My understanding from research and experience is that Etsy will not show your products in search on the first several (or more!) pages until you make some sales, which means you still have to drive your own traffic to Etsy. For that reason, I decided to build my own site. However, if I could do it over again, I probably would have started out driving traffic to Etsy until Etsy started to show my listings organically. And I could have done this while building my own website.
70+ percent of my Esty traffic is self driven which is the number 1 reason I am even considering Shopify. That and since my traffic is self driven, I would like better information on where that is coming from. The "Direct & Other Traffic" really isn't helpful.
It seems that big online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon are becoming oversaturated, making it difficult for your listings to be seen without spending on ads. However, using ads can eat away at your profits. With Shopify, you have more control over your online store, but you need to find your own traffic which is also challenging. If you have a significant social media following, you may be able to direct buyers to your own store. However, it's hard to tell which approach is easier. If you have a large social media following, opening your own store may be a viable option. Otherwise, it may not be the best choice.
In 2019 I built a store with Shopify and was doing POD through it. I started advertising on Facebook which I have a business page. Everything was going along fine until Facebook took $250 out of my checking account. That was all I had at the time and it completely destroyed my hopes of getting the business started. I was still ignorant of the game and I just had to shut down my store and I really tabled it until now. I am facing hard times again and I need to get busy with something I can do to make some cash. Yeah, I am a little afraid to do it. Once bitten twice shy, baby.
I'm a bit confused, on another video you say avoid Etsy because of the number of searches coming up with a title, and to use Shopify.. Maybe just do both and test out. I know niches are important, be unique.
I was a bit confused by the title of the video. In another video you talked about strategy and there you said that it is better to have your own e-shop. I have the same opinion. Later in the video I understood everything :-) I have been doing online marketing for 10 years. I am now starting my first POD e-shop. I am doing quality preparation and so I am watching your videos. It's important for me to choose the right platforms and apps to start with. I don't like marketplaces. I hope I never need them.
Would it make sense to setup a Shopify store AND an Etsy store? Seems like the best way to reach the most people. Or is it better to focus on only one platform?
One thing i couldnt get my head around is with shopify even though you've paid for subscription, they still charge for transaction fee, i think its really greedy and really turns my stomach.
The problem a lot of people will have with shopify is a lot of time you need to either know how to code or take the time to find youtube videos on it as to do anything other than a very basic page you need to pay for monthly apps - taking it to an costly monthly expense
I have had several pod stores and have never had to do custom code.. I’ve also created case studies of stores I’ve built that had zero paid apps on them
@@RealJoeRoberthis point is that Shopify is not a one-size fit all and is not a cost-effective or simple solution depending on what one is selling. One CAN use Shopify in ABC ways. But is that right for everyone? No.
I started a pod with Shopify but for some reason my images would show up looking faded or just didn’t look right. I always ordered my own stuff 1st just to see what my customers would be getting. They always looked good on Shopify but the actual product didn’t come out good from Printful so I just stopped using it all together
I watched this video because I'm afraid of doing something wrong... again. I tried affiliate marketing selling digital books but that was back in 2002 and I could not get any traffic to my site. I work a full time job and taking the free POD for Dummies course now. So far everything I have learned I agree with. But I also think I found my nich after watching this video. Thanks!
Bro if your looking for an “easy” button then nothings going to work..it takes hard work and dedication for pretty much anything in life…also I see the Shopify monthly or yearly payment as an INVESTMENT not a burden
I don't mind the cost and I have money to invest, but I've read so much about Shopify's apps costly more and more and more. I'm just wondering about the functionality of a basic Shopify store with no added apps. I'm sure there are some good apps out there that I might want to invest in, but I also don't want to keep getting nickel and dimed to death just to keep the thing going or up-to-date. Is a no-frills Shopify store adequate for POD?
Sorry dude. But are you a paid shill? Shopify is not right for everyone. And not paying expenses up front you do not have to until you have some bank to invest vs get sucked dry is a viable strategy getting into something as low-margin as POD or dropshipping. And POD is a long game. High up front costs and doing most of the work when you likely have lots of other things to work on, like your designs, is not good business. Shopify CAN be digital sharecropping if your niche doesn’t scale high to cover all those expenses. Its all about the right about of tool for the right amount of value to capture.
Great video,Joe! Just a small request-can you take example of another store in your video next time besides the trail running store? It would be great to see some more example of apparel stores other than the trail running store shown in the video which has been covered many times on this channel,thanks!
What I find frustrating about all those RUclips videos about POD is that so many contradict each other. Personally, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable POD ninjas! However, I also take issue with your stance on 'avoid Shopify'. No, if you don't have money, don't do it. I've had websites as long as websites have existed, since around 2000. Nowadays, it's all so easy... I used to work with Dreamweaver... Glad I don't do that anymore... But regarding Shopify: integrate apps from platforms like Printify and such. My product categories are too diverse, so I prefer spreading my products across various POD channels. I've worked with Etsy before, and I wasn't satisfied with it. The competition there is too overwhelming; your products get lost in the Etsy ocean. Plus, you still have to pay $0.20 per listing, in addition to a commission on your sales. The most important factors are and remain SEO, niches, keywords, and ranking!!
I have a Shopify and a seperste Etsy (not the same store name) should I link my shopify items to my Etsy that has great ratings and sales? Im just concerned with it not being professional.
Talk about paralysis of analysis! The more I learn, the more options there are to choose from. I'm learning how to digitize embroidery designs. It would be great if the hobby would at least pay for itself. So I watch videos on selling online and learn about POD. Yikes! There are millions of them and all promising huge profits. Realistically, we're lucky to make enough to buy a coffee. It's a gold rush. The money is in selling supplies and guides to the prospectors.
Thanks for all of your good info. One thing that you went by pretty quickly was the detailed search portion-that ended at about 9:30 in the video. Where is that found? Or is that covered in another prior video? I am currently putting together a Shopify store and that search area looks very helpful in the research aspect. Thanks again.
Wow can’t wait I just started last month lol… printify / Shopify … of course no sale .. Converted my passion of creating gorgeous images with AI and print them. One thing I am pissed at Google were I am in content banned for wtf what after fixing stuff… this is so annoying
A very good reason would be that you can't actually integrate things like Printify like everyone makes it seem so easy to do UNLESS you pay for a Shopify plan that costs $1000 a year. The Printify shipping calculator won't work -in other words you can't just let the POD site take care of your orders and ship them with a $30 a month Basic plan. I was on a chat with Shopify for three hours today. Ugh!
Can't believe nbr of comments that clearly didn't watch, or comprehend, the video? Marketplace sites can work but only if u don't want to build and own yr audience as Etsy RB etc don't really let u see the customers and remarket to them it seems to me.
I’ve already built a store on the WIX platform. Shouldn’t I be able to achieve the same goals or is there a reason you suggest Shopify? I was under the impression they are very similar
Hello. Does anyone here know if I can have multiple POD suppliers connected to my Shopify store? For example Printify and Printful together? When processing an order, does the system know which supplier it should give information to in order to ship the order? Or I can only have one POD supplier connected to one e-shop.
The reason a monthly fee is unafordable. You need to know how to drive customers to your site first. No one will do it for you.. out of 1k views u get 100leads ans maby 10 sales. You must get return for your investment, not in money but in invested time. Three years of monthly fees with no sales! ********
This is a business, if you look at it like that rather than “let’s just upload as many things as we can for free and see if we get lucky” then you understand that to do things the right way there’s some start up capital needed
Im kind of reluctant to start my Shopify business even tho I have a few good designs. The thing is I haven’t trademarked my name with USPTO. Is that a legitimate reason to wait?
How can you ask that questions? So many people who are just starting out have no idea whether to use Amazon, red bubble, Etsy, Shopify etc and this video was a pros and cons list of using Shopify, along with some tips about marketing options at the end.
this is the worst video foe anyone getting started lol building a store on shopify is not hard, and rn they have a 1 dollar for 3 months deal..i stared an etsy and it got shut down in 3 days..damn as i keep watching this video gets worse
I already have A HUGE shopify store..... so I am committed.... but with YOUR help Joe, I'll get my ART store pod a going! Thanks man! Absolutely NOT INTERESTED IN etsy! I am a use my own website girl! 2 years in now..... spent one year replacing my knee so really I am just starting! But my store is huge.... gotta streamline.... MY & MY MOMS ART IS OUR NICHE... WATERCOLOR ETC and phots designs - NOT A CLOTHING LINE NO - but leggings will go back on since meeting you! I had a huge clothing section but hid those as I don't want SIZE RETURNS right now. I'm talking your course on the 12th.... I am sure you'll help me kick start my cool - or soon to be lol - art store! Thanks again! I've got super cool JKA RUclips TT FB (instagram I am now adding!) to showcase my products & my ART STORE too and people love my vids! With the same name! Jacquin Krista ARTWORKS .com - Shopify, YT, TT, FB! Glad I found you!! Gotta get them a buying with my INSTAGRAM fb store right on meta....doing that now! NOT doing a store om TT though....
I have lots of ideas for POD and yes I'm one of those people who is scared to start and make mistakes.
You're just lazy
My understanding from research and experience is that Etsy will not show your products in search on the first several (or more!) pages until you make some sales, which means you still have to drive your own traffic to Etsy. For that reason, I decided to build my own site. However, if I could do it over again, I probably would have started out driving traffic to Etsy until Etsy started to show my listings organically. And I could have done this while building my own website.
70+ percent of my Esty traffic is self driven which is the number 1 reason I am even considering Shopify. That and since my traffic is self driven, I would like better information on where that is coming from. The "Direct & Other Traffic" really isn't helpful.
And... Some top sellers will (study) your designs and create their own.. now that's business I think 🥲
It seems that big online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon are becoming oversaturated, making it difficult for your listings to be seen without spending on ads. However, using ads can eat away at your profits. With Shopify, you have more control over your online store, but you need to find your own traffic which is also challenging. If you have a significant social media following, you may be able to direct buyers to your own store. However, it's hard to tell which approach is easier. If you have a large social media following, opening your own store may be a viable option. Otherwise, it may not be the best choice.
In 2019 I built a store with Shopify and was doing POD through it. I started advertising on Facebook which I have a business page. Everything was going along fine until Facebook took $250 out of my checking account. That was all I had at the time and it completely destroyed my hopes of getting the business started. I was still ignorant of the game and I just had to shut down my store and I really tabled it until now. I am facing hard times again and I need to get busy with something I can do to make some cash. Yeah, I am a little afraid to do it. Once bitten twice shy, baby.
Sounds like part of the story is missing. I don’t think Facebook just steals money
I'm a bit confused, on another video you say avoid Etsy because of the number of searches coming up with a title, and to use Shopify.. Maybe just do both and test out. I know niches are important, be unique.
I use Wordpress to make my print on demand shops. Currently building a few shops at the moment.
How is that going?
I was a bit confused by the title of the video. In another video you talked about strategy and there you said that it is better to have your own e-shop. I have the same opinion. Later in the video I understood everything :-) I have been doing online marketing for 10 years. I am now starting my first POD e-shop. I am doing quality preparation and so I am watching your videos. It's important for me to choose the right platforms and apps to start with. I don't like marketplaces. I hope I never need them.
Would it make sense to setup a Shopify store AND an Etsy store? Seems like the best way to reach the most people. Or is it better to focus on only one platform?
Yeah, if you can afford it
Thank you! I was leaning on Shopify and this has convinced me. I wanted to be sure I was going in the right direction lol
I am in the second group! It is truly overwhelming.
Thanks for watching and good luck
One thing i couldnt get my head around is with shopify even though you've paid for subscription, they still charge for transaction fee, i think its really greedy and really turns my stomach.
Anywhere you sell online there is a transaction fee
The problem a lot of people will have with shopify is a lot of time you need to either know how to code or take the time to find youtube videos on it as to do anything other than a very basic page you need to pay for monthly apps - taking it to an costly monthly expense
I have had several pod stores and have never had to do custom code.. I’ve also created case studies of stores I’ve built that had zero paid apps on them
@@RealJoeRoberthis point is that Shopify is not a one-size fit all and is not a cost-effective or simple solution depending on what one is selling. One CAN use Shopify in ABC ways. But is that right for everyone? No.
I think I fall between new and experienced with POD mostly as seller of it since we use it on our own merch sometimes
I started a pod with Shopify but for some reason my images would show up looking faded or just didn’t look right. I always ordered my own stuff 1st just to see what my customers would be getting. They always looked good on Shopify but the actual product didn’t come out good from Printful so I just stopped using it all together
So the actual clothing from printful is not good quality?
Wasn't sure where you were going. But then... ahh haa. Great bait and switch. I'm a truck driver, limited time to work on it but I'm doing it. Thanks
I watched this video because I'm afraid of doing something wrong... again. I tried affiliate marketing selling digital books but that was back in 2002 and I could not get any traffic to my site. I work a full time job and taking the free POD for Dummies course now. So far everything I have learned I agree with. But I also think I found my nich after watching this video. Thanks!
Bro if your looking for an “easy” button then nothings going to work..it takes hard work and dedication for pretty much anything in life…also I see the Shopify monthly or yearly payment as an INVESTMENT not a burden
💯
Facts
I don't mind the cost and I have money to invest, but I've read so much about Shopify's apps costly more and more and more. I'm just wondering about the functionality of a basic Shopify store with no added apps. I'm sure there are some good apps out there that I might want to invest in, but I also don't want to keep getting nickel and dimed to death just to keep the thing going or up-to-date. Is a no-frills Shopify store adequate for POD?
Sorry dude. But are you a paid shill? Shopify is not right for everyone. And not paying expenses up front you do not have to until you have some bank to invest vs get sucked dry is a viable strategy getting into something as low-margin as POD or dropshipping. And POD is a long game. High up front costs and doing most of the work when you likely have lots of other things to work on, like your designs, is not good business. Shopify CAN be digital sharecropping if your niche doesn’t scale high to cover all those expenses. Its all about the right about of tool for the right amount of value to capture.
Great video,Joe! Just a small request-can you take example of another store in your video next time besides the trail running store? It would be great to see some more example of apparel stores other than the trail running store shown in the video which has been covered many times on this channel,thanks!
Watch some of my other videos I have shown 10+ different stores
Etsy charges you for advertising, though. Everytime you sell an item, you incur and advertising charge at the end of the year.
I don’t disagree
What I find frustrating about all those RUclips videos about POD is that so many contradict each other. Personally, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable POD ninjas! However, I also take issue with your stance on 'avoid Shopify'. No, if you don't have money, don't do it. I've had websites as long as websites have existed, since around 2000. Nowadays, it's all so easy... I used to work with Dreamweaver... Glad I don't do that anymore... But regarding Shopify: integrate apps from platforms like Printify and such. My product categories are too diverse, so I prefer spreading my products across various POD channels. I've worked with Etsy before, and I wasn't satisfied with it. The competition there is too overwhelming; your products get lost in the Etsy ocean. Plus, you still have to pay $0.20 per listing, in addition to a commission on your sales. The most important factors are and remain SEO, niches, keywords, and ranking!!
I have a Shopify and a seperste Etsy (not the same store name) should I link my shopify items to my Etsy that has great ratings and sales? Im just concerned with it not being professional.
Talk about paralysis of analysis!
The more I learn, the more options there are to choose from. I'm learning how to digitize embroidery designs. It would be great if the hobby would at least pay for itself. So I watch videos on selling online and learn about POD. Yikes! There are millions of them and all promising huge profits. Realistically, we're lucky to make enough to buy a coffee. It's a gold rush. The money is in selling supplies and guides to the prospectors.
I'm literally so confused... You just posted why not to sell on Etsy and in that video you suggested Shopify... Which is it?
Don’t listen to this fool😂
I already know you were spinning it around. Been following you for too long lol
Thanks for watching 🙏
Yes! Definitely some reverse psychology going on 🤣😂
Very Informative, thanks Joe !!
Thanks for watching!!!
Oooooooh. I like what you did here. Glad I stuck around LOL. Also subscribed. This is one of the best instructional videos I have seen.
Thanks for watching 🙏
You also have a video about the $100,000 Shopify store and how to set up. Which is it? Yes or no to Shopify? Thanks!
Say you didn't watch the video without watching the video.
Trickster! I was waiting for all the reasons to shut my Shopify store down 🤣then you go and flip the script! Great video.
Thank you for watching! 🙏
Well said, Joe. 💯
always amazing content Joe well done
Thanks for watching 🙏
please do a video on Shopify vs WooCommerce
I’ve never used WooCommerce
Thanks for all of your good info. One thing that you went by pretty quickly was the detailed search portion-that ended at about 9:30 in the video. Where is that found? Or is that covered in another prior video? I am currently putting together a Shopify store and that search area looks very helpful in the research aspect. Thanks again.
That was the Facebook ads library
@@RealJoeRobert Thanks!
Wow can’t wait I just started last month lol… printify / Shopify … of course no sale .. Converted my passion of creating gorgeous images with AI and print them. One thing I am pissed at Google were I am in content banned for wtf what after fixing stuff… this is so annoying
Loved this video bro, good stuff. Super helpful since I just started my shopify print on demand store.
Thanks for watching!
The fourth is that stripe is restricted in ny country, sigh.
A very good reason would be that you can't actually integrate things like Printify like everyone makes it seem so easy to do UNLESS you pay for a Shopify plan that costs $1000 a year. The Printify shipping calculator won't work -in other words you can't just let the POD site take care of your orders and ship them with a $30 a month Basic plan. I was on a chat with Shopify for three hours today. Ugh!
Really?! What about Printful?
Whaat??
I'm definitely in the second group, but not only because I'm afraid to get it wrong.
What else?
@@RealJoeRobert I'm on disability so if I stsrt bringing in an income and it's not consistent, I'll lose my benefits and have nothing to depend on.
Gotcha 🙏
Me started store but not my pod yet
Bro u said in another vid use shopify to sell tshirts
Whart are conversion rates exactly?
Thank you !
Love your content, Joe! You tricked me! I'm curious. What did you do in your former life before POD?
Can't believe nbr of comments that clearly didn't watch, or comprehend, the video? Marketplace sites can work but only if u don't want to build and own yr audience as Etsy RB etc don't really let u see the customers and remarket to them it seems to me.
Yep
I'm researching 😢😮 my shopify store is getting close though from watching your trainings!
Best of luck and thanks for watching!!
Can you make a video about shipping and taxes?
I have a video about shipping and demonstrate it’s set up in the free course i mentioned in the video
I’ve already built a store on the WIX platform. Shouldn’t I be able to achieve the same goals or is there a reason you suggest Shopify? I was under the impression they are very similar
Sure, there’s going to be a lot of pod suppliers though that don’t integrate with Wix. I don’t think I mentioned Wix at all in the video though
You called me out! Ahah I am definitely the second type of person.. afraid to do anything wrong 😅
Ha! I knew it would be something like this because of your previous videos :)
Hello. Does anyone here know if I can have multiple POD suppliers connected to my Shopify store? For example Printify and Printful together? When processing an order, does the system know which supplier it should give information to in order to ship the order? Or I can only have one POD supplier connected to one e-shop.
I am trying to figure out the same thing now? Did you end up doing that? Is it possible?
I am one of the ones that is scared to do anything wrong so I haven't done anything😢
🙏
You have a very good channel, you don't need to clickbait
🤔
There was literally a Shopify ad that played before of your video😂
Probably because you’re watching videos about Shopify. That’s how ads work lol
i don't get this man .In one video he said etsy is not good option and in one video he is in favour of etsy
I think you did not watch the whole video 🤔
hey joe any recommended shopify themes?
The Dawn theme is great
@Joe Robert thank you Joe 😊
So sir what to use?
Did you finish the video
Do you still recommend shopify? Your previous video mentioned that etsy/amazon is oversaturated and hard to stand out. Did your views changed?
Did you watch this video before leaving the comment? Lol
😅
@@RealJoeRobert yea, got me. lol. i skimmed. got it now after watching the middle. thanks
Me too! I was about to post the same comment and then came the flip 😅
Excellent :)
Thank you for watching!
watched it but , you saying dont use shopify then what can i use?
Sounds like you didn’t watch the whole video
So the title says NEVER use Shopify yet you have a course about Shopify. Why use this title I wonder?
I guess you didn’t watch the video?
@@RealJoeRobert I still don’t get the title. It’s misleading
@@cynthiadeg9206 he s a jews
Got my first sale last week, only need $500 more to break even.
I’ve got lots of videos about mistakes people often make maybe check them out?
@@RealJoeRobert watching them too.
What happened shopify
🤔
😂
I"m in the waffling because I want to do it right camp.
Check the description got a bunch of free resources!
The reason a monthly fee is unafordable. You need to know how to drive customers to your site first. No one will do it for you.. out of 1k views u get 100leads ans maby 10 sales. You must get return for your investment, not in money but in invested time. Three years of monthly fees with no sales! ********
This is a business, if you look at it like that rather than “let’s just upload as many things as we can for free and see if we get lucky” then you understand that to do things the right way there’s some start up capital needed
@@RealJoeRobert u saud ut a business not a charity
Im kind of reluctant to start my Shopify business even tho I have a few good designs. The thing is I haven’t trademarked my name with USPTO. Is that a legitimate reason to wait?
You can't get a trademark until you are selling a product and/or have packaging. They check.
Lol you had me going there for a minute :)
What actually was the purpose of this video? Without hardwork nothing good comes out. Shopify is a good investment and not a problem
How can you ask that questions?
So many people who are just starting out have no idea whether to use Amazon, red bubble, Etsy, Shopify etc and this video was a pros and cons list of using Shopify, along with some tips about marketing options at the end.
@@RealJoeRobert 👍
one more plus for shopify is that you don't need to worry how many stars you will get from customer 😁
Lol very true
It's all 100x harder that you say 😆 🤣
I just buy a tee domain and then i found your video 😭
Did you quit Shopify?? I doubt!
Watch the video 🤔
you’re a genius 😂
this is the worst video foe anyone getting started lol building a store on shopify is not hard, and rn they have a 1 dollar for 3 months deal..i stared an etsy and it got shut down in 3 days..damn as i keep watching this video gets worse
Clickbaity title 😔
Thats me
Lol i Just have a shop for a month with print on demand
Best of luck
Me all the way
At least he doesn’t lock the comments lol
🤔
@@RealJoeRobert 😊00pe2
...so basically, clickbait...
Not really. I gave all the reasons not to use Shopify and then gave a counter argument.
Please take it as dumb as it may sound: why do you say 'hey Joe, Folks here...!'? If meant as a joke, it's getting a little boring by now.
I like Joe's intro, maybe have a poll to c like vs dislike but it differentiates Joe n gets yr attention imho :-)
You must be really bored to take the time to actually comment something like that. Relax. These are just RUclips videos. Not that serious.
That's very insulting to people suffering from Flipitis.🔄😡
🤔
Wow rude. 😮
I already have A HUGE shopify store..... so I am committed.... but with YOUR help Joe, I'll get my ART store pod a going! Thanks man!
Absolutely NOT INTERESTED IN etsy! I am a use my own website girl! 2 years in now..... spent one year replacing my knee so really I am just starting!
But my store is huge.... gotta streamline.... MY & MY MOMS ART IS OUR NICHE... WATERCOLOR ETC and phots designs - NOT A CLOTHING LINE NO - but leggings will go back on since meeting you! I had a huge clothing section but hid those as I don't want SIZE RETURNS right now.
I'm talking your course on the 12th.... I am sure you'll help me kick start my cool - or soon to be lol - art store!
Thanks again!
I've got super cool JKA RUclips TT FB (instagram I am now adding!) to showcase my products & my ART STORE too and people love my vids! With the same name!
Jacquin Krista ARTWORKS .com - Shopify, YT, TT, FB! Glad I found you!!
Gotta get them a buying with my INSTAGRAM fb store right on meta....doing that now! NOT doing a store om TT though....