If you have yet to dabble in selling goods on the internet, it is high time for you to consider doing so. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused numerous shifts, though, it also advocated for the use of online shopping a great deal. Thus, people from the US and Canada resorted to making purchases over the internet.
It is also apparent that many people still do not comprehend the difference between eCommerce and Shopify. They are inquiring if, is eCommerce the same thing as a Shopify store?
There is also a debate as to which is the best fit for you, rent a store in Shopify or create a store on your own. That way, it is worth your time to analyze your options before making up your mind.
Contrary to the belief Shopify and eCommerce are not interchangeable. eCommerce refers to the buying and selling activities that take place over the internet, while Shopify is an online service that allows one to set up an eShop. There are a lot of tools on Shopify that make it simple to open an online store which includes order management and store customization.
There are hordes of eCommerce platforms, each having its benefits and pricing. After all, what you go for boils down to the requirements of your age.
I’ll be elucidating more on the differences between eCommerce and Shopify and which would be suitable for your virtual store.
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E-commerce
E-commerce is the online buying and selling of items. Let’s elaborate on this in the following ways:
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Online Retailers: These function in a way similar to traditional retailers but on online platforms that enable customers to browse for goods and purchase them from home some retailers create their own sites while others prefer to use Shopify to assist in the setup.
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Marketplaces: Marketplaces are composed of large websites like Amazon or eBay where a large number of sellers and buyers converge to sell or purchase a multitude of goods. This increases the number of potential clients for businesses and also offers a wide variety of goods for buyers.
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Social Commerce: This entails the selling and buying of goods using social sites like Instagram and Facebook or others. This is quite basic since the users are already on the platforms, which makes it easier to go shopping.
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Mobile Commerce (M-commerce): Shopping with mobile phones and tablets is a common occurrence and this is referred to as mobile commerce. Companies should ensure that their electronic shops are friendly with these devices.
E-commerce empowers companies to access more consumers and cut costs. For consumers, however, they find it more effective, more selection, and most of the time good price.
Shopify
We are now moving to Shopify. Shopify is a service designed for creating e-commerce websites. It has services that ease the process of creating and managing the store.
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Store Setup Made Easy: Shopify is quite user-friendly, even for those not technology-inclined. It has themes and widgets that can enable you to create an attractive e-store.
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Product Updates: Adding, editing, and arranging the products is of utmost importance. Easily manage products on Shopify as it features product listing. Upload images, write descriptions, set prices, and keep track of inventory levels.
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Checkout Operations: A hassle-free and comfortable checkout process is a must. Shopify supports payment options like credit cards and wallets. Setting up payment and having it makes the process easy.
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Marketing Options: Virgin marketing is very important in the case of online shopping. Shopify has functionality that allows for the capture of customers. This includes email campaigns, social media pages, SEO options, and even coupons.
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Business Expansion: As companies increase in size, so does Shopify. It proposes different plans where features increase with time. And there are additional tools in the Shopify app store that help other types of businesses.
Is E-commerce Different From Shopify Stores? Difference Between Shopify and E-commerce
There is a relationship between the two, but they are not identical, for instance, ecommerce and Shopify. E-commerce is the trading of goods and services over the Internet. A Shopify store is one of the many options when you want to set up a new store online.
E-commerce entrepreneurs do like using the Shopify platform due to its simplicity. By using it, however, one is not limited to using it alone, there’s also Wix or BigCommerce. Pick what best suits you.
Aside from using Shopify, one can also begin selling using e-commerce. It’s crucial to distinguish the two if you wish to start your online business.
1. Scope: Shopify vs. E-commerce
Social selling through Shopify allows you to do more than just that. You can decide to start by building your own custom online store, selling in large marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay, or even selling directly on social networks.
For example, Shopify is among some of the tools that you can use. It makes it easier for you to establish and manage your online store. It is like a store starter pack that contains all that one needs to start building websites fast.
2. Customization: Shopify vs. E-commerce
E-commerce allows you to unleash your full potential. You are able to construct your store exactly as you would want, however, certain knowledge is required and it can be rather expensive. It’s similar to constructing your own store from the very start but with the appropriate materials and algorithms, it can be wonderful.
On the other hand, stores built on Shopify are easier to set up. Due to the presence of the templates and tools that are needed for assistance, it becomes easier. No particular knowledge of coding is required but, the trade-off is that the appearance of your store is not modifiable as much. It’s sort of like utilizing a pre-constructed store that is less time-consuming when establishing but has a very limited design selection.
3. Cost: Shopify vs. E-commerce
With custom e-commerce stores, there are significant expenses that you would need at the start. Constructing the website, designing it, and operational the website are all expenses that you would need to incur. It’s basically paying for everything involved in the business that you are starting. While such a strategy is useful in the long run depending on whether or not you have the right funds, however for newly started businesses it’s rather daunting.
Every month, a flat rate has to be paid by those who buy Shopify stores. The amount payable is determined by the required features. In this scenario, it is like renting the components of your retail business; the cost of setting everything up is less, but you never stop paying. New businesses find it easier, however, it could get expensive with the time.
4. Maintenance: Shopify vs. E-commerce
With a bespoke shop, you perform the entire process by yourself – including updating the system, resolving threats, and ensuring the valid function of the internet page. It is working to maintain your own building in terms of skills, IT is only tedious.
The majority of the tedious work is handled by Shopify. The software is maintained, the system is safeguarded, and the sites alternate. It seems to be possessing a landlord who ensures the safety of the structure so the owner can operate the business.
Which is Better? Shopify vs. E-commerce
Shopify is recommended if you are inexperienced with selling online and wish to sell products easily and quickly. The setup is simple and allows the user to spend less time designing the shop.
If you plan to stand out in the market, it would be better to create your own website for your store as it will be easier to make a site and design it the exact way you want. Also, think about the requirements of the business, yes Shopify works perfectly for beginners but custom websites develop better prospects for the business in the long run.
It depends on what you want to do: If you want to get a one-time template solution, go for Shopify. If you want a custom solution and have specific requirements, then you may take your time looking for the best things that can suit you.
If unsure, you can always test it out with a free trial, if the test works and holds out the requirements you should proceed with the purchase.
Which is Better: E-commerce or Shopify?
E-commerce has a broader meaning than just selling goods or services over the net, Shopify is merely a tool for creating and designing your online store. Starting an online shop such as selling on Amazon enables e-retail, and so does starting an account on eBay.
What are the different types of E-commerce?
There are three main types of E-commerce:
1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C):
This is a circumstance where businesses like ASOS, or Amazon sell directly to consumers and other end-users and people do the shopping from such companies using their personal devices.
2. Business-to-Business (B2B):
This refers to when businesses trade with each other. For example, a factory may sell parts to a company that assembles the final products.
3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C):
This refers to businesses and people selling to other people. This is made easier by websites such as eBay and Craigslist.
Example of E-commerce:
A small shop can go to the Shopify website and create a web page for their business. They can display their items, receive orders, and make online payments. This way they can expand their client base easily without having a brick-and-mortar shop.
Summing Up
E-commerce and Shopify stores are not the same thing but are somewhat similar. Both enable people to buy and sell items over the internet. However, there is a variety of things needed out there for these so the overall experience is different for customers and store owners. The best one for you to choose depends on the budget you have, the type of business you are planning to run, and how big it is going to be.
