Amazon vs Shopify: Which Is Better for Growing Your Brand in 2025?

Selling online in 2025 means picking the right battleground for your brand.

On one hand, Amazon is the world’s biggest online marketplace, with shoppers ready to buy at 2 a.m.

On the other, Shopify hands you the keys to your own branded store, where you control the experience and keep more profit.

Both have their perks, and many sellers actually run both at once, which makes smart inventory management more important than ever.

So, which one sets you up for real, lasting success in 2025?

Well, we will help you in figuring out

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes Amazon appealing, where it falls short, and why many sellers eventually shift to Shopify for sustainable, long-term growth.

What Makes Amazon So Attractive for New Sellers

It’s no surprise that so many first-time sellers flock to Amazon, it feels like a shortcut to online sales.

Here’s why Amazon is so appealing when you’re just starting out:

• Massive built-in traffic: Over 2 billion visits a month means your products get eyeballs instantly, so there is no need to master SEO or ads immediately.
• Prime trust factor: Shoppers trust Amazon’s fast shipping and easy returns, which can boost your early sales.
• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): Do you hate packing boxes? FBA handles your storage, shipping, and customer service, freeing up your time.
• Product exposure: With smart listings, your items can show up alongside big brands, giving you reach you might not get alone.

What are the Hidden Downsides of Selling on Amazon

It’s easy to get swept up in the promise of Amazon’s massive customer base, but once you’re in, you might find a few unpleasant surprises lurking behind the Prime badge:

• You Don’t Own Your Customers: Every buyer is Amazon’s customer, not yours. You can’t freely market to them or build your own email list for future sales.
• Fierce Competition: No matter how clever your product, copycats pop up fast, sometimes even from Amazon’s own brands. This pushes prices down and eats into your profit margin.
• Surprise Fees: Amazon’s selling fees, FBA storage charges, and other hidden costs often take sellers by surprise. Slow-moving stock? Get ready for hefty long-term storage fees.
• Strict Policies: One policy slip-up or a sudden change in rules can suspend your account overnight, even if you’ve done everything right.
• Weak Branding: Your storefront and listings look just like everyone else’s. There’s little room for customisation, so building a memorable brand is tough.

Why Your Own Shopify Store Is Better for Long-Term Growth

If you want to build a lasting business, relying only on Amazon won’t cut it. Your own Shopify store gives you freedom, control, and long-term security that no marketplace can match. Here’s why:

Complete Control Over Your Store

On Shopify, you decide how your store looks and feels. Everything is tailored to your brand, not Amazon's, from your logo and colors to the product pages and checkout flow. This helps create a unique shopping experience that customers remember.

Direct Customer Relationships

Every order placed through Shopify means you get full access to valuable customer data: names, emails, purchase history, preferences. Unlike Amazon, where you can’t freely contact buyers, Shopify lets you build email lists, send promotions, and nurture repeat business on your own terms.

More Profit, Predictable Costs

Shopify’s pricing is simple: a flat monthly fee plus payment processing. No extra commission on every sale like Amazon’s 15% referral fee. This means your margins are higher, and you keep more money as you grow.

Flexible Marketing and Branding

With Shopify, you’re not locked into one sales channel. Run Google Ads, post on Instagram, start a blog, or whatever works for your audience. You own the brand story, not just the product listing.

Build a Real Brand, Not Just a Storefront

Over time, your Shopify store becomes an asset, a recognizable, trusted brand that shoppers seek out directly. This loyalty is nearly impossible to build on Amazon, where your products compete with thousands of competitors.

Amazon vs Shopify Fees: A Quick Comparison

Before you choose where to sell, it’s smart to understand how much each platform will actually cost you. Here’s a simple breakdown of Amazon and Shopify fees to help you plan your profits wisely.

Amazon Fees (typical for most sellers)

• Referral Fee: Generally 8% to 15% per sale. Some categories can be as low as 6% (e.g., personal computers) or as high as 45% for Amazon device accessories, but for most consumer products, 15% is the standard.
• Individual vs. Professional Plan:
  • Individual Seller: No monthly fee, but you pay $0.99 per item sold plus referral fees.
  • Professional Seller: $39.99/month, no per-item fee, just the referral fees + optional FBA.
• FBA Fees: Varies by item size & weight. For example, for a standard small parcel, fulfillment fees might range from ~$3 to ~$6 per unit. Long-term storage fees also apply if stock sits unsold for >271 days (in the US marketplace).
• Advertising & Premium Content: Optional but often necessary to compete.

How Shopify Fees Work

• Monthly Subscription Plans:
  • Starter: $5/month — for selling via social media or shareable link (no full online store).
  • Basic: $39/month (or $29/month if billed annually).
  • Shopify (Grow): $105/month (or $79/month annually).
  • Advanced: $299/month.
  • Plus (Enterprise): Custom pricing, typically starts around $2,300/month.
• Online Payment Processing (Shopify Payments):
  • Starter: 5% + $0.30 per transaction.
  • Basic: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
  • Shopify: 2.7% + $0.30 per transaction.
  • Advanced: 2.5% + $0.30 per transaction.

How to Switch from Amazon to Shopify

Ready to break free from Amazon’s limitations and build your own branded store?

Switching from Amazon to Shopify is easier than you think and you don’t have to abandon Amazon entirely. Many sellers run both in parallel initially, then shift more sales to Shopify over time.

Here’s how to make the move smoothly:

Set Up Your Shopify Store

Sign up for a Shopify plan that fits your budget. Pick a theme (free and paid), add your logo and brand colours, and start customizing your store to match your vibe. Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor makes this easy, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Import Your Products

Don’t retype everything! Use Shopify’s free import tools or apps to pull your Amazon product listings, descriptions, prices, and images directly into your new store. Double-check everything to ensure it looks good in your new layout.

Sync Inventory

Avoid overselling by keeping your Amazon and Shopify stock levels in sync. Shopify inventory management apps like Sumtracker can automatically update stock across both channels when you receive orders.

Set Up Payments & Shipping

Activate Shopify Payments or connect your preferred payment gateway. Next, configure your shipping rates and zones so customers see accurate shipping costs at checkout.

Launch & Promote

Once your store looks good and runs smoothly, publish it live. Announce your new Shopify store to your existing customers through social media, email newsletters, or a note in your Amazon package inserts. Offer an exclusive discount to encourage people to buy directly from your site.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about building a brand that people remember and owning your customer relationships and profits, owning a Shopify store is the smarter long-term move.

Many successful sellers actually use both: they keep their Amazon listings to capture impulse buyers, but gradually nurture loyal customers on Shopify, where they have full control.

Whichever path you choose, ensure your inventory stays perfectly synced to avoid stockouts, overselling, and frustrated customers.

That’s where tools like Sumtracker make things easier, giving you one source of truth for stock across Amazon, Shopify, and any other channels you add later.

Ready to take the next step?

Start small, stay flexible, and build a business that truly belongs to you, not just to a marketplace.

FAQS

Which is better for my business: Amazon or Shopify?

There’s no universal winner. Amazon is great for instant reach and trust, while Shopify offers full control, stronger branding, and higher margins. Many sellers combine both for maximum growth.

Can I sell on Amazon and Shopify at the same time?

Yes! Many sellers do both. Keep Amazon for quick sales and run Shopify to build your own brand and customer base.

How do I sync my inventory between Amazon and Shopify?

Use an app like Sumtracker to automatically update stock levels across Amazon and Shopify. It prevents overselling and saves you time managing orders.

Is it cheaper to sell on Shopify or Amazon?

Shopify has fixed monthly fees plus low payment charges. Amazon has no upfront fee but takes a cut of every sale. Shopify usually means better profit margins long-term.

Do I need to pay for ads on Amazon and Shopify?

Amazon ads are often needed to compete. On Shopify, you control your marketing, use SEO, email, or social media to get free traffic or run ads if you want.

How do I get my first customers on Shopify if I’m used to Amazon’s traffic?

Tell your Amazon buyers about your new store with inserts or emails. Offer a discount for direct orders. Build your own audience with social media and email marketing.

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