So you want to start a business. You have a killer idea and you can sense it’s your ticket to passive income. You can see it now: designing products, talking to excited customers, working from your couch, a coffee shop, or even a hammock in Belize.
But after the idea phase, it’s time to set up shop. Printed Mint can automatically recognize and fulfill orders through Etsy and Shopify, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy growing your business.
If you’re new to the e-Commerce world, deciding between Etsy and Shopify can be daunting. Here’s a quick guide to figuring out which route to take.
etsy: The basics
Etsy is an online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and craft items.
While you can sell nearly anything on the site, most consumers are visiting Etsy for unique products.
Etsy is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to test the waters of Print on Demand without investing too much money or time. Think of Etsy as the instagram of the POD world. Your shop will be limited to the restrictions of the platform, but it may see a lot more natural traffic than a standalone website would.
From 2019 to 2020, Etsy’s customer base nearly doubled, but so did the amount of sellers on the platform. So while there are a lot of potential customers on the site, there is a huge amount of competition for their attention.
Shopify: The basics
Shopify is a platform that allows users to create stand-alone e-commerce websites.
Shopify is ideal for businesses who want to take their business to the next level. Users can set up shop with a custom domain name, which adds an air of professionalism to their brand. Shopify allows users to market goods and services and install multiple apps to help their business run smoothly.
The platform also offers built in marketing programs, like SEO advice, blogs, and the ability to offer discounts and gift cards.
Some users may want to use both Etsy and Shopify to maximize their profit, and that's totally fine! Printed Mint integrates with both platforms
pricing: etsy vs shopify
basic etsy
$ free
/ month- Listing fee: $0.20 per item
- Transaction fee: 6.5% per transaction
- Payment processing fee: 3% plus $0.25 per transaction if you use Etsy's built in payment processor
- Upgrade to Etsy Plus for $10 per month
basic shopify
$29.00
/ month- Listing fee: FREE
- Transaction fee: FREE, unless you use a third party payment processor (like PayPal)
- Payment processing fee: 2.6% plus $0.30 per transaction if you use Shopify's built in payment processor
- Upgrade to a Shopify account for $79 a month, or an Advanced account for $299 a month
Still undecided?
Take this quiz for additional guidance. Try to answer these questions as honestly as possible.
