If you have an e-commerce business that sells on both Etsy and Shopify, you know how important it is to keep your inventory levels in sync. Unfortunately, managing inventory across multiple platforms can be a challenge.
There are a few different ways you can go about managing your inventory between Etsy and Shopify. In this article, we’ll explore a few of the options and show you how to choose the right one for your business.
Managing your inventory on Etsy
Etsy has a built-in tool that allows you to manage your inventory levels. You can use this tool to set minimum and maximum quantities for each listing, and Etsy will automatically adjust your stock levels as orders come in.
How to manage your inventory on Etsy
Managing your inventory on Shopify
Shopify also has a built-in inventory management system that will allow you to set your current stock levels.
You can do this manually via the interface, or alternatively, you can import your stock levels into Shopify via a CSV file (see below for more details on this approach)
How to manage your inventory on Shopify
Exporting your Etsy data and importing it into Shopify
If you’re looking for a simple way to keep your inventory levels in sync, you can export your Etsy stock levels, and then import it into Shopify regularly.
To do this, you’ll want to follow these steps:
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Export your listings from Etsy. In your Shop Manager, click on Settings, then Options. From here, click on the Download Data button. This will create a CSV file of all of your listings, including their stock levels.
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Download your Shopify products as a CSV and then copy across the stock levels from Etsy into this file.
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Use the Inventory CSV import process on Shopify to update your stock levels
Software solutions to manage your Etsy and Shopify Inventory
While the solution above will work for many businesses, if you’re looking for a more automated solution, there are a few third-party tools that can help.
These tools will typically allow you to connect your Etsy and Shopify stores, and then manage your inventory levels from one central platform. This can save you a lot of time, and ensure that your inventory is always accurate.
When choosing a solution for managing your inventory between Etsy and Shopify, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. If you only sell a few products on each platform, you may be able to get by with the built-in tools and manually updating or importing as per the instructions above. However, a third-party solution may be a better option if you have a large inventory or need more advanced features.
It’s also important before you look for a solution to decide what you want your inventory solution to manage: for resale businesses, it may be useful to have a completely automated resyncing channel tool as you’ll want to restock as soon as you receive new products in your warehouse.
A manufacturing business tends to be a little more nuanced due to the fact that you have both finished products and potential products in your production flow. For this reason, it’s typically better to have a centralized inventory that will enable you to make decisions on how best to represent your stock levels across channels rather than a fully automated workflow.
Multi-channel Syncing Solutions
These solutions typically offer a range of features, including the ability to automatically sync inventory levels, create and manage product listings, track orders, and more. They can also be integrated with several other e-commerce platforms, which can make it easier to manage your inventory if you sell on multiple platforms.
Some of the most popular channel syncing tools for Etsy and Shopify include:
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eComdash
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Skubana
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TradeGecko
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Ordoro
MRP systems
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) systems are designed for businesses that manufacture their own products. These systems typically include features for managing inventory, tracking production, and more.
While most MRP systems do not automatically update stock levels, they can however track your real-time and projected product stock levels based on raw material stock levels to allow you to represent your inventory across Etsy and Shopify with confidence.
Craftybase is a manufacturing and inventory management software solution designed specifically for businesses that sell on Etsy and Shopify. It includes features for tracking inventory levels, managing production, and creating and managing product listings. Try our free 14 day trial today.
The Bottom Line
No matter which solution you choose, keeping your inventory levels in sync between Etsy and Shopify is essential for keeping your business running smoothly.
With a little planning and the right tool, you can easily manage your inventory and keep your e-commerce business thriving.
