Starting an online store is one of the best ways to turn your shirt-making, tumbler-printing, sticker-selling, or sublimation business into a full-time income. But with so many platforms available—Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, and more—which one is right for you?
In this guide, I’ll break down how to start an online store, compare selling platforms, and share tips for success so you can start making sales fast! 🚀
1. Choosing the Right Selling Platform for Your Business 🏪
Each selling platform has its own benefits and challenges. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Platform | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Handmade & custom products | Built-in audience, easy to set up | High fees, lots of competition |
| Shopify | Your own website & branding | Full control, no marketplace fees | Requires marketing & traffic |
| Amazon | Selling at scale | Huge customer base, fast shipping | High competition, strict policies |
🔥 Pro Tip: You can sell on multiple platforms to maximize your reach!
2. How to Start Selling on Etsy 🛒
Etsy is perfect for selling custom, handmade, and unique products—like shirts, tumblers, stickers, and DTF prints.
📌 How to Set Up Your Etsy Shop:
✅ Step 1: Go to Etsy.com and click "Sell on Etsy" to create an account.
✅ Step 2: Choose a shop name that reflects your brand.
✅ Step 3: Add at least 5-10 listings to start (photos, descriptions, and pricing).
✅ Step 4: Set up Etsy Payments so you can accept credit cards & PayPal.
✅ Step 5: Optimize your shop with SEO-friendly titles & tags (e.g., "Custom Tumbler | Personalized Gift for Her").
📌 Etsy Fees to Expect:
✅ Listing Fee: $0.20 per item.
✅ Transaction Fee: 6.5% per sale.
✅ Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 per order.
🔥 Pro Tip: Use eRank to research high-ranking keywords & improve your Etsy SEO!
3. How to Start a Shopify Store 🏪
Shopify is the best option if you want your own branded store without marketplace restrictions.
📌 How to Set Up a Shopify Store:
✅ Step 1: Sign up at Shopify.com for a free trial.
✅ Step 2: Choose a theme and customize your store’s design.
✅ Step 3: Add products with photos, descriptions, and pricing.
✅ Step 4: Set up Shopify Payments (or connect PayPal/Stripe).
✅ Step 5: Connect a custom domain (e.g., www.yourstorename.com).
✅ Step 6: Launch & promote your store on social media & email marketing.
📌 Shopify Costs:
✅ Basic Plan: $39/month
✅ Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per sale (waived if you use Shopify Payments).
🔥 Pro Tip: Use PageFly to create high-converting product pages!
4. How to Start Selling on Amazon 📦
Amazon is great for scaling your business and reaching millions of buyers, but competition is high.
📌 How to Sell on Amazon:
✅ Step 1: Sign up at Amazon Seller Central.
✅ Step 2: Choose between Individual ($0.99 per sale) or Professional ($39.99/month) accounts.
✅ Step 3: List your products and add detailed descriptions with keywords.
✅ Step 4: Decide if you’ll ship orders yourself (FBM) or use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
✅ Step 5: Run Amazon PPC ads to drive traffic to your listings.
📌 Amazon Fees:
✅ Referral Fee: 8-15% per sale
✅ Fulfillment Fees: Varies by product size & weight
🔥 Pro Tip: Use Helium 10 to track competitors & find winning products!
5. Key Differences Between Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon 🤔
📌 Which One is Right for You?
| Platform | Best For | Customization | Fees | Traffic Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Handmade/custom items | Limited | High | No (built-in traffic) |
| Shopify | Your own brand/store | Full control | Monthly fee | Yes (you must drive traffic) |
| Amazon | Selling at scale | Limited | High | No (Amazon has built-in buyers) |
🔥 Pro Tip: If you want instant traffic, start on Etsy or Amazon. If you want full control & branding, go with Shopify.
6. Tips for Success on Any Selling Platform 🚀
📌 1. Optimize Your Listings for SEO
✅ Use long-tail keywords in product titles & descriptions.
✅ Add high-quality images & detailed product descriptions.
✅ Research trending keywords with EverBee (for Etsy) or Jungle Scout (for Amazon).
📌 2. Use High-Quality Photos & Videos
✅ Good lighting & clear product shots increase conversions.
✅ Show multiple angles & lifestyle images.
✅ Add videos for better engagement (Shopify & Amazon support product videos).
📌 3. Offer Fast & Affordable Shipping
✅ List realistic delivery times & provide tracking.
✅ Offer free shipping (factor it into your pricing).
✅ Use Pirate Ship to save on USPS shipping costs.
📌 4. Collect & Display Customer Reviews
✅ Reviews build trust & credibility.
✅ Send a thank-you email asking for a review.
✅ Use Loox for photo reviews on Shopify.
📌 5. Use Email & Social Media Marketing to Drive Sales
✅ Collect emails & send promotions with Klaviyo.
✅ Post daily on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.
✅ Run targeted Facebook & Instagram ads to drive traffic to your store.
7. Should You Sell on Multiple Platforms? 🤔
Yes! Selling on multiple platforms = more customers & sales.
📌 Smart Selling Strategy:
✅ Start on Etsy or Amazon to get sales quickly.
✅ Build a Shopify store for full control & branding.
✅ Use social media & email marketing to drive customers to Shopify.
🔥 Pro Tip: Use Sellbrite to sync inventory across Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon.
Final Thoughts: Start Your Online Store Today! 🚀
No matter which platform you choose, the key to success is taking action & staying consistent.
✅ Etsy – Great for handmade/custom products with built-in traffic.
✅ Shopify – Best for building your own brand & website.
✅ Amazon – Ideal for scaling up & reaching millions of buyers.
💬 Which platform are you planning to sell on? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🚀
