Amazon vs Shopify: The Ultimate Showdown
Many eCommerce platforms are mushrooming in the world business scenario. People have continued to shop from eCommerce platforms because of the ease with which they can access items and things they need. However, eCommerce pioneers continue to be leaders of the whole e-retail landscape. The clear leaders of the eCommerce business are Amazon and Shopify. Today, millions of merchants worldwide work with these two platforms mutually beneficial. In this blog, we will address the decade-long debate of Amazon Vs. Shopify. Read on to find out the answer.
Amazon's Humble Beginning
Amazon started as an online bookstore in Jeff Bezos' garage in 1994. Driven by innovation and customer obsession, Amazon grew over the years into the everything store it is today - offering products across categories like electronics, fashion, home goods etc.
Shopify's Entrepreneurial Roots
Shopify was started in 2004 by entrepreneurs looking to sell snowboarding goods online. Launching officially in 2006, Shopify offered a platform that allowed anyone to easily create and manage an online store.
Comparing Amazon and Shopify
When considering using Amazon or Shopify for your ecommerce business, weigh these key factors:
Amazon Pros
- Huge built-in customer base and trust
- Competitive fees
- Fulfillment services like FBA
Amazon Cons
- Lots of competition on platform
- Little control over brand and customization
Shopify Pros
- Customizable themes and branding
- Control over online store and products
- Ease of use even for non-technical founders
Shopify Cons
- Additional fees like transactions
- Must drive own marketing and traffic
Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platform
Consider product type, budget, skills and marketing plan when deciding between Shopify and Amazon. Amazon accommodates all sellers, while Shopify offers more customization and control. Evaluate all options to pick the best fit for your business goals and needs.
Recommended: eBay Vs. Amazon - A Complete Comparison Guide
FAQs
What is the main difference between Amazon and Shopify?
The main difference is that Amazon is an established marketplace with millions of buyers, while Shopify allows you to build your own independent online storefront.
Is Shopify or Amazon better for beginners?
For beginners, Amazon may be easier to get started since it handles storage, shipping, payments etc. Shopify requires handling more operations like fulfillment but allows greater customization.
What types of businesses are best suited for Amazon vs Shopify?
Amazon works well for selling physical products that leverage Amazon's fulfillment services. Service businesses and those selling digital products may benefit more from Shopify's custom storefront.
Does Shopify or Amazon offer cheaper selling fees?
Amazon has lower transaction fees at around 15% of the product sale price compared to Shopify's monthly subscription fees and 2% transaction fees.
Can I sell on both Amazon and Shopify?
Yes, many sellers have both Amazon and Shopify stores to take advantage of Amazon's built-in traffic and Shopify's custom branding and control.
How do I choose between using Amazon FBA or Shopify?
Consider factors like product type, fulfillment needs, branding, fees and required effort/expertise. FBA makes sense for established physical products while Shopify offers more customization.
Can Shopify integrate with Amazon?
Yes, various apps and services enable connecting Shopify with Amazon for things like syncing inventory, managing orders and fulfillment.
