There are a number of online platforms where you might set up shop for your print on demand wares. As your print on demand business grows and evolves, you may reach a point where your current platform no longer accommodates your needs. Shifting to a new platform may seem daunting, but in the long run, it may be the best thing you ever do to take your business to the next level.
Case in point: Many print on demand merchants begin selling products on Etsy, but later decide that they’d be better served by Shopify’s robust features. The good news is that making the switch from Etsy to Shopify is surprisingly simple… and potentially quite beneficial.
Why Make the Switch?
We want to be clear in saying that we’re huge fans of Etsy, and for some print on demand sellers, it’s the platform that makes the most sense. There are some situations in which Shopify may ultimately prove the better option, however. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
- While Etsy is an online marketplace, Shopify provides a more exclusive space for you to sell your print on demand products and custom apparel.
- Shopify was built with e-commerce in mind, and utilizes a more robust toolset for nurturing leads and conversions.
- Shopify also provides a broader set of apps to enhance your print on demand store, including options for announcements, pop-ups, and beyond.
- With Shopify, you’ll enjoy more flexibility to customize your store than you would working on Etsy.
- Shopify enables better search engine optimization (SEO) options than Etsy does.
Again, for some print on demand sellers, Etsy’s online marketplace may be a perfect fit. But as you grow more ambitious about the scale of your business, you may find that Shopify holds greater and greater appeal.
How to Make the Switch from Etsy to Shopify
So what happens when you make the decision to convert your print on demand store from Etsy to Shopify? Here are a few basic steps that you’ll need to take.
- Export your store data from Etsy. Go to the account settings on your Etsy dashboard and you’ll see an option to download your store data. This will create a CSV file featuring your product data. Then download customer and order data, also in CSV form; you can do this by selecting the Orders option from your Etsy dashboard.
- Import data into Shopify. In Shopify, go into Apps, then Store Importer. You’ll see an option to integrate data from your Etsy store. From there, all you need to do is select those CSV files to import.
- Create a new store. Once you’ve imported your data from Etsy, the next step is to use it to create a new Shopify store. Take some time to play around with some of the customization features available for your development store, ensuring that you’re pleased with how the store looks and functions.
- Review and update the imported data. While the data importing function usually works pretty well, we still recommend taking a few minutes to review it manually, identifying any missing pieces or areas that need to be revised/updated.
- Import new data (if needed). If you’re missing a lot of key components, you can always export your Etsy data again and then import on top of the current import. Shopify does a great job of filtering out any duplicate products, so you won’t need to worry about that.
Once more, Etsy is a wonderful platform that serves many print on demand sellers well. But if you’re looking toward scalability, then using the Etsy platform may be limiting. Consider following these steps to try out the Shopify platform.
Seek Additional Support for Your Print on Demand Store
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is essential. Just as essential? Selecting the right print on demand partner. That’s where Gooten comes in.
We provide print on demand fulfillment and distribution support for businesses across the world, including those hosted on Etsy, Shopify, and beyond. We’d love to talk with you further about how Gooten can help you scale your store and achieve your print on demand goals.
