Shopify vs Etsy for a side hustle starting up

[Jmods]

Hi, so I am torn between Etsy and Shopify to start my small side hustle which I don't even know will make any sales....I did some research and it seems like Shopify might be better but I can't find any nice looking shops on shopify and people in my market like crafts and laser cut/engraved products all seem to be on Etsy....so Help me decide, which option is better to begin with?!

Oh, and any examples of stores in my market area that are on Shopify??

Thanks

[TheScriptFlow]

Hey @Jmods this is really amazing question.

To get start with your Custom Products sell on Markets like Shopify and etsy. So there are two options for you. And you are confuse about which platform better for you to get started. So mainly as a Developer I prefer Shopify there are solid reasons why you sell on Shopify.

1. This is very Beginner Friendly. You can Create store in a Short time.
2. If you sell on Etsy then there is disadvantage that Etsy charge it's commision but on Shopify you are the store owner you just need to pay just $29/month which become less than $1 a month.

If you are confuse how to setup a Customize Products store you can hire expert like me to Create Shopify store where you can sell customizeable products.
If you want to check my Customize Products store here are link for Reference.

https://ironimprints.com/collections/bussiness-decor

[eComInsider]

Hi, I want to add more here.

What Makes Etsy Special?
Etsy is like a giant online craft fair. It’s a marketplace where many sellers post their items, so getting your shop in front of buyers is easy.

Why people like Etsy:
It’s simple to set up.
Customers already know about Etsy, so you might get visitors right away.
Perfect for handmade or vintage items.
But there’s a downside. Since so many people sell on Etsy, getting lost in the crowd is easy. Plus, Etsy takes fees for each sale, and they show ads for other shops, which might distract your customers.

What Makes Shopify Special?
Shopify is a platform where you can build your online store. It’s like having your own shop that you fully control.

Why people like Shopify:
You can create a store that looks exactly the way you want.
No ads for other stores. It’s all about you.
Lots of tools to grow your business, like email marketing and tracking your sales.
No Etsy-style fees for every item sold!
However, Shopify does take a little more time to set up since you’re building your own space. But don’t worry—you don’t need to know how to code, and they offer simple tools to make it easy.

Which One Is Best for Laser-Cut Crafts?
If you sell handmade items like laser-cut or engraved crafts, Etsy is popular in this market because lots of buyers shop there for gifts or unique items. That said, Shopify helps handmade stores stand out because it lets you design your look. A good example is Woodgeek Store, which sells wooden crafts, or Eclipse Woodworks, known for their laser-engraved gifts. Both use Shopify to make their stores look clean and professional.
Shopify Grows With You
What makes Shopify cool is that it grows with your business. If your side hustle takes off, you can add new tools, apps, or features to your store. You can even connect Spotify to sell on other sites, like Etsy, Amazon, or social media.

Why not give Shopify a try? Click the Shopify $1 Trial and see how it works for you!

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Jmods 

It’s great that you’re considering both Etsy and Shopify for your small business! Deciding between the two platforms really depends on your goals, business needs, and target audience. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each, especially for your craft-focused, laser-cut, and engraved product market.
Etsy:
Pros:

• Built-in Audience: Etsy has a large, established customer base specifically looking for handmade, custom, and unique items like yours. This means you’ll have more visibility right away without needing to drive traffic to your shop.
• Easy Setup: Etsy is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require much technical expertise to set up a store. You can start selling quickly with minimal effort.
• Community and Trust: Customers trust Etsy as a marketplace for handcrafted goods, and the platform’s reputation for supporting small businesses can work in your favor.
• Lower Upfront Costs: Etsy’s fees are lower than Shopify’s monthly subscription costs. Etsy charges a small listing fee and a transaction fee for each sale.

Cons:

• Marketplace Competition: Since Etsy has so many sellers, you may find it harder to stand out, especially if you’re offering similar products to others.
• Less Control: You have limited customization options for your shop. It’s harder to brand your shop uniquely since it’s part of the larger Etsy platform.
• Higher Transaction Fees: Etsy takes a percentage of every sale, including shipping, which adds up over time.

Shopify:
Pros:

• Full Control Over Branding: With Shopify, you can create a fully customized store that reflects your unique brand. This is especially important if you want to build a recognizable identity for your products.
• Scalability: Shopify is built for growth. As you start making sales, you can add features, apps, and expand your product offerings with ease.
• No Marketplace Competition: Unlike Etsy, your Shopify store is all about your products. There’s no need to compete directly with other sellers.
• More Payment Options and Control: Shopify gives you more flexibility with payment options, offering integration with various gateways and even Shopify Payments (which can have lower fees than Etsy’s processing system).

Cons:

• More Effort to Drive Traffic: With Shopify, you need to bring customers to your store through SEO, ads, social media, etc. Without an established marketplace like Etsy, this means more marketing work upfront.
• Higher Costs: Shopify requires a monthly subscription (starting at $39/month), and you’ll also need to pay for apps, themes, and transaction fees (unless you use Shopify Payments).
• Learning Curve: While Shopify is user-friendly, it can be more complex than Etsy, especially if you’re new to e-commerce. Setting up your site, customizing the design, and managing SEO can take time.

When to Choose Etsy:

• If you’re just starting out and want to minimize upfront costs and effort.
• If you’re not ready to handle the complexities of marketing and driving traffic.
• If you want to tap into Etsy’s built-in audience of people specifically searching for handmade, custom products like yours.

When to Choose Shopify:

• If you’re planning to scale your business and want complete control over your branding and sales process.
• If you have the time and energy to focus on marketing and driving traffic to your website.
• If you envision building a long-term, self-branded business beyond just selling on a marketplace.

Recommendation:
If you’re just starting out and unsure whether your business will take off, Etsy is probably the better choice for now. It allows you to focus on crafting and selling without worrying too much about driving traffic or complex setup. You can always upgrade to Shopify later when your business grows, or even use both platforms simultaneously, directing your Etsy customers to your Shopify store.
If you already have a clear vision for your brand and are prepared to put in the work to drive traffic, Shopify will provide you with more flexibility and control in the long run.
Final Thoughts:

• Start on Etsy to test the market, gain feedback, and build an audience with minimal risk.
• Switch to Shopify when you feel ready to scale, or even run both in parallel once you’re confident in your products.

I hope this helps you make a decision! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,

Daisy

[eComInsider]

Hi Jmods,

Check out this sample Shopify stores that feature crafts and laser-cut products (Using a simple Free Dawn Theme):

1. Glowforge Shop: A laser-cut product store.

This store shows you can have a pro-looking store and showcase your products.