Over the past couple of years, Etsy has implemented several changes, some of which forced users to look elsewhere. The increase in transaction fees paired with the lower quality standards meant that Etsy was no longer the undisputed king of online handicrafts. This isn’t to say that you should steer clear of Etsy at all costs. It still attracts millions of targeted visitors who are ready and willing to buy unique goods, art, and antiques. But if you want to reach a wider audience, use a platform without listing fees, or add new income streams, then you’d want to start using these Etsy alternatives.
Sites Similar to Etsy
1. IndieMade
Do you want to control all of your online activities in a single dashboard? If so, give IndieMade a shot. You probably know how frustrating it is to maintain your online store, blog, gallery, and everything in between—all while ensuring that your products remain high quality, unique, and appealing. IndieMade makes things immensely easier through its in-house website builder. This allows you to manage everything in one place, saving you precious time in the process. IndieMade takes pride in being a one-stop-shop for crafters and shoppers. Some people might say that it isn’t really similar to Etsy, but it’s worth trying if you want to set up your own e-commerce site.
2. Zazzle
Have you ever dreamed of seeing your own designs printed on t-shirts, mugs, and posters? Zazzle can turn your dream into reality. You can register as a “designer,” wherein you only publish your artwork without having to create your own products. Being a designer essentially means you’re selling the rights to your designs, allowing “makers” to use them on their products. Of course, you have the option of being a “maker,” which allows you to create a customized storefront for your products. One of the advantages of using Zazzle is that you can set your own royalty rate. Most users set it between 10% and 15%.
3. ArtFire
ArtFire is one of the best sites like Etsy, connecting crafters and buyers from different parts of the world. It focuses on streamlining the process of selling your handicrafts online so you can focus on the quality of your products and letting their platform take care of putting them in front of like-minded buyers. When you upload your items on ArtFire, it shares them to all of the major search engines automatically, thus providing a quick visibility boost. They also have an online forum where you can talk with fellow crafters, getting tips about how to maximize your earning potential. The cheapest plan only costs $4.95, enabling you to start your online venture without shelling out a ton of capital.
5. Big Cartel
“Made by artists, for artists.” Sounds a bit cliché, but it’s actually an accurate description of Big Cartel. This website gives you all the tools you need to create an online store in a matter of minutes. It has been around since 2005, and they continue to be a favorite among artists and creators who need an online store to showcase their t-shirts, jewelry, and all sorts of art pieces. Setting up a storefront is made easy by the variety of free themes you can choose from. You can find one that matches your brand identity and resonates the look and feel you want for your website. From there, it’s all a matter of adding your products, updating them, and running promotions to attract more sales. What’s great is that Big Cartel only charges you based on the number of items you want to sell.
6. Bonanza
There’s virtually no barrier to entry at Bonanza. You wouldn’t have to worry about any approval process, which means you can start almost immediately after creating your account. All it takes is to create listings just as you would on eBay. The key is in promoting your listings through different marketing channels to generate potential buyers. Bonanza also helps you in listing your products on the Google Shopping marketplace, which is used by millions of people daily.
7. Aftcra
This online marketplace is only starting to make waves among crafters. While it isn’t popular, Aftcra can prove to be a nice avenue through which you can get your brand name in front of more targeted customers. Take note that Aftcra is currently open to sellers in the US only. And they’re strict about the products they accept. The company only accepts handmade products, and anything mass-produced is rejected right away. Creating a shop at Aftcra doesn’t cost you anything. But you will be charged a small percentage of the total sale price. And if Aftcra manages to attract more buyers, then it could prove to be an excellent alternative to Etsy.
8. UncommonGoods
UncommonGoods works differently from the rest of the sites on this list because it’s a closed platform. What that means is that they have a rigorous approval process. It’s not as simple as creating an account, setting up your store, and adding your products. UncommonGoods goes the extra mile to ensure that their marketplace only contains the most interesting products for their target customers. This might sound intimidating, but you may want to try submitting your products. You’ll be asked to describe your products and provide your suggested retail price as well as wholesale price. Yes, you can sell in bulk once your product passes the approval process, which could lead to a ton of sales for your business.
9. CafePress
CafePress is one of the largest online gift shops. Millions of people shop at CafePress, and the company meets their demands by teaming up with millions of designers. If you’re passionate about creating unique designs and art pieces, then this platform may be your best option. Instead of worrying about what products to sell, you can focus exclusively on creating your artwork and making money while you’re at it. At CafePress, setting up a shop doesn’t come with any out-of-pocket expenses. There’s a small commission rate, as is common in sites like Etsy. After creating your own store, you can add your own designs which can be applied to over 250 products.
10. Zibbet
If you’re already using multiple sales channels to promote your handmade products, then you can rely on Zibbet to streamline your marketing process. Zibbet isn’t your traditional marketplace which allows you to set up a store and sell your products. What it does is that it lets you list your handicrafts and then publish your listings across all of the sales channels you use. In a single click, you can promote your products on different platforms. It’s easy to see how much time you can save by using Zibbet. You can use their platform for free for 14 days. After the trial ends, you’ll have to pay a small fee each month per sales channel.
Should You Make the Switch?
You have plenty of choices if you’re looking for Etsy-like websites. Etsy continues to be the most popular marketplace for crafters, but its competitors have gained momentum over the past few years. If you dislike the recent changed implemented by Etsy, then you should definitely consider making the switch.
Comments
Dale Anderson from The High Seas on September 13, 2020: Cool article, thanks for sharing it. I’m looking to sell some of my excess household goods online and am looking for the right way to do it.
