On the one hand, you want a platform that holds your hand throughout the setup process, making things as quick as possible with a professionally completed online storefront.
On the other hand, you also want a platform that has plenty of opportunities for personalization, allowing you to fully embed your branding and tone of voice and build out your USP (unique selling position).
And, while you’re asking for things, you also want a platform that has built-in, eager-to-purchase customers with their digital wallets open and ready to buy from you.
Well, we can help you find the perfect platform for two of those three things.
In this article, we will look at Shopify vs. Etsy, identifying the benefits and drawbacks of each platform to help you find the perfect platform for your brand.
Taking a Closer Look at Shopify vs Etsy
As we have already alluded to, there are so many different platforms that you can choose from, not just Etsy and Shopify. You also have others to consider, such as Squarespace and WooCommerce
So, why are we looking at Etsy vs Shopify?
Well, in simple terms, Shopify is regarded as the largest and most popular platform for ecommerce, and Etsy is the go-to for makers who want to reach 92 million active buyers.
So, which one is best for you?
Don’t Skip: How to Start an Online Store
What’s Etsy and Who’s It For?
Etsy has managed to carve out a place for itself in a highly competitive product marketplace and is often referred to as the place to go for handmade crafts, vintage items, or customized products.
As such, the platform has garnered millions of active buyers and sellers, with its revenue coming from providing paid seller services, fees and transactions, and other common practices.
As the owner of a unique product, a handmade crafts business, setting up on Etsy can be extremely rewarding, as the audience they have acquired is often looking for something a little different from the norm.
For example, on Etsy, buyers can search for hyper-specific items that aren’t stocked by the thousands of Amazon warehouses, like a mug with a movie catchphrase or “scarves made by grandmas.”
Etsy customers also tend to be more open to testing new products, given their desire to invest in individual creators instead of faceless storefronts. As a result, this can be a great option if you’re making DIY products or just starting a product business, as the barrier to getting initial purchasers is lower.
Setting up an Etsy shop is also extremely easy, as the process is a simple click and complete style. Even your Grandma could do it.
Before you know it, Nana’s Knits could be a trending product.
However, one of the main concerns we have found with Etsy is the various costs that you incur throughout the process.
You’ve got the listing fee, which is a flat 0.20 USD per listing. You then have the transaction fees, which sit at 6.5%. Finally, you have the monthly subscription cost, which is $10 for Etsy
Plus, you’ll need this membership to have enough space to list your products and sell a suitable quantity.
Before you know it, it can feel like Nana’s Knits is actually losing money!
There are also fewer branding opportunities compared to other platforms like Shopify. The overall branding and design options are limited, especially when you factor in the numerous free and paid themes on offer at Shopify
That said, Etsy does offer a very generous 30-day free trial, which you can use to get familiar with the platform and see if it suits your brand.
Keep Learning: How to Start an Etsy Store
Pros of Etsy
- Access to a very specific target audience, who are very receptive to products that fit their requirements.
- Quick and easy to set up.
- Quicker to establish a foothold in the market if your product matches customer search behavior.
Cons of Etsy
- There are lots of different costs to factor in.
- Limited personalization options.
- A smaller audience than Shopify.
Who Is Etsy For?
If you are offering a unique product or service, or something extremely personalized. Ideal for makers, crafters, and artists. Plus, Etsy has a much lower barrier to initial purchasers than Shopify.
What’s Shopify and Who’s It For?
As discussed, Shopify is by far the biggest ecommerce platform in the world, and for a good reason.
For starters, setting up a Shopify store is incredibly quick and easy. It’s clear that plenty of effort has been put into making the user experience as easy as possible, allowing ecommerce entrepreneurs to focus on the key components that will help them stand out from the competition.
It is also much easier to set up separate product categories, blog content, and other key components of a successful ecommerce store.
Where it really shines, though, is in the various apps on offer. Similar to a platform like WordPress, which has a plethora of blog-related plugins to take advantage of, Shopify has a wide variety of ecommerce tools you can implement to take your business to the next level, including marketing tools, email marketing, and so on.
However, all these additional features do mean that the monthly membership cost is slightly higher, starting at $39 for the Basic subscription all the way up to $2,300 for Shopify Plus.
However, this shows that Shopify is also built to grow with your brand, allowing you to change through each monthly membership tier as your business progresses.
Shopify also provides users with a free trial, although it is only 14 days instead of 30 days. That said, 14 days should be more than enough time to get familiar with the platform.
Keep Learning: How to Start a Shopify Store
Pros of Shopify
- Extremely user-friendly with a simple user interface.
- Thousands of shop templates to choose from.
- Scalable pricing options that match your business’s size.
Cons of Shopify
- More difficult to differentiate your brand due to the sheer volume of sellers using the platform.
- Shorter free trial period.
- More expensive monthly cost than Etsy.
Who Is Shopify For?
Shopify is ideal for any ecommerce entrepreneur who wants a trusted, well-rounded platform that is easy to use and offers plenty of personalization opportunities and growth-driving plugins and features.
Determining the Winner of Shopify vs Etsy
Ultimately, picking the right platform for your brand will depend entirely on the products and services you provide and your personal preferences.
If you’re an artist, maker, or craftsperson, Etsy’s unique customer base might be the right option. For those who want to build a six-figure ecommerce brand, Shopify’s tiered system might be a better option.
Whatever the case, we’ve got your back every step of the way, with a highly detailed masterclass and creating the perfect online store and scaling it to reach new customers.
You can access the Start and Scale course by clicking below.
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