Amazon vs Shopify What is the best option to buy and sell online?
In this article we are going to review Amazon vs Shopify and at the end you will get know that which platform is best for you.
Electronic commerce, also known as eCommerce, consists of the use of web platforms with the intention of promoting and selling a product or service. It consists of different modalities, among which stand out: the online store, eCommerce by affiliation, and Marketplace.
Currently, this type of activity is carried out in all parts of the world; through different means or applications, such as catalogs, shopping carts, or subscriptions to an email. Its applications are varied and valuable benefits are obtained.
There are multiple online trading sites, but two of their top representatives are Amazon and Shopify. Both companies have made remarkable achievements; However, which one is better and how are they different?
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Amazon vs Shopify-What are the characteristics of these giants of online commerce?
Amazon is a business giant. Since its foundation, it has become a benchmark for websites that offer distribution services internationally. For its part, Shopify is a multinational company based in Ontario, Canada. Currently, its eCommerce platform houses more than 800,000 online businesses.
Both Amazon and Shopify are great options to start an ecommerce project . However, what characterizes each company?
Amazon features
Amazon is an online market that has a presence in the vast majority of countries in the world. Its products range from electronic devices, clothing and footwear, jewelry and much more. Among the main features, the following stand out:
- High sales volume: The company’s web platform hosts millions of users. For this reason, potential customers are business opportunities that should not be missed.
- Ease of uploading the catalog: Having a catalog in the Amazon marketplace is a great advantage to expand your eCommerce. The website interface is intuitive, and you can load product inventory quickly. The system will provide you with templates with which you can organize the merchandise.
- Reliability of the audience: Users give more confidence to the products offered on Amazon. This is due to the high quality of service offered by the platform.
Shopify features
Shopify gives you the possibility to open your own online store , with which you will have access to international customers and obtain a large volume of sales. The fundamental characteristics of this platform are:
- Quick and easy to use interface: Creating your eCommerce in Shopify will take only a couple of minutes. The web offers numerous customization tools to manage sales and orders. Also, its simplicity allows you to make full use of all the platform’s functionalities.
- Unlimited catalog and notifications : You can upload any number of products to the Shopify catalog. Every time you receive a sale, or a customer wants to contact you, the management system automatically takes care of notifying you by email.
- Tools of the marketplace: Shopify has for its users, numerous tools that facilitate sales management. You can use templates to manage your catalogs, or use the SEO applications on the web to increase the visibility of your products.
Amazon FBA vs Shopify How are they different and which is the best for selling products on the Internet?
Although the platforms work in a similar way , the reality is that they have different approaches. Both sites have management tools that simplify transactions. In the case of Amazon, you can use Fulfillment by Amazon, known by its initials FBA. This service allows the platform to take charge of storage, packaging, shipping and customer service.
On the other hand, Shopify has an application store, in order to improve your e-commerce. However, which of the two provides a better space to sell products? We indicate it below!
Use and Configuration
In the case of Shopify, the website gives you access to a menu with a quick view of the total sales made, your main products and a detailed transaction schedule. In case of any doubt, you will be able to find different help manuals, very well explained. Finally, the site design allows you to create the necessary foundation to build an eCommerce website.
Amazon, meanwhile, is characterized by having an extremely fast and simple configuration process. You just need to create an account, enter your details and the system will take care of the rest. Then, you only have to upload the products. You can help you with the FBA tool.
Prices
Currently, Amazon has two sales plans. The first is called a professional sales plan and has a value of 39.99 per month. On the other hand, there is an individual sales plan.
It has a value of $0.99 per item sold. It is intended for people who sell less than 40 products per month but does not have the same professional plan functions.
Shopify has three sales plans. A basic plan of $29 per month; the Shopify plan, $79 per month; and the advanced plan, which costs $299. Some features and tools are enabled when switching from one plan to a more expensive one.
Likewise, you can complement your electronic commerce with applications from the web, or from third parties, although the latter generate additional costs.
Customer Support
In case of any inconvenience, Shopify has multiple communication channels to facilitate customer service. They can be mentioned: 24-hour hotline, 24/7 online chat, emails, audiovisual tutorials, specialized support and inquiries through social networks.
For its part, Amazon has a slightly more closed customer service method . You can request a phone call, so that a specialized agent of the company can contact you. You can also ask for help or make a complaint by email, provide forms and inquire in the community forum.
Sales
Amazon’s FBA service has rates ranging from € 2.41 to € 137.32 in value. These payments are made up of the shipping and referral fees, which vary according to the category of your company. The rates per unit sold will depend on factors such as volume, size, time of year and type of product. In addition, monthly subscription costs are also added.
Shopify has sales rates in any of its payment methods. Rates are between 0.5% to 2% , although this also depends on the contracted plan. Generally, the credit card rate is 2.9%, although it can decrease to 2.4% for each item sold.
Payment methods
As for the payment methods, Shopify has more than 100 methods. In addition to having its own payment gateway, it also stands out for the ability to make payments through Amazon payments and PayPal.
Amazon, for its part, does not use Paypal as a payment method and relies mostly on its own gateway. Likewise, you can also pay with an international credit or debit card.
Amazon or Shopify? What is the platform with the best prices for buyers?
The best prices on the market can be found on Amazon . Although Shopify surpasses the platform of its competition in some aspects, it should be noted that the Canadian company provides its services mainly for dropshipping . This method consists of selling the merchandise of a third party.
The merchant has no need to store the products in his inventory, or have any contact with them. The service offers several benefits such as: less capital requirement, a variety of products and the possibility of being managed from anywhere , however; prices are not the most stable for buyers.
For this reason, the prices that are managed on the Amazon platform are more accessible and reliable for users who are looking for a particular product. The FBA service offers guarantees to the buyer, and greater facilities to the merchant.
Steps to use Amazon with Shopify and have the best of both worlds
Why choose between one and the other? It is possible to use both platforms for better positioning, expansion and exposure of your eCommerce. Shopify has the peculiarity of linking the Amazon catalog in the online store . Similarly, you can link the product details and create listings
To get the most out of both sites, you must first have an Amazon merchant account, then you will have to pay for the professional plan. Next, you have to add the Amazon sales channel in your Shopify online store . The steps to achieve this are:
Activate the sales channel
Add the Amazon sales channel from the control panel of your eCommerce in Shopify.
Press the sales channels button
A dialog box will open, informing you of the implications of adding a sales channel .
Click add sales channel
Follow the on-screen instructions for your accounts to sync. Then, grant the permissions to the Amazon account from the Shopify control panel .
In this way, the process will be complete. You can start selling your Shopify products on Amazon and vice versa . Link articles, create new offers or new publications.
I hope now you have got the basic idea which platform to choose when it comes to Amazon vs Shopify.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, we will answer you as soon as possible, and I’m sure it will be of great help to more members of the community. Thank you! 😉
