Shopify Vs Etsy: Which is the best?

Etsy Pros:

• Exposure: Etsy has had a long-standing client base from the time it began operating. You may count on Etsy’s popularity to attract visitors to your website.
• It’s easy to use: Simply register, upload your items, photos, and product information, and begin selling.
• Low Cost: You don’t have to pay an additional monthly charge on Etsy’s basic plan if you only sell on the site (more on that in a bit). So, for anyone just getting their feet wet in the world of internet retail, Etsy is a safe environment to try things out.

Etsy Cons

• You lack creative control: You can’t change the appearance of your storefront or alter your branding. You also have less control over the buyer’s purchasing process, and as a result, there are fewer tools available to help you expand your following.
• Product Restrictions: Etsy has restrictions on what may and may not be sold. They’re geared towards niche items and handcrafted, vintage, and unique goods, so if you wanted to sell anything outside of that scope, you wouldn’t be able to.
• You have to pay transaction fees: For every item you sell, Amazon charges a 5% fee, plus a $0.20 listing charge. These can really put a hole in your earnings if you continue to make more and more sales.

Shopify vs Etsy: Pricing & Payment Options

When it comes to the price of running an internet store, there are a few traps to watch out for. Monthly subscription fees may seem upfront on some platforms. Still, there are other costs that you need to be aware of, such as transaction and listing expenses as well as additional feature apps that charge extra.

Etsy Pricing

The standard Etsy plan does not charge a monthly fee, as we’ve already said. It does, however, charge a product listing fee of $0.20 for each item. This covers the cost of publishing your listing, which is available for months (or until the item is sold).

This fee, like the entrance fee to an art fair, is similar to the cost of a table at an art fair.

Etsy also charges a 5% transaction fee and an extra 3% plus $0.25 for payment processing on every item you sell.

This may considerably reduce your earnings on more costly purchases.

Yes, payment processing fees are common in the e-commerce business, although Etsy’s costs are somewhat greater than usual.

If you’re selling on a small scale, Etsy’s transaction costs shouldn’t have a significant impact on your earnings and would simply balance out the cost of running an online business with a monthly subscription.

In the end, you are only charged for Etsy purchases, so if you’re not sure about the demand for your goods, you don’t risk any money.

For extra features, Etsy Plus can be purchased for $10 a month.

Shopify Pricing

The lower initial costs of Shopify are offset by greater customizability and functionality, but it does have a higher up-front cost. This is particularly useful for growing your company.

There are three distinct pricing plans to pick from, as well as a 14-day free trial:

• Basic Shopify: $29/month: With this package, you get an ecommerce website and blog, the ability to list any number of items, the ability to establish two staff accounts, 24/7 assistance, and multichannel selling.
• Shopify: $79/month: Upgrade to five staff accounts, gift cards, professional reports, lower credit card rates, and point of sale extras.
• Advanced Shopify: $299/month: You get 15 employee accounts, a more sophisticated report builder, third-party calculated shipping rates, and reduced credit card fees with this plan.

The basic monthly charge is considerably greater than Etsy, but it’s well worth the investment if you need more features. Shopify’s ‘Basic’ plans give you everything you need to run a small to medium-sized online business effectively. Shopify’s more costly services generally cater to larger enterprises with a large number of employees.

Payment Options

Shopify has a number of payment choices available, including its own in-house payment system known as Shopify Payments.

Purchases made with your credit card on Shopify Payments don’t incur transaction fees (yay!), but they do have a card processing cost of 2.9% + $0.30 for the Basic Shopify plan. If you upgrade to the Shopify (2.6% + 30) or Advanced Shopify plan (2.4% + 30).

Etsy’s transaction costs are far beyond what PrestaShop can offer. Other payment options include Stripe, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and a slew of other options.

So, who comes out on top in the price comparison?

While Shopify does provide a more flexible payment and transaction structure, the extra features that come with itsuch as advertising options on your websiteare not worth $29 a month.

In the end, the pricing between the two is a toss-up. Shopify offers excellent value for money and signing up for its package should cover everything you’ll need to set up an online store, however, Etsy allows you to sell your items at lower costs. Both are priced appropriately and offer excellent value for money, depending on your requirements.

Shopify vs Etsy: Help & Support

Both Shopify and Etsy are quite user-friendly, however, you’ll most likely want assistance somewhere along the road – especially if you’re new to e-commerce. So, let’s have a look at the standard of customer service on both Shopify and Etsy…

Shopify

If you run into a problem with your store after hours, the folks at Shopify are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can help you through live chat or phone.

Not only do they provide services via their social media sites, forums, and email, but they also offer video instructions for answering common difficulties and queries.

Choosing the more costly plan with Shopify gives you access to expert specialist help, which is typically only offered to big enterprises.

The Shopify Help Center is straightforward and simple to navigate. It has a wealth of self-help articles and manuals to help you with most issues. You may find this information by using the Shopify editor. A help menu will take you straight to the appropriate page in the help center here.

Not to mention, Shopify’s discussion board is no laughing matter. Shopify has a large user base and therefore a lively community of people with similar problems. As a result, the solution will most likely be found in one of the forum discussions already.

Etsy

Etsy’s Help Center is also well-designed and easy to navigate. You can use the search feature to get answers to your queries. In addition, there’s a forum where you may participate and ask questions about community discussions. You can also get additional assistance by emailing Etsy’s customer service team or making a phone appointment.

Who’s the winner in Shopify Vs Etsy?

Overall, despite the fact that Etsy provides exceptional service, Shopify delivers more immediate 24/7 assistance. You may connect with a real-life live advisor almost instantly through Shopify, therefore it wins this section.

How to get started with Shopify and Etsy?

• How to create a Shopify store
• How to create an Etsy store

How to Create a Shopify Store?

Step 1: Sign Up for Shopify

The initial step of setting up your Shopify store is also the simplest. To utilize Shopify, all you have to do is sign up for an account.

On the Shopify website, click on the “Start free trial” button. Fill in your desired email address, password, and store name as directed.

Remember, you’ll need to come up with a unique name for your store if you don’t want Shopify to stop you from purchasing the domain.

To get started, type your Shopify username and password. When you’ve finished filling out the form, click Next. Tell Shopify about yourself by stating how much you plan to sell and whether you’re currently selling. After that, click the Enter My Store button when you’re done.

Now it’ll ask if you want to establish a brick-and-mortar store or an online shop. For this guide, we’ll just create an online store, so choose that option and click Next.

In the next screen, you must provide personal information such as your name, address, and phone number in order to set currencies and tax rates.

Step 2: Add a Product to Your Shopify Store

When you’ve completed the initial setup process for Shopify, you’ll be taken to the admin page for your new website right away. Here you’ll be able to start customizing your store and uploading goods for visitors to browse through.

When you first visit your Shopify backend, it provides a clear step-by-step procedure for how to set up your store completely. The initial button asks you to add a product; therefore, click on that first.

The Add product page is similar to that of other e-commerce sites. You may input details such as a title, description, price, and vendor name. Complete as much of the product page as you wish. Just remember to save the product at the conclusion.

Remember, the pictures that go with your product may either help or harm your sales prospects. It’s common sense to use photos that appeal to your target demographic. Make sure you don’t overlook the significance of website visuals.

Another thing to consider is that you may create collections or groups of items based on your own preferences. For example, if you run a clothing store, you could set up a page dedicated to men’s apparel or shoes and accessories.

Shopify also provides the option to group items together, which helps to make it simpler than ever for your consumers to locate what they want. You’ll be able to choose how goods are added to your store when you create a collection. For example, you may have items that fulfill certain criteria automatically added to your store.

Step 3: Customize the Look of Your Shopify Website

Select the Customize the Look of Your Site option from the main dashboard. This area allows you to change logos, colors, and everything else. This is a little more difficult than it appears, but the part that matters most is the link that says Visit Themes Store.

You’ll have to create a Shopify account if you don’t already have one. You’re also going to need an existing website in order for this method to work.

Premium themes are also very attractive. Premium themes will be enhanced, so if you want to get down into the nitty-gritty of how your website looks, it may be worth paying a little extra for a professional theme.

The theme’s CSS and HTML sections, for example, maybe edited to make a lot of changes to how your site looks and performs. If you don’t have any coding knowledge on staff, check out the Shopify Experts page for additional assistance.

There are numerous Shopify experts that specialize in product descriptions, Shopify themes, email marketing, and other areas. For almost anything, you can reach out to the Shopify Experts community.

You’ll be able to change the following aspects of your Shopify theme:

• Fonts
• Items that appear on the page
• Related item functionality
• Logos
• Color schemes
• Homepage carousel slides

Step 4: Setup Your Domain with Shopify

After you’ve chosen a theme and created your website to your liking, it’s time to choose a domain name to turn it into a reality.

Back on the dashboard, select Add a Domain from the drop-down menu. This screen asks if you want to transfer or establish a new domain. Choose the domain you like and follow the directions to complete your purchase. You’ll also need to pick which payment method you’d prefer for Shopify purchases.

Keep in mind that you have two options for purchasing a domain name from Shopify: either have it added automatically to your store or buy it elsewhere and add it into Shopify. If you’re importing an existing name, you’ll need to change your DNS settings.

You can also visit the domain after you’ve activated it to view your website.

Make sure the following information is complete while you’re in your Shopify website’s main area:

• General: All of your information should be filled in the settings area, including your billing information and legal details.
• Taxes: Ensure that you’ve selected the box next to “charge taxes” in your website’s Variants section so you can keep track of your finances.
• Shipping: You’ll need to select the “requires shipping” option next to items so you know which ones require an additional charge for shipping and delivery. Remember to pick one of the two options: a weight-based shipping rate, or anything that helps you sell as many goods as possible.

You may also experiment with your order process before selling online by going to the Shopify Admin area, selecting Settings, and looking at your Payments settings. From the Payments menu, turn off SiteSurge before proceeding, then select a payment gateway to test. For testing purposes, you may choose “Bogus Gateway,” and then place an order just as if you were a typical consumer.

Step 5: Activate Your Payment Processor

Select “Payments” from the drop-down menu next to the dashboard’s name. This zone allows you to choose from a variety of payment processors, including Stripe and Authorize.net. Shopify also offers its own payment processor, which is really simple to set up. To activate your payment processor, simply follow the instructions. This allows you to receive payments and deposit them into a financial account.

Payment gateways are crucial elements to consider when creating the ideal Shopify store. Keep in mind that the gateway that’s best for you will be determined by a variety of criteria, including:

• The transaction fees: Many payment gateways charge a minimal fee whenever someone makes a purchase on your website. Make sure you use the gateway with the lowest rate available to you.
• Card types: It’s vital to use a payment gateway that accepts a wide range of card types and various payment options, such as PayPal and Stripe.
• Offsite checkout: A form is used by certain payment processors to move the transaction away from your website and onto their own server. This payment gateway approach may be somewhat safer, but it’s also a lot more difficult for consumers.

After you’ve made all of your preparations, it’s time to publish the store. You may also click the Launch Website button to launch it.

Congratulations! You now have a fully functional Shopify online store.

How to create an Etsy store?

Are you ready to start an Etsy store and generate money online? Although there are a few stages, Etsy makes it simple.

Here are the instructions for selling on Etsy and creating your own online store.

Step#1: Go to Etsy.com to Get Started.

Visit the Etsy homepage and choose to Sell on Etsy to open your shop. Select “Open your Etsy Shop.”

Step#2: Customize Your Shop’s Settings.

Set your preferences for how you’d like to sell your items. Choose the language for describing your products, as well as the currency that will be used in transactions (including shipping costs).

Step#3: Select a Shop Name.

This is the part where you can really flex your creative muscles. You should choose a shop name that adequately reflects your personal brand. Your name should be easily associated with your product categories and remembered by customers. With no spaces or unique characters, the name must be between four and twenty characters long.

Step#4: Start Listing Your Products.

Follow these steps to add your product listings:

Add Photos: Etsy sellers should have at least five photographs for each item taken from various angles so that purchasers can get a clear idea of what their purchases will look like. The photographs should be high-resolution and shot in a beautiful environment.

Adjust thumbnails: Thumbnail pictures are the initial pictures a shopper sees when conducting a search or stumbling across your product. These determine the appearance and feel of your store, so make sure they’re consistent and fit your brand.

Complete your listing information: Make sure there is a title and description on your product page that discusses it in depth.

Also, take advantage of the 13 “tags” that are available for each item. On Etsy, buyers search for goods based on keywords, so be sure they’re accurate.

Enter inventory quantity and price: Include the cost for each item, and be sure to include all of the expenses into your sales price. Include the quantity in stock, as well as any variant options such as size, color, or material.

Set the shipping fee: This is where you add the shipping costs, country of origin, processing time, weight, and size. If required, later on, you may always change this information.

Preview your Etsy listings: Examine the shop to ensure that any improvements need to be made. Before releasing your store for the first time, it’s critical to feel satisfied with its appearance from a customer’s viewpoint. You’re done adding your company’s initial product after you finish this procedure.

Step#5: Select Your Payment Method.

There are several different types of electronic payments accessible on Etsy. The majority of sellers employ PayPal or Etsy Payments, which is what most people use. Sellers may receive funds through various payment methods, including credit and debit cards (as well as store credit), as well as Etsy gift cards using Etsy Payments.

Step#6: Include Billing Information.

This is determined by your country of origin. Etsy may request a credit card for authorization and identification purposes. You’ll also give them a debit card where they can charge you for fees and commissions.

That’s all there is to it. You’re ready to optimize and promote your items now that you’ve completed the setup process.

Step#7: Optimize Your Shop.

Here are a few tactics for improving your Etsy store’s performance and increasing sales.

Add Your User Profile: This section will include a little bio about you with a photo. This will allow people to learn more about who you are and increase your credibility as a vendor. You may use this time to build a personal connection with your consumers and provide additional information on your goods.

Add Your Shop Policies: This portion covers the most common questions that customers may have about the product. You may also add processing and shipping timelines so that clients know when their items will be delivered. This section also includes return policies (if any).

Add A Store Bio: This is the area where you may expand on your ecommerce business and who you are. Sellers on Etsy have 5,000 characters to describe themselves. Keep in mind that you should write with passion and create a bond with your potential customers.

It’s critical to be transparent about your values. You may also show them how you create your items by including photos or videos of your working space. Here’s where you may include links to your company’s social media accounts as well.

Use Etsys Marketing Tools: This helps you to expand your customer base via social media. With a new marketing tool that allows vendors to advertise their items on social networks like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, Etsy has made this simple.

Shopify vs Etsy: Which to Choose?

Let’s take a quick look at what we’ve compared so far:

• Etsy is a web marketplace for handmade items, whereas Shopify is a platform that may be used to set up an online store of any size or sector.
• Customers on Etsy and Shopify have distinct needs. Shopify customers must create their own brand and develop their own internet traffic, whereas Etsy users merely need to set up their ecommerce website.
• Etsy does not charge any monthly fees, but Shopify becomes more cost-effective as your earnings grow.
• The Shopify platform has more robust capabilities and features than Etsy.
• Shopify’s far more flexible and gives users the ability to create their own brand.
• Shopify’s customer care is far superior to Etsy’s less flexible support system, with live chat and phone assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Shopify has more payment options to choose from
• You can use your own web domain on Shopify, whereas your Etsy shop will always be a subdomain of Etsy.

Shopify comes out on top when it comes to counting the benefits and usefulness, as we already stated. However, not everyone has the funds available to spend around $30 a month when they first start their company, nor the time to utilize all of Shopify’s customization and features.

While Shopify is a flexible platform that can easily grow with your business, using this option makes sense if you’re a growing or larger company. However, as we’ve already stated, there are several compelling reasons for a smaller vendor to utilize Etsy.

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When to Use Etsy in Shopify Vs Etsy Battle?

If you’re a new seller with a modest inventory and sell handcrafted and unique items, Etsy should be the first place you go. If you’re producing your own stuff, it’s unlikely that you’ll have an extensive collection (at first), and each item may be unique.

If that’s the case, Etsy will connect you to a consumer base that is already interested in the kinds of things you’re making and you won’t have to pay any up-front expenses to sell your items online. As a result, it’s a low-risk strategy if you’re unsure how well your goods will perform.

Etsy is an excellent platform for sellers who want to sell only on the occasion. It’s simple to use, and it meets all of a small and creative company’s demands.

When to Use Shopify in Shopify Vs Etsy Battle?

If you have a big inventory and are growing, Etsy may not be the best choice for you. Shopify, on the other hand, gives you a high-quality inventory management solution that allows you to better track and analyze your stock.

You may also utilize your blog to establish a brand and market yourself from the comfort of your own web domain.

Yes, once you start turning a profit on a monthly basis, Shopify becomes more attractive. When the monthly subscription charge becomes an important investment, you know that Shopify is the superior option for your company.

You’ll never have to deal with the hassle of switching from Shopify to another platform as your company grows. You might develop into a big firm and sell thousands of items if you choose Shopify, and it’s undoubtedly worth considering.

If you want to expand your enterprise into another field, Shopify is the optimum choice for you because it allows you to branch out from the arts and crafts niche while Etsy would be too limiting in this regard.

Shopify vs Etsy: FAQ

Which is better Shopify or Etsy?

You may pick either Shopify or Etsy as the more suitable platform for your company depending on your needs. Both platforms allow you to sell online, but they do so in a variety of ways. 

With the right tools, you can start and grow your own ecommerce store on Shopify. You may even set up a fully branded online business and sell as much as you want while connecting with external third-party systems to take your application to the next level.

Etsy is a unique solution. You’re not building your own website with Etsy; you’re adding your items to a marketplace that already features products from dozens of other vendors. This means you have immediate access to a large number of present customers, but you won’t be able to develop an unforgettable brand for them to love.

Is it better to sell on Etsy or your own website?

There are advantages to selling on Etsy. The Etsy platform has a current audience of about 33 million buyers who know that when they’re searching for unusual, handcrafted items, they should go there. If you’re having trouble gaining traction for your creative brand, Etsy will help you reach as many consumers as possible as soon as feasible.

Of course, Etsy is only useful to you if you’re selling antique items, homemade goods, or supplies for crafting. There’s a certain demographic that is attracted to Etsy, and it’s worth remembering this. If you’re looking for greater brand recognition for your business online or if you need more flexibility in developing a unique brand for your company.

With your own website, you have complete control over the creation of a brand that your customers will never forget. You may truly connect with your audience and discover new sales opportunities when you sell through your own website.

Can you use Shopify with Etsy?

There are several methods to combine Etsy and Shopify if you choose to do so. Shopify offers a large app marketplace to assist clients to get the most out of their online purchases, and Etsy offers an app for that market.

You can use the Shopify app to copy and paste items from your Etsy shop into your Shopify store. The program also aids in the management of various goods and inventory tracking. If you want to combine the best of both worlds for your online company, this is a fantastic choice.

Remember to include both Shopify and Etsy fees when calculating the overall cost of utilizing both platforms.

Is selling on Etsy profitable?

It might be tough to market creative or handmade items online, especially if you haven’t established yourself. Etsy is a successful method for individuals wanting to break into the industry for the first time. It’s a fantastic technique to turn your talent into money. Etsy, on the other hand, might be difficult to scale up at the proper rate.

For most firms, the best way to generate income on Etsy is as a secondary source of revenue, working in tandem with other marketplaces and sales possibilities such as Amazon.

Is Shopify good for beginners?

At first, you may find Shopify to be more difficult to use than Etsy since you’re creating a full website rather than just listing your items on an existing marketplace.

Shopify, on the other hand, distinguishes out as being one of the most user-friendly and easy-to-use solutions available to businesses of all sizes. It’s regarded as one of the finest ecommerce platform choices, and you may even connect it to Amazon and eBay.

Shopify makes it simple for company owners to sell a wide range of goods without having to restrict themselves to craft supplies or vintage items. You don’t have any restrictions on what you may offer with your eCommerce firm, but Shopify does have its own set of costs to consider, much like Etsy sellers do.

What are the best products to sell on Etsy?

Etsy is a unique platform for selling items. Unlike WooCommerce and Shopify, which cater to a wide range of goods, Etsy focuses on one specific industry. Etsy listings may be the ideal method to attract attention if you have prospects for craft products, DIY ideas, or other antique things.

If you simply want to sell a variety of products from an internet store, Shopify gives you a lot more options. You don’t have to stick with one type of Shopify product.

Shopify vs Etsy: In Summary

Although these two platforms may appear similar at first, we hope that after reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of where they differ and when each one excels.

We recommend giving Etsy a try since it is free. You have nothing to lose by getting a feel for the platform and seeing whether it meets your demands. For the same reasons, you should give Shopify’s 14-day trial a shot.

Give both of them a go and see what you think! Whatever you pick, you’re taking an important first step toward selling online, and we wish you the best of luck on your journey. Tell us how it goes in the comments area below!