Are you a gun dealer looking for an alternative to Shopify? Maybe you are a knife store and you see the writing on the wall and would like a viable alternative to your current Shopify e-commerce platform?
As many retailers in the weapons-related industry have found out Shopify has followed the lead of Facebook, Youtube and other tech giants in their left-leaning censorship and suppression efforts. Recently Shopify announced it is now removing gun related products from their platform and has given a time frame of only a few months for owners to remove their stores from the platform before being shut down completely.
Shopify’s CEO Tobi Lutke has stated “Solely deferring to the law, in this age of political gridlock is too idealistic and functionally unworkable”, “we had to accept that neutrality is not a possibility.”
Additionally, Lutke has inferred other weapons-related products and services such as knives, accessories and even direct services are currently also under consideration. “we may further refine our policies as needed."
A look at their new terms is quite enlightening and helps give understanding to the direction Shopify and other tech-related companies are now moving.
Regulated products and services ( source: https://www.shopify.ca/legal/terms-payments-us ):
Marijuana dispensaries and related businesses; alcohol or alcoholic beverages; sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, or accessories including e-juice or e-liquid; online pharmacies or pharmacy referral services; age-restricted goods or services; weapons and munitions; gunpowder and other explosives; fireworks and related goods; toxic, flammable, and radioactive materials; products and services with varying legal status on a state-by-state basis.
Given that Shopify has decided to abandon good business principles and instead is now focusing on a liberal political agenda this should give all gun and knife related businesses on their platform reason for concern.
Because you are here reading this article this shows you have had the foresight to at least begin searching for a viable alternative that will support your business efforts.
While there are options at WeaponSeeker we think it is important not just to weigh the benefits of various platforms but also their associated risks. At WeaponSeeker we feel the wisest choice given the current political environment and the mass exodus of current tech providers from serving the industry is to fully own the platform you eventually choose. Without ownership you may very well be stuck in the same trap Shopify has put so many gun and knife store owners recently.
At WeaponSeeker we believe in one’s right to protect their life, their loved ones, and their business. We are a pro 2nd Amendment organization focused on all things weapons, survival and outdoors.
If you either currently need an e-commerce solution and agree it is a good time to begin the switch to a company that not only will but is eager to support your brand feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help. Whether it be through simple consultation on your options all the way up to developing a robust full-scale e-commerce solution that you, in fact, will own, we can help.
The clock is ticking so don’t be caught off guard. The life of your business may very well depend on you taking action sooner rather than later.
Need help with advertising? Yep, we can help there too. At WeaponSeeker we provide a robust full-service social platform where you can additionally provide laser-focused advertising for your brand, products, and services. We additionally provide an option of including your inventory feed in our shopper service to allow the community to better shop your product line giving you even greater exposure.