Linktree vs Shopify: Which option do you need for your business? Shopify is the number one ecommerce platform I recommend to virtually any business owner.
Even if you don’t need a comprehensive website builder, you can access the Starter plan, and use Linkpop to monetize your social media “link in bio”, while accessing more features than you’d get from Linktree.
Alternatively, Linktree simply gives you a way to consolidate all of your content and links in one convenient place. It’s an affordable option for influencers and members of the creator economy, but doesn’t have the scale or versatility of Shopify.
Here’s my complete comparison of the two options.
Shopify vs Linktree: The Pros and Cons
Shopify Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
Cons 👎
Pros 👍
Convenient Starter plan with Linkpop included
Exceptional scalability for omnichannel selling
Easy-to-use website builder with responsive themes
Excellent inventory and order management features
In-depth analytics and reporting tools on all plans
Included Shopify POS Lite for in-store selling on all plans
Cons 👎
Transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments
High payment processing fees on the Starter plan
Linktree Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
Cons 👎
Pros 👍
Easy to use for beginners
Affordable pricing with a free plan
Conversion tracking and reporting
Plenty of high-quality templates
QR code solution to boost traffic
Content update scheduling included
Cons 👎
Transaction fees on most plans
Only supports the sale of digital products
Shopify vs Payhip: Overview and Pricing
What is Shopify? Pricing and Fees
Shopify is a comprehensive commerce platform, giving companies all the tools they need to build a website, and sell through multiple channels, from their own store to social platforms and marketplaces. The company even includes POS software on all of its plans, allowing users to sell products in-store, or at marketplace events.
With Shopify, you can sell a range of physical products, (and digital products with apps), access robust inventory, order, and product management tools, and run comprehensive marketing campaigns. You can also scale your store over time, adding new sales channels and integrations.
If you’re comparing Shopify to Linktree, the first plan you’re likely to consider is the Shopify Starter plan, for $5 per month.
It doesn’t include access to Shopify’s website builder, but it does give you LinkPop which allows you to create a unified page with all of your content, and shoppable product sections. You’ll also get analytics, order management tools, and Shopify POS Lite.
When you’re ready to upgrade, you can choose from the following plans:
Shopify Basic: $39 per month
Shopify: $105 per month
Shopify Advanced: $399 per month
Shopify Plus: Starting at $2,300 per month
Notably, Shopify does charge transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments, and the payment processing fees are higher on the Starter plan (5% per transaction).
What is Linktree and How Much Does it Cost?
Linktree is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to create a landing page featuring links to all of their online content, social media profiles, and ecommerce stores.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can access various features to monetize your “link in bio”, collect email addresses, connect affiliate programs, and more. However, the solution is relatively simple compared to Shopify.
No plan gives you the option to create your own comprehensive website, and you can only sell in-person using QR codes. On the plus side, you do get useful reporting and analytical tools to help you track conversions and product performance.
Linktree has a free plan, which comes with basic features, such as the ability to connect most of your content to your landing page, and sell digital products. However, there will be a “Linktree” logo on your page. Paid plans include:
Starter: $5 per month
Pro: $9 per month
Premium: $24 per month
Notably, while Linktree doesn’t charge any transaction fees for a limited time, you will eventually need to pay extra. Transaction fees are calculated as a % of the value of each purchase.
Shopify vs Linktree: The Core Features
While Linktree and Shopify both offer similar features to content creators, such as a Link in bio tool, analytics, order management, and the ability to process payments, they’re very different tools overall.
The Main Features of Shopify
Extensive link in bio solution: On the Shopify Starter plan, you get all the tools you need to create a landing page for your “link in bio” on social platforms, plus access to Shopify POS Lite, analytical tools, and order/inventory management.
Website builder: Once you upgrade to one of Shopify’s core plans, you’ll be able to design your own website with customizable themes, an integrated blog, and the ability to connect to other sales channels, like marketplaces.
Powerful sales tools: With Shopify, you’ll get an integrated payment processor, and the ability to sell both physical products, and digital products (through apps). You can also access tax calculation tools, financial reports, and a world-leading checkout.
Marketing tools: Shopify’s core plans include features for running promotions, connecting with customers through chat and email, and driving engagement through blogs. Shopify’s website building solution is also SEO-friendly, to boost your ranking.
Business management tools: Most of Shopify’s plans come with excellent business management tools for inventory, order, staff, customer, and product management. Some plans also include access to shipping and fulfillment tools.
Analytics: Shopify’s extensive reporting and analytics tools make it easy to keep track of your sales, top performing products, tax, and more. On some plans, you can even create custom reports to track specific metrics.
Integrations: Shopify’s comprehensive app market allows you to extend your store’s functionality over time, connecting to a range of solutions for marketing, customer service, analytics, reporting, and more.
The Core Features of Linktree
Customizable landing pages: Linktree won’t allow you to build a website, but you can design a comprehensive landing page for your link in bio, with a range of customizable themes. Some plans even allow you to embed videos and forms to collect contact details.
Sales tools: While you can sell digital products with Linktree, there’s no option for selling physical products directly. Your only option here is to link your customers to affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates.
Branding tools: Linktree allows users to create custom profile pictures, NFT profile images, custom backgrounds and videos for their landing pages, and more. Unfortunately, on the free plan, you’ll still have Linktree’s branding on your page.
Analytics: Linktree allows you to track conversion rates and performance metrics. However, you can only monitor Facebook conversions and Google analytics with premium plans. The advanced plans also include device, location, and referrer-based analytics.
Integrations: Linktree isn’t as flexible as Shopify, but if you use a premium plan, you can connect your landing page to things like MailChimp and Google Sheets. There’s also a Zapier integration available for custom connections.
When to Use Shopify and When to Use Linktree
When to Use Shopify
Choose Shopify if you want:
A scalable solution that includes a “link in bio” tool, but also allows you to build your own website and sell through various channels.
The option to sell a wide range of physical and digital products, as well as subscriptions (with the right apps).
An opportunity to build a comprehensive brand, manage inventory and orders with precision, and grow your company over time.
When to Use Linktree
Choose Linktree if you want:
A low-cost way to start selling digital products through your social media link in bio.
Flexible and highly customizable themes for your landing pages, with various connectors and embedding options on premium plans.
An easy way to get started with selling online, without having to manage an entire website.
Shopify vs Linktree: Final Thoughts
While both Shopify and Linktree allow you to monetize your social media “link in bio” section, Shopify is a far more scalable and versatile solution.
It allows you to sell a wider range of products, create your own website, and manage your business with comprehensive tools.
Linktree is really just a basic option for creators who want to sell digital products and keep costs low.
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Linktree vs Shopify: Which option do you need for your business? Shopify is the number one ecommerce platform I recommend to virtually any business owner. Even if you don’t need a comprehensive website builder, you can access the Starter plan,…
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