Shopify vs Amazon – what’s better for your ecom business
If you’re selling online (or planning to), you’ve probably asked yourself this:
Should I build my own store or just sell on Amazon?
The answer isn’t simple, and (of course) it depends on where you are in your business, what you want long-term, and how much control you’re after.
The answer lies in this: you don’t have to choose only one platform for your business. Both these platforms are great, but let’s compare Shopify vs Amazon so you can see the bigger picture.
Have you heard about Amazon
Of course you did. Heard about it, sold on it, or bought on it. And selling on Amazon is like setting up a stand at the busiest mall in the world: people are already there. They’re searching. They’re ready to buy.
- There are over 300 million active Amazon users.
- In 2024 alone, Amazon made over $630 billion in net sales.
- Independent sellers sold 200M+ items during Prime Day 2024
What can we see from this? The traffic on Amazon is massive. But for brands, that comes with trade-offs. You pay listing fees, referral fees, FBA fees… the list goes on. And the biggest issue is – you don’t really own any customer data. Amazon does.
Shopify, the first choice for sellers
Why? It’s convenient, reliable, and has great functionality. Shopify is your own digital storefront: you choose the design, you control the checkout, you own the customer relationship.
- Over 5.6 million Shopify live stores
- Around 3 million websites in the U.S. use Shopify
- Shopify merchants did $11.5B in sales during Black Friday weekend 2024
Shopify is the top choice for many ecommerce brands, so it’s no wonder people choose it when starting their own DTC shop.
However, unlike Amazon, no one will find your store unless you actively drive traffic. To get there, you need to use ads, email marketing, SEO, and social media so you need to set up a good strategy right at the beginning. This is not a simple process and this is why it’s useful to collaborate with an expert.
Let’s compare it like this:
| Amazon | Shopify | |
| Traffic | It’s already there | You need to build it |
| Branding | Limited control | Full control |
| Customer data | Amazon owns it | You own it |
| Fees | High and ongoing | Predictable monthly cost |
| Setup | Fast, but generic | Takes work, but custom |
| Fulfillment | FBA is convenient | You choose how to ship |
Why go DTC (Direct-to-Consumer)
Amazon is great for sales volume. But Shopify is where you build a brand that lasts. You need to get control over your brand, audience, and communication.
DTC gives you:
- Higher profit margins (smaller commissions)
- Direct connection with customers (for email, loyalty, upsells)
- More control over your store
The goal is to use both platforms for maximum success, not to abandon Amazon for Shopify. We made a free course for Amazon Sellers going DTC so that you can understand the bigger picture and how this process looks like. Find more info here. ⭐
Don’t choose one over the other
Shopify vs Amazon. Who won? Noone. And everyone. To be successful in ecommerce, you need to keep looking for the best channel and opportunities for your brand.
Amazon helps your products get found fast. Shopify helps you build something that’s truly yours. Your own store.
If you’re serious about growing a brand, not just selling products, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Start building your own store, even if Amazon is doing well for you. You won’t lose anything.
And if you need help getting started, this is literally what we do every day.
Let’s build something strong. You bring the product, we’ll bring the Shopify part.
