Best eCommerce Platforms for Selling Digital Products: Etsy, Stan, and Shopify Compared

Are you ready to launch your digital product business but unsure which platform will give you the most control, growth potential, and ease of use? 

In this post, we'll compare the top three platforms—Etsy, Stan, and Shopify—to help you make an informed decision about which is best for your digital product business.

Etsy
Your simple starting point 

Etsy is often the go-to platform for first-time sellers of digital products, and for good reason. It's one of the easiest platforms to get started with, requiring minimal tech know-how and almost no upfront cost. 

If you’ve ever shopped on Etsy, you already know that it’s a marketplace where customers are actively looking for unique and creative products. So, you benefit from its built-in audience right from the start. 

And if you’ve ever wondered how to sell digital products on Etsy, or if this platform is good for digital product sellers, we’ve got you covered!

Pros of Etsy:

• Low entry barrier: Get started quickly and cheaply! Setting up a store doesn’t require you to have a full-blown business setup in many countries, making it perfect for those who are still learning the ropes.
• Built-in traffic: Etsy has a massive, active customer base. This means you don’t have to spend much time or money trying to drive traffic to your products; potential buyers are already on the platform, browsing and engaged. 
• No need for a well-known brand: You don’t need an extensive marketing strategy, a fancy logo, or even a website. Just upload your products and start selling.

 Cons of Etsy:

• Payment control: All payments are routed through Etsy, which means they control when you get paid. You won’t receive funds immediately after a sale.
• Stiff competition: Etsy’s low entry barrier also means that competition is fierce. It’s common to see dozens of shops selling similar digital products, which can make it difficult to stand out.
• Limited control: Etsy doesn’t allow you to run external ads, and you don’t have full access to customer data, making it harder to build long-term relationships with your customers.
• Suspension Risks: Accounts on Etsy are vulnerable to suspension, sometimes without clear reasons, which could jeopardize your income stream.

Who it’s for:

Etsy is ideal for those who want to gain experience and test their product ideas with a wide and established audience. If you’re not yet sure about making a full-time income from digital products or you want to keep costs minimal, here’s where you should start. However, be prepared for high competition and limited control over your store.

Expert advice:

To make the most out of Etsy, focus on niche products that cater to specific audiences. Use Etsy’s inbuilt advertising platform to increase visibility, but remember that it’s not a substitute for building your brand outside the platform. Collect customer emails where possible, and keep track of feedback and reviews to improve your listings and stay ahead of competitors.

Ready to take the leap? Let’s go!

Stan
The perfect platform for social media enthusiasts

Stan is a relatively new player, but it’s rapidly gaining popularity, especially among content creators and influencers. Stan markets itself as an all-in-one platform for creators to sell products, services, and subscriptions. But is Stan a good place to sell digital products? In a word: absolutely!

What sets Stan apart from Etsy is its focus on providing tools specifically for those who are building their follower base and enjoy creating content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Pros of Stan:

• Ease of use: Stan is designed for people who don’t have a technical background. You can set up a digital storefront in minutes, making it one of the easiest platforms to get started with.
• Versatility: You can sell more than just digital products. Services like Zoom consultations or memberships can be offered through Stan, which gives you multiple revenue streams.
• Affiliates program: Stan has an excellent affiliate program, so you can also earn revenue by referring others to the platform. This is an excellent income stream that is well worth learning more about.

Cons of Stan:

• Limited customization: While Stan is easy to use, it offers limited flexibility in terms of design and customization. You won’t be able to create advanced funnels or highly personalized sales pages.
• No advanced ads integration: If you plan to run ads on platforms like Facebook or Google, Stan might not be the best option. Its lack of ad integration makes it difficult to scale through paid advertising.

Who it’s for:

Stan is the ideal platform for social media influencers, bloggers, and creators who want to monetize their audience without dealing with complex tech setups. If you’re a coach, consultant, or influencer selling digital products and services directly through your social media profiles, Stan is your best bet.

Expert advice:

Leverage Stan’s affiliate program to increase your income and reach. Since the platform integrates well with social media, focus on organic traffic and building a relationship with your audience. Keep in mind that you might eventually need to switch platforms as your product catalog grows, so be ready to transition when needed.

👉 Ready to explore Stan? Check out our link here to get started and see how the platform can help you monetize your audience with ease.

Shopify
Lift-off for serious entrepreneurs

Simply put, Shopify is the powerhouse of eCommerce platforms. If you’re serious about turning your digital product business into a six or seven-figure venture, Shopify offers the tools you need to build a fully-fledged online store with all the customization and marketing features you could want.

Pros of Shopify:

• Customizable storefront: Shopify’s biggest selling point is its flexibility. You can build a completely branded online store with extensive customization options. It’s more than just setting up shop, it’s setting up a commercial home.
• Advanced marketing integrations: Shopify supports an extensive range of marketing tools, from email campaigns to advanced ad tracking, making it perfect for scaling your business.
• Payment flexibility: Shopify supports multiple payment options, including its own payments platform, PayPal, and Stripe, making it easier for international customers to transact, and for your to profit.

Cons of Shopify:

• Requires business setup: Unlike Etsy, you’ll need to have a registered business to use Shopify in many countries, which can be a hassle for beginners.
• Higher costs: Between monthly fees, transaction costs, and the price of additional plugins or apps, running a Shopify store can get expensive. The costs are often justified by the revenue you can generate, so you’ll have to crunch some numbers. But it’s well worth doing the sums.

Who it’s for:

Many digital product entrepreneurs wonder, 'Is Shopify the best platform for scaling my business?' Shopify offers unmatched customization and advanced marketing integrations that can make scaling easier.

Shopify is best for entrepreneurs who are ready to take their digital product business to the next level. If you’re planning to build a long-term business with a strong brand identity, and you’re comfortable with some tech setup or hiring help, Shopify will give you the most control – and potential for growth.

Expert advice:

Start with Shopify’s free trial to get a feel for the platform. Focus on building a recognizable brand and use Shopify’s marketing tools to drive traffic and increase conversions. Over time, investing in third-party apps can help automate and scale your business, but careful not to overcapitalize – be mindful of how the costs add up. 

The good news is that I’ve compiled everything you need to know and do in one place – so that you can beef up your Shopify game, or hit the ground running.

So which platform is right for you?

• Etsy: Best for beginners who want a low-cost, low-commitment way to start selling digital products.
• Stan: Ideal for social media creators and influencers looking to monetize their audience with minimal tech hassle.
• Shopify: Perfect for serious entrepreneurs ready to build a scalable, branded business with advanced marketing features.

Choosing the right platform depends on your long-term goals and your current stage in the journey. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, understanding the pros and cons of each platform can help you make the best decision for your digital product business.

Whichever you decide, I have created a suite of products, bundles, and guides to get you set up, stocked, and soaring with your digital product business.

Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are other ecommerce platforms out there for you to explore, including:

•     Beacons.ai
•     Creative Fabrica
•     Creative Market
•     Design Bundles
•     Flodesk
•     Gumroad
•     Kabaji
•     Payhip
•     Podia
•     Sellfy
•     SendOwl
•     Systeme.io
•     Thinkific

And if you want to learn more about them, I delve into these – as well as a plethora of other topics, advice, and support – in my Digital Empires courses. So feel free to sign up!

The tools are all out there. Opportunity awaits. Here’s to your success!