So far we have compared WooCommerce and Shopify and Woocommerce and Etsy on our blog. To continue with this comparison, naturally, we had to compare Etsy and Shopify.
Why Shopify
We’re sure you already know this, but Etsy is a marketplace and Shopify is an eCommerce platform.
So that sounds simple enough, but what does that mean?
When you sell on Etsy, you are selling to Etsy. They take a commission on each sale (which varies depending on the item) and also charge $0.20 for every listing. This can add up quickly if you have multiple items for sale.
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that you can completely customize and keep on your own domain, just like a normal website or a shopping site built on WooCommerce. This allows Shopify to offer you more features than Etsy does. You can create custom product pages, create upsells, capture customer contact information, capture leads, create funnels, create stand-alone website pages, manage orders, and more.
Shopify Costs
Shopify also has costs associated with it, but they are pretty reasonable. The basic plan starts at $29 per month and includes a custom domain name, Shopify’s payment processing system, unlimited products and storage, and access to shop templates. There are more expensive plans available if you need additional features.
Etsy Costs
Etsy takes a commission of 20 cents per listing, and then a percentage of every sale. This can add up quickly if you have multiple items for sale or a lot of sales each month. Etsy also has fees associated with using their payment processing system, but they are pretty standard for all platforms.
Shopify for SEO
One thing that Shopify does really well is SEO. Because it’s an eCommerce platform, Shopify has been built with SEO in mind. This means that your shop will be more likely to show up on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Etsy for SEO
SEO on Etsy is a bit more difficult because it’s a marketplace. Since you are selling to Etsy, they are the ones who control how your items show up in SERPs. This can mean that if you’re not doing things the right way, your items might not show up at all. Etsy is built so that your products can reach the customers searching inside of Etsy and you need to optimize your listings accordingly.
Shopify Themes
Shopify has a huge selection of themes to choose from. You can find a theme that fits your brand and your products perfectly. To get down into the code and really customize Shopify themes you need to know HTML, CSS, and Liquid. Liquid is a language created by Shopify written in Ruby. This can frustrate things if you aren’t getting the design that you want.
Etsy Themes
Etsy doesn’t have themes, but they do allow you to change the order of items on your profile and add a profile image, shop banner, and promo video.
Shopify for Apps
Shopify apps are similar to WordPress plugins. You can find and install these apps in the Shopify app store. These apps will allow you to add new features to your online shops such as a blog or email subscribe form.
Etsy Apps
Etsy doesn’t have an app store, but they do allow you to install plugins from third parties if you want to get more advanced with your eCommerce site.
Shopify vs Etsy: The Verdict
So, what’s the verdict? Should you use Shopify or Etsy?
As with most things in life, it depends. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing between these two platforms.
Etsy is a great platform for selling handmade items and vintage goods. It’s easy to use and has a built-in audience that will help you get started right away! But if you want more features like dropshipping options or custom management tools then Shopify might be the better choice for your business needs.
Let us know in the comments which you prefer and why, or do you use both?
P.S. Read our comparison on Shopify and Woocommerce here. Read our comparison on Etsy and Woocommerce here.
