Shopify and Amazon are two e-commerce giants. If your goal is not just to sell a product but to build a brand, the platform you choose makes a big difference. Let's look at which one fits whom.

Similarities and differences

Shopify is your own online store: you get full control over the design, features and marketing. Amazon is a massive marketplace with a ready-made audience, but once you're there, you're competing with thousands of other sellers.

Amazon pros and cons

Amazon's biggest advantage is instant access to more than 300 million shoppers, plus the FBA program, which takes care of storage and shipping for you.

  • Pro: access to a huge customer base as soon as your product is listed.
  • Pro: FBA handles the logistics.
  • Con: fierce competition and constant pressure on prices.
  • Con: limited branding options - your store looks like just another part of Amazon.

Shopify pros and cons

If you're after a long-term business and a brand of your own, Shopify is the better fit.

  • Pro: full control over your store and its design.
  • Pro: scales to fit a business of any size.
  • Con: you have to drive traffic yourself, though SEO and ads make that manageable.

Costs

Amazon takes a commission on every sale and charges a fee for a Professional seller account. Shopify has fixed plans starting at $29 a month and low transaction fees, so over the long run you keep more of your profit.

Bottom lineNeed a quick start and a ready-made audience? Go with Amazon. Want your own brand and full control? Choose Shopify.
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