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Infinity Media
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The 8 Best Places To Sell Your Crafts Online
The internet has opened endless possibilities for artisans and crafters, making it easier than ever to turn a creative hobby into a profitable business. With numerous online marketplaces specifically designed to sell handmade items, each with its own unique audience and features, there’s a perfect platform for everyone. Whether you’re a jewelry maker, painter, ceramic artist, or any other type of crafter, this guide will help you find the best online venues to sell your crafts.
1. Etsy
Overview: Etsy is the most well-known platform for selling handmade, vintage, and unique items. It has a massive global reach with millions of active buyers searching for one-of-a-kind products.
Key Benefits:
- Large Audience: Etsy has an established customer base, making it easier to reach buyers who are specifically looking for handmade goods.
- User-Friendly Interface: Setting up a shop on Etsy is straightforward, and the platform provides ample resources and tools for sellers.
- Community Support: Etsy offers forums and tutorials for sellers, making it easier to navigate the marketplace and grow your shop.
Fees: Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 per item and takes a 6.5% transaction fee on sales, plus payment processing fees.
Best For: Artisans and crafters who want exposure to a large, built-in audience for handmade and unique items.
2. Amazon Handmade
Overview: Amazon Handmade is Amazon’s answer to the growing demand for artisanal goods. It operates similarly to Etsy but leverages Amazon’s massive customer base.
Key Benefits:
- Global Reach: With Amazon’s extensive reach, sellers on Amazon Handmade can attract a worldwide audience.
- Prime Eligibility: Some products are eligible for Amazon Prime, allowing for faster shipping and increasing appeal to Prime members.
- Dedicated Support: Amazon provides dedicated artisan support to help sellers succeed on the platform.
Fees: Amazon Handmade charges a 15% referral fee on each sale. However, it doesn’t have monthly listing fees, unlike regular Amazon Seller accounts.
Best For: Sellers looking for an alternative to Etsy with broader international reach and who want access to Amazon’s vast customer network.
3. eBay
Overview: eBay may not be the first platform that comes to mind for handmade crafts, but it’s a viable option, particularly for unique, collectible, or vintage items. eBay’s global marketplace offers a large audience and the potential for auction-based sales.
Key Benefits:
- Diverse Audience: eBay attracts a wide range of buyers, from collectors to casual shoppers, which can be beneficial for niche or unique crafts.
- Auction Format: The auction option can help drive up the price on items with high demand.
- Flexible Shipping Options: eBay offers various shipping and payment options, giving sellers flexibility.
Fees: eBay charges a 12.9% fee on the total transaction amount, including shipping, for most categories. Listing fees may also apply, though the first 250 listings each month are free.
Best For: Sellers of vintage, unique, or collectible crafts who are interested in the possibility of auction sales.
4. Shopify
Overview: Unlike marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon, Shopify allows you to create your own branded website to sell crafts. With Shopify, you own your store, control the brand, and have flexibility in how you operate your business.
Key Benefits:
- Full Brand Control: Shopify allows you to build your own brand without the restrictions of a marketplace.
- Customizable Design: With a variety of templates and apps, Shopify enables you to create a unique shopping experience tailored to your brand.
- Built-in E-commerce Tools: Shopify has powerful tools for managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling marketing, such as email and SEO features.
Fees: Shopify charges a monthly fee, starting at $29, along with a transaction fee if you use third-party payment processors.
Best For: Sellers looking to build a standalone brand and establish a long-term, customizable online presence outside of a marketplace.
5. Facebook Marketplace & Instagram Shopping
Overview: Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have developed robust e-commerce features, making them ideal for selling crafts. Instagram Shopping, in particular, has become a popular choice for visual brands and artisans.
Key Benefits:
- Direct-to-Customer Interaction: Social media allows for immediate engagement and feedback from customers, which is valuable for building a loyal following.
- Built-in Marketing Tools: Both platforms offer powerful advertising tools, helping you reach a highly targeted audience.
- Ease of Use: Setting up an Instagram Shop or listing items on Facebook Marketplace is straightforward.
Fees: Facebook and Instagram Shopping have no listing fees, but transaction fees apply. Facebook charges a selling fee of 5% per shipment or a flat fee of $0.40 for sales under $8.
Best For: Crafters who already have a social media presence and want to reach a visually oriented audience.
6. Zibbet
Overview: Zibbet is a marketplace dedicated to artists and crafters, offering sellers the option to list items on multiple platforms, including Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, through one dashboard.
Key Benefits:
- Multi-Channel Listing: Zibbet makes it easy to manage multiple platforms from one place.
- Lower Competition: Since Zibbet is smaller, you’ll face less competition than on platforms like Etsy.
- Artist-Focused Community: The platform is crafted with artists in mind, offering features tailored to creative sellers.
Fees: Zibbet charges a monthly fee starting at $5 per sales channel, with no additional transaction fees.
Best For: Artists and crafters looking to simplify multi-channel selling and reach a niche audience without high fees.
7. Big Cartel
Overview: Big Cartel is a platform designed specifically for independent artists and makers. It provides a straightforward, low-cost option for selling crafts online and focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
Key Benefits:
- Affordable Pricing: Big Cartel offers a free plan with up to five listings and affordable paid plans, making it accessible for new sellers.
- Customizable Storefront: While less customizable than Shopify, Big Cartel offers a range of themes and branding options.
- No Listing Fees: There are no transaction fees, making it an affordable option for artists on a budget.
Fees: Plans start at $9.99 per month, with no transaction fees.
Best For: Independent artists and small-scale makers looking for an affordable, easy-to-use platform without transaction fees.
8. ArtFire
Overview: ArtFire is a marketplace similar to Etsy, focusing on handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. Although smaller, it has a dedicated audience of buyers looking specifically for unique and handmade items.
Key Benefits:
- Community of Crafters: ArtFire is a smaller marketplace with a community vibe, making it easier to stand out.
- SEO Tools: ArtFire provides search engine optimization tools to help increase the visibility of your products.
- Category Flexibility: You can sell a range of items, including handmade crafts, vintage goods, and crafting supplies.
Fees: ArtFire offers a basic plan with a $4.95 monthly subscription fee, a 23-cent listing fee, and a 9% final valuation fee on sales.
Best For: Sellers who want a smaller, craft-focused marketplace with a community feel and SEO support.
9. Folksy (For UK-Based Sellers)
Overview: Folksy is a UK-based platform similar to Etsy that exclusively supports British crafters. If you’re a UK-based seller or interested in a UK audience, Folksy offers an excellent niche marketplace for handmade crafts.
Key Benefits:
- British Audience: Folksy’s audience consists mainly of British customers, making it easier to target this specific demographic.
- Lower Competition: The platform is smaller than Etsy, so you’ll face less competition.
- Community Engagement: Folksy fosters a community vibe, offering resources and events for sellers.
Fees: Folksy charges a 6% commission on sales, plus a small listing fee per item.
Best For: UK-based sellers looking for a platform focused on local artisans and customers.
Conclusion
With so many online platforms available, selling your crafts online has never been easier. Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, budget, and audience. Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and eBay are great choices for reaching a large audience quickly, while Shopify offers more control and branding opportunities for dedicated sellers. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook offer unique opportunities to engage directly with customers, while Zibbet and ArtFire provide niche-focused options for artisans.
Starting with one or two platforms can help you test the waters, but as your business grows, consider expanding to multiple channels to reach an even wider audience. With dedication, creativity, and the right platform, your online craft business can thrive.
