Sites Like Etsy: Alternatives For Sellers

As an online seller, you're likely familiar with Etsy, the go-to marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. While Etsy has carved out a niche for crafters and collectors, it's not without its limitations.

Rising fees, increased competition, and concerns over market saturation have led some sellers to look for alternatives that align better with their business goals and values.

Exploring other platforms can open up new opportunities for growth and profitability. Options like Shopify offer greater control over your store, allowing you to build and customize your own website without the constraints of a marketplace.

Meanwhile, platforms like Amazon Handmade and eBay cater to different audience segments and provide distinct features that can complement your online selling strategy.

You might consider a specific alternative based on your priorities, whether that's lower fees, a more curated community, or advanced shop customization.

While the change might necessitate an adjustment period, the benefits of diversifying your sales channels could be substantial for your business.

Top Etsy Alternatives for Sellers

Here's a rundown of top marketplaces and e-commerce platforms that offer you diverse ways to sell your crafts and products.

Shopify

With Shopify, you can build your brand from the ground up with a customizable online store. It offers a wide selection of themes and a straightforward method of listing your products, setting prices, and managing sales.

Starting at $29 per month when paid annually, it's a comprehensive e-commerce solution that provides scalability for growing businesses.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is an artisan-only community within Amazon's vast online marketplace. It empowers you to reach millions of customers while maintaining the integrity of handcrafted goods.

There are no upfront costs; instead, Amazon takes a percentage of the sale, although specific terms should be checked as they might vary.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel has positioned itself as a simple yet effective platform for independent artists and makers.

Pricing options are flexible, with tiered plans based on the number of products you're selling. It's particularly user-friendly for beginners looking to dip their toes into online sales.

Bonanza

Bonanza is often highlighted for its likeness to eBay but with a stronger focus on unique items — similar to Etsy.

It prides itself on lower fees and provides a booth feature for you to set up a personalized online store, giving customers a direct way to find your products.

Choosing the Right Alternative

When you're deciding on an alternative to Etsy, it's essential to pick a platform aligning with your business goals and the unique nature of your custom, handmade, or vintage items.

Factors to Consider

When selecting a marketplace, consider how each platform will showcase your brand and items. Here are some specifics to weigh:

Fees and Costs: Look at listing fees, transaction fees, and any monthly costs that could affect your profit margins.
Market and Audience: Ensure the platform's audience aligns with your target customers and the style of your goods.
Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface can save you time and frustration.
Features and Tools: Check for tools like advanced analytics or the ability to sell across multiple channels, which can streamline your operations.
Support and Community: Active seller communities and responsive support are invaluable for getting help and learning best practices.

Transitioning from Etsy

Shifting from Etsy to another platform involves a few steps:

Backup Your Data: Secure your product descriptions, images, and customer reviews.
Research Competitors: Look at how similar businesses are performing on the alternative platforms to gauge competition.
Replicate Your Branding: Your branding should be consistent across platforms to maintain customer recognition and trust.
Test the Waters: Start by listing a few items to understand the platform's dynamics without overcommitting resources.

Building an Independent Online Store

Building an independent online store gives you control and flexibility with your brand and customer experience.

An online store also means taking responsibility for hosting, security, and compliance, which can be covered by choosing the right e-commerce platform or website builder.

E-commerce Platforms

When you're setting out to build your online store, selecting an e-commerce platform is a crucial decision. These platforms provide you with the tools to sell products, manage inventory, and process payments.

WooCommerce: Built for WordPress, WooCommerce is a powerful plugin that transforms your website into a fully functional e-commerce store. It's highly customizable and offers SSL encryption to secure transactions.
- Pros: Extensive customization options, large community support, and numerous themes.
- Cons: Requires a WordPress website and some technical know-how.
Shopify: A dedicated e-commerce platform that lets you create a professional-looking website with several built-in features including custom domains, SSL encryption, and a comprehensive dashboard.
- Pros: User-friendly with 24/7 support, a variety of themes, and an extensive app store.
- Cons: Monthly fees can add up, especially with additional apps and transactions fees.

Website Builders

If you prefer a more straightforward approach without a steep learning curve, website builders are a good alternative for creating an e-commerce website.

Squarespace: Known for sleek designs, Squarespace offers e-commerce integration, allowing you to build a visually appealing store with strong functionality.
- Pros: Beautiful templates with a focus on design and user experience.
- Cons: E-commerce plans can be pricier than some competitors.
Wix: Offers a drag-and-drop interface to build your online store and is suited for users who prioritize ease of use over complex features.
- Pros: Intuitive design tools and a straightforward setup process.
- Cons: Limited advanced e-commerce features when compared to dedicated platforms.
Weebly: A user-friendly builder with e-commerce features that allow for a simple store setup with basic tools.
- Pros: Good for beginners looking to launch quickly.
- Cons: More advanced sellers may find the features too basic.

Comparing Fee Structures

When exploring Etsy alternatives for your business, it's essential to understand the various fees you'll encounter, as they can significantly affect your profitability.

Understanding Various Fees

Each platform has a unique fee structure, and it's vital to get a grasp on the different types of fees you'll deal with:

Listing Fees: The cost to post a new item for sale.
Transaction Fees: A percentage of the sale price that the platform takes when an item is sold.
Subscription Fees: Monthly or annual fees for using the platform's services.
Referral Fees: Fees incurred when a platform refers a customer to your listing, often a percentage of the sale.

For instance, platforms like Shopify require a subscription fee but offer lower transaction fees compared to Etsy.

Calculating Profit Margins

To calculate your profit margins accurately, take into account all the fees you're liable to pay. Remember to include the costs of materials and shipping as well. Your profit margin is what’s left after these expenses are subtracted from your selling price.

Here's a simplified formula to help you:

Profit Margin = Selling Price – (Material Costs + Shipping Costs + Listing Fee + Transaction Fee + Subscription Fee)

To illustrate:

If you sell an item for $100, and your total costs including materials, shipping, and fees amount to $70, then your profit margin is $30, or 30%.

By understanding these fees and how to calculate your profit margins, you'll be better equipped to choose the most suitable platform for your business needs.

Integrations and Add-Ons

Selecting the right integrations and add-ons for your eCommerce platform can be pivotal in streamlining your online business. It's all about enhancing your shop's functionality and automating processes to save time and focus on selling.

Payment Processors and Apps

When you're setting up shop, considering the payment processors and apps you integrate is crucial. For instance, PayPal is a widely accepted payment processor known for its ease of use and security, and it's compatible with most eCommerce platforms. Additionally, you might want apps that help with:

Inventory management: Track your products to prevent overselling.
Marketing: Tools that assist with advertising your products.
Bandwidth and storage: Ensure your eCommerce platform can handle the amount of data transfer and storage you need.

Exporting and Importing Products

Managing your product listings efficiently is essential. Here's what to look for:

Import items: Tools to bulk upload product listings save you time.
Exporting: If you need to migrate to another platform or backup your data, exporting functionalities are critical. Make sure your platform supports easy data exportation to streamline such transitions.

Considerations for International Sellers

When expanding your online business globally, it's important to choose the right marketplace and understand local e-commerce trends.

Global Marketplaces

Amazon and eBay are two of the leading global online marketplaces that allow you to reach a vast international audience.

They offer extensive bandwidth to handle a high volume of traffic and transactions, which is ideal for scaling your business.

Selling on these platforms provides a reliable infrastructure for a wide variety of goods, including digital products and handmade goods.

Amazon: Highly competitive, with a monthly traffic of 2.45 billion visitors.
eBay: Known for its auction-style sales and a broad category of items.

Local E-Commerce Platforms

Local e-commerce platforms can be an effective way to connect with customers in specific regions.

IndieMade is a notable platform for artists and crafters to sell handmade goods, offering a personalized storefront. While it doesn’t command the same broad reach as Etsy, it can be suitable for niche markets.

Consider partnering with these platforms:

IndieMade: Focuses on independent artists and handmade items.
Local platforms: Depending on your target region, local platforms may provide better access to the specific demographics.

In all cases, it’s important to understand the local e-commerce regulations and market preferences to successfully sell your products.

Sites Like Etsy: Alternatives for Sellers