Why owning your own store matters — and how to turn it into real income
Quick Summary / Key Takeaways
- Shopify isn’t just for big brands — it’s a tool for local bakers, crafters, and digital product sellers.
- Unlike Amazon/Etsy, Shopify lets you own your customer list, giving you control over repeat business.
- You don’t need inventory: dropshipping, print-on-demand, and digital downloads make Shopify beginner-friendly.
- Small-batch sellers can thrive using “drops” models (sell only what’s preordered).
- Shopify has historically invested in its merchants (pitch competitions, grants, event showcases) — no other platform has matched that.
🎧 Dive into this episode of Money Diary where we break down how to actually make money on Shopify — from products to printables and everything in between. Whether you’re starting fresh or scaling your store, you’ll walk away with practical strategies you can use today.
Stats Snapshot
- The global e-commerce market is projected to hit $6.3 trillion in 2025.
- Shopify powers 4.6+ million stores worldwide.
- Digital products (planners, templates, printables) have 90%+ profit margins.
- Print-on-demand is expected to reach $39 billion by 2030.
Comparison: Shopify vs Etsy vs Amazon
| Platform | Who Owns Customer Relationship | Fees | Flexibility | Long-Term Branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Etsy (you get names but not true list control) | Listing + transaction fees | Limited | Moderate |
| Amazon | Amazon (you don’t own customer info) | Referral + FBA fees | Rigid | Weak |
| Shopify | You (full list + analytics) | Monthly + payment fees | Unlimited | Strong |
Checklist: Starting a Shopify Store in 2025
- Choose your product type: physical, print-on-demand, or digital.
- Set up your store with a clean theme and mobile-first design.
- Configure local pickup/delivery if running a small-batch/drops model.
- Connect payment providers (Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe).
- Set up email flows: welcome, abandoned cart, thank-you sequence.
- Market via organic traffic (Pinterest, TikTok, SEO) or paid ads.
- Collect emails from day one — your customer list is your biggest asset.
Intro: Why Shopify Matters More Than Ever
Shopify isn’t just “another e-commerce platform.” It’s the difference between building your own store and being a renter in someone else’s mall.
Etsy gives you a storefront, but they own the traffic. Amazon gives you sales, but not your customer list. Shopify gives you something the others can’t: ownership. You own your brand, your design, your customer data, and your future.
For entrepreneurs — from bakers at farmers’ markets to digital product creators — Shopify can be the fastest, smartest way to turn an idea into income.
Table of Contents
1. What Makes Shopify Different (Control vs. Etsy/Amazon)
The biggest advantage of Shopify: you own the customer relationship.
- Etsy: You see customer names, but Etsy owns the platform and traffic.
- Amazon: Customers belong to Amazon. You don’t get their info.
- Shopify: You build your own customer database and email list. That’s gold for repeat sales and business valuation.
Takeaway: Owning your customer list is what turns sales into a sustainable business.
2. Beginner-Friendly Ways to Make Money on Shopify
Physical Products
Sell what you make (jewelry, baked goods, clothing) or what you source wholesale.
Print-on-Demand (POD)
Services like Printful or Printify let you sell shirts, mugs, or even books without inventory.
Digital Products
Planners, printables, templates, AI prompts. These can run at 90%+ margins.
Takeaway: You don’t need inventory or a warehouse. Shopify is flexible for any product type.
3. Small-Batch Selling: The Drops Model
Shopify isn’t just for national shipping — it works beautifully for local, small-batch sellers.
Imagine a baker:
- Opens Shopify for a week, selling cinnamon rolls.
- Customers preorder.
- Baker makes only what was ordered.
- Pickup is on Saturday at the farmers’ market.
This “drops” approach eliminates waste, builds urgency, and keeps production manageable. Shopify’s local pickup/delivery feature makes it simple.
Takeaway: Shopify fits even tiny, local businesses — not just online-only sellers.
4. Driving Traffic (SEO, Pinterest, TikTok)
Shopify doesn’t give you traffic — you have to bring it.
- SEO: Blog posts, optimized product descriptions.
- Pinterest: Perfect for evergreen niches (recipes, DIY, printables).
- TikTok: Short, authentic product videos → direct to store.
- Paid ads: Facebook/Instagram ads can scale quickly if margins allow.
Takeaway: A great store without traffic is invisible.
5. Conversion: Store Design, Upsells, Email Flows
Traffic alone isn’t enough. You need to convert visitors.
- Use clean, mobile-friendly Shopify themes.
- Bundle products to increase order value.
- Add upsells/cross-sells at checkout.
- Automate email flows: welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, and post-purchase follow-ups.
Takeaway: The difference between $500 and $5,000/month often comes from conversion tweaks, not just traffic.
6. Shopify Skills as Freelance Work
Even if you don’t want to run your own store, Shopify is a skill you can monetize.
Freelance services include:
- Store setup and theme design.
- Product listing optimization.
- Running ads or Pinterest traffic campaigns.
Rates range from $20/hour for beginners to $100+/hour for specialists.
Takeaway: Learning Shopify can earn you money two ways: running your own store or freelancing for others.
7. Shopify’s History of Merchant Support
Shopify hasn’t just been a platform; at times, it’s acted as a partner.
- They launched initiatives like a Black entrepreneur community group, which gave underrepresented founders visibility and resources.
- Some small brands were chosen to pitch at Daymond John’s Black Entrepreneur Day, with Shopify providing grants.
- Shopify featured merchant products at AfroTech, showcasing them to new audiences.
These programs have changed under new leadership, but no other platform — not Etsy, not Amazon — has ever invested in their sellers like this.
Takeaway: Shopify’s history shows a unique commitment to elevating small brands.
8. FAQs
Q: Do I need inventory to start a Shopify store?
No. You can sell print-on-demand or digital products without holding stock.
Q: Is Shopify better than Etsy?
For building a brand and owning your customer list, yes. Etsy is better for testing low-cost ideas with built-in traffic.
Q: Can I sell locally on Shopify?
Yes. Shopify supports local pickup/delivery, making it great for farmers’ markets or bakeries.
Q: How much does Shopify cost?
Plans start at $39/month. With apps and extras, budget $50–$100/month.
Q: Is Shopify too competitive now?
The platform is crowded, but niches always exist. The advantage is in brand-building and traffic strategy.
🏁 Wrap-Up
Shopify isn’t just a place to sell — it’s a way to own your business.
- It works for local bakers and crafters as much as for global print-on-demand sellers.
- You can sell physical, digital, or small-batch “drops.”
- Unlike Amazon/Etsy, you own your customer list — the foundation of a brand.
- Shopify has even invested in its merchants, something competitors don’t do.
The e-commerce market is massive, and Shopify makes it accessible. Whether you want to sell cinnamon rolls on Saturdays, digital planners worldwide, or build a six-figure brand, the tools are here.
Click here to start building your store today.
👩 Author Bio
Kelly Bejelly is a 15-year veteran of blogging, freelancing, and e-commerce. She has built and sold digital businesses, run a Shopify-based brand, and worked with Fortune 500 companies. Today she runs Money Diary, where she shares tested, transparent strategies for turning side hustles into sustainable income.
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