Selling handmade items online has become popular, and now there are several options other than Etsy. Shopify, Amazon Handmade, and Wix are some of the top choices. Many sellers are exploring these alternatives for more control and flexibility. Each platform has its own features and costs, so it’s important to consider your needs and budget to find the best fit.
Whether you want to build your own store or access a large marketplace, there are different options to consider. Factors such as fees, ease of use, and customer reach are important to help crafters find the right place to sell their work.
Beyond Etsy: Unveiling the Best Marketplaces for Your Creations
Shopify: Empowering Your Creative Brand
Shopify stands as the premier Etsy alternative, empowering artisans and crafters to build their own independent online stores. With a vast array of customizable themes and powerful e-commerce tools, Shopify provides a platform for creative entrepreneurs to showcase their unique products and cultivate a loyal customer base. From managing inventory and shipping to marketing and analytics, Shopify offers a comprehensive solution for scaling your handmade business beyond the confines of a marketplace.
Big Cartel: A Haven for Artists and Makers
Big Cartel is a dedicated platform tailored for artists, crafters, and independent creators. It offers simple yet effective tools for building an online store and managing sales. With flexible pricing plans and a supportive community, Big Cartel is an excellent choice for those looking to establish their online presence without the complexities of larger platforms.
Squarespace: Aesthetically Pleasing Online Stores
Squarespace is renowned for its stunning templates and user-friendly website builder, making it a visually appealing option for artisans and crafters. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies the creation of a beautiful online store without requiring any coding expertise. Squarespace also offers various marketing and e-commerce features to help you grow your business.
Wix: Flexibility and Customization
Wix provides a wide range of customizable templates and design elements, allowing you to craft a unique online store that reflects your brand’s personality. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes website building accessible to everyone, regardless of technical skills. Wix also offers a variety of apps and integrations to enhance your online store’s functionality.
Amazon Handmade: Reaching a Massive Audience
While not solely focused on handmade goods, Amazon Handmade provides artisans and crafters access to a massive customer base. As an established e-commerce giant, Amazon offers unparalleled reach and visibility. However, it’s important to note that competition can be fierce, and fees might be higher compared to other platforms.
https://sell.amazon.com/programs/handmade
Top Etsy Alternatives: A Comparative Look
| Platform | Focus | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Customizable online stores | Full control, extensive features, scalability | Monthly fees |
| Big Cartel | Simple and affordable stores for artists and makers | Easy to use, budget-friendly, supportive community | Limited features compared to Shopify |
| Squarespace | Beautiful and modern websites | Visually appealing templates, user-friendly builder | Higher pricing compared to other options |
| Wix | Flexible and customizable | Drag-and-drop editor, wide range of templates | Can be overwhelming for beginners |
| Amazon Handmade | Large customer base | Access to millions of shoppers, established platform | High competition, higher fees |
Key Takeaways
- Several platforms offer alternatives to Etsy for selling handmade items
- Options include building your own store or joining a large marketplace
- Fees, features, and customer base differ among platforms
Understanding Etsy and Its Alternatives
Online marketplaces offer sellers platforms to reach customers. Etsy is known for handmade and vintage items. Other options exist for artisans and small businesses to sell their goods.
Defining an Online Marketplace
An online marketplace is a website where many sellers offer products. Buyers can shop from different vendors in one place. These sites handle payments and often provide tools for sellers.
Popular marketplaces include:
- Etsy
- Amazon Handmade
- Shopify
Each has its own rules and fees. Some focus on certain types of items. Others let sellers sell almost anything.
Pros and Cons of Etsy and Marketplace Alternatives
Etsy is good for handmade and vintage items. It has many buyers looking for unique products. But it also has lots of competition.
Pros of Etsy:
- Large customer base
- Easy to set up a shop
- Good for beginners
Cons of Etsy:
- High fees
- Strict rules
- Hard to stand out
Other marketplaces may offer:
- Lower fees
- More control over your shop
- Different types of customers
The best choice depends on what you sell and your business goals.
Essential Features of Leading Etsy Competitors
Top Etsy alternatives offer key features to help sellers:
- Shop customization
- Marketing tools
- Payment processing
- Shipping options
Some platforms like Shopify let you build your own website. This gives you more control over your brand.
Others like Amazon Handmade tap into a huge customer base. But you may have less control over your shop’s look.
Key things to look for:
- Cost to list items
- Monthly fees
- Tools to manage inventory
- Ways to connect with customers
Pick a platform that fits your budget and business needs.
Top Etsy Alternative Platforms
Sellers looking for new places to market their handmade goods have many options. These platforms offer unique features to help craft businesses grow and reach more customers.
Shopify: A Versatile E-commerce Solution
Shopify stands out as a top choice for sellers ready to expand beyond Etsy. It gives users full control over their online store. Sellers can pick a custom domain name and design their site. Shopify offers tools for inventory, shipping, and payments.
The platform works well for both digital and physical products. It has a user-friendly interface that makes setting up a store easy. Shopify also provides a mobile app for managing sales on the go.
Pricing starts at $17 per month. This cost includes hosting and basic features. More advanced plans offer extra tools for growing businesses.
Amazon Handmade: A Niche for Artisans
Amazon Handmade caters to makers of unique, handcrafted items. It taps into Amazon’s huge customer base. This can lead to more exposure for small businesses.
Sellers must apply and be approved to join. The platform takes a 15% fee on each sale. There’s no monthly fee to list products.
Amazon Handmade offers tools for inventory and order management. It also handles customer service and returns. This can save time for busy craft makers.
Emerging Marketplaces for Craft Businesses
Several newer platforms aim to fill gaps left by larger marketplaces. Bonanza focuses on unique items and offers lower fees than some competitors. It allows sellers to import listings from other sites.
Big Cartel targets artists and small craft businesses. It offers a free plan for up to five products. Paid plans include more features and product listings.
Goimagine is a newer option that donates all profits to children’s charities. It charges a flat fee instead of taking a percentage of sales.
These platforms each have their own strengths. Sellers should compare features and fees to find the best fit for their business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sellers have many options beyond Etsy for their handmade and digital products. Several platforms cater to different niches and offer unique features.
What are the top alternatives to Etsy for selling handmade items?
Amazon Handmade is a popular choice for artisans. It has a large customer base and waives some fees. Bonanza is another option with lower fees than Etsy. GoImagine focuses on ethical sellers and handmade goods.
Which platforms offer the best options for print on demand services similar to Etsy?
Redbubble and Society6 are good for print-on-demand products. They handle printing and shipping. Artists just upload designs. Zazzle is another choice with a wide range of customizable items.
Are there any free platforms comparable to Etsy for vendors?
Few platforms are completely free. Many have lower fees than Etsy though. ArtFire has a free basic plan with limits. Storenvy offers free online stores but charges transaction fees.
Which sites are considered the biggest competitors to Etsy in the handmade marketplace?
Amazon Handmade is Etsy’s main rival due to Amazon’s huge reach. Shopify powers many independent craft stores. Bonanza aims to be a direct Etsy alternative with similar features.
Where can digital product sellers find the best Etsy alternative platforms?
Creative Market is great for digital goods like fonts and graphics. Gumroad works well for ebooks and courses. Sellfy caters to digital creators with easy setup and marketing tools.
What emerging platforms are challenging Etsy’s dominance in the artisan market?
GoImagine is growing as an ethical marketplace for handmade items. Aftcra focuses solely on American-made crafts. Witchsy offers a curated platform for quirky and alternative art.
