Etsy vs. Shopify: Where to Sell Your Planners?

November 13, 2024

So, you’ve designed some awesome planners and you’re ready to start selling. But where do you set up shop? Two big names always pop up: Etsy and Shopify. Both let you sell online, but they work in different ways. Let’s break it down in simple terms to help you choose the best platform for your planner business.

Imagine this:

Etsy is like a busy craft fair. Lots of people come to browse handmade and unique items. You rent a small stall to show off your planners.
Shopify is like opening your own store. You have complete control over how your store looks and works, but you need to bring in your own customers.

Let’s dive deeper into each platform:

Etsy: The Handmade Haven

How it works:

Etsy is a marketplace specifically for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. Think of it like a giant online market where shoppers come looking for unique, creative things. You create an Etsy account, list your planners, and Etsy takes care of things like payment processing. Easy peasy!

Listing your planners:

Listing on Etsy is pretty straightforward. You upload photos of your planners, write catchy descriptions, and set your prices. Etsy provides a simple template to guide you, so you don’t need to be a tech whiz.

Traffic:

The good thing about Etsy is that it already has a huge audience of shoppers interested in handmade goods. This means you get some free traffic to your listings without doing much! However, you’ll still need to optimize your listings with the right keywords so people can find your planners easily.

Ads:

Etsy offers its own advertising program called Etsy Ads. You can pay to have your planners appear higher in search results or in other prominent spots on Etsy. This can be a good way to get more eyes on your products, especially when you’re starting.

Fees:

Etsy charges a small fee for each listing and takes a percentage of each sale you make. They also have payment processing fees. It’s important to factor these fees into your pricing so you can make a profit.

In a nutshell:

Pros: Easy to set up, built-in audience, simple listing process.
Cons: Less control over your shop’s design, competition from other sellers, Etsy’s fees.

Shopify: Your Own Online Empire

How it works:

Shopify is a platform that lets you create your own online store from scratch. You have complete control over your store’s design, branding, and how you sell your products. It’s like building your own website, but Shopify provides all the tools and features you need.

Listing your planners:

Shopify gives you more flexibility when listing your planners. You can create detailed product pages with multiple images, videos, and customer reviews. You can also organize your products into collections and offer different options like colors or sizes.

Traffic:

With Shopify, you’re responsible for bringing traffic to your store. This means you’ll need to learn about marketing strategies like social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing. It takes more effort, but you have more control over reaching your ideal customers. Read more about 12 Simple Tips to Get More Followers on Instagram.

Ads:

You can run ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram to drive traffic to your Shopify store. This can be a powerful way to reach a wider audience and increase sales.

Fees:

Shopify charges a monthly fee for using their platform. They also have transaction fees if you use their payment gateway. However, you can often find apps and integrations that offer lower fees.

In a nutshell:

Pros: Full control over your store, more customization options, potential for higher profits.
Cons: Requires more effort to set up and market, monthly fees, need to drive your own traffic.

Which platform is right for you?

Choosing between Etsy and Shopify depends on your needs and goals. Here’s a simple guide:

Choose Etsy if:

You’re new to selling online and want an easy way to get started.
You prefer a simple listing process and don’t need a lot of customization.
You want to tap into Etsy’s existing audience of shoppers interested in handmade goods.
You’re comfortable with Etsy’s fees and selling alongside other sellers.

Choose Shopify if:

You want full control over your store’s design and branding.
You’re willing to invest time and effort in marketing your store and driving traffic.
You want to build a long-term brand and have more control over your business.
You’re comfortable with managing your own website and handling technical aspects.

Still not sure?

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature	Etsy	Shopify
Type of platform	Marketplace	Website builder
Setup	Easy	More complex
Listing process	Simple	More flexible
Traffic	Built-in audience	You drive traffic
Design	Limited customization	Full control
Fees	Listing fees, transaction fees	Monthly fee, transaction fees
Branding	Less control	More control
Ideal for	Beginners, handmade goods	Established businesses, long-term growth

Choosing the right platform to sell your planners is a crucial step in your entrepreneurial journey. Both Etsy and Shopify offer unique advantages, but ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual circumstances and goals. It’s like choosing the right pair of shoes: what fits one person perfectly might pinch another.

Etsy, with its bustling marketplace atmosphere, provides a ready-made audience of shoppers specifically seeking handmade and unique items like your planners. It’s like setting up shop in a popular craft fair where you know foot traffic is already high. This can be especially beneficial when starting out, as you can tap into Etsy’s existing customer base and gain valuable selling experience without the added pressure of driving your own traffic. Think of it as a training ground where you can hone your skills in product photography, writing compelling descriptions, and providing excellent customer service.

However, as your business grows and you become more established, you might find Etsy’s limitations restrictive. Like a stall in a crowded market, your shop might get lost amongst the competition. This is where Shopify comes in, offering you the freedom and flexibility to build your own unique online store. Imagine designing your own storefront, choosing your own décor, and arranging your planners exactly how you envision them. Shopify gives you complete control over your brand identity and customer experience.

With Shopify, you’re not just renting a stall in a marketplace; you’re building your own online empire. This requires more effort and investment, as you’ll be responsible for driving traffic to your store through marketing strategies like social media, SEO, and email campaigns. Think of it as opening a boutique in a quiet neighborhood: you need to actively attract customers through advertising and word-of-mouth. But the rewards can be greater, as you have the potential to build a loyal customer base and establish a strong brand presence.

The beauty is, you don’t necessarily have to choose just one! Consider a hybrid approach: start with Etsy to gain experience and build an initial following, then gradually transition to your own Shopify store as your business expands. This allows you to test the waters, learn the ropes of online selling, and establish a foundation before investing in your own website.

Think of it like this: you start by selling your planners at a local craft fair (Etsy), where you gain valuable experience and connect with customers. As demand grows, you decide to open your own dedicated shop (Shopify) where you have more space, control, and potential for growth.

No matter which path you choose, remember that experimentation is key. Don’t be afraid to try different approaches, analyze your results, and adapt your strategy accordingly. The world of online selling is constantly evolving, and the most successful entrepreneurs are those who are willing to learn and adapt.

So, go forth and conquer the world of online planner sales! Whether you choose Etsy, Shopify, or a combination of both, remember to focus on creating amazing planners, providing excellent customer service, and building a brand that resonates with your target audience. With passion, dedication, and a bit of savvy, you can achieve your entrepreneurial dreams.

Want more tips and inspiration for building your own custom planner or launching a personalized planner brand? Check out our blog for a helpful beginner’s guide: “What You Need to Start a Planner Shop” and Courses to help you get started. Planify Pro has more DIY tips to help you personalize your planner, whether you’re designing a gift, building a product line, or just creating a layout that works for you.

Check out these easy tutorials and bring your custom planner ideas to life Click Here! Don’t forget to visit our Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest for more inspiration—and to explore our wide selection of premade planner templates, design stickers, and fonts for making your own personalized planner. Let Planify Pro help you on your journey to planner success!