Chapter 8: Best Online Storefronts for Selling T-Shirts

Welcome to Chapter 8 of The Ultimate T-shirt Business Success Guide.

The t-shirt market has evolved into a dynamic and expansive industry, presenting endless opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. With the growing demand for unique and custom apparel, choosing an online storefront can be pivotal in turning creative visions into profitable ventures.

Navigating this landscape requires understanding the various platforms available, each catering to different needs and stages of business development.

Let's look at the three main categories of online storefronts, each offering unique advantages and considerations. Prepare to embark on a journey through the digital marketplace, where the right platform choice can elevate your t-shirt business to new heights.

 

Self-hosted e-commerce stores

Self-hosted e-commerce stores represent the epitome of autonomy and personalization in the digital retail space. These platforms empower entrepreneurs to build and manage their online presence, offering unrivaled control over the store's design, functionality, products, and customer experience.

This level of customization enables businesses to create a unique brand identity, tailor their online space to their specific needs, and take advantage of the maximized profit margins.

However, this freedom comes with its own set of challenges. Running a self-hosted store requires a certain level of technical know-how and a commitment to ongoing site maintenance and security. This can be a steep learning curve for some and may necessitate additional resources or external expertise.

While self-hosting offers unparalleled flexibility, it demands continuous attention and management to ensure customers' seamless and secure shopping experience.

 

Top 5 self-hosted e-commerce platforms

1. Shopify: Renowned as the best all-around e-commerce platform, Shopify serves many businesses, from start-ups to multi-million dollar enterprises. It offers extensive customization with over 6,000 apps and seamless online and offline operations integration. Shopify's pricing ranges from $39/month for Basic Shopify to over $2,000/month for Shopify Plus, making it suitable for scaling businesses​​.
2. WooCommerce: As the largest self-hosted e-commerce platform globally, WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin ideal for those with existing WordPress sites. It's developer-friendly and offers significant integration capabilities. The costs are varied, with expenses for domain, hosting, themes, shipping management, payment gateways, and more, making it budget-flexible​​.
3. Wix: Known for building beautiful websites, Wix is a hosted platform with essential e-commerce features. It's prevalent among small businesses in the creative space. Wix offers three pricing plans, starting from $23/month, and is a good choice for those prioritizing website aesthetics along with e-commerce functionality​​.
4. BigCommerce: This platform caters mainly to enterprise businesses and offers a range of third-party integrations. It's simple to set up and offers pricing plans starting at $29.95/month. BigCommerce is ideal for t-shirt sellers looking for a robust platform with extensive integration options​​.
5. Big Cartel: Designed for artists and creators, Big Cartel is a simple, user-friendly platform ideal for small-scale businesses. Its features are more limited than others, but it's easy to use with essential tools like domain registration and basic marketing. Pricing is based on the number of products, starting with a free plan for up to 5 products, making it great for beginners or small-scale t-shirt sellers​​.

Self-hosted e-commerce comparison chart

	Shopify	WooCommerce	Wix	BigCartel	BigCommerce
Cost	$$$	$	$$	$$$	$$$
Ease of Use	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Customization Options	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Payment Processing	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SEO & Marketing Tools	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scalability	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support & Community	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Integration Capabilities	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mobile Responsiveness	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Security Features	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Product Management	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shipping and Fulfillment	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sales Channels	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance and Reliability	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
User Reviews and Ratings	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Note: These are general ratings, and your specific needs and priorities will determine the best platform for you. Do your research and consider these factors to make an informed decision.

Navigating the self-hosted e-commerce landscape

For entrepreneurs diving into self-hosted e-commerce, the journey promises higher investment and maintenance but yields greater rewards and profit potential. Traditional bulk pre-printing, a common approach, often leads to overstock and reduced margins, as predicting demand can be challenging. 

However, Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers have emerged as a game-changing solution. By setting up a DIY on-demand DTF printing operation, you can avoid overstock issues, print designs as needed, and maintain only a stock of blank shirts.

Ninja Transfers offers versatile solutions for this modern approach. If you're starting a DIY DTF operation, order pre-printed gang sheets for on-demand heat pressing. If you require bulk screen-printed orders for wholesale, we're here to support your venture with Ninja Printshop.

This hybrid strategy, combining on-demand printing for niche designs with bulk printing for guaranteed sellers, optimizes your inventory management, maximizing profits and minimizing waste.

Third-party e-commerce platforms

Third-party e-commerce platforms are turnkey solutions that simplify the online selling process by providing a ready-made infrastructure. These platforms offer an immediate advantage with their ease of use, built-in customer bases, and various tools for selling, marketing, and analytics. For many, the appeal lies in their ability to launch a store quickly without the technical challenges of self-hosting.

However, this convenience comes with trade-offs. Sellers often face platform fees and have limited control over branding and customer experience.

Additionally, while benefiting from the platform's customer base, sellers face stiff competition within the same ecosystem. Despite these limitations, third-party platforms remain popular for businesses seeking a straightforward path to e-commerce.

Top 5 third-party e-commerce platforms

1. Amazon Marketplace: Amazon boasts a vast customer base and is excellent for getting products in front of consumers. However, competition is intense, including against Amazon's own products. Sellers can choose between being a standalone merchant or using Fulfillment by Amazon, which manages inventory and fulfillment but limits control over packaging and shipping. Amazon's fees vary by category, including monthly and per-item or referral fees​​.
2. eBay: Known for auctions of unique products, eBay also sells 79% of new items and has 171 million active buyers globally. It's ideal for niche products and allows sellers to gauge product value through auctions. eBay charges an insertion fee and a final value fee, which vary based on the item's price, format, and category​​.
3. Etsy: Specializing in handmade and craft items, Etsy had 33.4 million customers as of 2017, making it suitable for a wide reach. Popular items include jewelry, home crafts, clothing, and baby items. Etsy's fee structure includes a $0.20 listing fee, a 3.5% transaction fee on the sale price (excluding shipping), and listings last four months or until sold​​.
4. Redbubble: A standalone print-on-demand marketplace, Redbubble offers high-quality prints on various products, including shirts and phone cases. It's simple to use, but its standalone nature limits branding and website integration. Sellers manage their collection on Redbubble's website, accessing a large customer base with less marketing effort. However, brand development opportunities are limited​​.
5. TeeSpring: Similar to Redbubble, TeeSpring is a print-on-demand service allowing the creation and sale of over 50 product types with minimal risk. It differs in requiring sellers to set a minimum sales number before items are printed or shipped. TeeSpring assists with pricing and profit calculations, but sellers need to promote and market their products actively. Earnings are paid upon meeting the minimum sales goals​​.

 

Third-party e-commerce comparison chart

	Amazon Marketplace	Etsy	eBay	Redbubble	TeeSpring
Platform Fees	$$$$$	$$$	$$$	$$	$
Ease of Use	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Market Reach	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️
Customization Options	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️
Payment Processing	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SEO and Marketing Tools	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️
Seller Support	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Product Categories	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️
Shipping and Fulfillment	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Analytics and Reporting	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️
Mobile Responsiveness	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review and Feedback	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️
Policy and Compliance	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️
Integration Capabilities	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️
Scalability	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Note: These are general ratings and your specific needs and priorities will determine the best platform for you. Do your research and consider these factors to make an informed decision.

Strategic advantage of third-party e-commerce

Third-party e-commerce platforms offer a unique blend of versatility and opportunity, positioning themselves between the extensive freedom of self-hosted stores and the straightforward approach of pure print-on-demand (POD) platforms. These platforms enable hybrid business models, accommodating both direct product sales and on-demand services.

Each platform offers unique advantages and challenges for t-shirt sellers, from Amazon Marketplace's vast audience and competitive environment to Etsy's niche appeal and the print-on-demand simplicity of Redbubble and TeeSpring. eBay stands out for its auction format and vast customer base, which are suitable for unique or niche t-shirt designs.

Their primary advantage is providing instant access to established marketplaces and customer bases. This access is invaluable for aspiring brands, offering exposure and customer reach that can be challenging to achieve independently. Wise entrepreneurs can leverage these platforms to expand their market presence, test product viability, and grow their brand, regardless of their underlying business model.

 

Existing t-shirt selling platforms

Existing t-shirt selling platforms, epitomized by the print-on-demand (POD) model, offer a seamless entry into the world of online apparel sales. These platforms eliminate the need for inventory management, allowing designers to focus solely on creativity without the burden of stock handling. This model is especially advantageous for those starting out or with limited resources, as it requires minimal upfront investment.

However, these benefits come with certain trade-offs. Profit margins on POD platforms tend to be lower due to production and platform fees. Additionally, designers may face limitations regarding design. customization and product variety. Despite these constraints, these platforms provide a valuable springboard for emerging t-shirt businesses.

This introduction outlines the core benefits and limitations of existing t-shirt-selling platforms, providing a clear understanding of the print-on-demand model.

Top 5 existing t-shirt selling platforms

1. Merch by Amazon: A popular POD service by Amazon, offering a range of products like t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, and more. It leverages Amazon's vast ecosystem and fulfillment services, allowing sellers to focus on design without worrying about production and shipping. However, it operates a tier system that can limit scalability for new sellers and offers limited control over profit margins​​​​.
2. TeePublic: Owned by Redbubble, TeePublic operates as a marketplace where creators sell directly on the site. It's particularly user-friendly for beginners, providing a custom storefront on the TeePublic website and access to a large customer base. Designs are featured at a sale price initially to boost sales. However, it lacks API integrations for selling on other platforms​​.
3. Society6: An online marketplace for independent artists, Society6 offers diverse products, from art prints to apparel. Artists set their markup at the base price, controlling their profit margins. Society6 charges a commission fee on sales and offers flexible payment options like PayPal or direct deposit​​​​​​​​.
4. Threadless: Known for empowering creative expression, Threadless offers a wide range of products, including apparel and home decor. Artists can open their own shops and create custom products. Threadless is praised for its quality and customer service, but some customers have noted issues with print durability. It offers a variety of pricing and supports artists directly with each purchase.
5. Printful: A leading POD solution, Printful offers a wide range of products and several printing techniques, including DTG and embroidery. It stands out for its eco-friendly, premium products. Printful integrates with various e-commerce platforms, allowing sellers to list products on their stores. It provides design tools and mockup generators, along with branded packaging options​​​​.

 

Existing t-shirt platforms comparison chart

	Merch by Amazon	TeePublic	Society6	Threadless	Printful
Product Range	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profit Margin	15-25%	10-20%	10-20%	10-20%	Varies based on pricing
Design Flexibility	Limited	Moderate	Moderate	High	High (full control with POD)
Ease of Use	⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Marketing Support	Built-in Amazon marketing tools	Limited	Moderate	Built-in social media promotion tools	Varies depending on integration
Shipping and Fulfillment	Handled by Amazon	Handled by TeePublic	Handled by Society6	Handled by Threadless	Optional; integrates with various fulfillment services
Payment Options	Direct deposit	Direct deposit	Direct deposit	Direct deposit	Varies depending on chosen fulfillment service
Platform Fees	Listing fees, transaction fees	40% of product price	30% of product price	30% of product price	Variable pricing model; no platform fees if using their fulfillment
Customer Base	Massive Amazon audience	Niche design community	Artistic and design-focused audience	Creative and pop-culture fans	Worldwide POD fulfillment audience
Integration Capabilities	Limited	Limited	Moderate	Moderate	Extensive with WooCommerce, Shopify, Squarespace, etc.
Quality of Products	Good	Good	Good	Good	High (wide range of garment options and POD quality)
Customer Support	Amazon seller support	Dedicated seller support team	Moderate support via email and forums	Responsive email and community support	Varies depending on chosen fulfillment service
Brand Control	Limited	Moderate	Moderate	High	High (full control with POD)
Analytics and Reporting	Detailed Amazon sales data	Basic sales data	Moderate sales data	Detailed sales and customer insights	Varies depending on chosen fulfillment service
Community and Networking	Limited	Small design community forum	Active artist and designer community	Active community forums and events	Global POD community and partnerships

 

Note: These are general ratings, and your specific needs and priorities will determine the best platform for you. Do your research and consider these factors to make an informed decision.

Considering print-on-demand platforms

Print-on-demand (POD) platforms offer a unique entry point into the world of online apparel sales, but they come with their own set of limitations. One significant challenge is the dependency on the platform's print quality, which is often limited to direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. DTG can sometimes fall short in terms of durability and vibrancy compared to other printing methods.

Additionally, product offerings, customer service quality, and the extent of branding and customization options are entirely in the hands of the platform.

Given these constraints, POD-only routes are best suited for individuals looking to test the waters or experiment with design ideas. For those aiming to build a serious, growth-oriented business, relying solely on POD platforms may not be the optimal strategy. The limitations in brand control and product quality can impede the development of a robust, standalone brand identity.

Choosing the right platform: Key considerations

When embarking on your t-shirt business journey, selecting the right online platform is pivotal. It's not just about where you sell but how the platform aligns with your unique business dynamics. Here are essential factors to consider for an informed decision:

Business goals and budget: Your platform choice should reflect your business plan regarding scale and financial capacity. Larger, ambitious projects might necessitate a platform with extensive features and scalability, while smaller ventures could prioritize cost-effectiveness and ease of setup.

Technical expertise and resources: Evaluate your comfort level with technology and your available resources. Some platforms demand technical savvy and continuous management, while others are more straightforward and require minimal technical intervention.

Time commitment: The time you can devote to your business is crucial. Platforms vary in the degree of hands-on management they require, from overseeing every aspect of the operation to more automated options where much of the work is handled for you.

Design and branding requirements: If brand identity and design control are paramount, prioritize platforms offering high customization and personalization levels. The ability to stand out in a crowded market can be crucial for your brand's success.

Fulfillment preferences: Your approach to order fulfillment — whether you prefer to be directly involved or manage it for you — will influence your platform choice. Some platforms offer complete fulfillment services, while others may require you to manage or outsource these aspects.

Selecting the ideal storefront for your t-shirt success story

In the dynamic world of online t-shirt selling, understanding the nuances between self-hosted e-commerce stores, third-party platforms, and existing t-shirt selling platforms is crucial. Each category offers distinct benefits and challenges, from the complete control and customization of self-hosted stores to third-party platforms' convenience, market reach, and print-on-demand services' simplicity.

As we've outlined, your decision should hinge on factors like business goals, technical expertise, design needs, and fulfillment preferences, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach tailored to your unique business model.

The journey to a successful t-shirt business involves testing, adaptation, and perseverance. Navigating through these platforms requires patience and continuous learning. As you embark on this path, consider partnering with Ninja Transfers. Our expertise and resources can support your venture, providing high-quality transfers that enhance your product offerings and streamline your operations.

Looking ahead to Chapter 9, Marketing Your T-Shirt Business, we delve into strategies to effectively promote your brand and products, ensuring your designs reach the right audience and your business achieves its full potential.