9 Alternative Platforms to Etsy: Which One is for You?

Best Etsy Alternatives for Selling Handmade Items

Etsy has done a great job of positioning itself as the de facto marketplace for all handmade and artisan goods.

And don’t get us wrong, Etsy is an excellent platform for selling handmade and vintage items, but it’s not the only option. There are, in fact, quite a few alternatives that might be a better fit for your business.

Let’s explore nine different platforms and discuss the pros and cons of each one. We’ll also give you an idea of which products sell best on each platform and how much you can expect to pay in fees.

Finally, we’ll discuss best practices to consider when starting your handmade eCommerce venture and pitfalls to avoid.

Whether you’re looking to start a new business or just want to expand your reach, read on for the best Etsy alternatives out there!

Storenvy

One of the newer Etsy alternatives, Storenvy is a growing community of independent sellers.

There are two ways to sell on Storenvy: through a custom shop or through their marketplace. If you choose to set up a custom shop, you’ll have more control over your branding and the look of your shop. You’ll also be able to use your domain name.

However, custom shops come with a monthly fee, so if you’re just getting started, the marketplace might be a better option. With the marketplace, you don’t have to pay any monthly fees, and you can still list an unlimited number of products.

Why Storenvy is a good alternative to Etsy

There are no listing fees on Storenvy, so you can save a lot of money if you’re selling a high volume of products. They also don’t charge any transaction fees, so you’ll keep all of the profits from your sales.

However, Storenvy doesn’t have as large of a following as Etsy, so you might not get as much product exposure.

Best products to sell on Storenvy

Clothing
Accessories
Home Decor

Notable features of Storenvy

Custom shops available for an additional monthly fee
No listing or transaction fees
Offers both a marketplace and custom shops

Storenvy pricing

Free trial – up to 1,000 products
Plus – $14 per month, up to 2,000 products
Pro – $29 per month, up to 5,000

Storenvy customer support

You can contact Storenvy customer support through their website or by emailing them directly. They also have an extensive knowledge base that you can use to search for answers to your questions.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is a newer platform created to compete with Etsy. With its reputation and infrastructure, Amazon has the resources to make Amazon Handmade successful.

Plus, when you use Amazon Handmade, you’re tapping into the millions of people who already use Amazon.com.

Why Amazon Handmade is a good alternative to Etsy

Amazon Handmade has no listing fees, so you can list an unlimited number of products. They also don’t charge any transaction fees, so you’ll keep all of the profits from your sales.

Another advantage is that Amazon is a well-known and trusted brand, so customers may be more likely to purchase from you if they’re already familiar with Amazon.

However, one downside is that Amazon Handmade requires you to have a Professional seller account, which costs $39.99 per month.

Best products to sell on Amazon Handmade

Clothing
Accessories
Jewelry
Home Decor

Note: Amazon Handmade does not allow for the sale of digital products.

Notable features of Amazon Handmade

No listing or transaction fees
Products must be handmade or hand-assembled
A massive audience base of millions of Amazon.com users

Amazon Handmade shipping options

You can choose to ship your products yourself or use Amazon’s fulfillment service. If you use their fulfillment service, they will print and ship your products for you.

Some Amazon Handmade products may even be eligible for Amazon Prime shipping, meaning they would arrive in two days or less.

Amazon Handmade pricing

A $39.99 per month Professional seller account is required (no listing fees).

Amazon Handmade customer support

You can contact Amazon Handmade customer support through their website or by emailing them directly. They also have a knowledge base that you can use to search for answers to your questions.

Check out our related posts on Amazon Handmade:

Zibbet

Zibbet is a marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft items. They have a wide range of products, from clothing and jewelry to home decor and art.

One of the advantages of Zibbet is that they allow you to sell digital products in addition to physical products. This makes them a good choice if you’re an Etsy seller who also sells digital products, such as printables or graphics.

Why Zibbet is a good alternative to Etsy

Zibbet has no listing fees and only charges a three percent transaction fee, which is lower than Etsy’s five percent fee.

Another advantage of Zibbet is that they offer a wide range of features, including the ability to offer discounts and coupons and create product collections.

However, Zibbet does not have the same level of name recognition as Etsy. This can make it harder to attract customers to your shop.

Best products to sell on Zibbet

As mentioned above, Zibbet is a good choice if you sell digital and physical products. They also have a wide range of product categories, so almost anything goes.

Notable features of Zibbet

A wide range of product categories
The ability to sell digital products
No listing fees
A transaction fee of three percent

What are the top-selling items on Zibbet?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art

Notable features of Zibbet:

No listing or transaction fees
Large focus on promoting sellers on social media

Zibbet pricing

Zibbet does not charge commission or listing fees. Instead, it charges a fixed monthly fee based on your chosen plan:

$4 Starter (charged annually)
$8 Pro
$16 Unlimited

Zibbet customer support

Zibbet offers customer support through its website, email, and social media. They also have a large knowledge base that you can use to answer your questions.

Bonanza

Bonanza was started in 2008 by two former Etsy sellers who were looking for a better way to sell online.

They were frustrated with Etsy’s high fees, lack of customer support, and difficulty promoting their shops. So they decided to create a more seller-friendly marketplace.

Why Bonanza is a good Etsy alternative

Bonanza has no listing fees and a low transaction fee of three percent. They also offer a wide range of features, including the ability to create coupons and offer discounts.

However, like Zibbet, Bonanza doesn’t have the same level of name recognition as Etsy. This can make it harder to attract customers to your shop.

What are the best products to sell on Bonanza?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art

Notable features of Bonanza:

No listing or transaction fees
Ability to create a custom shop and use your own domain name

Bonanza shipping options

Bonanza offers two shipping options:

You can ship your products yourself.
You can use Bonanza’s fulfillment service.

If you use Bonanza’s fulfillment service, they will pick, pack, and ship your products for you. They also offer free returns and customer support.

Bonanza customer support

Bonanza offers customer support through its website, email, and social media. They also have an extensive knowledge base that you can use to find answers to your questions.

Bonanza pricing

Bonanza has a bit of a complex pricing structure. Fees are based on FOV, or “Final Offer Value”:

FOV under $1000 – 3.5% of FOV for standard booths (or whatever advertising percentage you have selected; i.e, 9%, 13%, etc)
FOV greater than $1000 – 3.5% of FOV for standard booths (or whatever advertising percentage you have selected; i.e, 9%, 13%, etc) + a flat 1.5% of the amount over $1000

Wix

Wix is a website builder that allows you to create a custom online store. They offer a wide range of features to help you grow your business, including the ability to use your domain name and sell digital products.

Why Wix is a good alternative to Etsy

Wix is a good Etsy alternative because it has no listing or transaction fees. Plus, you can also use your domain name and sell digital products.

Another advantage of Wix is that they offer a wide range of features to help you grow your business, including an easy-to-use website builder built right into the platform.

What are the best products to sell on Wix?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art

You can also sell digital products such as:

eBooks
Courses
Downloadables

Notable features of Wix:

No listing or transaction fees
Ability to use your own domain name
Ability to sell digital products

Pricing for Wix

Wix has a free plan that allows you to create a basic online store. They also have three paid plans that start at $23 per month. The price increases depending on your desired feature set.

Wix customer support

Wix offers customer support through its website, email, and social media. They also have an extensive knowledge base that you can use to answer your questions.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a platform that allows you to create a custom online store. They’ve branded themselves as the best sales platform for artists.

They offer a wide range of features to help you grow your business, such as the ability to use your domain name, sell digital products, and offer discounts and coupon codes.

Why Big Cartel is a good Etsy alternative

One of the advantages of using Big Cartel is that they have no listing fees. They also charge a lower transaction fee than Etsy’s three percent.

Reviewers love Big Cartel’s ease of use and reasonable fee structure.

What are the best products to sell on Big Cartel?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art
Digital Products

Notable features of Big Cartel:

No listing fees
A lower transaction fee than Etsy’s three percent
A wide range of features to help you grow your business

Pricing for Big Cartel

Big Cartel has a free plan that allows you to create a basic online store with up to five products. Their paid plans are structured as follows:

Platinum Plan ($9.99/month) – 50 products, no listing fees
Diamond Plan ($19.99/month) – 500 products, no listing fees

Each plan has a particular feature set to help you grow your eCommerce business, which you can view here.

Big Cartel customer support

Big Cartel offers customer support through its website, email, and social media. They also have an extensive knowledge base that you can use to find answers to your questions.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder that allows you to create a custom online store. They offer a wide range of features to help you grow your business, such as the ability to use your domain name, sell digital products, and offer discounts.

Why Squarespace is a good Etsy alternative

Squarespace is a good Etsy alternative because it gives you full control over your site’s aesthetic and functionality.

When you use Squarespace, you’re not creating a storefront on an existing marketplace like Etsy, Amazon, or eBay. You’re creating your own website with powerful eCommerce features.

What are the best products to sell on Squarespace?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art
Digital Products

Notable features of Squarespace:

Robust built-in website builder
Free trial
No transaction fees
Tons of themes for getting a storefront up and running quickly

Pricing for Squarespace

To access the eCommerce functionality, you’ll need to subscribe to at least the Business Plan ($23/monthly).

While you’ll have to shell out 3% in transaction fees on the Business Plan, if you upgrade to the Basic Commerce ($27/monthly) or Advanced Commerce Plan ($49/monthly), you’ll enjoy 0% transaction fees.

Square E-Commerce (Formerly Weebly)

Weebly (acquired by Square) is a website builder that allows you to create a custom online store. They offer a wide range of features to help you grow your business, such as the ability to use your domain name, sell digital products, and offer discounts.

Why Weebly is a good Etsy alternative

Weebly is a good Etsy alternative for folks wanting more control over their site’s aesthetic. It’s also a good choice if you don’t want to be on a marketplace but want to build your own site instead.

What are the best products to sell on Weebly?

Handmade Jewelry
Vintage Clothing
Art
Digital Products

Notable features of Weebly:

Intuitive drag-and-drop website builder
A wide range of eCommerce features
Integration with Square means you can take payments online or in-person seamlessly

Pricing for Weebly

Weebly has a free plan that allows you to create a basic online store. The paid plans are structured as follows:

Personal Plan ($6/month)
Professional Plan ($12/month)
Performance Plan ($26/month)

Each tier features additional site-building and eCommerce features, but all tiers have a payment processing rate of 2.9% + 30 cents (through Square).

Shopify

Shopify is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that allows businesses of all sizes to create and customize their online stores.

Shopify provides users with everything they need to run their business, including a customizable website, shopping cart, payment processing, and shipping tools. Shopify is also widely popular and trusted by over half a million businesses in 175 countries.

Why Shopify is a good Etsy alternative

Shopify is a good Etsy alternative for businesses that want more control over their online store’s design, branding, and functionality. Etsy is great for small businesses and individual sellers, but if you’re looking to scale your business, Shopify may be a better option.

Shopify is well-suited to businesses of all sizes and trusted by brands like Tesla Motors, Budweiser, Red Bull, and more.

What are the best products to sell on Shopify?

Clothes
Jewelry
Home Decore
eBooks
Online Courses

Notable features of Shopify:

A wide range of eCommerce features
Flexible plans for businesses of all sizes
Lots of support and a catalog of themes to choose from

Shopify has three main plans:

Basic Shopify ($29/month)
Shopify ($79/month)
Advanced Shopify ($299/month)

There is also a Shopify Plus plan for enterprise businesses, which starts at $2,000/month. Shopify does not charge transaction fees, but you must pay credit card processing fees (between .30% and .50% + 20 cents per transaction, depending on your plan details).

Things to consider when shopping for an Etsy alternative

Here’s a list of things to consider when comparing Etsy alternatives.

Transaction fees:

Etsy charges a transaction fee of .05% to .20% on each sale, which can add up if you sell high-ticket items. Look for an Etsy alternative that doesn’t charge transaction fees or has a lower rate.

Some charge monthly fees, while others take a percentage of each sale.

Consider which fee structure is right for your business and that the platform can scale with your business as you grow.

The ability to sell digital products:

Etsy is not the right platform for you if you sell digital products, such as eBooks or courses, since it only allows for physical goods.

Not sure if you sell digital products? Common examples of digital products include:

eBooks
Online courses
Printables
Stock photos
WordPress themes
Plugins

If you’re looking for an Etsy alternative that allows you to sell digital products, Squarespace, Weebly, and Big Cartel are good options.

Website-building features:

Etsy is an excellent platform for selling handmade goods but has limited website-building features. If you want to create a custom website with powerful built-in eCommerce functionality, Shopify is a great option.

Squarespace and Weebly are also good choices if you’re looking for an Etsy alternative with robust website-building features. These platforms allow you to spin up beautiful-looking storefronts without touching a line of code.

A free trial:

Before you commit to an Etsy alternative, make sure it offers a free trial to try out the features and see if it’s a good fit for your business.

Shopify, Squarespace, Weebly, and Big Cartel all offer free trials.

The ability to use your own domain name:

If you want to use your own domain name (such as mystore.com), Etsy is not the right platform for you. Etsy requires all sellers to use their platform’s URL (etsy.com/shop/mystore).

Shopify, Squarespace, Weebly, and Big Cartel all allow you to use your own custom domain name.

Customer service and support:

When running an online store, it’s important to have access to customer service and support in case you run into any problems. Etsy offers 24/7 customer support, but some Etsy alternatives provide even better support.

Shopify, for example, offers live chat support 24/7, as well as email and phone support.

Good-designed UI and templates:

The Squarespace UI is sleek, and its templates are modern and stylish. If you’re looking for an Etsy alternative with a good-designed UI and templates, Squarespace is a good option.

Weebly also has a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to create your own website without previous web development experience.

Checkout process:

The Etsy checkout process is not as streamlined as it could be, and this can cause potential customers to abandon their carts.

Shopify has a built-in payment gateway called Shopify Payments, which allows you to accept credit card payments without signing up for third-party payment processors.

It’s a small boon, but anything to help reduce the friction of the checkout process is helpful, especially when prospective customers abandon nearly 70% of online shopping carts.

Squarespace also offers an integrated payment solution called Squarespace Commerce. This feature allows you to accept credit card payments without signing up for a third-party processor.

Shipping options:

Etsy offers a few different shipping options, but if you’re looking for more control over your shipping, Shopify is a good option.

For example, Shopify allows you to set shipping rates based on location, weight, price, and other factors. You can also choose to offer free shipping or flat-rate shipping.

You can also take advantage of Shopify’s discounted shipping rates using Shopify Payments. Etsy does not offer discounted shipping rates.

You can also take advantage of the Shopify Fulfillment Network, a 3rd-party fulfillment service that takes care of all your logistics for you (this is Shopify’s answer to Amazon Prime).

Integrated blog:

If you want to have a blog integrated into your online store (which we highly recommend), building your store on Etsy is out of the question. Etsy does not allow sellers to add a blog to their Etsy shop.

However, if you’re looking for an Etsy alternative with an integrated blog, Shopify, Squarespace, Weebly, and Big Cartel offer this feature.

A blog is also essential for brand-building and creating content that attracts organic traffic from Google.

Support for multiple sales channels:

Etsy only allows sellers to sell on their Etsy shop. However, if you’re looking for an Etsy alternative that supports multiple sales channels, Shopify is a good option.

Shopify allows you to sell on your own website, as well as on popular marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. You can also use Shopify’s POS system to sell in person.

Squarespace also allows you to sell on your own website, as well as on popular marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Multiple ways for customers to pay:

Etsy only allows customers to pay with a credit card or Etsy Gift Card. If you’re looking for an Etsy alternative that supports multiple payment methods, Shopify or Squarespace are good options.

Shopify allows you to accept credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay. You can also use Shopify’s POS system to accept cash and other forms of payment.

Squarespace also allows you to accept credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay.

Best practices for starting your eCommerce storefront

When you’re starting your eCommerce storefront, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

Go in with a plan. Decide what you want to sell, how you’re going to market your products, and what your shipping and return policy will be. This will help you choose the right channel and save you headaches down the line.

Begin with the end in mind. Envision where your business will be in a year, five years, or ten years. This will help you choose an Etsy alternative that can grow to meet your business goals.

Take the time to set up your eCommerce storefront correctly. This means choosing the right platform, designing your website, and creating high-quality product photos and descriptions. A well-designed website will help you stand out from the competition and attract more customers.

Optimize for search engine ranking. This means adding keyword-rich titles and descriptions and setting up Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

Without these, you’ll be flying blind on all your traffic and transactions; you’ll have no way of studying what’s working and improving what’s not.

Optimize for conversion. This means creating compelling product pages with high-quality photos, as well as ensuring that your checkout process is streamlined and easy to navigate for your customers.

A good practice is to go through your checkout process yourself and make sure everything is working correctly.

FAQs related to starting your eCommerce handmade storefront

Can I sell homemade products on Shopify?

Yes, you can sell handmade products on Shopify. One of the benefits of selling handmade products on Shopify is that you have full control over the look and feel of your online store.

Another benefit is that Shopify offers a wide range of features and integrations to help you run your business smoothly. For example, Shopify’s POS system makes it easy to sell in person, and the platform also integrates with a wide range of shipping and payment providers.

Finally, Shopify offers great 24/7 customer support, which can be invaluable when you’re running your own business.

For more help getting set up with Shopify, check out our related posts here:

Do you need inventory for Shopify?

No, you don’t need inventory for Shopify. One of the benefits of using Shopify is that you can use it to sell digital products. This means that you don’t have to worry about stocking or shipping inventory.

Another benefit of using Shopify is that it integrates with a wide range of shipping and payment providers. Shopify also supports dropshipping, an eCommerce strategy that eliminates the need for inventory by facilitating shipments from manufacturers directly to end users.

Can I sell my crafts on Facebook?

Yes, you can sell your crafts on Facebook. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Facebook is not an eCommerce platform. This means that you won’t have access to features like a shopping cart or checkout process.

That said, Facebook can be a good place to sell handmade items if you’re using it as a supplement to another platform, such as Etsy or Shopify. You can use Facebook to drive traffic to your online store, and you can also use it to build relationships with your customers.

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to put in extra effort to make sure your Facebook page is attractive and easy to navigate for potential customers.

Can you make a living selling crafts online?

Yes, you can make a living selling crafts online. However, it will take some focused effort to build up your business.

Most eCommerce entrepreneurs either start their side hustle with significant savings in the bank (sometimes called a “runway”) or as a part-time job until the business becomes sustainable.

This is why it’s important to choose the right eCommerce marketplace or storefront and utilize platforms with free trials and inexpensive listing fees.

If you want to be successful, you’ll need to create a professional-looking website and put in the time to market your business and drive traffic to your site. You’ll also need to create high-quality product photos and descriptions, as well as a streamlined checkout process.

Finally, remember that it takes time to build up a successful online business. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results!

What homemade items are in high demand?

There are a few different types of homemade items that are in high demand. First, there is a growing market for natural and organic products. This includes items like skincare products, soap, and candles.

Another type of product that is in high demand is anything related to the home. This could include wall art, furniture, home decor, and more.

Finally, there is a growing market for handmade gifts. This includes items like jewelry, clothing, and food items.

There are a few different ways to spot trends in the homemade eCommerce space. Firstly, study social media and internet communities, especially TikTok and Reddit.

Before trends hit search engines, they originate on these platforms. To get started, subscribe to the Crafts subreddit and pay attention to which items or types of items are most popular among users.

Next, most popular handmade marketplaces have ways to filter their products by top-selling or most popular.

Research all the big players (eBay, Amazon Handmade, Shopify, Etsy), and take note of the items at the top of the list.

These lists are fluid and change with cultural trends, so it’s not a bad idea to conduct this research every quarter or so.

Next Steps

Now that you know more about Etsy alternatives, it’s time to choose the right platform for your business.

Think about what you want to sell, how you’re going to market your products, and what your shipping and return policy will be. This will help you narrow down your choices and choose the right Etsy alternative for your business.

Once you’ve chosen a platform, it’s time for you to get the rest of your new business positioned for success. Here are some great resources to help get you started:

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