When you’re standing at the starting line of your eCommerce journey, there’s one question that always pops up like an annoying pop quiz: should I start on Etsy or Shopify?

I’ve heard it from clients, students, and friends who swear they’re “just dabbling” with a side hustle (we both know they’ve already ordered branded packaging on Vistaprint). The thing is, picking your first platform can feel like choosing your forever home. Except it isn’t. You’re not signing a 30-year mortgage. You’re choosing where to start. And spoiler alert, you can change your mind later without anyone cancelling your entrepreneurial license.

So, let’s break it down with a dose of truth and a sprinkle of humour, because you deserve clarity without the jargon or the gloom.

Why Etsy is the Perfect Testing Ground

Imagine wandering into a giant market where customers are already swarming, credit cards ready, lattes in hand. That’s Etsy.

Built-in traffic means you don’t need to become an SEO wizard overnight. Listing a product costs less than a takeaway coffee, which is frankly dangerous because it means you can upload ten versions of the same mug design “just to test.” And the speed of feedback is priceless. Want to know if people will actually buy your crocheted dog jumpers? Etsy will tell you in days.

One of my clients, Katia, had a brilliant idea for custom baby art. She dreamed of a gorgeous Shopify site, but we started her on Etsy. Within weeks, she knew which products got the love and which ones just got polite scrolling. That kind of intel doesn’t show up in your dreams, it shows up in your sales.

Why Shopify Sets You Up for Long-Term Growth

Now picture having your own home. You can paint the walls purple, hang fairy lights, or install a neon sign that says “Shop Here for Happiness.” That’s Shopify.

You get full control. Your branding, your design, your pricing, your rules. No more Etsy suggesting your competitor’s products right next to yours (rude). You can finally start building your email list, which is basically your business’s golden goose. Shopify grows with you too, whether you want to sell one product or launch a subscription box for left-handed ceramicists.

Yes, it costs a bit more than Etsy. Yes, you’re responsible for getting traffic through the door. But when you’re ready, it’s the difference between renting a stall in someone else’s market and opening your very own shop on the high street. One is cosy and convenient, the other is yours, with your name over the door.

The Biggest Misconception, You Have to Choose One Forever

This is the part where I roll my eyes on your behalf. You don’t have to choose. You can, shock horror, do both.

Think of Etsy as your training wheels and Shopify as the shiny bike you’ll eventually cruise around on. Etsy gives you speed and testing power, Shopify gives you independence and brand equity. I often suggest clients start with Etsy for six to twelve months, gather real data on what sells, then funnel their happy customers over to Shopify where they can stick around for the long haul.

It’s not betrayal, it’s strategy.

How to Decide Where to Start

Here’s my no-fluff cheat sheet.

If you’re on a tight budget, your products aren’t tested yet, or you just want to dip a toe into eCommerce without hiring a tech team, start with Etsy.

If you already have a clear brand vision, maybe even a small audience waiting for you to launch, or you know you’re in it for the long game, start with Shopify.

And if you’re the practical type who doesn’t like being boxed in, start with Etsy while building Shopify quietly in the background. That way you’ve got momentum and a safety net.

Remember, this isn’t marriage. It’s business. Platforms are not forever, and nobody’s going to judge you for changing your mind later, least of all your customers.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Starting an online store is already a brave move. Don’t let the fear of “choosing wrong” paralyse you. The real magic happens when you launch that first listing, when you send that first order, when you stop tweaking your logo for the 97th time and actually hit publish.

So whether you’re uploading your first Etsy listing at midnight with messy hair and a cup of cold tea, or you’re designing a Shopify homepage that you’ll tinker with until your eyes cross, know this, you can’t get it wrong. You can only learn, adapt, and grow.

And if nothing else, remember this, Jeff Bezos didn’t start with a neon logo and global warehouses, he started by shipping books from his garage. So get scrappy, pick your platform, and start selling.