You have finally decided that you want to sell your product online – but now, one big question remains: should you go for Amazon, or should you go for Shopify? Amazon has been around for as long as we’ve known Internet shopping – but Shopify also proves to be quite promising. So, which one has more pros than it has cons? Well, we are just about to find out.
Going for Amazon
It’s no secret at this point that Amazon is likely the world’s biggest online store, selling everything from toothpicks and rare foods to video games, books, and specialized electronic equipment. You can probably even find Santa Claus there if you look hard enough – or at least apps with him. Most eCommerce experts find the platform to be the most effective.
The advantage of Amazon is that you can get connected with millions of potential customers every day. It is very easy to get yourself started – and there are also no restrictions on the items that you want to sell. Plus, when people look up a product, the chances are that Amazon links will show up first thing on the Google searches. This can bring you a great influx of customers.
However, the drawback is that Amazon is quite a big platform – which means that there will also be quite a lot of competition. You will have to make an effort to stand out from other sellers. Plus, unlike other eCommerce channels, you will be required to purchase UPC codes for every product. Amazon charges quite a high referral fee for every product that you sell – so, if you want to make a profit, you will have to sell at a higher price.
The Shopify Route
If you wish to create a fully customized website for eCommerce that has your name in the domain, then Shopify might be the more appropriate choice. It allows you to custom-build your website by using customizable themes – something that you cannot do with Amazon. Plus, when you create your own website by using a custom domain name, your brand gets more credibility. Moreover, the perk of Shopify is that you may integrate it with marketplaces such as Amazon, allowing you to get the best of both worlds.
However, the disadvantage with setting up a Shopify store is that it takes more time to get yourself started – that’s mostly because you first need to design the store from which you are planning to sell. Plus, since it is an independent website, you may not get as much traffic as you would with Amazon – not without a well-designed marketing strategy or a brand that already has a lot of popularity.
Wrap Up
Each eCommerce channel has its perks – and as you can see, there’s no “one size fits all” option. While Amazon might be a good choice for some people, others might benefit more from using Shopify. You just need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself and see which one is the better fit for you.
