Etsy vs Shopify
Shopify vs Etsy: Where Should UK Makers Sell?
Etsy gives you instant traffic. Shopify gives you a real brand. The right answer depends on what you're building.
Etsy
Marketplace with built-in shoppers.
Best for:
Makers testing demand or selling alongside their own site.
Pricing:
20p per listing + 6.5% + payment fees
Pros
- + Instant audience of buyers
- + No website skills needed
- + Cheap to start
- + Great for handmade/vintage
Cons
- − 6.5% transaction + listing fees
- − You don't own the customer
- − Price competition is brutal
- − Algorithm controls your visibility
Shopify
Your own branded online shop.
Best for:
Anyone building a real brand or doing £20k+/year online.
Pricing:
From £25/month
Pros
- + You own the brand + customer data
- + Better margins long-term
- + Full design control
- + Scales to enterprise
Cons
- − No built-in traffic — you must market
- − £25+/month
- − Steeper learning curve
The verdict
Start on Etsy to validate. Move to Shopify (or run both) the moment you have repeat customers.
RIOT's take
We see makers leave £40k/year on the table by staying Etsy-only. The fees alone usually pay for a Shopify site within a quarter.
FAQs
Can I run both?
Yes — and most successful makers do. Etsy for discovery, Shopify for repeat buyers and brand.
What about SEO?
Shopify wins. Etsy listings rank in Etsy search; Shopify pages rank in Google.
How long does a Shopify store take to build?
2-4 weeks for a proper launch with branding, photography, and product setup done right.
Need help choosing?
We've built on every platform here. 15-minute call, no sales pitch.
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