Side Hustle School Ep. 3315 - Q&A: “How do I transition from Etsy to Shopify?”
Jan 28, 2026
Elsa, an Etsy seller from Seattle, calls in seeking a Shopify transition. The conversation covers why Shopify offers flexibility while Etsy provides built-in traffic. Tips include keeping Etsy open during the switch, learning Shopify hands-on, and avoiding dependence on others for simple site changes.
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Listener's Decision Fatigue
- Elsa from Seattle described decision fatigue from many Shopify options as a barrier keeping her on Etsy.
- She has listed on Etsy with occasional sales and is now setting up a Shopify store but feels overwhelmed.
Own Website vs. Marketplace Traffic
- Having your own Shopify website gives you far more control, customization, and direct customer contact than an Etsy listing.
- The main trade-off is losing Etsy's built-in marketplace traffic, so plan a source of visitors before fully switching.
Platform Costs And Control
- Shopify removes listing fees and lets sellers control customer relationships more directly.
- However, Shopify still involves platform costs and is not free to operate.
