Amazon vs Etsy vs eBay vs Shopify vs TikTok Shop (Ireland)

Amazon vs Etsy vs eBay vs Shopify vs TikTok Shop (Ireland)

Amazon vs Etsy vs eBay vs Shopify vs TikTok Shop (Ireland)

Intro
You only need one main lane to start. This Ireland-focused comparison shows who each platform suits, the pitfalls, and the first step to take this week.

TL;DR

  • Handmade/custom? Start on Etsy, then add Shopify.

  • Want traffic day one? Amazon, but protect margin.

  • Want an asset you own? Shopify first.

  • Happy on video? TikTok Shop + short-form daily.

  • Reselling/clearance? eBay niche store.

H2: Quick comparison (at a glance)

Platform Best for Biggest pitfall First step (Ireland)
Amazon Traffic from day one Fees + PPC eat margin; suspensions One product, full listing, basic PPC; track landed margin
Etsy Handmade/personalised/printables Price race; copycats 15–20 listings, strong photos, SEO titles; fast replies
eBay Resellers/clearance/used Brutal price competition Niche down; premium photos; build repeat buyers list
Shopify Brand building & owning data No traffic by default One-product page, email capture, pick 1 traffic source
TikTok Shop On-camera sellers/UGC Trend fatigue; policies 20 angles of 1 hero product; post daily; go live 2–3×/wk

H2: Amazon (Ireland/UK)

Pros: trust + traffic, Prime expectations.
Cons: fees, PPC, strict rules, you don’t own the customer.
How to win: one product → perfect listing (title, bullets, imagery, A+), learn PPC basics, move winners to Shopify/email list.
This week: research 3 live competitors; calculate margin after FBA/PPC/fees.

H2: Etsy

Pros: customers expect custom/handmade; built-in traffic.
Cons: copycats, seasonal swings, buyer price sensitivity.
How to win: 15–20 listings, lifestyle photos, SEO titles, quick messaging; upsell to your email list.
This week: shoot a 30–45s process video; add it to top listings.

H2: eBay

Pros: great for second-hand, refurbished, niche collectors.
Cons: fees + returns; race to bottom.
How to win: niche store (e.g., retro jerseys), immaculate descriptions, set shipping expectations; capture repeat buyers to email.
This week: pick one sub-niche and list 10 items consistently.

H2: Shopify

Pros: you own brand, data, margins, and UX; easiest to scale.
Cons: no traffic by default—requires content/ads/SEO.
How to win: one hero product, clean page, Irish/UK delivery & returns, email flows (welcome/abandon/post-purchase), one traffic source (TikTok, Meta or SEO).
This week: publish 1 hero page + enable Abandoned Checkout email.

H2: TikTok Shop

Pros: impulse-friendly; native checkout; massive reach.
Cons: volatility; constant content; policy changes.
How to win: 1 hero product; 20 hooks/angles; daily posts; lives; ask for UGC rights.
This week: record 5 hooks; post 1/day; read comments for angles.

H2: Choosing your lane in 60 seconds

  • Hate video → not TikTok first.

  • Love making things → Etsy → then Shopify.

  • Want brand equity → Shopify first; add marketplaces later.

  • Need immediate traffic → Amazon, but spreadsheet your real margin.

H2: What to do next

  • Pick one lane and execute for 21 days.

  • Add a second channel only after your first converts.

Get the free Starter Kit →
30-day checklist • budget planner • supplier worksheet.

H2: FAQs (Ireland)

Do I need a company to start? Sole trader is fine to start; keep clean records.
Is VAT required? Depends on thresholds/activities; mind EU/UK rules when selling cross-border.
Which is cheapest? The one with healthy margin after fees/shipping/ads.

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