Where To Sell Handmade Online?

When it comes to selling your handcrafted creations online, finding the right platform is crucial. With many options available, choosing a marketplace that aligns with your artistic vision and connects you with the right audience is essential. 

Whether you’re a seasoned artisan or just starting out, this post will help you navigate the diverse landscape of online selling, helping you discover the perfect place to showcase your handmade treasures. Get ready to unleash your creativity and embark on an exciting online selling journey!

Whether that’s with the help of a third-party marketplace like Etsy, creating your store from scratch with an e-commerce platform, or using a social media platform like Facebook marketplace. 

Online Marketplaces

One of the more popular avenues for selling handmade products, they range from well-known giants to more niche marketplaces.  

Etsy 

If you sell handmade products or are in the craft space, you’ve probably heard of Etsy and how it’s the mecca of all things handmade. With a vibrant community of artisans, Etsy is the longest-running marketplace that’s been catering to artisans for over 18 years. 

As a result, there’s now a community of over 5.3 million sellers as of Q3 2022 and 40 million buyers. Etsy cater to about 43 different product categories.

Who is Etsy perfect for? Small to medium business owners, collectors, indie artists, and creators 

Where does the majority of traffic come from?:

• United States ( 58.79%.)
• United Kingdom (9.45%)
• Canada (4.82%)
• Germany (3.83%)
• Australia (2.88%)

Fees: there are several fees that sellers need to be aware of. You can check out the fees here. 

Amazon Marketplace 

A global e-commerce site in its own right, Amazon is another giant on this list that decided to jump ship and delve into the handmade category. Launched in 2015, Amazon Handmade has quickly become a favorite for crafters. 

What fees does it charge: unlike Etsy, there aren’t any listing fees. However, Amazon charges a 15%referral fee. 

Additionally, sellers need to sign up for a professional selling account at $39.99. Your professional selling account is what you will then use to apply for a handmade seller account. After your approval, the fee is then waived after your first month. 

Pros of selling on Amazon Handmade 

• There is an inbuilt customer base of millions of buyers 
• You dont have to pay as many fees as you would with Etsy 
• They dont tweak their algorithm as often as some other marketplaces 

Cons 

• You dont have as many product categories as you do with Etsy 
• Being a global brand means that the number of sellers is large. This will require additional effort in terms of SEO and marketing yourself. 
• Unlike on Etsy, you can’t sell digital or downloadable products as of now.

eBay 

Another giant in the space, eBay, has been long-standing and known as the place to go for out-of-the-box treasures and chachkies. With its vast global reach, robust seller tools, and diverse customer base, eBay provides a thriving marketplace for showcasing and selling your handmade treasures.

Pros of selling handmade via eBay

• Global audience – eBay boasts a massive user base spanning numerous countries, making it an ideal platform to reach a worldwide audience.
• Established Trust and Reputation:
• As one of the major pioneers in the online marketplace industry, eBay has established itself as a trusted platform.

Cons 

• Increased Competition
• Risk of Non-Paying or Disruptive Buyers:

Bonanza 

Bonanza is unlike any of the other two marketplaces we’ve already covered. On Bonanza, you can choose whether to sell your items on their marketplace or create your own store. 

Another cool feature of Bonanza is that you can see your customer insights, making it easier to convert one-time customers into loyal patrons. 

Fees: Bonanza charges 0.25$ transaction fees plus a 3.5% fee on all sales. You must also pay a fixed fee if you use Google shopping ads. 

Renegade Craft 

Established in 2003, Renegade Craft is a marketplace that focuses on bringing together artists, designers, and shoppers. 

Mostly known for their in-person craft shows, Renegade Craft also features an online store where sellers can sell their crafts all year. 

Pros of renegade craft 

• They handle all the marketing and customer services 

Cons of Renegade Craft 

• They charge a 40% commission on all sales 
• They can be picky about the sellers they let in 
• Sellers have to apply to become vendors 

ICraft Gifts 

Based in Canada, Ontario, Icraft is a marketplace fully dedicated to facilitating the selling and buying of handmade goods from sellers all over the globe. 

Pros of selling on Icraft 

• A lot of sellers on the marketplace have reported getting that they get fewer sales when compared to Etsy, although more profitable. 
• They don’t charge a commission on sales 
• No reselling or selling of mass-produced items 
• The site gets 1.3 million unique visitors who are purposefully looking for unique products they wouldn’t find anywhere. 

Cons 

• You’ll have to put in a lot of effort. i.e., marketing to your targetted audience. 
• The community isnt as proactive as on other marketplaces 

Aftcra 

Aftcra is an online marketplace that’s dedicated to selling handmade goods that have been produced in the US. 

Sellers can sell several items such as apparel, home furnishings, jewelry, accessories, arts and handicrafts, paper goods, and kids and baby products. 

• A pro of selling on the marketplace is there aren’t any listing fees, except for a 7% commission when you sell items. 

Indie cart 

Launched in 2004 as Hyena Cart, Indie Cart is a community of independent shops that feature everything fit for your family and home.

What started as a site where the owner sold handmade diapers and diaper covers soon evolved into a marketplace for artisans to sell original stuff. 

Prior to you selling on the site, you need to apply with a link to your products plus some indication of your reputation as a seller and the number of people working to create the products. This is to ensure no reselling or selling of mass-produced items takes place. 

The process to open a shop on Indiecart is as follows, register and log into your account. 

Click on the start selling button and fill in the form on the page. 

You will receive a notification after 24 hours about the progress of your submission. 

Fees: Setting up a shop costs $7.50 per month; however, no additional fees are charged. 

What type of sellers will thrive on Indiecart: sellers looking to various selling methods, i.e., auction, first come, first serve, or deposit additionally, if you want a more chilled-out marketplace. 

Advantages of selling via a third-party marketplace 

• You already have an inbuilt customer base who are ready to buy your products 

Con 

1. You don’t have control over your customer’s shopping experience 
2. Alternatives to selling on third-party marketplaces 
3. Eccomerce sites and social media platforms 

E-commerce sites 

When it comes to selling handcrafted products online, Shopify stands out as a powerful e-commerce platform that empowers artisans and creators to build their online stores. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and customizable design options, Shopify provides a seamless and professional selling experience for artisans of all levels of technical expertise. So what makes Shopify a popular choice among artisans? 

Setting up your store is a breeze with Shopify, even if you’re not tech-savvy. They provide a variety of beautiful themes that you can easily personalize to match your brand’s style. 

With Shopify’s App Store, you can access many plugins and apps that can supercharge your online store. Whether you want to boost your marketing efforts, gain valuable insights with advanced analytics, or integrate with other services, Shopify has got you covered. 

Powerful marketing tools: Shopify offers a suite of marketing tools to help artisans effectively promote their handmade products. You can create discount codes, run promotional campaigns, and implement upselling and cross-selling strategies to increase sales.

Facebook Marketplace 

In addition to being a popular social networking platform, Facebook offers a built-in marketplace where artisans and creators can sell their handmade goods. You can sell through Facebook Shop, Facebook Marketplace, or other third-party sites. 

You first need to register with one of their e-commerce partners to sell on the marketplace. 

Once you are done, you can start importing your products and listing your items. 

Advantages of selling through the Facebook marketplace 

Wide User Base: 

With billions of active users worldwide, Facebook provides a massive user base you can easily tap into.

Local and Personalized Selling:

Facebook Marketplace emphasizes local selling, allowing you to connect directly with buyers in your area. This local focus can be advantageous for artisans who prefer face-to-face interactions. 

Mobile Accessibility:

Facebook Marketplace is accessible through the mobile app, allowing users to browse and shop on the go.

Where Is the Best Place to Sell Crafts Online?

This will depend on the seller and what they want to accomplish with their brand. For example, a seller looking to create a recognizable and timeless brand may find that using e-commerce platforms works better. It’s not a one size fits all.

Numerous marketplaces all over the internet cater to different types of sellers, and what works for one seller might not work for you and vice versa. 

Wrapping up 

In a world of infinite possibilities, selling your handmade creations online opens up numerous opportunities. From the comfort of your workshop, you can connect with a global audience, share your artistic talents, and turn your passion into a profitable venture. With numerous online platforms available, choosing the right place to sell your handmade goods can be daunting. However, fear not, for the perfect marketplace awaits!