OneBrowsing > Compare > Shopify vs Amazon Seller: Which Is Best For Your eCommerce?

Shopify vs Amazon Seller: Which Is Best For Your eCommerce?

Updated on 02 Sep 2024

OneBrowsing

 4.6

(Reviews: 123.5K)

Est. users: 3M

Price Ranges: $29 - $79 - $299

 4.5

(Reviews: 7.8K)

Est. users: 1.5M

Price Ranges: $0.99 - $39.99

Shopify vs Amazon Seller

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create and customize their own online stores, providing more control over branding and customer experience. In contrast, Amazon Seller enables merchants to list and sell products directly on Amazon's marketplace, benefiting from Amazon's vast customer base but offering less control over branding. Shopify typically involves self-management of shipping and marketing, whereas Amazon handles much of the logistics through programs like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Shopify

  1. Own online store
  2. Highly customizable
  3. Monthly subscription
  4. Requires marketing efforts
  5. Direct customer connection
  6. Wide range of apps
  7. Transaction fees apply

Amazon Seller

  1. Sell on Amazon marketplace
  2. Limited customization
  3. Commission per sale
  4. Amazon handles marketing
  5. Indirect customer interaction
  6. Extensive reach
  7. Fulfillment options available

Key Differences

  1. Ease of Setup

    Shopify provides a user-friendly interface and step-by-step guide for setting up an online store, which makes it relatively easy for beginners. Amazon Seller, while comprehensive, can be more complex given its integration with a large marketplace.

    Winner: Shopify

  2. Market Reach

    Amazon Seller has access to an existing and vast customer base worldwide, offering significant exposure to potential buyers. Shopify requires individual marketing efforts to drive traffic to the store.

    Winner: Amazon Seller

  3. Customization

    Shopify offers extensive customizability with themes and apps, allowing sellers to create a unique online store that fits their brand. Amazon Seller offers limited customization options as it follows strict guidelines for product pages.

    Winner: Shopify

  4. Fees and Costs

    Amazon Seller charges various fees including referral fees, closing fees, and fulfillment fees, which can add up. Shopify has a more predictable subscription model with additional transaction fees depending on the payment gateway.

    Winner: Shopify

  5. Customer Trust

    Amazon is a well-established brand that many customers trust for their purchases, offering sellers the advantage of an already trusted marketplace. Shopify does not provide the same inherent customer trust; it must be built by the individual store owner.

    Winner: Amazon Seller

  6. SEO and Marketing

    Shopify offers robust SEO tools and marketing integrations, allowing store owners to optimize their site and promote their products effectively. Amazon limits sellers' control over SEO and relies on its internal search algorithms.

    Winner: Shopify

  7. Fulfillment

    Amazon Seller can leverage Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) which handles storage, packaging, and shipping, providing a seamless fulfillment process. Shopify store owners need to manage or outsource fulfillment separately.

    Winner: Amazon Seller

Distinct Features

ShopifyAmazon Seller
Customizable Online StorefrontAccess to Amazon's Customer Base
Built-in Blogging PlatformFulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
POS System IntegrationAmazon Prime Eligibility
Abandoned Cart RecoverySponsored Products Advertising
Drag-and-Drop Store BuilderAmazon Brand Registry
Multiple Sales Channels (e.g., Facebook, Instagram)Lightning Deals and Promotions
Extensive App Store and IntegrationsMulti-Channel Fulfillment
Flexible Payment GatewaysAmazon's A-to-z Guarantee Protection
Custom Domain SupportAccess to Amazon Marketplace
Email Marketing Integration

Pricing Overview

Shopify

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Basic Shopify ($29) - Ideal for new businesses
  2. Shopify ($79) - Best for growing businesses
  3. Advanced Shopify ($299) - For businesses that are scaling up

Basic Shopify

$29 / Monthly

Everything you need to get started

  • Online Store

  • Unlimited Products

Shopify

$79 / Monthly

Everything in Basic Shopify, and more

  • Gift Cards

  • Professional Reports

Advanced Shopify

$299 / Monthly

Advanced features for scaling your business

  • Advanced Report Builder

  • Third-party Calculated Shipping Rates

Amazon Seller

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Starter Plan ($0.99) - For new sellers with a limited number of products
  2. Professional Plan ($39.99) - Recommended for high-volume sellers

Starter Plan

$0.99 / Monthly

Ideal for individuals or small businesses looking to start selling on Amazon

  • X number of product listings

  • Access to basic reports

  • Customer support via email

Professional Plan

$39.99 / Monthly

For established businesses looking to scale their operations on Amazon

  • Unlimited product listings

  • Advanced analytics and reports

  • 24/7 phone support

Indepth Overview

ShopifyAmazon Seller
eCommerce
Hosting ★4.8 - Shopify provides reliable and secure hosting for your online store ★4.5 - Amazon provides reliable and scalable hosting for your online store
Payment Gateway Integration ★4.7 - Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways ★4.6 - Supports various payment methods including Amazon Pay
Multi-channel Selling ★4.6 - Easily sell on multiple online marketplaces and social media platforms ★4.8 - Reach millions of customers on Amazon's marketplace
Themes and Templates ★4.5 - Wide selection of customizable themes and templates ★4.4 - Limited selection of templates for customization
App Store ★4.6 - Extensive collection of apps to enhance your store's functionality ★4.7 - Extensive collection of third-party apps and plugins
Inventory Management ★4.7 - Efficiently manage and track your inventory ★4.7 - Advanced inventory management tools
Shipping Options ★4.6 - Integrated shipping carriers and flexible shipping rates ★4.8 - Integrated shipping services with Amazon's fulfillment network
Analytics and Reports ★4.7 - Detailed analytics and reports to track your store's performance ★4.6 - Detailed sales reports and performance metrics
Customer Support ★4.6 - 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat ★4.7 - Dedicated seller support and help center
Marketing
SEO ★4.6 - Built-in SEO features to optimize your store for search engines ★4.7 - Listings are optimized for Amazon's search algorithm
Email Marketing ★4.7 - Integrated email marketing tools for targeted campaigns ★4.2 - Limited email marketing capabilities
Social Media Integration ★4.7 - Easy integration with popular social media platforms ★4.4 - Moderate integration with social media platforms
Discounts and Promotions ★4.6 - Create and manage discounts and promotions ★4.6 - Create promotional offers for your products
Abandoned Cart Recovery ★4.8 - Automatic email reminders to recover abandoned carts ★4.5 - Limited cart recovery options
Inventory Management
Product Variants ★4.7 - Easily manage products with multiple variants ★4.7 - Manage products with variations like size and color
Product Organization ★4.7 - Categorize and organize products into collections ★4.6 - Organize products into categories and subcategories
Stock Notifications ★4.6 - Receive alerts when stock levels are low ★4.5 - Receive stock alerts for FBA products
Bulk Import/Export ★4.7 - Import and export product data in bulk ★4.6 - Import and export product data in bulk
Customer Support
Live Chat Support ★4.7 - Real-time support through live chat ★4.6 - Real-time support through live chat
Help Center ★4.6 - Comprehensive online help center ★4.7 - Extensive online help center with detailed documentation
Community Forums ★4.5 - Engage with other Shopify users in community forums ★4.4 - Connect with other Amazon sellers in community forums
Additional Features
POS Integration ★4.7 - Seamless integration with point-of-sale systems ★4.5 - Limited POS integration options
Dropshipping ★4.6 - Easily set up and manage dropshipping partnerships ★4.5 - Limited support for dropshipping
Store Customization ★4.8 - Highly customizable store design and layout ★4.4 - Limited options for store customization

Comparision Reviews

Sarah Johnson

Austin, TX

Shopify offers an incredible user-friendly experience for beginners wanting to set up their online store quickly. On the other hand, Amazon Seller is unmatched in terms of its market reach; however, it can be quite complex for first-time sellers. Shopify's ease of use and customization options stand out, but Amazon provides an extensive marketplace that can drive massive sales.

Shopify 4.7

Amazon Seller 4.3

Michael Thompson

Seattle, WA

Amazon Seller is phenomenal when it comes to sheer traffic and sales volume. However, Shopify empowers merchants with more control over their store's branding and customer relationship management. Both platforms offer great features, but Amazon’s fees can add up, making Shopify a more budget-friendly choice for smaller businesses.

Shopify 4.5

Amazon Seller 4.1

Linda Martinez

Miami, FL

For my business, Shopify's interface and powerful e-commerce tools make it easier to manage product listings and customer interactions. Amazon Seller has the advantage of an enormous customer base, but the learning curve and competitive environment can be overwhelming. Shopify's support team has also been more responsive in addressing my concerns.

Shopify 4.6

Amazon Seller 3.9

James Wilson

Los Angeles, CA

Amazon Seller provides unparalleled exposure to a global audience, which has driven significant sales for my products. Nonetheless, Shopify excels in providing comprehensive support and a more intuitive user experience. For businesses focused on brand identity and long-term growth, Shopify seems to provide a better framework.

Shopify 4.4

Amazon Seller 4

Jessica Brown

Chicago, IL

Shopify's flexibility in store design and access to a wide range of plugins impressed me. Conversely, Amazon Seller's vast audience and logistical support can't be ignored. Each has its advantages, but for businesses starting out with limited resources, Shopify's more manageable fees and user-centric design give it an edge.

Shopify 4.7

Amazon Seller 4.2

Comments

Sarah_89
Guys, I'm seriously considering whether to sell my stuff on Shopify or Amazon Seller. Anyone got any insights?
TechGuru_James
Oh, that’s a good debate! Shopify gives you more control over your store branding, but Amazon has crazy traffic.
LisaT
Totally agree. But don't forget those Amazon fees! They can really eat into your profits.
Tommy_B
And Shopify’s subscription fee can also be a turnoff for small sellers.
Elena_R
True! But the customization on Shopify is next level. You can literally design your store however you like.
Sarah_89
What about customer trust? Do you think people trust Amazon more than independent stores on Shopify?
TechGuru_James
Absolutely. People always feel safer buying from Amazon because it's so well-known. Heck, they even have Amazon Prime for fast shipping!
LisaT
Yeah, but there’s also a lot of competition on Amazon. Sometimes it’s hard to stand out unless you’re selling something really unique.
Tommy_B
On Shopify, you can use SEO strategies to drive traffic to your store. Plus, you can collect customer emails for marketing.
Elena_R
Bulk orders are also easier to handle on Shopify since you control the whole shipping process.
Sarah_89
But managing your own shipping can be a headache. Does Shopify offer any support for logistics?
TechGuru_James
They have integrations with various shipping services. Still, you'll have to manage a lot more stuff compared to Amazon.
LisaT
And let’s not overlook Amazon FBA. They handle storage, packaging, and even customer service on your behalf.
Tommy_B
True, but for that convenience, you pay more fees. It’s a trade-off.
Elena_R
So Sarah, have you made up your mind yet?

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