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For artisans and makers, finding the right marketplace to showcase and sell your creations is crucial for success. With an abundance of options available, each offering unique features and opportunities, it can be challenging to determine which platform best suits your needs. In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best maker marketplaces, exploring their key features, audience demographics, and seller benefits, to help you make an informed decision about where to sell your handmade goods.
Marketplaces
- Etsy:
Etsy is perhaps the most well-known and popular marketplace for handmade goods, attracting millions of buyers worldwide. With its user-friendly interface, customizable storefronts, and robust marketing tools, Etsy offers artisans a platform to showcase their creations and connect with a dedicated community of buyers interested in unique, handmade products. While creating a store is free, Etsy does charge $.20 per product listing and a percentage fee of 6.5% on each sale. - Amazon Handmade:
Amazon Handmade is a curated marketplace within Amazon.com dedicated to handmade goods crafted by artisans around the world. Sellers benefit from access to Amazon’s vast customer base, streamlined fulfillment options, and the trust and credibility associated with the Amazon brand. While Amazon Handmade charges higher fees compared to other platforms, it offers unparalleled exposure and sales potential for artisans seeking to reach a broader audience. Currently Amazon charges $39.99/month to maintain the professional sales account needed to use the platform. This can be waived based on their discretion. They also charge a 15% referral fee of all sales. - Shopify:
For artisans looking to create their own branded online store, Shopify offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform with customizable templates, secure payment processing, and integrated marketing tools. With Shopify, sellers have full control over their store’s design and branding, allowing them to create a unique shopping experience for their customers. While Shopify requires more upfront investment and effort compared to marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade, it provides greater flexibility and scalability for artisans looking to build a long-term brand. Currently, Shopify’s basic plan runs $29/month plus a fee for each transaction depending on the type of payment used. The highest transaction fee is 2.9% + $.30. - MakerPlace by Michael’s:
MakerPlace is new to the scene which means it’s a good time to get into a less saturated marketplace. In addition to selling your products, you can also make how-to tutorials and earn commission on the products sold. If you have a skill to teach, the platform also lets you sell seats to live classes. For the free membership, they charge a referral fee of 4% and a transaction fee of 3% + $.20. - eBay:
While eBay is primarily known as an auction-style marketplace, it also offers a dedicated section for handmade and artisanal products. Sellers can list their handmade goods in fixed-price listings or auction-style format, reaching millions of potential buyers worldwide. While eBay’s fees and competition can be higher compared to other platforms, it offers a vast audience and flexible selling options for artisans looking to expand their reach. eBay offers 250 free product listings per month plus additional listings at $.35 each. They take 13.25% of the sale price when an item sells along with an order fee between $.30-$.40.
Choosing the right marketplace for selling handmade goods is a crucial decision for artisans and makers looking to showcase their creations and grow their business. Whether you’re drawn to the community-focused approach of Etsy, the global reach of Amazon Handmade, the flexibility of Shopify, the ground floor aspect of MakerPlace, or the vast audience of eBay, each platform offers unique features and opportunities to help you succeed as a maker. By carefully evaluating your goals, target audience, and selling preferences, you can find the best marketplace to showcase your handmade creations and connect with buyers who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship behind each piece.
