Considering a Shopify Facebook Store? Read this first.

(This post was originally published on October 10, 2017. We’ve updated it for accuracy and completeness.)

Over half (57%) of consumers say social media like Facebook influences their shopping decisions. Shopify is taking note and they’re make it easier to set up shop on Facebook and integrate it with their software.

A few years ago, Shopify released an app called Shopify Facebook Store that allows merchants to set up a fully integrated store on Facebook. Expanding your selling to social media sites can be an excellent tactic to increase traffic to your online store, improve engagement with your Facebook fans, and increase sales.

But, selling on Facebook may not be a tactic that everyone should use.

Let’s dive into how the Shopify Facebook app could help your business, and why you should (and shouldn’t) consider using it.

Magento vs. Shopify Plus: How to Choose for Your Business

(This post was last published on June 14th, 2018. We’ve updated it for accuracy and completeness.)

Magento and Shopify are two of the leading eCommerce platforms available for sellers. While Magento has led the market for many years, Shopify is the fastest growing platform with no signs of slowing down. Both offer compelling solutions for medium-sized to Enterprise online sellers. The question is then, which platform should you use for your eCommerce store?

Whether you’re implementing a new site for the first time or upgrading from Magento 1, there are many factors that play into your decision. This article compares and contrasts Magento versus Shopify Plus to help you decide which platform is the right fit for you.

Shopify Capital and Shopify Capital Alternatives

(This is a guest post from our friends over at Payability, a finance company that helps marketplace sellers take control of their cash flow issues and finally grow their businesses.)

For many small business owners — and especially eCommerce sellers — access to capital is a major growth hurdle. To effectively grow your eCommerce business, you need to invest, be it in a marketing campaign, new employees, or bulk inventory, for example. While it might work for some eCommerce businesses, going to a bank for financing isn’t always the best option (after all, the process is cumbersome, lengthy, and often a wasted effort due to low approval rates for online businesses).

But you likely already knew this. What you might not know is that there are financing options designed to work with your business, so you can get the cash you need — when you need it. In this guide, we break down popular options like Shopify Capital, Payability’s Instant Advance for Shopify, and more. 

How to Choose a Shopify-ERP Solution

(This post was last published on May 10, 2017. It has been updated for accuracy and completeness.)

As an online merchant, your band must stand out as you face tough, fast-moving competition. To stay ahead, your business must use the right technology to power optimal customer experiences. This probably lead you to choose leading eCommerce platform Shopify/Shopify Plus in the first place. While your business is built around this platform, it’s not the only platform that can help you grow.

What about your back office operations? How do you ensure you remain efficient as possible as order volumes increase and your fulfillment processes mature? At this point, you should consider using a robust backend system like an ERP alongside your eCommerce platform. This guide walks you through what an ERP system is and how to choose the best Shopify-ERP solution for your business.

Shopify vs Etsy: Should You Sell on a Marketplace or Webstore?

(This post was last updated on December 5^th, 2017. We’ve updated it for accuracy and completeness.)

Should you sell on Shopify or Etsy? When comparing these two, it’s less about which platform to use and more about which method of selling makes the most sense for you.

Shopify is a webstore platform. Etsy is an online marketplace. It’s kind of like comparing apples to oranges. While they’re both online sales channels, these platforms represent two fundamentally different ways to sell or reach potential customers.

So, which method is better for your business? There may not be a right or wrong answer. You must decide which platform aligns best with your resources and business goals. In some cases, you might even want to sell on both platforms!

Nonetheless, we’ll compare Shopify vs Etsy in this article to help you make the best decision for your business.