How to manage inventory between etsy and shopify
Are you an online seller who operates on both Etsy and Shopify? Do you find it challenging to manage inventory between these two platforms? If yes, then you’re in the right place! Managing inventory can be a tedious task, but it’s crucial to ensure that you don’t oversell or undersell products. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices to manage inventory between Etsy and Shopify, and how it can benefit your business. So, keep reading to learn some valuable tips that will help you streamline your inventory management process and improve your sales.
How to Manage Inventory Between Etsy and Shopify
If you’re an online business owner, you know that managing inventory can be a time-consuming and challenging task. Having to keep track of stock levels, sales, and orders across multiple platforms can quickly become overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re selling on both Etsy and Shopify.
In this article, we’re going to explore some tips and tricks for managing inventory between these two popular e-commerce platforms. Whether you’re just starting or have been selling for a while, these strategies can help you save time, reduce mistakes, and keep your customers happy.
Understand the Differences Between Etsy and Shopify
Before we dive into the specifics of inventory management, it’s essential to understand the differences between Etsy and Shopify. While both platforms are designed for online sellers, they have some distinct features and functionalities that can impact your inventory management.
Etsy is a marketplace where buyers can find unique and handmade items from independent sellers. It’s a great platform for artists, crafters, and small business owners who want to reach a broader audience. On Etsy, you can create a shop, list your products, and manage your orders from a single dashboard.
Shopify, on the other hand, is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows you to build and manage your online store. With Shopify, you have complete control over your website design, product listings, and checkout process. You can also integrate your store with various third-party apps and tools to enhance your inventory management.
Use a Centralized Inventory Management System
One of the most effective ways to manage your inventory between Etsy and Shopify is to use a centralized inventory management system. This means that you have a single database that tracks your stock levels, sales, and orders across all your sales channels.
There are several inventory management tools available that can help you achieve this, such as TradeGecko, Skubana, and Stitch Labs. These platforms integrate with both Etsy and Shopify and provide real-time updates on your inventory levels and sales.
Set up Product Bundles
Another way to streamline your inventory management is to create product bundles. This means grouping together related items and selling them as a set. By doing this, you can reduce the number of individual products you need to track, which can save you time and effort.
For example, if you sell jewelry on Etsy and Shopify, you could create a bundle that includes a necklace, earrings, and bracelet. This way, you only need to track the inventory levels for the bundle, rather than each individual item.
Use SKU Codes
SKU codes (stock keeping units) are unique identifiers that you can assign to each of your products. These codes can help you track your inventory more efficiently and avoid mistakes.
When using SKU codes, make sure that each product has a unique code. This can help you avoid confusion and ensure that you’re tracking the correct item. You can also use SKU codes to quickly identify products that are low in stock or need to be restocked.
Automate Your Inventory Management
Automation can be a game-changer when it comes to inventory management. By automating certain tasks, you can save time, reduce the risk of errors, and focus on growing your business.
Both Etsy and Shopify offer integrations with popular automation tools like Zapier and IFTTT. These platforms allow you to create automated workflows that can update your inventory levels, send notifications, and perform other tasks based on specific triggers.
Set up Stock Notifications
Stock notifications are alerts that let you know when a product is running low or out of stock. These notifications can help you avoid overselling and ensure that you have enough stock to fulfill customer orders.
Both Etsy and Shopify offer built-in stock notifications that you can enable in your settings. You can also use third-party inventory management tools to set up more advanced notifications, such as alerts for products that are about to expire or need to be restocked.
Use Product Variants
If you sell products with different variations, such as size, color, or material, you can use product variants to simplify your inventory management. This means creating a single product listing that includes all the variations, rather than creating a separate listing for each one.
For example, if you sell t-shirts with different sizes and colors, you can create a single product listing for the t-shirt and use variants to specify the size and color options. This way, you only need to track the inventory levels for the main product listing, rather than each individual variation.
Create a Backup Plan
Finally, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong with your inventory management. This means having a process in place to deal with overselling, out-of-stock items, and other issues that can arise.
One strategy is to keep a buffer stock of your most popular items, so you can quickly restock if needed. You can also set up a process for canceling orders or offering alternative products if an item is out of stock.
Conclusion
Managing inventory between Etsy and Shopify can be a complex task, but with the right strategies and tools, it’s possible to streamline your process and save time. By using a centralized inventory management system, setting up product bundles, and automating your workflow, you can focus on growing your business and providing excellent customer service. So, take the time to review your current inventory management process and see where you can make improvements.
In addition to the strategies mentioned above, there are a few more tips to help you manage inventory between Etsy and Shopify. First, you can use sales reports to analyze your sales patterns and make informed decisions about your inventory. This can help you identify which products are selling well and which ones may need to be restocked or discontinued.
Next, consider using a barcode scanner to speed up your inventory management process. With a barcode scanner, you can quickly scan items as they come in and out of your inventory, which can save you time and reduce the risk of errors.
Another helpful tip is to set up a system for tracking returns and exchanges. This can help you keep track of your inventory levels and ensure that you have the necessary items in stock to fulfill customer requests.
Finally, consider outsourcing your inventory management to a third-party service provider. This can be especially helpful if you have a large inventory or limited resources to manage your inventory in-house. By outsourcing your inventory management, you can focus on other aspects of your business while ensuring that your inventory is always up-to-date and accurate.
Overall, managing inventory between Etsy and Shopify requires careful planning and attention to detail. By using the strategies and tools mentioned in this article, you can streamline your inventory management process and ensure that your customers are always satisfied with their purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I manage inventory between Etsy and Shopify?
Managing inventory between Etsy and Shopify can be a bit tricky, but there are a few ways to make it easier. One way is to use an inventory management tool that integrates with both platforms, such as TradeGecko or Stitch Labs. These tools allow you to sync your inventory across both platforms, so you can keep track of stock levels in real-time.
Can I manually update inventory between Etsy and Shopify?
Yes, you can manually update your inventory between Etsy and Shopify. However, this can be time-consuming and prone to errors. To do this, you would need to keep track of your inventory levels on both platforms and manually update them whenever you make a sale. It’s best to use an inventory management tool to automate this process and avoid any mistakes.
What happens if I oversell on Etsy or Shopify?
If you oversell on Etsy or Shopify, you risk damaging your reputation and losing customers. To avoid this, it’s important to keep your inventory levels up to date and accurate. If you do oversell, you should contact the customer immediately and let them know that their order will be delayed or canceled. It’s important to be transparent and honest with your customers to maintain their trust.
Key Takeaways
- Use an inventory management tool that integrates with both Etsy and Shopify to sync your inventory across both platforms.
- Manually updating inventory between platforms can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Be transparent and honest with customers if you oversell on either platform to maintain their trust.
Managing inventory between Etsy and Shopify can be challenging, but using an inventory management tool can make it easier. It’s important to keep your inventory levels up to date and accurate to avoid overselling and damaging your reputation. By following these tips and being transparent with your customers, you can successfully manage your inventory across both platforms.
