Ready to sell your beautiful stationery, but aren’t sure which e-commerce platform is best for you? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you make the best possible decision for your stationery business. In this article, we’re giving you a side-by-side comparison of the top two e-commerce platforms for stationery business owners: Etsy vs Shopify.
Both platforms are great for first-time and small business owners. Not only do they include everything you could need to start and run a business, but each makes it simple for someone to turn their hobby into a full-fledged business.
In Etsy vs. Shopify Part 1, we shared an overview and the pros and cons of selling on each platform. Now, we’re going to dive into the details of pricing, plans, fees, and which could be the best option for your new stationery business. Let’s dive in!
Etsy and Shopify: Side-by-Side Comparisons
Audience and Visibility
When it comes to visibility, each has its own drawbacks. With Etsy, you have to compete with thousands of other businesses in their marketplace to rank in their search results. And with Shopify, you’ve got to implement your own marketing practices, like running ads, optimizing SEO (and GEO) for higher search ranking, and generating your own traffic. One of the beautiful things about opening an Etsy shop is that people are already coming to Etsy to search for specific handmade or vintage items. In marketing speak, they’re already searching for what you have to offer. When you have your own Shopify site, you’ve got to do some nurturing to get them to purchase from your store.
Customization and Branding
When it comes to branding, one platform outshines the other by a landslide. While Etsy is great for starting your business quickly and easily, Shopify is the way to go if you want to stand apart from the crowd. Opening a Shopify storefront means you’ve got full control over . . . everything, while opening an Etsy shop means little to no control over branding. Sure, you’ll get the option to provide your logo and shop banner, but everything else is set to Etsy’s standards.
Fees & Costs
Etsy Fees
|
Fee Types |
Etsy |
|
One-time Set Up |
Varies |
|
Listing Fee |
$0.20 per listing (for every four months or until sold) |
|
Transaction Fee |
6.5% |
|
Payment Processing Fee |
3% plus $0.25 |
|
Optional Offsite Ads Fee |
15% if you make a sale |
As you can see, Etsy makes its money through fees.1 There may be a one-time shop set-up fee, but the cost is up to Etsy at the time of the transaction. Etsy also charges a listing fee for every item listed in your shop, and then they charge a commission from each transaction made. Etsy also charges you the payment processing fee for each transaction made. Utilizing Etsy’s easy business tools is great, but they do take a cut of your profit.
Shopify Plans:
|
Plan Types |
Monthly |
Yearly |
|
Basic: For solo entrepreneurs |
$39 |
$29 |
|
Grow: For small teams |
$105 |
$79 |
|
Advanced: For scaling |
$399 |
$299 |
|
Plus: For larger/complex businesses |
$2,300 |
$2,300 |
Shopify offers monthly or yearly subscription plans for business owners. When you choose to pay up front on the annual plan, you get a 25% discount (and who doesn’t like a good discount?).2 As with most plans, the more you pay, the better your plan and the features offered.
All of Shopify’s plans offer “core” features like:
Scalability & Growth:
Let’s say you’re not a new business owner, but you’re looking for the best platform to help you scale your business and grow it to the next level. Which e-commerce platform is right for you?
If you’re looking to scale and grow right now, Shopify is for you. Not only do they offer a complete package for small businesses, but each tier in their pricing plan builds on the previous. So, let’s say you start with their basic plan. It’s just you, your computer, your designs, and a world full of potential. But then, you start getting more orders than you can manage, so you bring on a few employees. Now, you can level up to Shopify’s “Grow” plan. And once you outgrow that, you can advance to the next plan and continue scaling. The beautiful thing about Shopify is that there is no ceiling, and they can handle your business!
If you’re looking to start small and scale from there, Etsy is an excellent choice. Not only do they provide a marketplace full of purchase-ready customers looking for stationery, but they also offer an option to start a website through Pattern by Etsy. It gives you the opportunity to sell things you may not be allowed to sell on Etsy while offering you the personalization and individualization you desire for your own brand. Not only that, but it’s also only $15 per month after a 30-day trial period.
Which E-commerce Platform Should You Choose?
Etsy is a smart choice for stationers who are just starting. It’s also great if you want to test out new products or just want instant access to buyers without having to start from the ground up.
But if you’re ready to scale your business, complete with your own brand style, Shopify is the best choice. Not only can you sell what you want and build your business from the ground up, but you get to take control of marketing.
If you’ve read this guide but still can’t decide, why not choose both? Etsy’s built-in customer base is a fantastic way to get new business quickly while exploring what it looks like to build a brand on your own Shopify site. Some stationers use both... with Etsy being a way to introduce their brand to that audience while using Shopify to personalize and expand their offerings.
The Bottom Line?
The platform that allows you to start small, test your ideas on customers, and grow into the business you want to be is the best for you. We have worked with stationers who have found success on both platforms. Remember, the best choice is the one that lets you start right where you are.
We hope this guide helped you choose the best and right platform for your business. Don’t forget: If you’re looking for a printing partner who genuinely cares about you and your business, we’d love to work with you! Reach out to our team today!