#eecks

eecks:

I’m going to be typing this from my mobile so sorry for the lack of text styling/formatting.  Sorry I just got on my computer so I’m going to edit this so its a bit cleaner to read!!

Storenvy:

Pros

Free to use for custom store

Relatively simple to use

Can use PayPal

Able to see # of sold items

Allows shipping groups (ex/ add .50 for additional items for shipping depending on what category – under your control)

Able to categorize items and have different variants AND cost variants (i.e. combos can be listed under the same item and have a different $ amount)

Full access to your FAQ but must have the basic questions

Provides you with detailed stats (sales per month, total sales, total shipping costs where/what link your customers come from, etc)

Cons

Limited design choices if you just want to use preset templates

All NEW stores (and existing if not already emailed and made request to be removed) must use Stripe which is another service just like PayPal but has seamless check-out– not a con but essentially most people already have a PayPal w their financial/private info so why be forced with another one

Sends emails to customers like “have you received this item yet” which is great as a reminder, but not when you have an item listed as a preorder and end up having to deal with a mass of people getting worried their items are lost when they haven’t even arrived to you

10% commission on sales in marketplace (including shipping costs – can be disabled but marketplace also garners a large portion of sales if you don’t have a large following)

Sometimes you may not get notified of certain orders even though PayPal has gone through

Admin seems passive aggressive in their emails and uses really uncomfortable informal language which is meant to make them seem friendly..? “you got this” “way to go” “brand-spanking new”

This doesn’t seem like and big thing but they force your city to be on your profile and showcased on your store– its great but not when you live in a small town and would rather just have the next biggest city or just the country

You can’t ever fully close your store or account (but can make it unavailable to public) after you have made at least one sale

Tictail:

Pros:

NO STRIPE!!!!

Free and works seamlessly like storenvy

Can add apps to your store (ex/ changing currency depending on customer location, discounts, etc – some are free some are not but you can pick/choose and they’re all pretty affordable $1-5/month)

Templates are really responsive and the designs are pretty (also for people who like messing with the code directly, like tumblr you can see real time changes as you mess with the code and click between pages – may also be a con bc you spend too much time customizing)

Able to add stock variants

Has “unlimited” stock option which can be good if you’re taking preorders and don’t know how many to print

Gives you full access to FAQ and edit whatever you want (i.e. you don’t have to make it question/answer format and make it “terms and conditions” which sounds so much more professional!!!)

Submenus to as many levels as you want

Dashboard is simple (may also be a con bc no stats, but I find it as a pro and makes my life simpler)

So far no mistakes with missing orders on tictail’s side (always get an email from both tictail and paypal)

Able to add the option of free shipping after certain amount of $

Cons:

No detailed stats like storenvy

No “sold” stock count for you (so using the unlimited option can be dangerous since you’ll be counting manually)

No “preorder” or “sale labels (unless you mess with the code but I’m coding stupid)

No shipping options to add according to how many items (aka flat shipping costs unless you make more groups but may get messy bc dependent on the buyer to choose the right one) – they are currently working on fixing this though!

No cost variants under the same item

Overall both have their pros and cons and while tictail is a lot “simpler” (which is what I prefer), after the changes in storenvy and their constant emails in their “oh so friendly” language, in addition to just not getting some emails about new orders – I just don’t feel as comfortable using a service that was once so simple turned complicated. Tictail does have its negative points and restrictions but I definitely feel like I have more control as a store owner rather than on storenvy who amended their “manifesto”, putting customers first.

It might be good to keep in mind that I’ve used storenvy just shy of 2 years but I’ve also become increasingly biased against it as a store owner (I’m totally fine with buying from stores that use it though!).