The rise of the internet, social media and eCommerce has ushered in a new range of opportunities for entrepreneurs to start businesses online. Some of the most popular ways to make money online include, e-commerce and blogging.
e-Commerce sites have become an effective way for artists, creators, freelancers and anyone looking to sell their unique creations or services, while blogs have emerged as powerful tools for sharing knowledge, building communities and generating income
If you're thinking about starting a business, perhaps you already have an idea in mind - a hobby you'd like to make profitable or something similar - choosing between blogging and ecommerce to make that business idea a reality, is a valid idea to consider.
In this article we'll break down blogging vs ecommerce and help you choose which is best for making money online.
How to choose between eCommerce and blogging?
The choice between creating an e-commerce site or starting a blog to make money should be influenced by several factors. These include your personal interests, your willingness to handle inventory or create content regularly and your long-term business goals. Whether you're drawn to the idea of selling physical goods or prefer writing compelling articles, selecting the right monetization platform is a decision that will shape your business planning and ultimately success.
Learn more: eCommerce advantages and disadvantages
What is eCommerce?
E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. This includes but is not limited to online shopping, electronic payments and shipping solutions to broker transactions between businesses and consumers.
Examples of eCommerce platforms include Wix, which allows you to set up an online store with their ecommerce website builder. Generally an ecommerce platform will include the robust and secure website infrastructure needed for ecommerce, including reliable web hosting and security features.
What is blogging?
Blogging is the act of creating and publishing content on a website regularly. It's a way to share knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals. Blogs can cover an endless range of topics and can be personal or professional in nature.
Learn more: What is a blog
Examples of blogging platforms include Wix. With their blog maker you can create a blog for free - hosting and web security included.
Key differences between a blog and eCommerce website
When deciding between starting a blog or an e-commerce website, it's important to understand the key differences between the two. Knowing the differences can help you make the right decision about which to start.
The primary difference lies in their core objectives: blogs are designed to inform or entertain through content while e-commerce websites are focused on selling products.
Blogs can be a platform for personal branding or thought leadership, whereas e-commerce sites are geared towards commercial transactions.
E-commerce websites require mechanisms for shopping carts, checkout processes and secure payment options which are not necessary for blogs.
Each online monetization model has its own set of challenges and rewards that should be carefully considered in light of what you aim to achieve with your online business.
eCommerce vs blog: time to setup and run each as a business
eCommerce time investment
Running an online store involves several time-consuming tasks:
Business setup: This includes creating your website, setting up product listings, and establishing payment solutions and shipping processes.
Ongoing ecommerce management: Daily operations such as processing orders, managing inventory and handling customer service inquiries are part of the routine.
Marketing efforts: You'll need to invest time in promoting your products through various channels like social media, email marketing and possibly paid advertising.
Blogging time investment
Blogging also demands a significant amount of time, especially in these areas especially when it comes to making money blogging. You'll need to consider:
Content creation: Developing ideas, researching topics, writing blog posts and editing are all time-intensive activities.
Blog site maintenance: Regularly updating your blog's design and functionality to ensure a good user experience is essential.
Audience engagement: Responding to comments, networking with other bloggers, and building a community around your blog requires ongoing work and effort.
Both e-commerce and blogging demand consistent effort over time in order to make money. While the nature of the work differs—product-focused tasks for e-commerce and content creation for blogging—the success of both hinges on your ability to manage and invest your time effectively.
eCommerce vs blogging: resources required
Whether you're planning on storing inventory or simply need a workspace for your computer, the space you have available can influence your decision between e-commerce and blogging.
eCommerce resources
For an e-commerce business, you'll need to think about:
Inventory storage: You must have enough space to store the products you sell, which can grow as your business expands.
Warehouse space: A dedicated area for packing and shipping orders is essential to maintain organization and efficiency.
Production area: If you're creating handmade items or similar, you'll need sufficient space for crafting and assembling products.
When starting out with ecommerce it may be possible to use your home as a storage, assembly and production solution. This can help you keep initial startup costs low. However it may also limit the scale and size of your online business, as you may be limited in how much inventory you can store and handle at a time. This will then directly impact how much you can sell.
Blogging resources
Blogging compared to ecommerce, on the other hand, generally requires less physical space:
Digital space: While you don't need room for physical products, having a reliable computer and internet connection is essential.
Minimal physical resources: A small desk or even a spot at a local café can serve as your blogging headquarters.
The contrast in resource requirements between e-commerce and blogging is stark. E-commerce can demand a significant amount of physical space as inventory grows (unless you opt for dropshipping, which requires no inventory to be held physically), whereas blogging can be operated from virtually anywhere.
eCommerce vs blogging: cost to start
Starting any business involves some level of financial commitment. Whether you're leaning towards e-commerce or blogging, understanding the monetary investment required will help you plan and budget effectively.
eCommerce cost
The financial demands of running an e-commerce platform can be substantial:
Initial investments: These may include purchasing inventory, setting up a website, and acquiring necessary equipment for product photography. Learn more abut ecommerce website cost.
Recurring costs: Monthly expenses can consist of website hosting fees, payment processing fees and possibly subscription services for managing your online store. Start an online store with Wix and web hosting is free with all sites.
Potential returns: While the upfront costs can be high, the direct sale of products typically offers a clear path to profitability.
Blogging cost
Blogging can often be started with a lower initial investment but still requires careful financial planning:
Website costs: You'll need to pay for domain registration and web hosting services - with Wix hosting is always free and you can register a domain name with a paid plan. Learn more about how much a blog costs.
Content creation: While you can write content yourself, hiring writers or purchasing images may be necessary as your blog grows. Articles can start from US$500 per 1,000 words and up.
Monetization strategies: Investing in marketing and SEO tools can help increase traffic to your blog, which is essential for monetization through ads or affiliate marketing. When you start a blog with Wix, you get access to a full suite of free SEO tools.
E-commerce requires more capital upfront but has a straightforward revenue model through product sales. Blogging might start as a low-cost venture but often takes longer to monetize. It's important to assess your financial situation and determine which model aligns with your investment capabilities and risk tolerance.
eCommerce vs blogging: ways to monetize
Understanding the various ways to generate income from your online business is crucial. Both handmade e-commerce and blogging offer diverse monetization strategies but they differ significantly in how they can be implemented and the potential income they generate.
E-commerce monetization
With an e-commerce website, your primary source of revenue will be through product sales. However, there are additional streams to consider:
Direct sales: The most straightforward way to earn money - you sell products at a profit.
Partnerships: Collaborating with other brands or artisans can lead to new products and shared revenues.
Wholesale opportunities: Selling your products in bulk to retailers can increase your sales volume.
Blogging monetization
Blogging allows for a variety of monetization strategies beyond direct sales:
Advertising: Display ads on your blog can provide income based on traffic and click-through rates.
Affiliate marketing: Earn commissions by promoting other companies' products relevant to your audience.
Sponsored content: Partner with brands to create content that promotes their products or services for a fee.
The potential income from both models depends on factors such as market demand, pricing strategy, traffic volume and engagement with your audience or customers. While e-commerce may offer quicker financial returns through direct sales, blogging can establish multiple income streams over time. It's important to consider which monetization methods align with your business goals and how you plan to sustain and grow each one.
eCommerce vs blogging: long term business growth
When planning for the future of your online business, it's essential to think about long-term sustainability and growth. Both handmade e-commerce and blogging have unique considerations that can impact their longevity and success.
Scalability
E-commerce: As your customer base grows, you'll need to consider how to scale your operations, from increasing inventory to streamlining order fulfillment. Scalability often requires additional investment in resources and infrastructure.
Blogging: Scaling a blog can involve expanding content topics, increasing posting frequency or building a team of contributors. The scalability of a blog is more flexible and can be adjusted based on audience growth and engagement.
Market trends
E-commerce: Staying ahead in e-commerce means keeping up with consumer trends, product innovations and competitive pricing. It requires constant market analysis and adaptability.
Blogging: For bloggers, staying relevant involves keeping content fresh, informative, and aligned with what readers are interested in. It also means adapting to changes in SEO practices and social media algorithms.
Sustainability
E-commerce: The sustainability of an e-commerce business can be influenced by factors such as supplier reliability, shipping costs and product demand. Environmental considerations are also becoming increasingly important to consumers.
Blogging: A blog's sustainability often hinges on the creator's ability to consistently produce high-quality content that resonates with their audience. It also depends on maintaining strong SEO practices and adapting to digital platform changes.
Is blogging a good idea for eCommerce businesses?
Integrating blogging into an e-commerce strategy can be a game-changer for online stores. This is because it's not just about selling products it's also about building a brand and connecting with customers on a deeper level.
How can blogging help eCommerce?
Driving traffic: Regular, quality blog posts can improve your website's SEO, bringing more potential customers to your store.
Establishing authority: Sharing expertise via blog content can position your brand as a leader in your niche.
Improving and strengthening customer engagement: Blogs create opportunities for customers to engage with your brand beyond the checkout page. It can also be a way to generate repeat sales and loyal customers.
eCommerce vs blogging: which online business model is right for you
Deciding between starting handmade e-commerce business or a blog comes down to your personal interests, skills and the type of commitment you're ready to make. Each model offers distinct benefits and challenges that can influence your decision.
If you have a passion for creating products and are willing to handle inventory and order fulfillment, e-commerce might be the right path for you. It requires upfront investment but offers the satisfaction of selling tangible goods and potentially quicker financial returns.
On the other hand, if you enjoy writing and sharing knowledge or stories, blogging could be a fulfilling choice. It often requires less initial financial investment and can be done from anywhere, but it may take longer to monetize.
eCommerce vs blogging
Which is more profitable, a blog or ecommerce website?
Profitability depends on various factors such as niche, audience size, monetization strategies and operational costs. Both blogs and e-commerce websites have the potential to be profitable but they follow different business models and timelines for seeing a return on investment.