The Best Platforms to Sell Your Handmade Products

Selling handmade products has never been more accessible, thanks to the increasing number of online platforms tailored specifically for artisans and small business owners. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced maker looking to expand your reach, choosing the right platform can make all the difference in growing your business and connecting with the right customers. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the best platforms for selling handmade products, considering essential factors such as user base, fees, ease of use, and how each platform caters to different types of handmade goods.

1. Etsy

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Why It’s Popular: Etsy has become synonymous with handmade, vintage, and artisan products. It is one of the largest and most established online marketplaces for creators, offering a global reach and a dedicated community of buyers who value uniqueness and craftsmanship. Etsy’s reputation as a go-to destination for distinctive and personalized goods makes it a perfect platform for those who want to stand out in the handmade market. With millions of active users, Etsy provides an immediate and established audience that is already looking for the types of products you create.

Key Features:

• Ease of Use: Etsy’s platform is known for its simplicity, allowing new users to set up their shops and list products with minimal hassle. Even those without prior eCommerce experience can get their stores up and running quickly.
• Built-in Audience: Etsy’s marketplace is home to a large and highly engaged community of buyers who are specifically interested in handmade, vintage, and creative items. This means your products are already being presented to an audience that values the craftsmanship and unique qualities of handmade goods.
• Search Visibility: Etsy offers an advanced search function and optimization features to help your products appear in relevant searches. With Etsy’s SEO tools, you can enhance the discoverability of your listings, making it easier for potential customers to find your shop.
• Customization Options: Etsy allows you to personalize your shop’s look and feel, giving you the flexibility to align your branding with the style and personality of your handmade products.

Fees: Etsy charges a small listing fee of $0.20 per item, along with a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. Additionally, Etsy takes a payment processing fee based on the total sale amount, including shipping. While these fees can add up, Etsy’s built-in audience and search functionality make it an appealing option for sellers looking for visibility and sales.

Ideal For: Etsy is ideal for creators of all kinds of handmade goods, including jewelry, clothing, home décor, art, and gifts. If you’re looking for a large, engaged audience who values artisanal products, Etsy is one of the best platforms to start selling on.

2. Shopify

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Why It’s Popular: Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform that enables artisans to build a fully customized online store. Unlike marketplaces like Etsy, Shopify gives you full control over the branding, design, and functionality of your online store. Shopify is popular among entrepreneurs who want to create a standalone business with the flexibility to expand. It’s perfect for makers who want to build a long-term brand presence and have more control over their product pricing and customer experience.

Key Features:

• Customizable Online Store: Shopify provides a wide range of customizable themes and design options to create a unique and professional online store that reflects your brand’s identity. You can fully personalize your site, from the homepage to the checkout process, giving your customers a seamless shopping experience.
• Integrated Payment Processing: Shopify has integrated payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and more, allowing you to securely process payments from customers around the world.
• Scalability: Shopify is designed to grow with your business. As you expand your product range and customer base, Shopify’s tools and features allow you to scale up effortlessly, whether you’re adding new products, marketing your store, or handling increased order volume.
• Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Shopify offers in-depth analytics that provide insights into your sales, customer behavior, and marketing efforts, enabling you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your business strategy.

Fees: Shopify has a monthly subscription fee starting at $39 per month, depending on the plan you choose. It also charges transaction fees on each sale, which can be avoided by using Shopify Payments. Credit card processing fees apply if you use external payment gateways, and the platform also offers additional apps and services for extra costs.

Ideal For: Shopify is perfect for artisans and makers who want to create a professional and customizable eCommerce store. It’s ideal for those who plan to scale their business and prefer complete control over their branding, marketing, and sales process. If you want to build a unique online presence without relying on third-party marketplaces, Shopify is the platform for you.

3. Amazon Handmade

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Why It’s Popular: Amazon Handmade is Amazon’s marketplace dedicated to artisans who create handmade goods. As part of the larger Amazon platform, it offers access to a vast customer base and the credibility of the Amazon brand. While it’s newer than Etsy, Amazon Handmade is quickly growing as a competitive platform for artisans to sell their products.

Key Features:

• Large Customer Base: Amazon’s vast marketplace gives your products exposure to millions of active users worldwide, providing a huge opportunity for sales. As part of Amazon, your listings benefit from the trusted Amazon platform and its customer loyalty.
• Customizable Storefront: Sellers on Amazon Handmade can create a personalized storefront to showcase their products, giving you more control over your branding and how your items are presented.
• Global Reach: Amazon Handmade allows you to sell internationally, making it a great option if you want to reach customers outside of your local market.
• Fulfillment Options: Amazon offers Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for those who want Amazon to handle inventory storage, packing, and shipping, freeing up time to focus on growing your business.

Fees: Amazon Handmade charges a referral fee of 15% per sale, which is higher than Etsy’s transaction fees but is offset by the vast reach of Amazon’s platform. There are no listing fees, but sellers need to account for any additional fees if they opt for Amazon’s fulfillment services.

Ideal For: Amazon Handmade is ideal for artisans who want to tap into Amazon’s massive customer base while offering unique, handcrafted products. If you’re looking to reach a wide audience and take advantage of Amazon’s global infrastructure, this platform is a great choice.

4. Big Cartel

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Why It’s Popular: Big Cartel is a straightforward and user-friendly eCommerce platform designed for independent artists and makers. It offers a more minimalist approach compared to platforms like Etsy and Shopify, making it a great option for small business owners who want a simple, low-cost solution for selling their handmade goods online.

Key Features:

• Ease of Setup: Big Cartel makes it incredibly easy to set up an online store, with no technical knowledge required. It’s an excellent choice for those who want to get their shop live quickly without a lot of fuss.
• Low Fees: Big Cartel offers a free plan for stores with up to 5 products, and their paid plans start at just $9.99 per month. This makes it an affordable option for creators just starting out or those who don’t want to pay high fees.
• Customization: While it’s not as flexible as Shopify in terms of design, Big Cartel offers a range of customizable themes that allow you to make your store feel unique without being overwhelmed by technical details.

Fees: Big Cartel’s pricing plans start at $9.99 per month for up to 50 products. There are no transaction fees, which is a major advantage over platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade.

Ideal For: Big Cartel is ideal for artists, designers, and small-scale makers who need an easy, affordable way to sell their handmade goods online. If you’re just starting your business and need a simple eCommerce platform without the complexities of larger marketplaces, Big Cartel is an excellent choice.