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Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Crafting tomorrow’s brands

Shopify vs Etsy: Which is Better for Selling Digital Products?

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Content

Hey there, lovely entrepreneurs!

Deciding between Etsy and Shopify for your digital product business can feel like a big decision. 

Both platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your specific needs. 

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that lets you create your own online store to sell products. It’s highly customizable, allowing you to design your store’s appearance and manage products easily. Shopify also provides tools for marketing, inventory management, and payment processing. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, because it scales as your business grows.

What is Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and craft items. It’s a community-driven platform where sellers can list their products for a small fee, and buyers can browse through millions of unique items. Etsy is great for individuals and small businesses who want to reach a large audience without worrying about setting up their own website. The platform handles many aspects of selling, such as payment processing and sales tax collection.

Comparison Shopify vs etsy

Fees

Etsy
  • No monthly fee: Woohoo, no monthly charges!
  • Listing fee: $0.20 per item.
  • Transaction fee: Takes 6.5% of the sale price.
  • Payment processing fee: 3% + $0.25 per sale.
 
Shopify
  • Monthly fees: Starts at $29.
  • No listing fees: List as many items as you want.
  • Transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction if using Shopify Payments.
  • External payment gateways: Additional fees if you use other payment methods.
 

Which is better?
Etsy is awesome if you’re just starting out or selling a few items. You only pay when you make a sale. Shopify is better for high sales volume because the fixed monthly fee might save you more in the long run.

Customization

Etsy
  • Limited options: Can change your shop banner, logo, and product images.
  • Similar looks: Most Etsy shops look alike.
Shopify
  • Highly customizable: Change almost every aspect of your store’s appearance.
  • Themes and apps: Choose from various themes and apps to make your store unique
 

Which is better?
Shopify wins here. If you want your store to stand out and look unique, Shopify gives you the tools to make that happen.

Search Exposure

Etsy
  • Built-in marketplace: Millions of shoppers are already there.
  • Search results: Your products can appear in Etsy search results.
  • Promotions: Etsy promotes listings through its own advertising.
Shopify
  • Drive your own traffic: No built-in marketplace.
  • SEO and ads: You need to use SEO, social media, and ads to attract visitors.
 

Which is better?
Etsy is great if you want easy exposure without much effort. If you have a following or are ready to work on marketing, Shopify can be powerful.

Why we pick Shopify over Etsy

If you’re just starting out and want to keep costs low, or if you want a built-in audience, Etsy is a great option.

On the other hand, if you want a highly customizable store and are willing to put in the effort to drive traffic, Shopify might be the better choice.

  • Own your marketing: On Shopify, you can own your email list, website, and audience. This gives you more control over marketing, unlike Etsy, where you can’t remarket after a sale.

  • No listing fees: Shopify lets you upload unlimited products for the same monthly price. Etsy charges $0.20 per listing and renews every four months.

  • Become a unicorn: Shopify hosts billion-dollar businesses. Entrepreneurs can grow their business valuation to over $1 billion, thanks to the ownership of their websites.

  • Made to scale: Shopify is scalable, suitable for small to large businesses. Etsy limits your branding, focusing on products rather than building a brand.

  • Unlimited products: Shopify allows unlimited products on all plans. Etsy’s listing fees can limit the number of products based on your budget.

  • More control: Shopify offers countless theme designs and customization options. Etsy has limited customization, sticking to a standard layout.

  • Less competition: Shopify lets you market your business across various platforms without direct competition. On Etsy, your products compete directly with many similar listings.

  • Less price competing: Shopify merchants set their own prices, avoiding the price competition common on Etsy.

  • More sales: Shopify’s customizable options and better control can lead to more sales. Etsy’s marketplace can make it harder to stand out.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Shopify offers the tools and flexibility to help you grow.

With Shopify, you can own your marketing, avoid listing fees, and build a scalable business. Plus, Shopify’s customization options allow you to create a unique brand that stands out.

Sign up for Shopify’s free trial and get your first month for just $1. It’s the perfect opportunity to see how Shopify can help your business thrive.

Click here to get started with Shopify today and watch your digital products fly off the (virtual) shelves!

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