It’s no secret that eCommerce is a booming industry. If you’re thinking about starting an online store, you’re probably wondering which platform is right for you.
Shopify and Etsy are two popular platforms that allow you to sell online. But which one is better?
Shopify is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that offers everything you need to create and run a successful online store. It’s easy to use, has plenty of features, and is scalable as your business grows.
Etsy, on the other hand, is a marketplace for handmade and vintage items. It’s popular with artists and crafters who sell unique items.
So, which one should you choose? It depends on what you’re selling.
If you’re selling mass-produced items, Shopify is the better option. If you’re selling handmade or vintage items, Etsy is the better choice. Here’s a more detailed look at each platform:
Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that offers everything you need to create and run a successful online store.
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, so you can try it out before committing to a paid plan. Plans start at $29 per month for the Basic Shopify plan, which includes unlimited products, 2 staff accounts, 24/7 support, and basic security features.
The Shopify plans go up to $299 per month for the Advanced plan, which includes unlimited products, 5 staff accounts, advanced security features, and priority support. There’s also an Enterprise plan for custom pricing (if you need more than 5 staff accounts).
Some of the key features of Shopify include:
Unlimited products: You can sell an unlimited number of products on Shopify without paying any extra fees. This makes it a good choice if you have a large inventory or plan to expand your product range in the future.
Payment processing: Shopify integrates with over 100 payment processors (such as PayPal and Stripe), so you can accept payments from anywhere in the world. It also has its own payment gateway called Shopify Payments, which offers competitive rates and is available in select countries.
Website builder: You can use Shopify’s drag-and-drop website builder to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge. Alternatively, you can hire a Shopify Expert to build your website for you.
24/7 support: No matter what plan you choose, Shopify offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone. This means you can always get help if you run into any problems while using the platform.
Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for handmade and vintage items. Etsy charges listing fees and transaction fees, so it’s important to factor these into your costs when setting prices for your products.
Etsy has no monthly fees or sign-up costs—you only pay when you make a sale (a 3.5% transaction fee). There’s also no contract—you can cancel your Etsy account at any time without penalty. This makes it a good choice if you’re just starting out or if your business is seasonal.
Some of the key features of Etsy include:
Global reach: Etsy has buyers from all over the world (over 180 countries). This gives you the opportunity to reach a global audience with your products.
Built-in marketing tools: Etsy provides some built-in marketing tools (such as promotional listings and coupons) to help you promote your products and boost sales.
Variety of product categories: You can sell anything from art and crafts to clothing and accessories on Etsy—there are no restrictions on what types of products you can list for sale.
Sell digitally downloadable products: In addition to physical goods, Etsy also allows sellers to list digital products (such as graphics and templates) for sale on the platform
