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When it comes to creating an eCommerce shop, there are many different platforms you can go for. From classic and more basic software like Angular to fully-fledged systems like Salesforce, there’s something for every business out there trying to grow their eCommerce presence. Now, two platforms that have caught everyone’s attention for a while now are Shopify and Etsy. These two tools for eCommerce stores have very different capabilities but are still worth comparing, as they could serve your business depending on your specific needs. In this blog post, we’ll compare the key aspects of both Shopify and Etsy so you can make an infrared decision before choosing one for eCommerce nearshore development projects.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that enables individuals and businesses to create and run their online stores. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features that simplify the process of setting up, managing, and growing an eCommerce business - allowing store owners to maintain full control of their online shop on this hosting software. As a software-as-a-service solution, meaning that it is a web-based platform accessible through a browser. It eliminates the need for complex coding when it comes to maintaining the store, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on their products and customers.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is a popular eCommerce platform with at least 2.1 million sellers and around 40 million buyers. This is an online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and craft items. It provides a platform for artisans, creators, and small businesses to sell their unique and personalized products to a global customer base. Unlike traditional eCommerce platforms, Etsy focuses on fostering a sense of community and discovery for buyers seeking one-of-a-kind items. Sellers can set up their own Etsy shops, customize their storefronts, and list their products within the marketplace. Etsy offers features like integrated payment processing, shipping options, and tools for managing listings. It also emphasizes the importance of a supportive community by providing forums, seller resources, and opportunities for collaboration.
Shopify vs Etsy: Which One Is Better For eCommerce?
Price comparison.
Shopify offers three main pricing plans: Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month). Each plan includes website hosting, SSL certificate, and access to all the basic features. Etsy charges $0.20 for each item listed on your shop. Once an item sells, there is a 5% transaction fee on the sale price (including the shipping price you set). While its upfront costs may seem lower than Shopify's, remember that Etsy takes a cut from each of your sales so in the long-term this number could even itself out.
SEO and built-in marketing.
Shopify provides several SEO tools for optimizing your site structure and content, with built-in search engine optimization features to help your store rank well in search engine results. It also offers marketing tools, such as discount codes, social media integrations, and email marketing capabilities, to promote your products and engage with customers. Now, Etsy being a marketplace with high traffic volume, your products have a good chance of being found without much effort on your part. Still, it offers has basic SEO tools like customizable titles and meta descriptions and design in-store customization capabilities.
Marketplace discoverability.
Etsy offers higher discoverability chances because of the community aspects tied with this platform. In fact, it’s not just a platform; it's a vibrant global marketplace with an established community of buyers who actively seek unique and personalized products. By joining Etsy, you gain access to a built-in customer base that appreciates and values your niche offerings. Shopify, on the other hand, will just service to host your website. Granted, this can be a robust site
Inventory management.
Shopify provides robust inventory management tools. You can track stock levels, set up automated reordering, and receive inventory level alerts. It;s fairly easy to automate a ot of it, too. With Etsy, listing management can be more time-consuming because you have to renew listings manually every 4 months. However, it does offer basic features like quantity tracking to make your life easier throughout the process.
Payment Options.
Shopify supports over 100 different payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, etc. Additionally, there's Shopify Payments - its own payment processor. This makes your in-store payments a lot simpler to navigate for your customers. Now, Etsy simplifies payments by combining all payment methods into one system called Etsy Payments. It accepts credit cards, debit/bank cards, Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits, PayPal, some bank transfer services, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Who Should Use Shopify And Who Should Go For Etsy?
At the end of the day, Shopify is better for those who want to build a full-fledged, scalable online store with their own branding, while Etsy is more suited to arts and crafts-related sellers or individuals who want to reach an existing customer base without the technical hassle. Because of its robust application-building capabilities and the complete autonomy it grants to eCommerce store owners, Shopify is the best long-term option to create a long-lasting online presence independent from any third-party marketplace platforms. Still, Etsy is an amazing place to start thanks to its existing audience and community aspects that offer significant growth potential to those selling products or services related to arts and crafts, digital products, design services, and handmade goods.
Hire Shopify And Etsy Professionals With The Help Of Blue Coding’s Nearshore eCommerce Development Services
At Blue Coding, we understand the importance of having the right nearshore development team, especially when it comes to growing or starting an eCommerce business at a time when some online niches might seem oversaturated. Whether you choose to develop your new eCommerce application with Etsy or Shopify, our eCommerce nearshore development team can help you find the right design for your online store and build an application that can make your products or services shine to potential customers. We can help you create your own development team of nearshore developers from Latin America at a competitive cost, or you can opt to hire our eCommerce team directly to solve your development needs. If any of these options interest you, feel free to reach out and join a free discovery call with us. Contact us today to learn more about our eCommerce nearshore development services!
