Storenvy vs Etsy

Storenvy vs Etsy: Which Is Better To Sell Online 2024

Stuck deciding between Storenvy vs Etsy for your online store? 

I’m in the process of helping my sister set up her very own e-commerce store and I’ve been struggling to figure out which platform to use. 

I’ve been doing some research and found that Storenvy is a pretty good choice as well. However, I do know that Etsy is more well-known and is accessible to more people around the world. 

And I want my sister to reach as wide an audience as possible. You can check out her new Etsy store here! 

Storenvy vs etsy

So if you’re in the same boat and are trying to set up your e-commerce store, don’t sweat it!

In this article, I will break down Storenvy vs Etsy with an in-depth comparison so that you can pick the right e-commerce store for you. 

Storenvy vs Etsy are both popular e-commerce online marketplaces with active sellers and buyers. 

While they share some similarities in function, their target demographic and unique website features set them apart. 

Therefore, selecting the ideal platform between Storenvy vs Etsy can significantly influence how you strategize the business plan and marketing. 

Alright, let’s take a deep dive on Storenvy vs Etsy to decide which platform is best for you! 

If you are in a hurry, here is a quick overview of Storenvy vs Etsy features comparison:

FeaturesEtsyStorenvy
Website ease of useQuick & easy to open a storeProvide helpful guidance and resourcesSimple shop interface and easy to navigateQuick & easy to open a storeNo immediate payment information required while signing-up to open a storeDashboard is easy to navigate with complete overview
E-commerce Website Features & DesignLimited store-front customizationFor custom website domain, Etsy seller can upgrade to Etsy Pattern for  $15 USD per monthFlexibility store-front customization with HTML and CSS.To get a custom store domain, sellers can upgrade for $7.99 USD per month.
Payments and Checkout FeaturesEtsy sellers can receive payment directly to a verified bank account or Paypal.Etsy Payment feature provides a seamless checkout process with various payment options. Checkout feature is easy to navigate for buyers.Storenvy sellers can only receive payment using Stripe, Paypal and AfterPay.Offer fewer payment options for buyers.Checkout carts have limited information- no mention of estimated delivery and seller’s location.
Marketing ToolsThe Etsy algorithm helps to boost seller visibility within Etsy search engine results.Etsy sellers have to manually optimize their store to boost visibility.Etsy ads cost around  $0.2 USD – $0.5 USDProvide effortless SEO by automatically optimizing meta titles, descriptions, and tags. Provide email featureSeamless integration for social mediaOffer no-upfront payment for product advertising but take a cut of 25% commission fee.
Pricing Plan and Commission FeeTwo plans: Free and Etsy PlusEtsy’s free plan cost $0.20 USD per product listing.Etsy Plus cost $10 USD per month, with 15 free listing credit and $5 USD advertising credit along with some customized features.For every sale made, Etsy charges a 6.5% commission fee. Storenvy offers 4 plans; 1 free plan and 3 paid subscription-based plans. The free plan includes up to 20 free product listings.Paid plans start from $7.99 USD per month to $39.99 USD per month- with features such as custom domain, more product listings, ads free and more.  Storenvy takes a 15% commission fee for every sale made. 
Shipping and RatesThe Etsy shipping process is easy to navigate- allowing sellers to determine the shipping rate calculation with fixed rate or calculated rate.Etsy sellers can determine their own processing time needed before delivery.Etsy supports 3 main shipping carriers- USPS, FedEx and Canada Post in the US.Etsy Sellers can save up to 30% in shipping cost by using the supported shipping carriers.Etsy sellers are free to choose other shipping carriers too.Seller must ship the order within 7 days- no option to determine own processing time.The shipping rates calculation is not as straightforward to set up. Storenvy sellers can choose shipping carriers of their choice.
Customer SupportEtsy has a designated help center and forum to ask questions or find answers. There is a clear refund policy and process on how to deal with refund issues for both buyers and sellers.Etsy customer support can take 2-4 business days to respond- although some have reported waiting for longer. Storenvy provides a general FAQ page but hosts no forum for users to ask questions.Customer support can only be reached by email, however many have complain about their unresponsive customer service.

AFFILIATE LINK DISCLAIMER

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

Note: If you are super busy and you want to start making money selling on Etsy fast, you can check out this Etsy course. It will help to step up your Etsy game and start earning within 3 months!

Alternatively, you can also check out this free Etsy Ebook that will share a list of best-selling products by month and teach you how to capitalize on seasonal trends to make sales.

Storenvy vs Etsy- Which Online Marketplace is Better?

Overview of Etsy

Etsy is a popular marketplace founded in 2015, and it’s known as the go-to platform for unique handmade crafts and vintage goods. 

With the platform gaining immense popularity over the years, there are currently 6.3 million active sellers as of 2023! 

Storenvy vs etsy

As a thriving online marketplace, Etsy acts as the middleman between independent creators and interested buyers, providing a platform to support small-scale businesses and artisans. 

Etsy is a great platform to get started, but it can be limited when it comes to expanding the business and having a customized storefront design.

Overview of Storenvy 

Storenvy was founded later in 2010, started originally as an online store builder, and later expanded into an online social marketplace in 2012. 

The main feature that makes Storenvy stand out for e-commerce sellers is the flexibility to customize the storefront design along with a custom shop domain. 

Storenvy vs etsy

Storenvy attracts new sellers with its free plan, which includes no listing fees and advanced SEO features to help store promotion.  

However, in comparison to Etsy, Storenvy has a smaller audience size, with around 1.8 million traffic visitors, whereas Etsy garners around 425 million visitors

Storenvy vs Etsy: Pros and Cons

Both of these online marketplaces have their pros and cons for small-business sellers. 

Let’s take a closer look at the distinct features that set Storenvy vs Etsy apart from each other to help you decide which platform is the most ideal for your online business!

Storenvy vs Etsy: Website Ease of Use

Etsy’s Website Ease of Use

Opening a store on Etsy is a seamless process and takes less than 15 minutes- if you already have an Etsy store name ideal in mind!

Storenvy vs etsy

You just need an email address to get started and follow through the step-by-step signing-up process until completion. 

Once you have signed up, Etsy provides helpful guidance and resources on how to complete setting up your store and add product listing. 

Etsy’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to follow, allowing sellers to quickly open a store and start selling without focusing too much on design customization. 

Storenvy’s Website Ease of Use

The process of opening a store in Storenvy is also straightforward and quick. With just a username, email, password, and store name, you’ll be all set to get started!

Unlike Etsy, Storenvy simplifies the initial setup without requiring immediate payment details, which can be added later once the store is all setup. 

Storenvy vs etsy

Once you sign up for a store, you can directly access your store dashboard on ‘manage store’- where you can customize store themes, add product listings, add shipping rates, and more. 

There is no step-by-step guide for first-timers, but the dashboard interface is not overly complicated after spending a few minutes exploring and getting familiarized.

Storenvy vs Etsy: E-commerce Website Features & Design

Etsy Website Feature and Design

When it comes to store customization on Etsy, the options are only limited to changing the store logo, banner, product listing, and description. 

The limited customization feature has its advantage, particularly for shoppers to have a straightforward browsing experience at every store. 

Storenvy vs etsy

For more customization features, an upgrade to Etsy Pattern for $15 USD per month will allow you to design a custom website with unlimited product listings. 

Although the upgrade enables you to have a custom website domain, the cost is not included in the subscription cost. 

The cost of the domain depends on your choice of service- can be anywhere between $13 USD – $90 USD per year. 

It means the total cost of running a custom Etsy shop can exceed $15 USD per month investment. 

The upgrade does not justify the costs, as sellers can switch to other e-commerce platforms for a cheaper price with more customized options. 

Storenvy Website Feature and Design

In contrast to Etsy, Storenvy offers more customization storefront design for the seller- an excellent choice for more advanced users who are familiar with HTML and CSS.

If you are not an advanced coder, worry not; there are basic pre-built templates where you can edit the basics- from header, fonts, banners, buttons, text, and more. 

Storenvy vs etsy

There are also paid theme options available that cost between $15- $30 USD. Look out for special Storenvy theme codes before purchasing to get some discount! 

For $7.99 USD per month, sellers get a free custom domain and access to site analytics- a great insight to analyze the best and least performing products. 

Overall, Etsy’s website feature is great for new e-commerce sellers, while Storenvy is both beginner and experienced seller-friendly with more flexibility at a lower price tag. 

Storenvy vs Etsy: Payments and Checkout Features

Etsy Payments and Checkout Features

All Etsy sellers are required to have a verified bank account to open a shop and this process is straightforward with Etsy payment

With Etsy payments, buyers are open to various payment options of their choosing for a convenient checkout process.  

Storenvy vs etsy

The requirement to enroll in Etsy payments depends on the seller’s country of residence. For U.S. sellers, the bank account needs to be verified with Plaid. 

Etsy also imposes a minimum deposit amount, fee threshold, and deposit fee, and the amounts vary by country- as not all countries require a deposit fee. 

When it comes to receiving payment, Etsy sellers can choose the deposit schedule from daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. 

Etsy’s checkout feature is easy to navigate and provides valuable details, such as the number of items sold and a countdown to the end of the sales period, creating a sense of urgency for buyers to complete payment.  

Storenvy Payments and Checkout Features

Storenvy’s payment is made through third parties such as Stripe, Paypal, and AfterPay. The payment payouts depend on the chosen payment operator and the country of operation.

For example, with Stripe, you can select a payout schedule from weekly, monthly, or a manual payout option where you manually send funds to your bank account.

Storenvy vs etsy

Whereas with a PayPal account, when an order is made, the money will go straight into your PayPal account. 

Storenvy’s checkout feature has fewer payment options for the buyer in comparison with Etsy, and it lacks additional information, such as the estimated delivery dates and the sender’s location. 

Storenvy vs Etsy: Marketing Tools

Etsy’s Marketing Tools

Etsy functions like a search engine, with its algorithm displaying the most relevant results when users search for specific keywords. 

Etsy’s algorithm helps Etsy sellers boost visibility from the start, but it also means having to compete with hundreds or thousands of similar product listings.  

To improve search visibility and appearance in search results, Etsy sellers need to manually optimize their store and product listing by including relevant keywords.

Storenvy vs etsy

With Etsy marketing, you may need to rely on additional marketing tools such as Sale Samurai for SEO to uncover golden keywords and find what sells good on Etsy.

To boost store visibility faster, you can advertise Etsy shop by setting a particular budget and duration to appear on top of the search results for a period of time.

Onsite Etsy ads cost around $0.2 USD – $0.5 USD per click and run on average for at least 30 days to provide enough time for Etsy ads to optimize the data. 

Storenvy’s Marketing Tools

If you have no idea how to optimize a new store, Storenvy makes SEO effortless as it helps to automatically optimize key elements such as meta titles, descriptions, and tags. 

Similar to Etsy, having relevant keywords incorporated in product titles and descriptions can further enhance search engine visibility. 

The bonus marketing tool on Storenvy is the email feature, where store owners can send emails or newsletters to customers about new product launches or addressing abandoned carts and more. 

Storenvy vs etsy

Storenvy’s integrated social media functions also made it easier for sellers to seamlessly share their store products on various social media platforms to boost traffic and sales.

To gain more store traffic, sellers can opt for Storenvy ‘Managed Marketing,’ where they help to advertise your products on external sites like Google or Facebook without requiring any up-front payment. 

The catch of using Managed Marketing on Storenvy is the high commission fee. When a sale is made through the ads, Storenvy gets a cut of a 25% commission fee. 

Overall, both Etsy and Storenvy marketing tools and features provided cater to their distinct platforms.

Storenvy’s custom domain feature grants the flexibility to have an SEO-friendly approach and off-site advertising.

Whereas Etsy emphasizes on internal marketing efforts, leveraging its extensive existing customer base with the site. 

Storenvy vs Etsy: Pricing Plan and Commission Fee

Etsy’s Pricing Plan and Commission Fee

There are two types of pricing plans on Etsy- an Etsy Standard plan (Free) and an Etsy Plus plan (Paid). 

When first opening an Etsy store, the Standard plan is more than sufficient as it covers all the essential tools to get started. 

However, each time you add a product listing will cost $0.20 USD and lasts for only four months or when the number of product stock listed is sold. 

Storenvy vs etsy

To renew the listing, you will have to pay the fee again for each product. 

Whereas with an Etsy Plus subscription for $10 USD per month, you get 15 product listing credits, $5 USD advertising credit, and customized features for the store. 

Additionally, for every sale made, Etsy charges 6.5% of the total amount ordered- including the cost of the item and shipping. 

It is important to understand all the underlying fees on Etsy so you can price your product and shipment properly without affecting your average Etsy income.

Storenvy’s Pricing Plan and Commission Fee

Similar to Etsy, Storenvy also offers a subscription-based plan. However, the free plan is entirely free with up to 20 free product listings- great for beginners just starting! 

If you would like to upgrade, there are three premium plans available, starting from $7.99 USD per month to $39.99 USD per month.

The cheapest premium plan, priced at $7.99 USD, includes valuable perks such as free custom domains, no ads, up to 25% discount, and 100 product listings in-store. 

Storenvy vs etsy

The other two premium plans offer similar features with added enhancements in discounts, product listings, and additional email features. 

For every sale made on Storenvy, a whopping 15% fee is taken from the total sale- including the cost of shipping and taxes. 

Overall, while setting up an Etsy store might not be entirely cost-free, the substantial commission fee on Storenvy is not ideal for small business sellers. 

This is something to consider as the 15% commission fee will cut into your total revenue, minimizing your overall profit margins. 

Storenvy vs Etsy: Shipping and Rates

Etsy Shipping and Rates

When it comes to shipping, Etsy sellers get to determine their processing time on how long it takes to prepare the product for shipment. 

Etsy’s sellers are free to choose which postage service to send the product but also have the option to use Etsy’s supported carriers. 

Storenvy vs etsy

For Etsy sellers in the U.S., there are three main shipping carriers supported by Etsy- USPS, FedEx, and Canada Post. 

When an Etsy Seller uses any of the supported postage services, they can directly print the shipping stickers on Etsy from home and save up to 30% in shipping costs, too!

There are two ways to determine shipping costs on Etsy- with calculated or fixed rates. 

The calculated rate is determined by individual product size, weight, and postal location, and the fixed cost is set with a specific flat rate by rough shipping estimation cost. 

If you are unsure how to calculate your shipment cost, Etsy provides a shipment calculator to help calculate the prices. 

Storenvy Shipping and Rates

Whereas for Storenvy, sellers are open to choosing which shipping carrier to fulfill the shipment. 

Sellers must ship the order within 7 days but are encouraged to ship within 1-2 days after an order is made. 

When it comes to setting shipping rates, Storenvy shipping is categorized by ‘classes’ and ‘groups’. ‘Classes’ is for location and speed, and ‘groups’ is for the weight and sizes of the product.

Storenvy vs etsy

There are two shipping classes in Storenvy- ‘Standard’ and ‘Everywhere Else’. The standard is for domestic shipping, and Everywhere Else is for international shipping.

For example, if you run a Storenvy prom dresses store, you can group the dresses by weight range, from light, medium, and heavy. 

Only the seller can see the name label for the group, so you can label what makes the most sense for your product. 

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Storenvy vs Etsy: Customer Support

Etsy Customer Support

Etsy has a designated help center and forum where you can ask questions or find answers. This also helps to get a faster response from experienced sellers who went through similar scenarios.  

When it comes to dealing with refund issues, customers can directly ‘open a case’ if the seller is not responsive and request a refund if it meets the conditions.  

Storenvy vs etsy

However, there have been mixed reviews of Etsy customer support faced by both customers and sellers, especially when dealing directly through email. 

Etsy customer support typically takes around 2-4 business days to respond. However, some have reported waiting for more than 1 week. 

Storenvy Customer Support

Similar to Etsy, Storenvy has a support page answering general FAQs but does not host a forum platform for users to ask questions.

Customer support can only be reached by emailing support@storenvy.com

Storenvy vs etsy

Even though the website stated to allow up to 24 business hours for a reply, numerous users have complained of experiencing delays for weeks, with some receiving no response at all.

In comparison to Etsy, Storenvy has a more negative reputation when it comes to customer service and unsolved complaints- leading many users to stop using the platform all at once.

Storenvy vs Etsy: How To Decide Which Online Marketplace is For You 

Budget-Friendly

Winner: Storenvy

If budget is your main concern when starting an e-commerce store, Storenvy is a good option. The free plan has no listing fee and offers up to 20 product listings. 

The lowest paid package costs $7.99 USD, whereas Etsy paid subscription costs $10 USD. The paid subscription plan on Storenvy also includes a free custom domain for your store! 

Ease of Shipment and Payment

Winner: Etsy

The process of calculating shipment rates and dealing with shipping postage is not as complicated as Storenvy. 

Additionally, Etsy’s supported postal carriers ease Etsy sellers to ship products and save cost, along with other helpful tools and resources to guide in shipment. 

Storefront Customization

Winner: Storenvy

Storenvy offers more storefront design customization for the seller in comparison to Etsy, and it is friendly for both non-technical and advanced users with coding experience. 

Having a unique store design helps to strengthen your business branding as you get to design your customer shopping experience and receive real-time data through analytics. 

When it comes to comparing Storenvy vs Big Cartel, Big Cartel offers similar customized website builders designed specifically for artists and markers. 

Selling Hand-made & Digital Products

Winner: Etsy

If you are planning to sell hand-made or personalized products, Etsy is the ideal option in comparison to Storenvy. 

Etsy allows sellers to determine processing time when it comes to shipping. This is crucial for custom-made products as they take longer to ship.

Besides the ease of shipment expectation for buyers, Etsy is known as the go-to place to buy hand-made products, such as a bridesmaid’s gift or baby registry on Etsy.

Etsy is also currently booming in digital products as buyers can instantly download the file after purchasing without having to wait for the buyer to send it. 

Storenvy vs etsy

FAQs on Storenvy vs Etsy

Is Storenvy Free?

Is Storenvy free? Storenvy offers a free Hobbyist plan, including basic features and 20 product listings. This is a great plan to start for beginners as it requires no starting cost and is easy to set up. To access more functions such as email marketing, custom domains, and various themes, there are 3 packaged subscription plans to choose- from Artisan, Growth, and Professional. 

How Do I Get More Sales on Storenvy?

How do I get more sales on Storenvy? Here are 7 tips on boosting sales on Storenvy:

1. Take high-quality professional product photos

2. Add as many photos of the product (Can add up to 10)

3. Optimize product description to match the user’s search intent

4. Link all social media accounts on Storenvy 

5. Post product photos on social media to promote

6. Encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings

7. Use appropriate keywords on product tags to improve ranking in search engines. 

Is it Worth It to Sell on Etsy?

Is it worth it to sell on Etsy? Yes! It is worth it to sell on Etsy, especially for selling hand-made crafts and digital products. Getting started on Etsy requires low cost and Etsy has a large customer base online to help attract buyers alike. The key to running a profitable business on Etsy is to find a low-competitive niche and avoid a saturated niche. 

Learn more on how to find profitable niches on Etsy with my in-depth guide. 

What Are the Disadvantages of Etsy?

Wondering what are the disadvantages of Etsy? Here are some disadvantages of selling on Etsy:

1. Increasing numbers of sellers on Etsy- resulting in increasing competition

2. It takes time to build a profitable business on Etsy

3. Increasing Etsy seller fees

4. Digital products get stolen and resold on Etsy

5. Dealing with slow customer support

6. Limited in storefront design customization

7. No external marketing plug-in tools- such as email newsletter to customer

Is There an Alternative to Etsy?

Is there an alternative to Etsy? Here are 7 best alternative to Etsy for running e-commerce:

1. Squarespace: Best for large-audience seller

2. Amazon Handmade: Best for experienced Amazon sellers

3. Wix: Best for do-it-yourself website design

4. ZIbbet: Best for selling crafts on multiple sales channels

5. Society6: Best for artist & design to sell prints

6. Shopify- Best for more established business

7. Bonanza: Best for custom one-of-a-kind products

Are Etsy Ads Worth It?

Are Etsy ads worth it? Etsy ads are a great way to boost traffic to your Etsy store as well as to tell new products. When running an Etsy ad, it is best to run for a minimum of 30 days to allow Etsy enough time to gather data. When first starting, begin with a low daily budget and slowly increase later when more sales are generated. 

Storenvy vs Etsy: Ready to Choose Which Platforms to Start Your Online Business?

So, Storenvy vs Etsy, which platforms would you go for? 

In summary, the Etsy marketplace offers a more user-friendly experience for both sellers and buyers, which is great for beginners opening their first online store. 

Etsy marketplace is suitable for selling crafts and handmade items- such as abstract art Etsy, digital products, or vintage items and it doesn’t cost a fortune to get started. 

Despite Storenvy’s captivating features, such as customization options and affordable plans, the platform doesn’t have a large customer base compared to Etsy.

Additionally, the Storenvy platform raises some red flags by many negative feedback online and has a higher commission fee- making it more risky to operate an online store for new sellers. 

So, if you are looking for an Etsy alternative, I would not consider Storenvy as an Etsy competition, as there are various e-commerce platforms designed for creatives, such as Shopify, Redbubble, Society6, and others. 

I hope my comprehensive breakdown of each platform helps to ease your decision-making. Good luck with opening your online store! 

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