4 alternatives to Etsy to sell your handmade products online

Since its launch back in 2005, Etsy has undoubtedly become the most popular online marketplace for handmade products. Thousands of sellers and buyers use it every day and it is one of the best places to be if you want to get visibility for your small handmade business. However, policy changes, a recent increase in fees, and the growing number of mass-produced items that are finding their way into the site are pushing sellers to look for alternatives to Etsy. In my opinion, this marketplace is still the best option for those who are starting to sell their handmade products online (and for established businesses as well) and recent changes, whether we like it or not, are just a response to the evolving market out there. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to look at some alternatives and explore other options since it is always wise not to have all our eggs in one basket.

I’m leaving out online services that allow you to create an independent shop such as WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace. You can find more info on some of those platforms in this article. Instead, I’m focusing on actual marketplaces with an existing customer base that will get your products in front of many eyeballs from the get-go.

 

Amazon Handmade

The retail giant Amazon has a dedicated section for handmade products on its site which is definitely the strongest competitor of Etsy. We may associate Amazon with cheap products and lightning shipping times which tends to be the opposite of the handmade community spirit, but the truth is more and more makers and crafters and turning to this as a viable option for selling their creations.

The fees are significantly higher than Etsy’s ($39.99 per month + a 15% commission per transaction) but they also come with an active customer base of 300 million people who will be able to find your products on the general marketplace.

 

eBay

Another humongous platform with an extensive customer base and a long trajectory. This site is not specific for handmade products but it offers interesting features such as new product notifications for buyers who like your stuff.

The transaction fees vary depending on what you are selling (you can check them out here) and there is no fee for listing new products under 250 items (if you have more than that, you’ll pay $0.35 per listing per month).

 

Bonanza

Bonanza is also very similar to Etsy and likewise, along with selling on the marketplace, it also allows you to build a standalone shop on the platform using your own branding (comparable to Pattern by Etsy, or Shopify). Their system gives you the option of importing items directly from Etsy and they don’t charge anything for listing items. You only pay a 3.5% transaction fee once you make a sale.

The obvious downside to a smaller platform like this one is the equally smaller customer base.

 

Storenvy

Storenvy also offers the options of selling on their marketplace and building a standalone shop on their platform. Again, it comes with a smaller number of potential clients but it may help you get your products in front of a different, more indie audience.

Their transaction fee is 15% for sales on their marketplace and only the credit card processing fee if you create an independent shop with them.

 

Other location dependent platforms

There are a number of platforms out there focusing on artisans and crafters from specific countries. For example, in the United States, you have Goimagine and Aftcra. Creatives in the United Kingdom should definitely take a look at Folksy and Not on the High Street.

 

I hope you found this selection useful. Do you use any other marketplaces to sell your handmade products online? If so, please, share your experience in the comments so we can all expand our knowledge :)

 

 

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