Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade items, whereas Shopify is a platform that may be used to set up any kind of eCommerce business.
The most popular eCommerce platforms are Shopify and Etsy. Both provide a variety of instruments and features that may help you efficiently sell your items, but there are some differences between shopify and Etsy.
In this blog post, we will explore what those differences might be so that you can decide which is right for your business!
What is the Difference Between Shopify and Etsy?
So just, what are Shopify and Etsy, and how are they different?
Shopify is an ecommerce platform that was designed to help you set up and grow your online business (have a look at some of the fantastic Shopify-based businesses). It comes with a plethora of powerful ecommerce solutions and applications to assist you.
You may design your own ecommerce website, add items for sale, and keep track of customer purchases using this tool. It’s an easy method to start an online business.
Etsy is a marketplace where you can open an account and sell items alongside other Etsy vendors. It promotes itself as a “creative market,” and all it sells are handmade, vintage, or craft products.
Etsy Pattern
Etsy has developed its own ecommerce platform where you can sell your items. It’s called Etsy Pattern, and it has fewer restrictions on goods than the Etsy marketplace does.
You may test it for 30 days without charge. After that, the monthly fee is $15. You will be in charge of generating your own traffic since this isn’t connected to the Etsy marketplace.
It’s a straightforward platform that isn’t as advanced as Shopify, but it’s a wonderful supplement if you want to sell on the Etsy market.
To establish Etsy Pattern, you must already be an Etsy vendor. We’ll only look at the site builder on Etsy in this post instead of delving into its marketplace.
Table of Contents
Difference between Shopify and Etsy: Which to Choose?
Now that we know a lot about both platforms, let’s do a quick review of what we’ve compared so far:
- Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade items, whereas Shopify is a platform that may be used to set up any kind of business.
- Etsy has 33 million users, while Shopify necessitates the creation of one’s own brand and the generation of one’s own website traffic.
- Etsy does not have any monthly fees, but Shopify becomes more cost-effective the higher your monthly turnover.
- Shopify has a more versatile toolkit and features.
- Shopify’s vastly more customizable and lets users design their own brand
- Shopify’s 24/7 live chat and phone assistance are far superior to Etsy’s less flexible customer care approach.
- Shopify has more payment options to choose from
- You can change the name of your Shopify store and its associated URL (web address) to a custom domain, whereas your Etsy shop will always be a subdomain of Etsy.
Shopify clearly wins this comparison, as we previously noted, if you’re solely looking at the benefits and usefulness. But not everyone has the cash to spend nearly $30 a month when they first start out or the time to make full use of all of Shopify’s customization and features.
Shopify is an exceedingly scalable platform, so if you’re a growing or larger business, it makes sense to use this solution. But as we’ve previously highlighted, there are many good reasons why a smaller seller might wish to use Etsy.
When to Use Etsy?
If you’re a new seller with a small inventory who sells handcrafted and one-of-a-kind items, Etsy should be your first stop. If you’re creating your own things, it’s unlikely you’ll have an extensive collection (at first) or that each item will be unique.
If you’re considering starting an Etsy store, remember that once you’ve found a successful strategy for generating sales and gaining income on the platform, you won’t have to pay anything upfront to sell your items online. As a result, it’s a low-risk model if you’re not sure how well your items will sell.
Etsy is ideal for people who want to sell handmade items on a regular basis. It’s simple to use, and it caters to the needs of any small or creative business.
When to Use Shopify?
Etsy isn’t the best platform for you if you have a growing company with a large inventory. On the other hand, Shopify offers you a high-quality inventory management system to better track and analyze your stock.
It also allows you to establish your own brand and market yourself from the comfort of your own web domain.
Of course, Shopify is more useful if you can create a decent monthly profit. When the monthly subscription fee becomes a worthwhile investment, you know that Shopify is the superior option for your company.
You’ll never have to go through the hassle of switching platforms as your business grows because Shopify will continue to grow with you. You might potentially develop a large company and sell thousands of goods on Shopify, which means it’s absolutely worth considering if that’s your objective.
If you want to branch out from the arts and crafts sector and offer other items, Shopify is the greatest alternative. Etsy will be too restricted in this regard because of its emphasis on artisans.
Using Etsy and Shopify
If you’re still undecided between the two, there’s a third option that doesn’t require you to pick one over the other. You may connect Etsy’s marketplace to your Shopify store using the Shopify App Store. This ensures that your purchases and inventory are synchronized in real-time, so don’t worry about there being any mix-ups.
For small-budget firms, it may not be an option, but for those prepared to spend a little more in order to take advantage of the benefits, it represents the best of both worlds. You may personalize, develop, and brand your own shop while also expanding your online presence and capturing the existing audience on Etsy double bonus!
Use Etsy as a Stepping Stone
There’s no need to be concerned if you don’t have the money. Perhaps Etsy is more cost-effective for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a stepping stone. You may start selling on Etsy now, then build a Shopify store later if your sales increase.
If you have a well-established Etsy shop, you can still develop a client base that is familiar with your brand and later convert those same consumers to your new Shopify store.
FAQ On Difference Between Shopify and Etsy
What is the Difference Between Shopify and Etsy?
Shopify or Etsy are two of the most popular e-commerce platforms for small businesses. You must evaluate which one is superior for your needs as a company owner. Both platforms allow you to sell online, but they do so in unique ways.
Shopify has all of the solutions your company could need to succeed in any situation. You may establish an entire brand online and sell as much as you want while also integrating third-party tools to take it to the next level.
Etsy and a few more platforms are a little different. You’re not launching your own website with Etsy; instead, you’re putting your items on a marketplace that already houses goods from dozens of other vendors. This implies that you have immediate access to a large number of current consumers, but you also won’t be able to develop a distinctive brand for your audience to adore.
Is it better to sell on Etsy or your own website?
There are several advantages to selling on Etsy. There are currently 33 million purchasers on the Etsy platform, and individuals know they should look there when searching for one-of-a-kind, handmade products. If you’re having trouble finding the right demographic for your creative business, Etsy will help you reach as many consumers as quickly as possible.
Of course, Etsy is only useful if you sell vintage items, craft supplies, or handmade goods. There’s a particular demographic that finds interest in Etsy, and it’s worth remembering it.
It makes sense to develop your own store if you’re selling something distinctive or just want more room to create a memorable online brand for your business.
You have the full control you want over your personal brand if you use a website. Only with your own website may you develop a brand that your consumers will never forget. You can really connect with your audience and discover new sales opportunities when you sell through your own website.
Can you use Shopify with Etsy?
There are a few methods to combine Etsy and Shopify if you want to go that route. Shopify has a large app library to assist its customers in making the most of their online commerce experience, and Etsy offers an app for that market.
You may use the Etsy app to integrate your Shopify shop with your Etsy store and import items. The program also aids in product management and accounting, as well as tracking such things as stock and sales. If you want to combine the advantages of both platforms for your online business, this is a wonderful choice.
Remember to include Etsy and Shopify charges when calculating the combined costs of using both Shopify and Etsy.
Is selling on Etsy profitable?
It might be tough to sell creative or handcrafted products online, especially if you haven’t established a reputation. Etsy is a lucrative option for those who need to break into the business for the first time.
It’s a fantastic method to supplement your income with your art. However, if you want to expand your business at a decent speed on Etsy, you may run into some issues.
The most common method for businesses to make money on Etsy is as a secondary source of income, working in conjunction with other marketplaces and sales possibilities like Amazon.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Although it is true that Shopify has a less intuitive user interface than Etsy, this isn’t always the case. For example, Shopify may appear to be more difficult to navigate compared to Etsy since you’re building an entire website rather than simply listing your items on an established marketplace.
On the other hand, Shopify is one of the most user-friendly and simple-to-use solutions available for organizations of all sizes. It’s widely regarded as one of the finest ecommerce platform options, and it may also be used in tandem with Amazon and eBay.
Business owners who want to sell a broad range of goods without being confined to craft supplies and vintage things can use Shopify. You have no limit on what you may provide with your eCommerce company, but Shopify does have costs that must be considered, just as an Etsy seller would.
What are the best products to sell on Etsy?
Etsy is different from other e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify in that it caters to a very specialized market. Etsy store listings may be the most effective way for you to get the focus you need if you’re looking for customers for craft items, DIY solutions, or vintage products.
Shopify gives you a lot more freedom to explore various alternatives if you simply want to offer a variety of items from an online ecommerce store. You don’t have to stick with Shopify’s specific products.
Difference between Shopify and Etsy: In Summary
Compared to other exercises, rowing may appear similar because it resembles no other sport or activity humans engage in. Still, there are some key distinctions between the two platforms that we’d like to highlight for you here.
We believe you should try Etsy since it is free. We recommend giving it a go because you have nothing to lose by getting a feel for the platform and seeing whether it meets your needs. For the same reasons, we also suggest trying Shopify’s 14-day trial.
Give both of them a go, and see what you think! Whatever you pick, whether it’s one or the other, you’re making a major stride toward selling online. We wish you the best of luck on your journey either way. Tell us how things went in the comment area below.
