One of the major challenges faced by new businesses is choosing a platform to sell on. There are a lot of platforms available and it can be a hefty task to choose which is the right one for you. Your business growth depends on the platform you choose, so you have to assess each aspect before making a decision. Etsy and Shopify are two well-known platforms used by millions of people worldwide. Both offer numerous services which makes it a difficult task to choose one of them. If you want to start your online business and can not decide which platform to choose, do not worry. This blog will perform a comparative analysis of both platforms so you can choose the one that fits you best.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is one of the most-used e-commerce platforms in the world which was launched in 2006. It enables businesses to perform several tasks such as creating and managing their online stores. The platform is full of exceptional features designed to help businesses grow. You can sell digital and physical products on the extensive app ecosystem of Shopify.
What Is Etsy?
Etsy is also an online eCommerce marketplace that specializes in handmade and vintage goods. The platform was launched in 2005 and it provides artisans and vintage sellers to reach their potential audience. People mostly sell jewelry, clothing, and home decor items on Etsy. It has a very easy-to-use interface that allows sellers to set up and manage their shops.
Comparative Analysis Of Etsy and Shopify
Usability
Etsy has an intuitive setup that allows sellers to easily and quickly list products and manage their products without any hassle. Even people with very little technical knowledge can start selling their products on Etsy because of its straightforward interface.
On the other hand, Shopify has a more comprehensive setup that takes a little bit longer than Etsy. However, its flexibility and customization features are second to none. Users can easily build and manage their fully functional online store with drag-and-drop tools and numerous resources. When opening an online store on Shopify, sellers need technical knowledge but when they do, it empowers them with more control and scalability.
Pricing
Both Etsy and Shopify offer unique pricing plans. When you open a store on Etsy, have to submit an amount of $15. The platform also charges a $0.20 listing fee per item and takes a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. The payments can vary by country. This pay-as-you-go approach is beneficial for new or smaller-scale sellers who want to minimize initial expenses.
On the other hand, Shopify offers a subscription-based pricing model with several tiers. The basic monthly plan starts at $25 and the plus plan is $2,300. These prices include transaction fees and payment processing fees. If you choose the higher-tier plans, you get professional reports and lower transaction fees. It makes Shopify a suitable option for growing businesses that are willing to invest in a customizable platform.
Customizability and Design
Etsy comes with limited customization options with predefined shop layouts. Sellers can personalize their product listings and logos but they can not change the overall design of the store. It showcases a united user experience but may limit brand differentiation.
When it comes to Shopify, it excels in customizability and design flexibility. The platforms offer numerous professional themes which are paid and free, that can be tailored according to user’s requirements. This feature of Shopify allows users to have their unique brand identity. You can modify the layout of your website and change color and fonts with the help of its drag-and-drop editor. Things get even better if you have coding knowledge as Shopify allows more customizations through HTML, CCS, and JavaScript. In other words, you can have the online store of your dreams with Shopify.
Marketing Reach and Traffic
Marketing reach and traffic are two major factors to consider when choosing between Etsy and Shopify platforms. One main advantage of Etsy is that it has a built-in audience of millions of buyers specifically looking for handmade, vintage, and unique items. This allows sellers to access a large customer base while reducing the need for marketing efforts. Etsy’s internal search engine and category-based browsing also help drive traffic to individual shops.
Shopify does not include an existing customer base. Sellers have to generate their traffic with the help of different marketing strategies. Those strategies can include SEO, social media, email campaigns, or even paid advertising. Although this requires more effort and investment, it helps businesses reach a wider audience. Shopify offers marketing tools and integrations that help sellers optimize reach and drive targeted traffic to their stores.
Customer Support
Customer support services are also essential when choosing between Shopify and Etsy. Etsy offers a help center with articles, community forums, and email support. However, its live support options are limited which makes it harder for users to get their urgent issues resolved. Etsy’s customer support is great for simple problems but more complex issues require searching through various sources.
Shopify offers remarkable 24/7 customer support that is available through live chat, phone, and email. Users can have access to the help center, video tutorials, and webinars. This brilliant support network makes sure that users can get their issues resolved as soon as possible. Users can quickly get help with any aspect of their store which makes it a reliable option.
Integrations and Tools
Integrations and tools are also essential to expand the functionality of your online store. Both Etsy and Shopify offer unique integrations and tools. Etsy provides basic integrations with popular services like social media platforms and shipping carriers. However, its range of third-party apps and tools is relatively limited focusing primarily on the needs of small-scale sellers.
On the other hand, Shopify excels in offering a vast ecosystem of integrations and tools through its App Store. Sellers can access numerous apps to enhance their store functionality. Shopify’s strong API allows for custom integrations that give businesses the flexibility to perform operations based on their requirements. These tools and integrations make Shopify a powerful platform for businesses looking to scale their online operations.
Who Should Choose Etsy?
Etsy is ideal for artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers looking to reach a global audience without significant upfront costs. It’s perfect for individuals or small businesses selling handmade, unique, or vintage items, as it provides an easy-to-use platform with a built-in customer base. Etsy’s marketplace environment reduces the need for extensive marketing, making it suitable for those who prefer a simpler, more guided selling experience. If you value community engagement, appreciate a marketplace dedicated to creative and unique products, and want to start selling quickly and easily, Etsy is the right choice for you.
Who Should Choose Shopify?
Shopify is ideal for big starting businesses or businesses with long-term visions and the desire for total control over their online stores. It serves best business owners who want to have a lot of options along with enhanced marketing tools, analytical tools, plus external integrations. Remarkably, Shopify lets users build sleek, professional, and customized storefronts based on the users’ ideas, which makes it indeed suitable for various types of stores, small businesses, and startups. Shopify is by far one of the best e-commerce platforms especially if you’re willing to invest and grow your business with the company.
Still Unsure Which Platform Is Right For You?
Even after getting to know all about the pros and cons of both platforms, people get confused about which to choose for their business. In that case, it is better to hire someone for consultation services. Consultation is among the major services offered at Inventio Tech Solutions that assist business entities in selecting appropriate platforms. Moreover, we also provide Shopify and Etsy development services so that businesses can create an unbreakable and efficient online store on both platforms. In case you are not quite certain which of the platforms is most suitable for your business, let us assist you. Feel free to let us know how your business works and we will inform you of what would suit you better.
Final Thoughts
Etsy and Shopify are exceptional and credible platforms to manage online stores. Each of these platforms operates in a rather independent manner but they do have their strengths and weaknesses. Etsy is excellent for those who wish to have a market readily available to sell their products, while Shopify is good for those who need more flexibility with customization choices. You should not choose a platform based on another person’s review, rather choose that best fits your business needs.
You might also like to read: Checklist For Migrating Your Online Store To Shopify
