Shopify is my favorite ecommerce website builder, and one of the top-rated platforms worldwide, offering unmatched versatility, scalability, and ease of use.
Alternatively, Art Storefronts is a niche-focused ecommerce solution, dedicated to supporting the artist community.
While both platforms have unique benefits to offer, they target very different groups of consumers. Overall, I’d recommend:
- Shopify: To companies looking for omnichannel sales tools, exceptional functionality, and the ability to sell any product or service, both online and offline.
- Art Storefronts: To creatives searching for focused tools, like AI insights into art buyers, automated email marketing, and comprehensive consulting services.
Shopify vs Art Storefronts: Quick Verdict
Shopify and Art Storefronts are both tools that allow entrepreneurs to launch their own online stores and sell products online.
However, while Shopify is a world-leading ecommerce solution that can adapt to any type of business, (from dropshipping companies to service providers), Art Storefronts focuses exclusively on the art trade.
Shopify Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
- Supports the sale of any type of product, on any channel.
- Built-in marketing, inventory management, and fulfillment features.
- User-friendly interface, with step-by-step guidance throughout.
- Excellent payment processing and point of sale capabilities.
- Extensive scalability via integrations, APIs, and the ability to create custom apps.
Cons 👎
- Transaction fees for using third-party payment processors.
- Some features are restricted to higher-tier plans.
Art Storefronts Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
- Exceptional community and fantastic customer service.
- Assistance with fulfillment, packaging, and merchandising.
- Integrated tools for customer relationship management and automation.
- Straightforward and insightful reporting tools.
Offline and online selling capabilities. - Powerful AI capabilities to help increase your sales.
Cons 👎
- Specifically focused on the art trade.
- Limited omnichannel selling capabilities.
- Support and services (such as marketing services) can be expensive.
What the Two Platforms Do Best
While Art Storefronts and Shopify have some overlapping capabilities, there are big differences in their benefits, affecting the types of business owners best suited to each platform.
What Shopify Does Best:
I think Shopify’s best features revolve around its flexibility and scalability. The platform can adapt to suit any business model, and you can sell any product or service with the ecosystem.
This is the go-to ecommerce platform for just about any small to mid-sized company. Best features include:
- Omnichannel functionality: The omnichannel solution allows you to combine your online store with a range of sales channels, from social media to marketplaces. There’s even a built-in point of sale system for in-store selling.
- Customization: With Shopify, companies gain access to one of the biggest app marketplaces in the world, brimming with thousands of tools that can extend the functionality and performance of your website.
- Business management: Shopify makes it easy to manage all aspects of your business, with features for fulfillment, shipping, inventory and product management, customer relationship management, and more.
What Art Storefronts Does Best:
Art Storefronts focuses on one target audience: artists. In my opinion, it’s one of the best solutions for art sellers out there, combining an exceptional community, with a comprehensive sales platform, and a fantastic selection of expert services.
The biggest benefits include:
- Niche focus: Art Storefronts offers features specific to the needs of artists, such as tools for printing art catalogues, and it’s “Art Buyer AI” which helps you understand your target audience. It even offers streamlined analytics features.
- Customer service: Art Storefronts can handle everything from fulfillment, to building your website on your behalf. The expert team can create marketing plans on your behalf, and guide you through the process of increasing your revenue.
- Community: Art Storefronts users gain access to an exceptional community, where they can learn from their peers, share tips, and discover new partners. Plus, there’s a huge range of videos and guides to review.
Shopify vs Art Storefronts: Pricing and Fees
Shopify and Art Storefronts take a very different approach to pricing. Shopify sells access to its platform on a “software as a service” basis, which means you get predictable monthly fees, transaction rates, and other costs.
Art Storefront designs “customized” solutions for each customer.
Art Storefronts Pricing and Fees
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any transparent information about pricing for Art Storefronts on its website.
That’s because the company doesn’t just sell software, it offers each artist a combination of bespoke services and solutions, tailored to their needs.
This means your pricing will depend on what you need from the company. The more assistance you want when it comes to building your store, implementing advanced features, and creating marketing campaigns, the more you’ll pay.
Notably, the company does regularly run promotions which give users access to free services, such as website setup, website management, and free social media help.
Shopify Pricing and Fees
Shopify’s pricing is a lot more straightforward. You can start selling online for as little as $5 per month with the “Starter” package, but this doesn’t give you access to the full Shopify platform, just the ability to sell through messaging apps, links, and social media.
You can find out more about the starter plan in our video below:
The core plans available from Shopify include:
- Shopify Basic: $39 per month: Everything you need to design and run an online store, from themes to inventory management. You get a single staff account, a range of marketing tools, basic analytics, and 24/7 customer support.
- Shopify: $105 per month: All the features of the Basic plan, as well as 5 staff accounts, lower payment processing fees, and an upgraded reporting system.
- Shopify Advanced: $399 per month: The features of Shopify, plus enhanced live chat customer service, custom reports, and 15 staff accounts.
- Shopify Plus: Starting at $2,300 per month: The features of the Advanced plan, plus unlimited accounts, advanced customization, and priority support.
Shopify does charge transaction fees on top of credit card processing fees if you don’t use their integrated Payment Processor, Shopify Payments. Fees range from 0.15% on Shopify Plus, to 2% on Shopify Basic plans.
Learn more about Shopify Pricing in our video below:
Shopify vs Art Storefronts: The Core Features
Comparing Art Storefronts and Shopify is complex because they offer very different solutions and services.
Shopify is a comprehensive omnichannel commerce platform and website builder. Art Storefronts gives artists a combination of technology and services, in a custom package.
Notably, Shopify does also give companies the option to access specialist services, through its “Shopify Experts” program.
Additionally, Art Storefronts also gives vendors a customizable website. Other features the two solutions have in common include:
- Fulfillment and shipping solutions and services
- AI-powered tools (Art Buyer AI, and Shopify Magic/Shopify Sidekick)
- Email marketing capabilities
- Offline and online selling tools
- Integrated payment processing
- Community resources and educational webinars
- Product and inventory management
- Analytical and reporting tools
The Unique Features of Art Storefronts
The great thing about Art Storefronts is that it’s packed with tools specifically tuned to the needs of artists.
As well as being able to create an attractive website (with or without the help of an expert), you’ll also be able to access a range of unique features like:
- Augmented reality: The AR tool built into Art Storefronts allows you to show customers augmented reality previews of your art and creations, integrated into their environment.
- Custom marketing plans: Art Storefronts works with companies to create marketing strategies and calendars specific to their needs.
- Merchandising: A built-in print on demand solution allows you to add your art to a range of products, from calendars to t-shirts and mugs.
- Lead capture tools: Art Storefronts offers access to lead capture tools, to help you attract relevant buyers to your store.
- Integrated CRM: The platform includes a lightweight CRM for managing opportunities and client relationships.
The Unique Features of Shopify
Shopify is a far more well-rounded platform overall, with features tailored to the needs of every seller.
Compared to Art Storefronts, it gives you a lot more freedom to build any business, with unique capabilities such as:
- Shopify Markets: A dedicated solution that allows you to create localized experiences for global audiences, boosting your market reach.
- Marketing tools: Shopify is primed for search engine optimization, and includes access to features like Google and Facebook integrations, blogging tools, and Shopify Inbox for chat.
- App Marketplace: The Shopify app marketplace allows you to integrate your store with a huge selection of marketing, accounting, and customer service tools.
- Omnichannel selling: As mentioned above, Shopify integrates with marketplaces and social media channels, as well as other sales platforms. It also has a built-in POS system.
- Advanced reporting: Although Art Storefronts offers access to basic reports, Shopify’s reporting features are more advanced, with custom options on some plans.
- Enhanced design tools: Shopify gives you a lot more control over your site’s design and appearance, with a range of premium and free themes.
Read more:
Shopify vs Art Storefronts: Ease of Use and Customer Support
I often say Shopify is one of the simplest and most intuitive platforms out there. That’s true, but in this case, Art Storefronts may be an even simpler option.
Although the interface isn’t as intuitive, you can choose to hand everything over to an expert team, so you don’t actually have to build, maintain, or even market your website yourself.
While you will have to pay for the services you access, this could be a good option if you want to focus on creating your art, rather than managing your online store.
Shopify has a very straightforward interface (packed with great tooltips), but it’s versatile range of features means it takes longer to master.
Of course, you could always hire a Shopify Expert to build and run your store for you too.
Customer Support
Both Shopify and Art Storefronts are fantastic at delivering comprehensive support to all of their customers.
You can get in touch with their respective teams directly through chat, email, or phone, and both organizations offer businesses a range of self-help resources, such as FAQs, guides, training workshops and more.
Additionally, as I mentioned above, both companies have an excellent community, so you can easily find other likeminded business owners to help you with everyday issues.
Shopify vs Art Storefronts: The Bottom Line
Ultimately, comparing Art Storefronts and Shopify is challenging because they’re very different solutions. While both options allow people to sell online, Shopify is a far more versatile solution suitable for virtually any kind of business owner.
Alternatively, Art Storefronts is a niche solution, designed to give artists all the tools they need to thrive in the ecommerce landscape.
If you’re looking for an ecommerce platform tailored specifically to artists, Art Storefronts is the clear choice. However, if you’re looking for scalability, flexibility, and ease of use, pick Shopify.
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