As the global halal economy surges, estimated at over $2.8 trillion, the demand for platforms that align with Islamic values has never been greater. For Muslim entrepreneurs, choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial not only for business growth but also for maintaining religious and ethical integrity. This article provides a factual, unbiased comparison of Shopify, Amazon, and Riwaya, focusing on how each platform supports Muslim businesses in standing out within a competitive marketplace.
Platform Overviews
Shopify
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to build their own online stores from the ground up. It provides a user-friendly content management system (CMS), along with a wide range of customisable templates, plugins, and tools for handling everything from product listings to payments and shipping. Unlike marketplaces, Shopify gives sellers full control over their branding, customer experience, and how they choose to market their products.
However, because Shopify is not a marketplace with built-in traffic or community, it’s entirely up to the seller to attract and engage customers. For Muslim-owned businesses, this means they can build a store that fully aligns with Islamic values, but they also need to take the initiative to define their audience, ensure their offerings are halal, and implement marketing strategies that reach the right customer base. Shopify doesn’t provide faith-based filters or ethical screening, so the responsibility for religious compliance rests with the business owner.
Amazon
Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace, boasting millions of active users and vast international reach. Through services like Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), sellers can streamline their logistics, storage, and shipping processes.
While the platform offers massive exposure, Amazon is not tailored to any specific faith or ethical orientation. Products of all kinds are listed—including those not suitable for Muslim consumers (e.g., alcohol-related goods, interest-based products, non-halal items). Muslim businesses often face the challenge of distinguishing themselves in an overcrowded space, especially when trying to maintain ethical integrity in a system driven by profit and volume.
Additionally, Amazon’s marketplace prioritises algorithm-driven listings and price competition over ethical positioning or religious considerations.
Riwaya
Riwaya is a UK-based Islamic marketplace launched in 2021, built specifically for Muslim consumers and sellers. Every product listed on the platform is halal-compliant, ethically sourced, and curated with Islamic values in mind. Sellers are vetted to ensure they meet the platform’s ethical standards, providing both transparency and peace of mind.
Beyond product listings, Riwaya offers a faith-aligned ecosystem—everything from the messaging to marketing reflects a Muslim identity. It also fosters a supportive environment for Muslim business owners, giving them space to stand out not just for what they sell, but why they sell it.
As a community-led platform, Riwaya actively champions Muslim entrepreneurship. Its audience comes with a shared appreciation for halal and purpose-driven commerce, making customer acquisition more natural and values-based compared to broader platforms.
Getting started with Riwaya is quick and straightforward. Here’s your step-by-step guide to joining the platform and setting up your shop.
Key Comparison Criteria
1. Halal Compliance & Ethical Standards
Shopify: Offers flexibility in product offerings, but compliance with Islamic principles depends on the seller's discretion.
Amazon: Hosts a wide range of products, including those not aligned with Islamic values. Sellers must navigate the platform carefully to maintain halal compliance.
Riwaya: Specifically designed for Islamic products, ensuring all listings adhere to halal standards and ethical guidelines.
2. Fees & Profit Margins
Shopify
a. Monthly subscription starts at $29 USD/month
b. Transaction fees range from 2.4% to 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (via Shopify Payments)
c. Additional fee of 0.5% to 2% if using third-party payment providers
d. Additional costs may include:
- Web hosting and SSL security are included in the subscription fee.
- Apps, themes, and plugins, many of which are essential for advanced functionality, can add anywhere from $5 to $200+ per month.
- Marketing costs, such as Facebook/Google ads, influencer campaigns, or email marketing platforms, are entirely the seller’s responsibility.
- Shopify stores do not come with built-in traffic, so sellers must invest in SEO, advertising, and content creation to generate visitors.
Shopify offers flexibility and control, but comes with the added challenge of building your own audience and handling all growth-related expenses.
Amazon
a. Two main selling plans:
- Individual: $0.99 per item sold
- Professional: $39.99/month
b. Referral fees between 8% and 45%, depending on the product category
c. Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) includes:
- Storage fees: e.g., standard-size items incur fees starting from $0.87 per cubic foot/month (Jan–Sep) and $2.40 per cubic foot/month (Oct–Dec).
- Fulfilment fees: e.g., a small standard-size item may cost around $3.22 per unit for picking, packing, and shipping.
- Long-term storage fees may apply for inventory stored over 271 days.
d. Additional costs may include:
- Advertising fees for Amazon Sponsored Products, which work on a pay-per-click model (typical cost per click ranges from $0.50 to $2 or more, depending on competition).
- Premium listings to boost product visibility.
- Amazon SEO is not a direct cost, but optimising listings often requires external tools or expert help, which may involve additional spending.
Riwaya
a. No monthly subscription or listing fees
b. Flat commission of 5% per sale
c. New sellers receive a commission-free first month
d. No hidden charges or premium add-ons
3. Audience Targeting & Market Reach
Shopify: Provides tools to build a global brand, but requires significant effort in marketing to reach target audiences. Sellers must invest in SEO, social media, email marketing, and paid ads to drive traffic to their store.
Amazon: Offers access to a vast customer base, but high competition makes it challenging for niche or faith-based products to gain visibility. While sellers often rely on paid advertising to stand out, Amazon SEO, such as optimising titles, keywords, and product descriptions, can also improve organic rankings and help attract the right audience without constant ad spend.
Riwaya: Caters specifically to the Muslim market, offering sellers direct access to a community actively seeking halal and faith-inspired products. Riwaya also supports its sellers through free marketing, from blogs, emails, and SEO to paid social and Google ads, helping businesses gain exposure without the extra cost or effort.
4. Ease of Use & Seller Support
Shopify: User-friendly interface with extensive resources and customer support.
Amazon: Comprehensive seller support, but the platform's complexity can be overwhelming for new sellers.
Riwaya: Provides personalised support and resources tailored to Muslim entrepreneurs, fostering a supportive community environment.
5. Payment & Fulfilment Options
Shopify: Supports various payment gateways, but integration with local payment systems in some regions can be challenging.
Amazon: Offers fulfilment services through Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), simplifying storage, packaging, and delivery, but at an additional cost. It also provides Amazon Pay, allowing customers to check out quickly using their existing Amazon accounts, which can help improve conversion rates.
Riwaya: Facilitates seamless payment options, including PayPal and Stripe, enhancing the shopping experience for customers.
Which Platform is better for Muslim Businesses?
If you're a Muslim entrepreneur, Riwaya is your best choice.
Sure, Amazon has millions of customers, but it’s crowded and competitive—you’ll likely need to spend a lot on ads just to be seen. Shopify gives you creative freedom, but you’re also on your own when it comes to driving traffic and managing everything behind the scenes.
Riwaya, on the other hand, is built for Muslim businesses. It only promotes halal products, so you’re in good company. You’ll be seen by customers who genuinely care about faith-based shopping, and the best part? Riwaya helps with marketing at no extra cost. Less hassle, more heart. It’s not just a platform, it’s a community that wants you to succeed.
Conclusion
Selecting the right e-commerce platform is pivotal for Muslim businesses aiming to uphold Islamic principles while achieving commercial success. While Shopify and Amazon offer extensive tools and reach, Riwaya uniquely caters to the needs of the Muslim community, ensuring ethical compliance, cost-effectiveness, and targeted audience engagement. For Muslim entrepreneurs, Riwaya presents a compelling platform that harmoniously blends faith and commerce.
Selling with Riwaya
Selling with Riwaya is a straightforward and rewarding experience, especially for Muslim-owned businesses looking to reach a values-driven audience. Joining the platform is simple—just register, list your halal-friendly products, and start selling to a growing community actively seeking faith-inspired items. Riwaya is more than just a marketplace; it’s a supportive ecosystem that promotes your products through free marketing, including blogs, emails, SEO, and paid ads.
With transparent pricing, low commission rates, and a strong focus on Islamic alignment, Riwaya offers the perfect space for Muslim entrepreneurs to grow their brand and connect with customers who truly value what they offer.
