Electronic commerce, also known as eCommerce, consists of the use of web platforms with the intention of promoting and selling a product or service. It consists of different modalities, among which stand out: the online store, eCommerce by affiliation and Marketplace.
Today, this type of activity is carried out in all parts of the world; through different means or applications, such like catalogs, shopping carts or email subscription. Its applications are varied and valuable benefits are obtained.
There are multiple online trading sites, but two of its maximum representatives are Amazon and Shopify. Both companies have made remarkable achievements; However, which one is better and how are they different?
Amazon and Shopify What are the characteristics of these giants of online commerce?
Amazon is a business giant. Since its foundation, it has become a benchmark for websites that offer distribution services internationally. For its part, Shopify is a multinational company based in Ontario, Canada. Currently, its eCommerce platform houses more than 800,000 online businesses.
Both Amazon and Shopify are great options to start an e-commerce project. However, what characterizes each company?
Amazon features
Amazon is an online marketplace that has a presence in the vast majority of countries in the world. Its products range from electronic devices, clothing and footwear, jewelry and much more. Among the main features, the following stand out:
- Large sales volume: The company's web platform hosts millions of users. For this reason, potential customers are business opportunities that should not be missed.
- Ease of uploading the catalog: Having a catalog in the Amazon marketplace is a great advantage to expand your eCommerce. The website interface is intuitive, and you can load product inventory quickly. The system will provide you with templates with which you can organize the merchandise.
- Reliability of the audience: Users give more confidence to the products offered on Amazon. This is due to the high quality of service offered by the platform.
Shopify features
Shopify gives you the possibility to open your own online store, with which you will have access to international clients and obtain a large volume of sales. The fundamental characteristics of this platform are:
- Quick and easy to use interface: Creating your eCommerce in Shopify will take only a couple of minutes. The web offers numerous customization tools to manage sales and orders. Also, its simplicity allows you to make full use of all the platform's functionalities.
- Unlimited catalog and notifications: You can upload any number of products to the Shopify catalog. Every time you receive a sale, or a customer wants to contact you, the management system automatically takes care of notifying you by email.
- Marketplace tools: Shopify has for its users, numerous tools that facilitate sales management. You can use templates to manage your catalogs, or use SEO applications on the web to increase the visibility of your products.
Amazon FBA vs Shopify How are they different and which is the best for selling products on the Internet?
Although the platforms they work similarlyThe reality is that they have different approaches. Both sites have management tools that simplify transactions. In the case of Amazon, you can use Fulfillment by Amazon, known by its initials FBA. This service allows the platform to take charge of storage, packaging, shipping and customer service.
On the other hand, Shopify has an application store, in order to improve your e-commerce. However, which of the two provides a better space to sell products? We indicate it below!
Use and Configuration
In the case of Shopify, the web gives you access to a menu with a quick view of the total sales made, your main products and a detailed transaction schedule. In case of any doubt, you will be able to find different help manuals, very well explained. Finally, the site design allows you to create the necessary foundation to build an eCommerce website.
Amazon, meanwhile, is characterized by having an extremely quick and easy configuration process. You only need to create an account, enter your information and the system will take care of the rest. Then you only have to upload the products. You can help you with the FBA tool.
Prices
Nowadays, Amazon account of two sales plans. The first is called as professional sales plan and has a value of 39.99 monthly. On the other hand, there is the individual sales plan. It has a value of $ 0.99 per item sold. It is intended for people who sell less than 40 products per month, but does not have the same professional plan functions.
Shopify It has three sales plans. A basic plan, of € 29 per month; the shopify plan, of € 79 monthly; and the advanced plan, which costs $ 299. Some features and tools are enabled when switching from one plan to a more expensive one. Likewise, you can complement your electronic commerce with applications from the web, or from third parties, although the latter generate additional costs.
Customer Support
In case of any inconvenience, Shopify has multiple communication channels to facilitate customer service. They can be mentioned: 24-hour hotline, 24/7 online chat, emails, audiovisual tutorials, specialized support and inquiries through social networks.
For his part, Amazon has a slightly more closed customer service method. You can request a phone call, so that a specialized agent of the company can contact you. You can also ask for help or make a complaint by email, provide forms and inquire in the community forum.
Sales
Amazon's FBA service has rates that cover the € 2.41 to € 137.32 of value. These payments are made up of the shipping and referral fees, which vary according to the category of your company. The rates per unit sold will depend on factors such as volume, size, time of year and type of product. In addition, monthly subscription costs are also added.
Shopify has sales rates in any of its payment methods. The rates are located between 0.5% to 2%, although this also depends on the contracted plan. Usually the credit card fee it is 2.9%, although it can decrease to 2.4% for each item sold.
Payment methods
As for the payment methods, Shopify has more than 100 methods. In addition to having its own payment gateway, it also stands out for the ability to make payments through Amazon pay and PayPal.
Amazon, for its part, does not use Paypal as a payment method, and mostly uses his own catwalk. Likewise, you can also pay with an international credit or debit card.
Amazon or Shopify? What is the platform with the best prices for buyers?
The You can find the best prices on the market on Amazon. Although Shopify surpasses the platform of its competition in some aspects, it should be noted that the Canadian company provides its services mainly for the dropshipping. This method consists of selling the merchandise of a third party.
The merchant has no need to store the products in his inventory, or have any contact with them. The service offers several benefits such as: less capital requirement, variety of products and the possibility of being managed from anywhere, Nevertheless; prices are not the most stable for buyers.
For this reason, the prices that are managed on the Amazon platform are more accessible and reliable for users who are looking for a particular product. The FBA service offers guarantees to the buyer, and greater facilities to the merchant.
Steps to use Amazon with Shopify and have the best of both worlds
Why choose between one and the other? It is possible to use both platforms for better positioning, expansion and exposure of your eCommerce. Shopify It has the peculiarity of link the Amazon catalog in the online store. Similarly, you can link the details of the product and create listings.
To get the most out of both sites, you must first have an Amazon seller account, then you will have to pay for the professional plan. Then you have to add the Amazon sales channel in your Shopify online store. The steps to achieve this are:
Activate the sales channel
Add the sales channel Amazon from the control panel of your eCommerce in Shopify.
Press the sales channels button
A dialog box will open informing you of the implications of adding a sales channel.
Click add sales channel
Follow the on-screen instructions for your accounts to sync. Then grant the permissions to the Amazon account from the Shopify control panel.
In this way, the process will be complete. You can start sell your Shopify products on Amazon and vice versa. Link articles, create new offers or new publications.