Our Creative Hustle Podcast Ep: 2 – Shopify vs. Etsy

In this week’s episode on “Our Creative Hustle” Podcast. Kaycee and I are talking all things Etsy vs. Shopify. Which is the best solution for your creative business?

Both Kaycee and I work with makers that use either Shopify or Etsy or both. These tend to be the most common platforms and the easiest to market on Pinterest.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each platform so you can make an informed decision on where to sell your handmade and digital products.

SHOPIFY

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that Kaycee feels is a hidden gem many people do not think to use. It is basically a website you can sell products from. Shopify is easy and affordable to design and set up to meet the needs of your business. As the owner of your Shopify site, you can make it as simple or elaborate as you like. YouTube videos are available to guide you through the setup process or you can reach out to the Shopify platform for help.

As your business grows, you can add more categories, flows, or even a blog to expand your Shopify site. Email and discount pop-ups are also available so you can build your email list and give your customers rewards for shopping with you. If a Shopify site sounds like a good fit for you, sign up for the blog which provides information on trends of what is selling and popular.

ETSY

Etsy is also an eCommerce platform that is affordable, user friendly, and perfect for starting out. Sellers often begin their eCommerce experience on Etsy and then expand to a site like Shopify, ultimately keeping both sites for selling their products. This actually works out well because Etsy handles billing, fees, and review prompts for you.

The more frequently you add products to your shop, the higher up on the list you are, making your products more visible. Consistency is key to continue developing products and making them available to customers. In time, your system for getting each product listed will become second nature.

Knowing your customers and going the extra mile in packaging and follow-ups will go a long way in repeat sales. A little thank you email inviting them to sign up for email updates and sales is a great personal touch, while honoring the terms and conditions of Etsy. If you think an Etsy shop is a good way to see if eCommerce is for you, sign up for the blog which discusses tips and tricks for your shop.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODE 2 – SHOPIFY VS. ETSY

• Etsy vs Shopify
• Amy and Kaycee both have clients that use these platforms
• Shopify is a hidden gem many people don’t think to use
  • Ecommerce platform anyone can set up and use to accept payments
  • You own the site and it’s very affordable
  • You can have a site built for you, refer to YouTube, or ask Shopify for help
  • Many people start off on another site, then move to Shopify
  • You don’t outgrow a Shopify site, you expand it
  • Easy to connect to Pinterest
  • You can have email and discount pop-ups
  • Your email list is built through sales
  • Shopify blog is a great place to get trends on what is selling and popular
• Etsy is a platform Kaycee really loves
  • Super affordable and user-friendly for beginners
  • No need for extreme knowledge of marketing
  • Once established, branch out and keep your Etsy
  • Etsy handles the billing and fees and prompts your customers for reviews
  • Reviews boost your rankings
  • The more products you drop in, the higher you are on the list
  • Some people feel confused with how much marketing to do with Etsy
  • Etsy strategy is not one size fits all
  • Coupons can be run on a single item or category
  • You need to know who your customer is, what is their buying mindset?
  • Reward points are a great way to reward customers
  • Can’t take emails off of Etsy and use in your email list
  • Read and know your terms of service
  • Follow up, thank your customers, and invite them to join your email list
  • Trends tool on Pinterest is helpful for Etsy Sellers and for Shopify sellers as well
  • Etsy has a blog with tips and tricks for your shop
• Both Shopify and Etsy blogs are a great place to start if you’re thinking about opening a shop
• Do your research, make that pros/cons list, read those reviews

So, Shopify vs. Etsy…which one will you choose?

LINKS

Trends.pinterest.com – https://trends.pinterest.com/?country=US                                                                 

Etsy blog – https://blog.etsy.com/en/

Shopify blog – https://www.shopify.com/blog

How to Create Your Own Natural Oasis at home – https://blog.etsy.com/en/how-to-create-a-natural-oasis-at-home/

If you have questions or want to join the conversation, email us at: ourcreativepodcast@gmail.com

 

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