Etsy is a popular online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique items. However, not everyone finds Etsy perfect for their needs. Some sellers and buyers look for other options due to various reasons such as fees, competition, or the desire for more customization. For those seeking different platforms, exploring Etsy alternatives can provide better opportunities and features tailored to specific preferences and business goals.
This article will explore some of the best Etsy alternatives available today. We will discuss their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you decide which platform might be better for you. Whether you're a seller looking for lower fees, a buyer seeking unique products, or someone wanting more control over your online store, there are many Etsy alternatives that could meet your needs and help you succeed.
Amazon Handmade as Etsy Alternatives
Amazon Handmade is a direct competitor to Etsy. It is a section of Amazon, focusing on handmade products. Amazon Handmade offers a huge audience since it is part of Amazon. Many people shop on Amazon daily. This makes it one of the top Etsy alternatives.
Benefits of Amazon Handmade:
- Large Customer Base: Amazon has millions of shoppers. This gives handmade sellers access to a vast audience.
- Trust and Reliability: Amazon is a trusted platform. Shoppers feel safe buying from it.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): Sellers can use Amazon's fulfillment service. This means Amazon handles shipping and customer service.
Drawbacks of Amazon Handmade:
- Fees: Amazon Handmade has higher fees compared to Etsy. There is a monthly subscription fee and a referral fee on each sale.
- Competition: The large number of sellers on Amazon can make it hard to stand out.
eBay
eBay is another popular marketplace. While it is known for auctions, it also has a strong presence in fixed-price sales. eBay is one of the versatile Etsy alternatives for both new and vintage items.
Benefits of eBay:
- Global Reach: eBay operates in many countries. This allows sellers to reach an international audience.
- Various Selling Formats: Sellers can choose between auctions and fixed-price listings.
- Established Platform: eBay has been around for a long time. It has a loyal customer base.
Drawbacks of eBay:
- Fees: eBay charges listing fees and final value fees. These can add up, especially for low-priced items.
- Reputation Issues: Some buyers are wary of eBay due to past issues with scams.
Shopify as Etsy Alternatives
Shopify is different from the other platforms. It is an e-commerce solution that lets you create your own online store. Shopify is one of the top Etsy alternatives for sellers who want more control over their branding and sales.
Benefits of Shopify:
- Customization: Sellers can design their stores to match their brand.
- Scalability: Shopify offers plans that can grow with your business.
- Apps and Integrations: Shopify has a wide range of apps to enhance your store's functionality.
Drawbacks of Shopify:
- Cost: Shopify has a monthly subscription fee. Some apps and themes also have additional costs.
- Marketing: Unlike marketplaces, you are responsible for driving traffic to your Shopify store.
Big Cartel
Big Cartel is a platform designed for artists and makers. It is simpler than Shopify but still provides enough tools to sell online. Big Cartel is one of the Etsy alternatives that focus on creativity and simplicity.
Benefits of Big Cartel:
- Cost-Effective: Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to five products. Paid plans are also affordable.
- Easy to Use: The platform is straightforward and user-friendly.
- Customizable: Sellers can customize their stores to fit their style.
Drawbacks of Big Cartel:
- Limited Features: Big Cartel does not offer as many features as Shopify.
- Scalability: It may not be the best option for larger businesses.
Zibbet
Zibbet is a marketplace that also offers multi-channel selling tools. Sellers can list their products on Zibbet and sync them with other platforms. Zibbet is one of the versatile Etsy alternatives for managing multiple sales channels.
Benefits of Zibbet:
- Multi-Channel Selling: Sellers can manage their listings on Etsy, eBay, and other platforms from one dashboard.
- No Listing Fees: Zibbet charges a flat monthly fee instead of per-item fees.
- Customization: Sellers can create a custom website with Zibbet.
Drawbacks of Zibbet:
- Traffic: Zibbet does not have as much traffic as Etsy or Amazon.
- Learning Curve: The multi-channel tools can be complex for beginners.
ArtFire
ArtFire is another marketplace for handmade and vintage items. It has a smaller community but is dedicated to artisans. ArtFire is one of the Etsy alternatives focused on creative goods.
Benefits of ArtFire:
- Community: ArtFire has a supportive community of makers.
- Low Fees: ArtFire has affordable monthly plans with no listing fees.
- Customization: Sellers can customize their shops.
Drawbacks of ArtFire:
- Traffic: ArtFire has less traffic compared to larger marketplaces.
- Limited Features: The platform does not offer as many advanced features.
Storenvy
Storenvy combines a marketplace and custom online stores. It targets indie brands and small businesses. Storenvy is one of the Etsy alternatives for those who want both marketplace exposure and a custom store.
Benefits of Storenvy:
- Dual Functionality: Sellers can benefit from the marketplace and their own store.
- Social Features: Storenvy has social networking features to help sellers promote their products.
- No Listing Fees: There are no fees for listing products.
Drawbacks of Storenvy:
- Commission Fees: Storenvy takes a commission on marketplace sales.
- Traffic: The marketplace does not have as much traffic as Etsy or Amazon.
Bonanza
Bonanza is a marketplace that supports various product categories. It is easy to use and integrates with other platforms. Bonanza is one of the Etsy alternatives for sellers looking for a simple, effective solution.
Benefits of Bonanza:
- Ease of Use: Bonanza is user-friendly and easy to set up.
- Integration: Sellers can import their listings from eBay, Amazon, and Etsy.
- Low Fees: Bonanza charges lower fees compared to other platforms.
Drawbacks of Bonanza:
- Traffic: Bonanza does not have the same level of traffic as Etsy or Amazon.
- Brand Recognition: It is not as well-known as other marketplaces.
Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the rapidly growing ecommerce platforms, known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop website builder. It offers many useful features for any ecommerce business.
As one of the Etsy alternatives, Squarespace allows creators to operate their own stores, whether they sell handmade items, digital prints, or custom clothing. Etsy sellers can even transfer products from their existing Etsy store to Squarespace and create a customized ecommerce site.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use website builder for creating a website and online store.
- Free domain, built-in marketing tools, and social media integrations.
- Inventory tracking and advanced website analytics.
- Powerful merchandising tools to drive sales.
Pricing:
- Business: $23/month with 3% transaction fees.
- Commerce (Basic): $27/month with 0% transaction fees.
- Commerce (Advanced): $40/month with 0% transaction fees.
Wix
Wix is a website builder with ecommerce capabilities and an Etsy integration, making it one of the notable Etsy alternatives. It features templates and a drag-and-drop editing tool to design a website that represents your products and brand.
Wix allows you to track orders, accept PayPal and credit card payments, create promotional coupons, and set tax and shipping rules for different regions. There’s a tiered monthly pricing plan, plus a community knowledge hub.
Ecwid
Ecwid is another option among Etsy alternatives. It adds ecommerce functions to your social media, website, and other sales channels. Customers can shop and purchase products from the places where they interact with you online.
For example, if you’re an artist with a portfolio on a compatible platform, you can use Ecwid’s Buy button to add shopping features. If you don’t have a website, you’ll need to use a separate website builder. Selling on Etsy and Ecwid requires a paid plan with a relevant product limit.
IndieMade
IndieMade is one of the Etsy alternatives designed specifically for artists and art dealers. It includes a limited online store builder, a calendar of events, an image gallery, a personal blog, and a news section.
IndieMade’s inventory management feature syncs your website with your Etsy store. However, like Etsy, there are limited options for product variants, making it challenging for merchants with expanding product offerings.
Folksy
Folksy is an online marketplace tailored for UK crafters and artists to sell their handmade and artisanal products. While it doesn't have the global reach of Etsy, Folksy provides a unique selling proposition for creators based in the UK or targeting a UK audience, making it one of the Etsy alternatives for localized selling.
Key Features:
- Optimized for selling handmade and vintage items.
- Allows customization for sellers to showcase their personal style and brand vision.
- Good platform for building a loyal following with unique product offerings.
- Hosts a variety of niche markets, enabling products to stand out in their category.
Pricing:
- Folksy offers the first three listings free. The Basic account, which operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, charges £0.15 + VAT per item, including relisting products if needed.
- Folksy Plus: £7.50 per month or £75 for a year-long subscription, allowing unlimited listings.
- Sales commission of 6% + VAT on the selling price of all items.
- Transaction fees by PayPal and Stripe: Stripe charges 1.4% + 20p for European cards and 2.9% + 20p for non-European cards. PayPal’s fee is 2.9% + 30p of the amount received. Stripe’s total fee includes their transaction fee and the 6% + VAT Folksy sales fee.
- An additional 20% VAT is charged on the subtotal of your listing and selling fees.
Society6
Society6 is another platform where independent artists can showcase their work. Its print-on-demand operation reduces inventory risks for creators. Like Redbubble, it offers a wide range of products ready for your designs, from home decor to clothing. This makes it a solid Etsy alternative for artists seeking a broader audience without managing physical inventory.
Key Features:
- Feature designs on various products, including apparel, home decor items, and lifestyle products.
- User-friendly interface.
- Quick and easy store setup.
- Creative community of over 450,000 independent artists.
- Large international customer base, reaching a global audience.
Pricing:
- Free: Upload up to 10 designs and earn 10% of the net sale on every sale.
- Basic: $4.99 per month. Upload up to 100 designs and set your own prices.
- Pro: $12.99 per month. Upload up to 10,000 designs and set your own prices.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a social ecommerce platform primarily for preloved fashion but also includes home decor and personal care products. It blends ecommerce and social networking, offering a unique Etsy alternative. Users can follow other sellers, collaborate on sales events, and share style tips.
Key Features:
- User-friendly platform for both buyers and sellers.
- Highly social platform with shopping and networking features.
- Allows sellers to curate their virtual boutiques.
- Facilitates cross-promotions and collaborations with other sellers.
- Posh Protect, a buyer protection feature ensuring transaction integrity.
Pricing:
- Listing products is free. Fees are applied once a sale is made.
- For orders below $15, Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95.
- For sales over $15, the platform takes a 20% commission.
Social Media Platforms as Alternatives to Etsy
Etsy offers a marketplace specifically for handmade goods, but platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have become excellent alternatives for artists and crafters. These platforms provide opportunities to showcase work, engage with potential buyers, and establish strong brands.
TikTok, known for its short-form video content, is ideal for product demonstrations and creative tutorials. Using trending hashtags and participating in challenges can help increase visibility and reach a broader audience. The platform's engagement features, such as comments, duets, and stitches, allow for direct interaction with potential customers. TikTok is free to use for creating profiles and posting content, but paid advertising options are available to enhance reach, starting at $500.
Facebook has a large and diverse user base, making it possible to reach a wide audience. Facebook Groups dedicated to handmade crafts are valuable for connecting with potential customers and other artisans. The Facebook Shops feature allows creators to set up a mini storefront directly on their Facebook page. Creating a profile and Facebook Group is free, and while there are no listing fees for Facebook Shops, paid advertising can be used to increase product visibility.
Instagram is a highly visual platform, perfect for showcasing high-quality product photos and lifestyle imagery. Features like Instagram Stories and Reels provide engaging formats for behind-the-scenes looks and product demonstrations. Shoppable posts enable users to purchase products directly from an Instagram profile. While creating a profile is free, paid advertising and promotions can help expand reach. Instagram advertisers can choose to pay per click, ranging from $0.20 to $2.00, or per 1,000 impressions, which averages $6.70.
Pinterest functions as a visual search engine where users discover and save inspiring content. High-quality product pins with strategic keywords can attract potential customers. Targeted ads can reach users actively searching for products related to crafts. Creating a profile and posting pins is free, but paid advertising options can significantly increase the reach of pins and drive traffic to a website or online store. The cost of Pinterest ads can range from $0.10 per click, $2.00 per conversion, and $1.50 per 1,000 impressions.
When choosing a social media platform to boost online visibility and sales, remember that building a following requires time and consistent effort. A strategic plan with a well-thought-out content schedule, high-quality images, and smart use of hashtags can help you stand out. While social media is excellent for brand establishment and audience connection, integrating a sales platform like a website or an Etsy store is essential for converting followers into paying customers.
Choosing Platform for Your Online Store
Many creators opt for Etsy because it is easy and affordable, allowing them to launch a store and start selling their products quickly.
However, the platform's limitations may prompt creators to explore other online marketplaces for a better experience selling their handmade items.
Selecting the right Etsy alternative involves considering various aspects of your business. From your budget and goals to your skills and confidence in creating an ecommerce store, there is much to consider as you browse different ecommerce platforms to find the best fit.
Conclusion
There are many Etsy alternatives available for sellers and buyers. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits. Amazon Handmade and eBay offer large audiences. Shopify and Big Cartel provide customization and control. Zibbet and ArtFire cater to handmade and vintage items. Storenvy and Bonanza offer easy-to-use solutions. Consider your specific needs and goals when choosing the best Etsy alternatives for your business.