This article assist you in making the decision if you're trying to decide between Shopify and Etsy for your online store.

Shopify and Etsy both have excellent reputations as eCommerce platforms. Since both platforms are established in the early 2000s, they are both market leaders in eCommerce. 

But right off the bat, these two platforms differ greatly from one another. A more accurate description of Etsy would be "a market place for handmade and artisan goods."

On the other side, Shopify is a platform that enables you to create your own online store without the need for coding.

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This just serves to superficially distinguish the platforms. Even yet, doesn't it seem like Etsy has a pretty specific target audience?

According to Google Trends, Etsy has far greater search volume than Shopify, which suggests that Etsy has an edge over Shopify because it is a marketplace. More buyers searching for vintage and handmade items make up this search traffic.

More sellers wishing to launch their owns to Shopify are found through searches than any other type of merchant.

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A comparison of Shopify and Etsy

A short comparison of Shopify and Etsy is provided below:

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Introduction: Shopify vs. Etsy

As previously said, Shopify is an eCommerce platform, where as Shopify is a marketplace. What does that signify, though?

Presenting Shopify

With the help of the well-known eCommerce platform Shopify, entrepreneurs may create their own online store fronts and launch their own companies. In your store, you are free to sell any product, including services and both real and digital goods. 

Contrary to Etsy, Shopify does not offer ready-made traffic that you can use to start selling your things right now. 

Shopify gives you the ability to brand your online store by allowing you to create and customise it. A fully working, expertly run store that competes with well-known brands can make an impression on your customers.

Presenting Etsy

Etsy is a platform designed to support and enable craftspeople and creatives to sell their goods online. Since its start in 2005, it has a massed over 2 million vendors who use the platform to offer handmade, vintage, and arts & crafts items. 

Additionally, it draws a staggering 350M+ monthly visitors to the platform. Over 60 million users of this traffic are platform buyers, with 40%being repeat users.

These figures now persuade a merchant to select Etsy over any alternative marketplace. However, Etsy is a specialised market that only supports handcrafted and artistic goods. Etsy is clearly not for you if you don't sell these kind of goods.

Comparing Shopify and Etsy for 2023: Key Differences

Now that we have a better understanding of these two platforms, let's get to the meat of the matter and determine how they compare to one another .

1. Design and Themes

Numerous studies have demonstrated that design is very important in retaining traffic. You can use paid advertisements to drive customers to your online store. However, there is no purpose in spending money if they do not like what they see. 

Shopify clearly offers superior control over the appearance of your online store as compared to Etsy.

Let's examine the design freedom provided by the two platforms in more detail.

Nearly 70 themes, 10 of which are completely free, are available in Shopify's vast theme collection. The cost of the premium themes can range from$140 to $180 

The themes are all focused on eCommerce and are mobile-friendly. The style is sleek and contemporary. 

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It's vital to keep in mind that Shopify is not an open source platform therefore, customisation is only possible with certain parts of the selected theme. The theme's code cannot be altered. By assisting you in creating a really distinctive online store that-embodies your business, Shopify can help.

The themes and design versatility provided by Shopify are more than sufficient for a straightforward, efficient, and aesthetically beautiful storefront.

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We'll state up front that the Etsy marketplace is for independent creators looking for a venue to market their handicrafts and one-of-a-kind goods.It only takes an hour to get up and running with Etsy, so you can start selling right away. That essentially means that selling on Etsy is devoid of all fluff and frills.

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Etsy uses a simple, beautiful layout that helps showcase your products to their greatest advantage. However, there is absolutely no chance for personification.

Except for a few obvious variations in the business name, logo, merchandise, product description, and other pertinent information, all shops on Etsy have a similar appearance.

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When you first start out, selling a few goods is acceptable. But in the long term, this will cause a lot of issues because you won't build your brand.

Only 10 website themes are available to you even if you decide to sell on Pattern by Etsy. Because there is little room for modification, the stores on this platform will inevitably look similar.

2. Easy of Use

Because not everyone possesses the technical know-how to create and maintain a website, many people are still hesitant to expand their businesses online. 

The major goal of eCommerce platforms is to streamline the process of setting up an online store and running a successful business. Let's compare Shopify vs Etsy to see which is more user-friendly.

Is Shopify simple to use?

Shopify is advertised as an eCommerce platform where you can set up an online store and run your business without knowing any coding.

Shopify's on boarding procedure is rather straightforward and well-guided. It takes a lot of time because you have to create an internet storefront from scratch. You must first register with Shopify, after which you will be asked to enter some necessary information. After selecting a membership plan, your store will be setup.

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A dashboard with a list of tasks, including designing your store, adding products, connecting a domain, etc., will be redirected to you.

Every step of the procedure, from choosing and designing your store theme to  your domains, is explained. Anyone can complete these tasks because they resemble filling out a form.

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It is difficult and complex to customise your store on Shopify down to the smallest detail. Despite having a simple and user-friendly design, the editor on Shopify has proven to be exceedingly difficult for many sellers to use.

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• Switching back and forth between the front end and back end is necessary to make aesthetic adjustments and alter your product presentation. In this situation, having some fundamental developer abilities is almost a need!

• Additionally, Shopify offers a huge selection of online articles and video guides to assist you with creating, modifying, operating, and maintaining your business on the platform.

Is Etsy simple to use?

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It's comparatively simple and quick to get started with Etsy. If you do not already have an account on Etsy, all you need to do is create one. 

Then you may input your store name, confirm its availability, create your business description, and upload a logo by clicking "Sell on Etsy." Your Etsy store has been established! 

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All that's left to do is post your goods, give them a fair price, and begin selling.

The on boarding procedure is as straightforward and uncomplicated as it can be. Some aspects, such as the product copy, description, photographs, pricing, etc., work best when careful planning is done.

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Because the Sell on Etsy app is available for both Android and iOS, managing your store is also really simple, and you can run your business while on the road. Online guides and video lessons for Etsy are accessible, but many are somewhat dated.

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Because your Etsy business is not a separate one like Shopify, it will appear more like Etsy than like your brand.

• You might choose to sign up for Pattern by Etsy if you're looking to create an online business. The Pattern by Etsy on boarding procedure is also quite straightforward and step-by-step. 

• Your first step will be to select your nation, currency, and language. 0You will then be prompted to add products, set up payments and billing, secure your store, and enter your store's name.

3. Scalability

An online business is seldom started with a short-term objective in mind. You want to maintain your business operating consistently and generating a steady flow of cash, even if you are just starting it as a side gig.

Therefore, it's crucial to pick a platform that gives you a lot of flexibility to expand and scale your organisation.

Increasing sales on Shopify

As we've previously stated, Shopify is unquestionably not for vendors that see their enterprise as a side gig. You shouldn't select Shopify if you are not entirely committed to your company. 

However, if managing your business is your full-time job, Shopify provides everything you need to turn your company into a household name! It includes five plans with prices beginning at$9 per month so you can start small and build your business gradually.

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Additionally, there are more than 3000 apps and plugins available to help your store perform more effectively.

You can quickly drive traffic to your store using Shopify, engage with the visitors, turn them into paying customers, and foster a feeling of community.

Increasing sales on Etsy

Etsy is a pretty well-known online market that receives steady traffic every day. Without having to invest time or money in marketing tactics, selling on Etsy gives you immediate access to this massive traffic.

At first glance, this appears to be quite alluring, however a marketplace will always consider how it can maximise its profits rather than consider the needs of the seller.

On Etsy, you are not allowed to sell anything. It must be handcrafted or vintage merchandise.

On Etsy, you can open a store for no cost, but you will be required to pay a variety of fees and charges for each transaction you make.

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You may create your own stand alone store, sell any product, have an unlimited number of listings, acquire a custom domain, and take use of a number of other helpful features 

But Patterns by Etsy is still a very new company. As a result, there are relatively few opportunities to expand or extend your business on the platform.

4. Features of eCommerce

Simply said, Shopify and Etsy are both eCommerce systems that let vendors list and sell their goods online. On the other hand, starting an online business is not a simple operation.

To make things simpler for you, the platform you select should include the appropriate set of eCommerce functionalities.

Shopify's eCommerce Features

Shopify is an eCommerce system created for vendors that are serious about operating an online store. 

It is designed to assist you in creating your online store, customisation, managing your business, marketing your business, creating a brand, and much more. It contains the most potent and powerful set of eCommerce capabilities.

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In addition to this, Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways and has over 90 beautifully designed themes and an extensive app store.

Etsy eCommerce Features

Etsy is a marketplace where vendors can easily and rapidly post and sell their goods. Although there is a consistent flow of traffic on the site, you can't really claim any of it as your own.

Etsy is better suited for sellers that operate a business as a side hustle rather than as their main source of revenue for this important reason.

When it comes to founding and operating a business, there are additional restrictions on the types of things you can offer on your Etsy store.

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To manage your store and orders while on the go, download the Etsy app. Additionally, it offers some good marketing tools that you can use to advertise your company on social networking websites.

5. SEO Functions

The best way to make your company visible to both consumers and search engines is through SEO. You can attract visitors to your online store and then turn them into buyers with the appropriate SEO approach.

Shopify's SEO capabilities

In contrast to Etsy, Shopify enables you to create an independent store over which you have total authority. This also implies that you will be in charge of using SEO, promotions, and marketing strategies to increase traffic to your store.

Shopify is aware of the significant impact a precise and pertinent domain name may have on a solo business. It gives your store a polished, trustworthy appearance. 

Your store ID will appear something like this when you join up for a Shopify free trial: www.businessname.myshopify.com.

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If you are unfamiliar with any of these terms, do not be concerned. Shopify offers all the tools and tutorials required to get started withe Commerce SEO. 

These will walk you through the fundamental SEO optimisation of your online store, allowing you to more effectively increase traffic to it.

Etsy  SEO capabilities

A custom domain is not given to stores on Etsy. Because it is a marketplace, you won't have the ideal store URL.

Etsy excels in SEO when you take into account that the fundamental purpose of SEO is to increase traffic to your online store.

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Through social media sites, WhatsApp groups, seller communities, etc., you can organically advertise your online store.

Through Etsy advertisements, which function similarly to Google ads, Etsy also provides compensated promotions. You may pay Etsy to place your products at the top of search results for pertinent keywords if you want to increase sales of your product.

6. Payment Alternatives

If you want to easily accept payments from clients and process orders, you must integrate payment gateways into your online store. You should be able to provide your clients with a variety of payment choices, including banks, UPI, wallet integrations, pay later services, etc.

Shopify's alternatives for payment

Over 100 payment gateways from across the world have been linked with Shopify. All of the popular payment processors are available here, including Google Pay, Apple Pay, Paypal, Stripe, and others. 

When using these payment methods, there is a transaction fee. Each transaction carries a fee that ranges from 0.5% to 2%. 

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Transaction fees are not incurred while using Shopify payments. It exclusively collects card processing fees, which vary from 2.4% to 2.9% plus$0.30 for each transaction.

However, you can only use any of these payment methods after selecting a membership package for your company.

Etsy's  alternatives for payment

Etsy does not require a subscription fee in order for you to use their payment alternatives, in contrast to Shopify. To launch your business and continue processing payments, you can select the free plan.

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All credit and debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and other payment options, as well as some country-specific payment options, are accepted by Etsy. In addition to a $0.20 listing fee, Etsy charges 5% transaction fees, 3%for processing payments, and $0.25 per transaction.

These fees might seem a bit extravagant, but the good news is that nothing is due until you make a sale.

7. Aid & Support

Nowadays, not everyone possesses the necessary development skills or technological competence, therefore having a strong customer support system is essential. Even sellers who have technical and design expertise occasionally run into problems or obstacles that require assistance from a customer care team.

Which of the support teams at Shopify and Etsy is the best? Let's investigate!

The Shopify customer service

The team at Shopify is supported by a very diverse and active support system. They provide live chat and phone help 24*7. Additionally, they provide client service via social media and email. Additionally, their community forum is quite helpful and busy.

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Along with all of this, Shopify also provides sophisticated specialise help for large businesses that have purchased the Shopify Enterprise subscription. 

Overall, Shopify's aid and support are completely able to offer merchants instant assistance for any problems they may be having, day or night.

The Etsy customer service

While Etsy's assistance and support options are not as extensive as Shopify's, they are also not particularly subpar. The support section on Etsy is well-organised and fairly comprehensive.You can use the search feature to look for the specific assistance you require.

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8. Pricing

One of the key decision criteria when selecting an eCommerce platform is price. You cannot afford to make any poor financial decisions if you are serious about operating an online business.

Let's compare Shopify and Etsy to find which platform offers the best value for your money while still being easy on your wallet.

Shopify Lite

For merchants who already have a website or intend to sell on social media, this is Shopify's lowest and most basic plan. It has a 30-day billing cycle and charges $9 per month in addition to2.7% transaction fees for each transaction.

You have access to some pretty useful services, including an overview dashboard, financial reports, the ability to send carts through email, split bills, and more. However, this strategy forbids the construction of an online store.

Basics of Shopify

Small enterprises and startups are the ideal candidates for this strategy. You may run your business and create an online store.

The monthly subscription charge is $29 plus 2.9% + 30 cents for online transactions and 2.7% for in-person transactions, respectively.

There are all the necessary eCommerce capabilities, including a dashboard, fundamental reporting, order administration, etc. Up to two staff accounts may be added, and a maximum of four inventory locations may be used.

Shopify Standard

You might choose this plan if your eCommerce business is one that is expanding and scaling all the time. The subscription fee is $79 plus 2.6% + 30 cents for online transactions and 2.5% for in-person transactions in transaction fees.

The features offered by this plan supplement the ones from the fundamental plan and go a little farther. Inventory may be managed across 5 sites and 5 staff accounts can be added. You may create workflows, automate some manual chores, etc.

Etsy standard

The default plan for anyone who establishes an Etsy seller account is Etsy standard. It includes some fundamental tools that you may use to list your goods, set their prices, and begin selling them online.

Etsy plus

You can choose to subscribe to Etsy plus, which is a subscription package, since the free plan only allows you to sell 10 products without paying additional listing fees.

The extra fees are still charged, but it costs $10 each month. Along with a $5 credit for Etsy ads each month, you will be given credit for listing up to 15 products.

Summery

From the beginning, Shopify and Etsy are completely distinct from one another. In order to determine which platform is the winner, we have examined the contrasts much more thoroughly in this post.

This table shows that Shopify has a ton of useful features and sale stools that a company needs to operate efficiently and expand. On the other hand, Etsy offers all the essential components needed to operate a business on the side.

We cannot say with certainty which platform is superior to the other. With the use of this information, you can assess your company's requirement sand select the platform that best meets them.

FAQ's