Selling printed products online enables a print shop to expand its customer base and sales volume. So, selecting the right platform to sell online is very critical. Etsy and Shopify offer different ways of selling print products online. Etsy enables sellers to list their print products online.
Etsy connects sellers with customers looking for the product. Similarly, Shopify allows creating a branded store. Print business services will also assist print shops to grow online. So, what platform to choose for a print business? It all depends on your product, budget, branding needs, and development goals. Choosing the Best Online Store for Print Products can also help a business manage its online sales more effectively.
Understanding Etsy and Shopify
1. What Is Etsy?
Etsy is an online marketplace where buyers can get creative, custom, and handcrafted goods. Etsy helps to attract potential clients to newly opened stores. The platform may be useful for small print shops to market their products fast.
2. What Is Shopify?
Shopify is an online store creation service where one can have full control over their shop. But then one needs to attract their visitors through SEO, social media marketing, emails, and ads. It can work well for an Online Store for Printing Business that enablesmore control for online presence.
3. Which Print Shops Can Utilize Etsy or Shopify Best?
Etsy is suitable for individual sellers and small niche businesses. Shopify is best for developing print shop websites. The choice can depend on whether the business needs a simple marketplace or a more flexible and the Best Ecommerce Platform for Print Shops.
Comparison of Etsy and Shopify
The most basic difference is that Etsy is a kind of online market that is shared by all. Shopify is more like an individual’s online business. The table below shows the features of Etsy and Shopify:
| Feature | Etsy | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Store type | Marketplace | Own online store |
| Built-in audience | Yes | No |
| Brand control | Limited | High |
| Store design | Limited | Highly customizable |
| Product listings | Listing fees apply | No listing fees |
| Monthly plan | No standard monthly store fee | Monthly subscription |
| Customer relationship | More marketplace-based | More direct |
| Product range | More marketplace rules | More flexibility |
| Growth | Suitable for small sellers | Suitable for growing brands |
- Beginning and Learning Curve : Etsy is ideal for starters. Adding products is quick. Setting up Shopify takes time but offers more flexibility over the store.
- Branding and Customization : The Etsy system operates on a rigid marketplace model. The Shopify system allows customization of a business’s store according to their brand.
- Marketplace Visitors vs Customer Attraction by the Business : Using the Etsy system, businesses get customers who visit the marketplace. Using the Shopify system, businesses have to attract customers through SEO, social media, emails, and ads.
- Customisation and Diverse Products : Both platforms permit product customization. A print business that needs to provide different versions of a product will need additional capabilities.
- Scalability for a Growing Print Business : The Etsy platform works well for small businesses. Shopify is helpful for expanding print businesses. Businesses can also consider Print Ecommerce Solutions for Small Print Shops when they need more features as they grow.
Which Platform Is Better for Different Types of Print Shops?
- Etsy for New and Small Print Businesses : Etsy for print businesses is applicable when there is a need to try new products. It can also be applied by sellers who lack large marketing budgets.
- Shopify for Growing Print Shops : Shopify for print shops is applicable when there is a need to create an independent store. This can also apply to growing catalogs and loyal customers.
- Shopify for Print-on-Demand Businesses : Shopify for print-on-demand businesses creates a branded POD store. Shopify can connect fulfillment and other applications for better order processing.
- Shopify for Commercial Printers : Commercial printers have particular needs like file uploads, pricing, approvals, and customer-specific product customization. In selecting between Shopify or Etsy for Commercial Printers, a business needs to look at their advertising needs too.
Factors to Consider before Selecting
- Size and Goals of the Business : A small print business will have low demands for its storefront software, but a growing business will require more from it.
- Product Line : Consider the products offered by your business. Cards, signs, customized clothing, packaging, and other print items might require certain storefront capabilities.
- Costs and Selling Expenses : Consider all the possible costs before you choose a platform for selling print products. They include subscriptions, listing fees, payment fees, applications, shipping, etc.
- Branding and Control : Branding is an important aspect for a professional print business. Although Shopify provides more choices when it comes to branding, Etsy is built on a marketplace model.
- Customer Reach : Etsy has customers from day one. Shopify needs you to attract visitors through marketing, search, social media, and so forth.
Why Print Shops Need More than an Online Store
A regular store might not be able to cover all the printing requirements. A print-focused system can add:
- Product Customization Online : Users can modify the text, images, sizes, and other specifications of their products before placing an order. The printing process becomes easier.
- Automatic Pricing : The application can calculate the price based on quantity, sizes, paper quality, and other criteria. The users will know the price even before making any payment.
- Ordering Process Automation : Approved orders will advance to the next phase of production with minimal human involvement.
How Print Ecommerce Solutions Help Print Businesses Scale
- Web-to-Print Storefronts : A web-to-print services storefront provides customers with a simple way to browse products, customize orders, upload files, and place orders online. It may help print shops take orders anytime.
- Workflow Automation : Automation could connect such processes as pricing, ordering, approvals, and production. It can reduce manual intervention in order processing and enhance print firms’ order-processing capability.
- Connection Between Production and Inventory : A connection between the online print store and production and inventory could help manage orders, inventory, and production.
Why a Custom Print eCommerce Platform Could Be the Solution to Move Forward
- What Are the Limitations of Etsy and Shopify? : Etsy is user-friendly but has certain limitations regarding the marketplace. Shopify has more options but may need some additional applications for complex printing processes.
- Benefits of Having a Dedicated Print Ecommerce Platform : Such a platform will integrate ordering, customization, pricing, file management, approval, and production processes. Companies will be able to handle complex order management using a dedicated platform.
- Why Working With a Print Ecommerce Expert Is Important : Printdeed works with printing and POD business on customer acquisition, storefront creation, workflow management, and operations. The company serves as a software provider and an IT and digital growth partner for businesses.
Conclusion
The selection between Etsy and Shopify is determined by the requirements of the print business. The ecommerce system for print store will also help you facilitate order processing and print operations.
As the business grows, the company could benefit from a dedicated ecommerce solution for print business. PrintDeed could help your company make your online print store smarter. Book a free Strategy Call with PrintDeed to see how you can optimize your order processing and print business workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for my print shop – Etsy or Shopify?
Etsy could work for new and small shops looking for marketplace traffic. It might work well for the growth of the business because of the additional branding, marketing, and scalability options it offers.
Can I move my print store from Etsy to Shopify?
Yes, but you can only migrate product information to Shopify. The customer information cannot be migrated. A migration strategy should be created first.
Can one sell customized print products through Shopify?
Yes, it is possible to sell customized print products through Shopify. Some additional software would be required for that purpose.
