On Etsy our store made $200k in 2024.
On Shopify our store made $3k in 2024.
I understand that on Etsy we use Etsy Ads and it makes very easy to start your business (but costly).
Why Shopify does not make something like Shopify Ads, to bring customers from Google or any other places?
I think many shop owners are ready to pay for each visitor (potential customer).
Topic summary
A store owner reports a stark revenue difference: $200k on Etsy versus $3k on Shopify in 2024. They attribute Etsy’s success to its built-in advertising system (Etsy Ads), which simplifies customer acquisition despite higher costs.
Key Question:
Why doesn’t Shopify offer a similar “Shopify Ads” feature to drive traffic from Google and other sources?
Explanation Provided:
- Shopify operates as a standalone platform, not a marketplace, placing customer acquisition responsibility on merchants
- The platform prioritizes flexibility and control over building its own ad network
- Shopify integrates with existing advertising platforms (Google Ads, Facebook Ads) rather than creating proprietary solutions
Suggested Approach:
Leverage Shopify’s existing ad integrations while maintaining the Etsy store, gradually building the Shopify presence over time.
The discussion remains open regarding whether Shopify should develop a pay-per-visitor advertising option similar to marketplace platforms.
Your Etsy store made $200k in 2024 with Etsy Ads, while your Shopify store made $3k. Etsy’s marketplace and ad system bring built-in traffic easily (though expensively), while Shopify, a standalone platform, leaves customer acquisition to you.
Shopify doesn’t offer “Shopify Ads” because it focuses on giving you control, integrates with existing ad platforms (Google, Facebook), and avoids the complexity of building its own ad network.
Merchants might like a pay-per-visitor option, but Shopify bets on flexibility instead.
To boost Shopify revenue, try its ad integrations or stick with Etsy while growing Shopify gradually.