13 Best eCommerce Platforms for YouTube Channels

Want to cut right to the case? The best ecommerce platform for youtube is Nexcess StoreBuilder.

If you have a thriving YouTube Channel and are interested in exploring additional revenue streams, launching an online merch shop could be the next best thing to grow your business. Selling exclusive and unique merchandise highlighting your brand is a perfect way to increase brand awareness, create a trusting relationship with customers, and diversify your income. Nowadays, more and more YouTubers are tapping into the art of selling online to broaden their online presence.

How does one get started with selling branded merch online? An excellent place to start is finding the right eCommerce platform that not only showcases high-quality finished products but also elevates your brand in a memorable way that resonates with customers. Choosing the best eCommerce platform for YouTubers can be challenging at first, considering there are hundreds of different platforms to choose. We have put together this helpful list of the best eCommerce platforms for YouTube Channels. Here are the eCommerce platforms we’ll be covering:

• Nexcess StoreBuilder
• Shopify
• BigCommerce
• Teespring
• Red Bubble
• Bonfire
• MerchLabs
• Merch By Amazon
• Fanjoy
• Printify
• Killer Merch
• Amplifier
• Spreadshirt
• Spreadshop

What is Merch?

Merch is short for merchandise and can include hoodies, sneakers, jewelry, and everything in between. The most common form of merch is apparel items. It is now easier than ever before for YouTubers to launch an online store that markets and sells uniquely branded merchandise. A few types of merch ideas include, but are not limited to, are:

• Custom t-shirts (most common)
• Stickers, magnets, pins, patches
• Backpacks, totes, and purses
• Posters, postcards
• Hoodies
• Socks
• Hats

Now that we have covered the merch basics let’s dive into some of the top eCommerce platforms in the industry fit for YouTubers.

Top eCommerce Platforms for YouTubers

1. Nexcess StoreBuilder

Any Youtuber may easily maintain their store using Nexcess’ optimal and user-friendly website administration environment. Nearly all the resources you could possibly need to establish your store quickly and efficiently are included in Nexcess StoreBuilder. Nexcess StoreBuilder costs $19/month and $190/year since the yearly membership includes two months free. In their more expensive plans, you’ll receive extra months for free.

• Ease of use
• Free premium plugins and themes
• Stripe and Paypal payment acceptance
• Auto Scaling
• Automatic plugin updates
• A safe environment that improves performance
• Pre-Designed Templates

2. Shopify

Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms on the market for multiple industries. This platform is well-known for its robust, user-friendly interface and is an excellent choice for YouTubers to launch an online merch store. One of Shopify’s best perks is that it requires no web design experience to use its platform and create a new website. Shopify offers a total of three different payment tiers starting from $29/mo for the Basic Plan up to $299/mo for the Advanced Plan. If you’re new to eCommerce, the Basic Plan could be a good starting point. Shopify allows you to upgrade your plan to accommodate the company’s growth easily as your business grows. A few more perks include:

• 14-Day free trial
• Unlimited selection of products
• Easy to use and navigate
• Excellent 24/7 customer support
• Substantial SEO capabilities
• Plenty of in-house payment options
• Extensive plug-in selection
• Mobile-friendly
• Blog integration

3. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a classic eCommerce solution suitable for YouTubers with a large following. The platform is known for its impressive online hosting, detailed analytics, and exceptional SEO performance records. BigCommerce features three different payment tiers starting from $29.94/mo up to $299.95/mo. A few more perks include:

• Multichannel sales
• Great 24/7 customer support
• No custom coding required to build
• Best built-in coupons and incentives for shoppers
• Simple to link external email marketing software
• Virtual training & coaching services available
• Strong SEO optimization tools

4. Teespring

Among some of the entertainment industry’s top eCommerce platforms sits Teespring, a popular platform with its marketplace. This platform means your merch is not being sold in your store but instead in Teespring’s growing marketplace, which puts your products in front of a larger audience, including Teespring’s existing customer base. Today, Teespring is notable as one of the best eCommerce platforms for YouTube Channels of any size. This free eCommerce solution enables YouTubers to design products and create a unique store for free. From there, connect your social media accounts to promote the merch. Teespring handles everything from production, fulfillment to customer support so you can put focus on growing your business. Teespring is entirely free to use, but they take a service fee when a purchase on your store is made. The service fee is included in the base costs of the products. A few perks include:

• Print-on-demand platform
• No upfront costs
• Social media integration
• YouTube integration
• Exposure to a broad audience
• Free to use
• User-friendly
• Sell anything
• Sell everywhere

5. Red Bubble

From apparel to phone cases to posters, Red Bubble is a print-on-demand online marketplace excellent for YouTubers looking to sell artwork. Similar to Teespring, Red Bubble can also put your product in front of millions of people, and they offer a variety of products, including canvas prints, dresses, coasters, mugs, and more. The process to launch a store on Red Bubble is quite simple. First, sign up for an account and upload your desired artwork. Next, choose the products you wish to have your artwork printed on and fill out the necessary product description. Hit publish, and it will go live for all to see. The platform allows you to set your royalties and at no cost to you. Red Bubbles service fees are included in the base price before sellers add their markup. A few perks include:

• Art focused
• Print-on-demand
• No upfront costs
• Set your royalties
• Easy upload process
• Self-paced
• Large selection of products
• Worldwide shipping
• 100% secure payment gateways
• Excellent 24/7 Customer support

6. Bonfire

Bonfire is a 100% free online eCommerce platform that enables YouTubers to design and sell branded merch. What is excellent about Bonfire is how hands-on they are with product development and transaction processing. They handle everything, including payment processing, order fulfillment, and exceptional customer support. Bonfire exclusively only sells t-shirts, so it’s probably best to explore one of these other great platforms if you’re looking to sell more than just shirts. A few perks include:

• Custom campaigns unique to your brand
• Mobile-friendly interface
• Convert campaigns into fundraisers
• High-quality prints
• Scalable
• Print-on-demand
• Campaign page customization
• Print quality control

7. MerchLabs

MerchLabs offers a well-rounded eCommerce and merch solution for growing YouTube Channels with zero risks. You can have your store up and running in as little as 24 hours. MerchLabs brings to the table the complete package. Not only do they design and produce your products with no upfront costs, but they also offer an excellent eCommerce solution to monetize online easily. However, it is not as easy as some other platforms to get a spot on MerchLabs. There is an extensive review and application process before signing up. Some iconic YouTube channels featured on MerchLabs include Gabriel Zamora, Superego, and Jenna & Julien Podcast, among many other A-list celebrities. A few perks include:

• High-end customer support
• Innovative technology
• High-level production
• Exclusive access
• Professional in-house graphic designers
• Custom eCommerce websites

8. Merch By Amazon

Created by Amazon, this platform empowers YouTubers to take their brand to the next level. This platform offers a simple way to get started selling branded merch directly from the Amazon website with no risk and no upfront costs. Like MerchLabs, access is exclusive as this platform is in high demand, and admission requires an application with no guarantee of acceptance. However, this is an excellent platform for getting your foot in the door selling on Amazon. Once the artwork is uploaded, Merch By Amazon takes it from there and handles production, shipping, and order management. A few perks include:

• Easy and simple setup
• Access to 300 million active users
• Access to Amazon’s shipping rates
• Products available on Amazon Prime

9. Fanjoy

Fanjoy is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for YouTubers, including top influencers such as Addison Rae, Adelaine Morin, David Dobrik, Wild’ Til 9, Colleen Ballinger, and dozens more. Fanjoy creates an end-to-end solution for YouTubers launching their Fanjoy shop with zero risk and no upfront costs. Available products include hoodies, shirts, sweatpants, phone cases, accessories, and more. Fanjoy is an excellent fit for YouTubers who have a close relationship with their fans. A few perks include:

• Fast and efficient deliveries
• International shipping available
• Good customer service
• Dedicated to online influencers

10. Printify

Printify is another print-on-demand service similar to Bonfire and Teespring. Printify easily integrates with other top eCommerce platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, and eBay to create a balanced and focused experience for the customer. It offers a simple setup with access to over 90 printer locations. Printify is free to use when starting an online store business and showcases a product selection of over 300 different items ranging from shirts, mugs, bags, decor, and more. It’s as easy as selecting the items you want to sell, uploading the artwork, and start selling. Printify handles the fulfillment, shipping, and printing. As your business grows, Printify offers upgrade features in their Premium and Enterprise payment tiers that empower creators. A few perks include:

• Mockup Generator
• Global print network
• Great 24/7 customer support
• Shipping Calculator
• Manual order upload
• 300+ unique product selection

11. Killer Merch:

Killer Merch is a leading eCommerce platform for entertainers, including influential YouTubers. Some of their biggest partners include Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Netflix, Kevin Hart, and Whitney Cummings, to name a few. Killer Merch utilizes some best-in-class technology to create a custom website design, online marketing, and excellent SEO services that increase revenue. They are equipped with a talented in-house design team serving as a one-stop shop for all things branding, promotional, web design, photography, and more. Additionally, the platform covers production and fulfillment worldwide. This outstanding quality of a full-service eCommerce platform does come at a high price. This platform may be a good fit for YouTubers with a substantial following. A few perks include:

• Exceptional SEO tools
• Social media integration
• Organic campaigns
• Email marketing
• Real-time data analytics
• High-quality product

12. Amplifier:

Previously known as Merchify before the name change, Amplifier is one of the best eCommerce platforms for YouTubers when launching a branded merch line. Amplifier is compatible with platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce. Along with common merch product types, Amplifier extends its product catalog to include canvas wraps, mouse pads, laptop cases, iPad cases, and more. During production, Amplifier only uses high-quality ink and dyes to produce quality products then shipped from their massive warehouse. A few perks include:

• Print-on-demand integration
• Various types of products to choose from
• High-quality prints
• Excellent customer service
• Custom designs

13. Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a perfect eCommerce solution for any YouTuber looking to add additional revenue streams. Spreadshirt specializes in producing custom apparel with extensive design customization capabilities. With over 200 products to choose from, Spreadshirt can satisfy all of your t-shirt printing and t-shirt design needs. This innovative and relatively new platform offers a free t-shirt shop to sell online merch immediately or start selling on their built-in marketplace. Spreadshirt’s product catalog features more than just t-shirts, including iPhone cases, pillowcases, bags, and more. A few perks include:

• Compatible with Shopify
• Print-on-demand
• Free to use
• Competitive pricing
• Shop customization
• Worldwide delivery
• Features multiple payment gateways
• Risk-free & stress-free
• Award-winning customer service
• 200+ products to sell
• Simple setup
• Earn up to 60% in profit

14. Spreadshop:

Created by the founders of Spreadshirt, Spreadshop’s advantage is you can set your prices, whereas Spreadshirt does not offer that flexibility. Spreadshop does the heavy lifting for you, including transactions, production, order fulfillment, and shipping at no cost to the seller. Spreadshop is entirely free to use and launch an online merch store today.

• Shop integration ability
• Order merch bundles
• Mock-up product photos
• Unique premium designs
• Custom store styling
• Design tutorials
• Marketing tips and tricks

Online Merch Best Practices

Once you decide on the best eCommerce platform fit for your YouTube Channel, it is critical for the future success of your online shop to implement these best practices. These methods can help streamline the merch process and increase sales. Here are a couple of industry best practices to keep in mind:

Focus on solid design and branding: your merch should be memorable and resonate with your audience. Place emphasis on creating a robust design that embodies everything your brand stands for.

High-Quality Images: ensure each product features only high-resolution and high-quality images. Images are the first thing customers want to see. Low-quality images could hinder online sales conversion rates.

Promote online engagement: encourage interaction among your audience. You can do this by including gifts with purchases or free swag bags in exchange for sharing a post about the merch on social media. This tactic will spread the word about your brand, which means more clicks.