Etsy vs. Shopify: Which is Better for Your Needlepoint Business?
Trying to decide between Etsy and Shopify? Here's what to consider — from fees and flexibility to branding and long-term growth.
If you’re thinking about selling your needlepoint designs or canvases online, you’ve probably wondered… should I sell on Etsy or launch my own Shopify store?
The answer? It’s not one-size-fits-all. It depends on your goals, your budget, and how much control you want over your brand. So let’s break it down, with all the pros, cons, and what-we-wish-we-knew, so you can make the call that works best for you.
Why Etsy Might Be a Good Fit:
Built-In Traffic: Etsy is basically the mall of the internet. It has millions of buyers actively searching, which means you get exposure without having to drive all the traffic yourself.
Quick & Easy Setup: No coding, no stress. You can have a shop live in a day.
Low Upfront Cost: You don’t need to pay for hosting, a designer, or your own domain. You’ll just pay listing fees, transaction fees, and processing fees as you make sales.
Built-In Discovery: Your designs might be found by someone browsing for a completely different brand, that kind of organic discovery is harder to replicate elsewhere.
But Here’s the Catch:
You’re Surrounded by Competition: Your products show up next to hundreds of others, and shoppers can easily click away to another shop.
Etsy Fees Stack Up Fast: Listing, transaction, payment processing, advertising… if you’re not tracking carefully, you could lose more margin than you think.
Limited Branding Control: You can upload a logo and banner, but ultimately your shop looks and feels like every other Etsy store.
You’re Playing by Their Rules: If the algorithm shifts or Etsy rolls out a new policy (hello, free shipping requirements), you have to roll with it, even if it’s not ideal for your business.
Why Shopify Might Be a Better Choice:
Total Branding Control: You get to build a site that feels exactly like your brand - custom fonts, colors, layout, and copy that speaks to your people.
You Own Your Audience: Every sale = a customer email you can remarket to. Unlike Etsy, you’re not renting space on someone else’s platform.
No Listing Fees: You pay a flat monthly rate, but no additional fees per product listed, which can be a game-changer if you have a large catalog.
Powerful Features: Shopify plays really well with others, like Klaviyo for email marketing, Pinterest, social selling, and even inventory tools.
Scalable as You Grow: Whether you’re offering 5 canvases or 50, pre-orders or restocks, Shopify has room to grow with you.
But Heads Up:
You Have to Bring the Traffic: Unlike Etsy, there’s no built-in discovery. You’re in charge of getting eyes on your site through Instagram, email, Pinterest, etc.
Monthly Cost: Shopify starts around $29/month, and depending on the apps you add, it can increase. Still, for many, the control and growth potential are worth it.
There’s a Learning Curve: It’s totally doable, but getting a site to look the way you want might take a little help (and a little patience).
So… Which One Should You Use?
If you’re just getting started, want to test the waters, or aren’t quite ready to invest in driving your own traffic, Etsy is a great place to dip a toe in.
But if you’re ready to build something that’s fully yours, a real brand with long-term potential and direct customer relationships, Shopify is absolutely worth the investment.
Pro Tip:
You don’t have to pick one forever. Many brands start on Etsy and move to Shopify once they’re ready. Others use both, keeping Etsy as a discovery channel while sending loyal customers (and email subscribers!) to their Shopify site where they can control the experience.
Want help figuring out what’s right for you? That’s where we come in. Our monthly retainer packages include Shopify support, email marketing, content strategy, SEO, and all the things you don’t want to do alone.
Ready to sell with confidence? Click here to learn more or book a call with us. Let’s make it happen.