Legal Invoicing (E-Fatura) | Turkey’s electronic invoicing requirements are addressed by apps such as EDM E-Fatura Entegrasyonu and others. These allow you to automatically generate official e-invoices for each order, complying with Turkish regulations while using your Shopify order data. No more manual invoice entry outside the system. |
| Marketplace Integration | Selling on marketplaces like Trendyol or Hepsiburada? There are apps to sync your Shopify store with local marketplaces. For example, Trendyol Entegrasyonu apps let you synchronize inventory and prices and transfer orders between Shopify and Trendyol. This means you can manage multi-channel sales from one dashboard. |
| Marketing & Growth | Shopify offers plenty of marketing tools: from built-in features like Shopify Email (for newsletters) to third-party apps for loyalty programs, customer reviews (e.g., Growth Suite Urgency with AI, Yotpo), and social media integration. You can connect your Facebook/Instagram Shop directly to Shopify, use Google Ads/Analytics integrations, and even install apps built by Turkish developers (like personalized recommendation engines or chatbots popular in the local market). One noteworthy example discussed at Worldef was one of our apps that provides bulk product image upload: CS-Smart Bulk Image Upload. In short, whatever marketing strategy you want to implement, there’s likely an app or integration ready to go. |
As you can see, the app ecosystem covers a wide spectrum. Many Turkish Shopify users take advantage of this by starting with a lean setup, then adding apps as their business needs grow or evolve. It’s a modular approach, you only add what you need. And since many apps have free plans or trials, you can experiment to find what works best for your store.
It’s also worth noting that several local tech companies are now building Shopify apps tailored for Turkey. This was a hot topic at Worldef 2025: the emergence of Turkey-focused Shopify apps (for example, payment installments, cargo tracking in Turkish, SMS notification services compliant with Turkish telecom rules, etc.). This local app development is a strong signal that Shopify’s ecosystem is adapting nicely to Turkey’s specific e-commerce environment. In essence, Shopify provides the flexible infrastructure, and the community (globally and in Turkey) provides add-ons to localize that infrastructure.
Conclusion: Encouragement from Worldef 2025
The atmosphere at Worldef 2025 Istanbul was optimistic, and many merchants walked away feeling more confident about Shopify as a viable platform for the Turkish e-commerce market. Yes, it’s a global platform, but it is increasingly “brought to global standards” for Turkey’s needs. The misconceptions that once caused hesitation are fading as more success stories emerge. Turkish businesses of all sizes, from boutique fashion brands to large retailers, have successfully made the jump to Shopify and are enjoying benefits like stability, scalability, and access to world-class features.
If you have been considering migrating to Shopify, take these insights to heart. You now know that you can: accept Turkish payment methods, pay predictable costs without hidden tech expenses, run your store in Turkish with local currency, rely on continuous support and an expert network, easily set up and customize your shop, and extend it with powerful apps tailor-made for your market. In other words, you won’t be sacrificing localization or flexibility by going with Shopify; you’ll be gaining a robust infrastructure plus the ability to tailor it to Turkey and even beyond (if you aim to expand internationally). Shopify’s extensive international reach can help Turkish businesses tap into global markets more easily, while still catering to domestic customers.
To echo the encouraging words shared during Worldef: don’t let outdated information hold your business back. Evaluate Shopify based on what it offers today, not the myths of yesterday. Many of your fellow Turkish merchants have made the switch and are glad they did, citing improvements in site performance, customer experience, and even overall sales. As one speaker at Worldef concluded, “E-commerce is evolving fast. Embracing a platform that evolves with it, like Shopify, can be a game-changer for those ready to grow.”
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and it should be based on your business’s unique needs. But with the clarifications above, we hope you feel more empowered to make an informed decision. Good luck with your e-commerce journey, and perhaps at the next Worldef event, it will be you sharing a success story of how migrating to Shopify helped your business thrive!
If you need any help on your journey, don’t hesitate to contact us hello[at]craftshift.com
