Update On How I Feel Since Switching From Etsy To Shopify For My Candle Business

May 2023 - I am barely entering Year #2 of my Etsy Shop, Planner Therapy. I did a lot of work the first year and got a 5-star rating, my feedback, and praise from customers...now I have enough confidence to know that I can do this on my own. Because I knew I needed to start showcasing my products via social media, I KNEW that if I did all the extra work of filming videos / TikToks / shorts / etc posting multiple times a week that I NEEDED to drive the traffic to my own website.

I will still keep my products up on Etsy but they are all on manual renewal so I have 100% control. I look at Etsy now as a tool to get the stats of my top 10 selling products of all time and use that info to start my shop off with the BEST SELLERS so that I can put a marketing postcard inside to redirect folks to my own website.

Here's how I justify the cost of Shopify: If I can blow $20 here and $20 there having a cocktail with friends, then I CAN AFFORD Shopify. haha...If I can buy more makeup and beauty products I DO NOT NEED from Amazon, then I CAN afford Shopify.

STOP THINKING SHOPIFY IS TOO EXPENSIVE YO! Pay for it, then put in work to make it worth your while by driving traffic to your own website with free social media videos and shorts.

I have been wanting to start an Etsy shop because I feel like I could be getting more sales. I struggle with coming up with content for my business and having the time....

I just dont want to spend all the fees but It would be worth it if I’m getting more costumers.

Hi I love this clip I am just thinking of starting Shopify I love your theme it is just what I need (not a candle maker) I do pamper boxes. Would you mind sharing what theme you use (totally understand if not) I am struggling with what theme to go with x

do you recommend basic Shopify or advanced?

Hi. I’m on Shopify with a free theme and was wondering how you get the accordions on the product pages? Is that an app or part of your theme?

Hi Ericka, I just finished my trial period on Shopify. And finding it challenging to move forward with the platform now that I’m in it. Would it be possible to do a video on the apps that you use on Shopify and maybe just a tutorial on how what theme you used and how you were able to navigate through it and then how your decision making was when you picked specific apps to your store now. Learning so much from you thank you and I look forward to hopefully seeing a video about Shopify in more details. Thanks again ☀️

Hi thank you for sharing. I'm considering shopify. What theme did you pick for your website? I like how simplistic it is. Thanks

Hi why do some candles not have lids on ? surely they must lose their scent even in the box ?

These comments/suggestions are GOLD!

What is your average fee per item sold on each platform?

I haven’t used Etsy in more than a year and won’t use them again (former seller on Etsy from 2007-2020). ODR… long story. Would you ever consider adding your labels for purchase on your Shopify as well?

I would just offer different scents and products on Etsy. Keeping things separate and not having competing items would work best for me, perhaps not for you... Thanks for your videos.

Question when you at first place Etsy Candle you need have candle insurance and tax. I’d etc before in order post Etsy ?

Where do you get all your wax

Where do you order your labels from for your candles?

Hey, I love your videos!! What sticker paper do you use for your candle labels?

Why would you only go through one place? It's always good to have multiple streams to include in person consignments at stores or such.

I have my products on shopify which is where I started at and honestly I regret starting there. It is so hard to market your candles when shopify only. When I release my fall line next week I am starting an etsy and Amazon store as well as updating Facebook and my website. Most of my customers are local except the few I have gotten from Facebook.

What are the cost of the two?

I am drowning in the sea of candles on Etsy. I find myself driving traffic to Etsy as well, so I feel as though I might as well have my own website. People in the comments are making it seem as though with Etsy you automatically get customers and that is NOT true. Still have seo on Etsy just like Shopify, and with your own website your direct competitor is not the listing right next to you. Idk Etsy is not doing well for me.

10 months ago you have a video in the same top, hairstyle and topic. Kinda weird lol

Hi Erica, I’m 10 steps behind here...I’m really struggling with how to create an IG shop. I have some steps completed, like connecting my IG and FB. I have a FB business page but I’m struggling with my domain, website name etc. and what I should be doing with Shopify. I keep hearing different things, different steps and I’m confused. I would love a step by step video for people like me. Who are computer napalm!!!
Thank you Jojo Wireback candle Co.

Thank you so much for your help and advice Erica! I couldn’t decide which platform I wanted to use but I just set up a Shopify and it’s going great so far 🙌🏻

You should run both store fronts. In the end it always is an additional cash stream, which is always great.
In case management and customer support gets too overwhelming, you can always outsource order management or even customer care for cheap on fiver or other platforms.
Customized shopify designs may be fun and may increase brand perception, but at least in the beginning IMO very overrated as the free templates are already optimized for sales. Also initial monthly cost on shopify can be reduced to essentials only that may put you at about 50-70$/mo

My friend did this and she is thriving!! She only listed 4 scents for her candles and wax melts on etsy. When she ships her order she includes a business card that also has her website information for "exclusive" scents. She said she can keep track of her inventory better because she only uses certain scents for Etsy. Im honestly thinking about doing the same thing when I launch later this year.

You should have both. I plan on doing both. Your website is nice

Having a website is nice but driving traffic to it is a full time job, we ran both side by side and the etsy store is a clear winner so we ditched the website and will be sticking with etsy as it works for us. keep up the good work.

I’m at a year with Shopify, getting traffic to the website is the biggest struggle. On top of that designing the store is hard for a creator like me. I’m getting there, but it’s not an easy road. Wishing you lots of luck and success!!

I think Etsy is great for those that struggle with websites, or just technology in general. There is a LOT of customization on Shopify, etc, which is great, but can be overwhelming for beginners or those who aren't as familiar with the process. It's no secret that Etsy has a LOT of fees, but I think it's a great starting platform for people. It's hard to stand out on Etsy (having your own "profile" design, etc), so I think ultimately it's best to definitely have your own website :)

Is it okay(legal/allowed) to have both Etsy and Shopify?

Awesome info! Iwanted to be “super professional” and have my own site well no knew me and no one was accidentally stumbling onto my site🙈 I now also have an Etsy. I use wix and I pay PayPal and credit/debit fees plus 3% in sales I believe. Etsy is worth it.

Just get an easy ERP solution, also helps a lot with making fulfillment a lot faster and efficient with direct API access and automatic shipping label creation with your connected carriers.

Great video as always Erica! I find WIX to be also a good alternative for people that are starting out, the fees are less than Etsy & Shopify, but in my opinion if you have a lot of sales throughout the year Shopify is a better option indeed.

I switched from Etsy to Shopify, but still have my Etsy up. I make a lot more being on Shopify than being on Etsy

Can you do a video on how to set up a Shopify store?

I'd recommend having your products back on Etsy but have them slightly cheaper on your website. And you can also send your Etsy buyers a special card with your website address and a one time 15% off coupon. That way you can funnel all your organic Etsy traffic into your website and when they buy again they'll go through your website since it's slightly cheaper.

I'm planning to launch next month. I will start with Etsy and I'm paying someone to do the initial design of my Shopify to get the aesthetic I want. I plan to keep both and eventually add Amazon Handmade to the mix in the beginning. I want to test different sales platforms to see how I like them.

Btw you mentioned in previous videos that you use QB online. Have you considered giving Quickbooks Commerce a try?

Very timely video! I just launched my fall candle line and have been loving your content. I'm working on my Shopify site now. I was able to buy my domain for $14/year so it was totally worth it. Thinking I will maintain Etsy for a year or so after this is up, but maybe it'll be worth keeping both?

Have you ever considered Amazon Handmade?

I would like to open my shop on Etsy by the end of September, but I think I will also make my website apart and see what works better for me, finally encourage me to do it, I'm just waiting to find a good insurance for my manufacture of candles and soaps

You could do you like one or two scents that are Etsy exclusive so that way people who are already customers of yours will order them from Etsy which will give you sales on both platforms, which in turn will boost your Etsy sales for newer customers. Cosmetic companies do it all the time: they’ll make Sephora exclusive products and Ulta exclusive products so that way if their customers want those products, they have to shop at those specific outlets to get them. Just an idea to boost sales on both platforms!

Currently have an Etsy & am definitely wanting to get started on Shopify & keep both sources of income, l like the idea of both to reach more people & hopefully build up a good amount of repeat customers ❣️ Thank you for another great video ❣️

On Etsy since Jan 2021....plan to open shopify by Jun 2022 and keep both sources of revenue.

Haha, I totally imagine creating a website, to be like MySpace! I'm still only on Etsy and doing pop-ups, but I'll have to dust off my MySpace skills, whenever I move to a website.😂

Also, you can totally collect e-mails from your Etsy customers! When I'm packing orders, I sometimes toss in a little print out, about subscribing to my e-mail list and it will either have a QR code, or the URL to my Mail Chimp landing page. Of course, you don't get the e-mails of the random people passing by your Etsy shop, but you can at least reach those who have already ordered. Plus, you can put the link to your e-mail landing page into your linktree (or other link service) and anyone who clicks your linktree (on your social media pages, or wherever) will see the link to subscribe to e-mails. :)

GREAT QUESTION @ the end! Would love to hear people's answers and no worries on the blooper. ☺️✨

I’m so scared to leave Etsy. I focused on my SEO and I’m over 3.3k sales, But then again I want the freedom of designing my own website. I may try to have both my website & Etsy! Off topic but I’m getting my digiboil Saturday! So excited 😊 Great video!!!