As the eCommerce landscape continues to evolve, creatives, makers, and vintage sellers primarily operating on Etsy face various challenges, searching for alternatives increasingly relevant. Etsy sellers encounter hurdles such as market saturation, rising fees, changing policies, and the limited customizability of Etsy stores. Recognizing these challenges, many sellers are considering the leap beyond their Etsy shop to explore the alternatives presented in this article. However, there is good news! In this article, we will show you the eight best Etsy alternatives, specifically catering to the needs and goals of sellers like you.

Popular Best Etsy Alternatives for Sellers

1. Shopify

Shopify is the ultimate eCommerce solution if you’re serious about building your independent online store. Enjoy complete control over branding, marketing, and customer experience.

Shopify is a robust eCommerce platform that empowers sellers to create and manage online stores. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it an excellent alternative to Etsy for creatives, makers, and vintage sellers looking to establish their independent brand presence. Here’s why Shopify stands out:

• Pricing Plans: Shopify offers multiple pricing plans, including Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify, with monthly fees ranging from $29 to $299.
• Complete Control: Unlike Etsy, where sellers operate within a shared marketplace, Shopify allows you to have complete control over your online store, enabling you to establish your shop with a unique identity. You can customize the design, layout, and branding to align with your unique vision and create a memorable shopping experience for customers.
• Extensive App Ecosystem: Shopify boasts a vast collection of apps and integrations, offering sellers the ability to enhance their store’s functionality across various sales channels. From inventory management and marketing tools to analytics and social media integration, you can find the perfect apps to optimize your business operations.
• Scalability and Growth: Shopify is designed to support businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re just starting or have an established brand, Shopify provides the scalability to accommodate increasing sales volumes and expanding product catalogs. With the option to create your own website, you can also leverage its powerful marketing tools to attract and retain customers, ensuring a personalized online presence that grows with your brand.

Is Shopify better than Etsy?

While Shopify and Etsy have their strengths, the choice depends on your business needs and goals. Shopify offers greater control over branding, customization, and independent store management. It’s ideal for sellers who want to build their brand and have a dedicated online presence. On the other hand, Etsy provides a built-in customer base and a community of creative sellers, making it a suitable choice for those seeking exposure and an established marketplace.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to factors such as your desired level of control, branding preferences, and long-term growth plans. It’s worth considering your unique requirements and exploring both platforms to make an informed choice that aligns with your business objectives.

2. Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is a specialized marketplace within Amazon that caters specifically to sellers offering handcrafted products. By leveraging the power of Amazon’s extensive customer base and reputation, sellers on Amazon Handmade can reach a significantly larger audience than Etsy. Here’s why Amazon Handmade is worth considering:

• Pricing Plans: Amazon Handmade charges a monthly fee of $39.99 to sell on their platform and other selling fees.
• Vast Customer Base: With millions of active customers, Amazon Handmade provides access to a massive potential customer base. Sellers can tap into Amazon’s extensive reach and benefit from increased visibility for their handmade items.
• Established Shipping Infrastructure: Amazon has a robust and efficient shipping infrastructure. By selling on Amazon Handmade, sellers can use Amazon’s reliable fulfillment and shipping services for their handmade crafts, ensuring a smooth and streamlined order fulfillment process.

Do I need a business license to sell on Amazon Handmade?

To sell on Amazon Handmade, you must have a business license or be registered as a professional seller. Amazon requires sellers to verify their identity and provide information about their business. This helps maintain the platform’s integrity and ensures that sellers operate legitimate businesses. Reviewing Amazon’s seller requirements and guidelines to understand your location’s specific licensing and registration requirements is essential.

3. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a platform catering to artists, designers, and independent creators. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features tailored to showcase your creativity. Here’s why Big Cartel stands out as an alternative to Etsy:

• Pricing Plans: Big Cartel offers various pricing plans, including a free plan that allows you to list up to 5 products and paid plans starting at $9.99 per month for up to 50 products.
• Easy Setup: Big Cartel simplifies setting up an online store, including the option to start a free online store. It offers intuitive tools and templates to create a visually appealing and personalized storefront without complex technical knowledge.
• Showcasing Creativity: Big Cartel strongly emphasizes highlighting your creative products. It provides features that allow you to showcase your work visually compellingly, making it an ideal platform for artists and designers looking to captivate their audience.

Is Big Cartel better than Etsy?

The choice between Big Cartel and Etsy depends on your specific needs and preferences as a seller. Big Cartel suits artists and designers who prioritize showcasing their creativity and want a simplified and streamlined platform. Its focus on aesthetics and ease of use can benefit those seeking a visually captivating storefront.

However, Etsy offers a more extensive customer base and an established marketplace that attracts many buyers. It also provides additional features and tools specifically designed for sellers, such as built-in marketing and community engagement options.

Ultimately, it’s essential to consider your unique selling proposition, target audience, and long-term goals when deciding between Big Cartel and Etsy. Exploring both platforms and assessing how well they align with your business objectives will help you make an informed decision.

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is well-known for its visually stunning website templates and user-friendly interface. While primarily known as a website builder, Squarespace offers robust eCommerce functionality, making it a viable alternative to Etsy. Here’s why Squarespace is worth considering:

• Pricing Plans: Squarespace provides an all-in-one platform with different pricing plans, starting from $26 monthly.
• Beautiful Design: Squarespace offers a wide range of professionally designed templates that can elevate your online store’s visual appeal. The platform prioritizes aesthetics, allowing you to create a polished and visually captivating storefront that aligns with your brand image.
• Streamlined eCommerce Tools: Squarespace’s eCommerce tools are designed to simplify the selling process. You can easily manage inventory, process payments, and track orders, all within the same platform. The seamless integration of website design and eCommerce functionality offers a cohesive and user-friendly experience for both sellers and customers.

Is Squarespace cheaper than Etsy?

The cost comparison between Squarespace and Etsy depends on various factors, including your specific needs and the scale of your business. Squarespace offers different pricing plans, starting from a monthly fee, which includes website hosting and eCommerce functionality. Additional transaction fees may apply depending on your chosen payment gateway.

Further reading: The 10 Best Payment Gateways for eCommerce in 2024

On the other hand, Etsy charges fees for listing items, transaction fees, and other optional features. While Etsy’s fee structure may vary, it’s essential to consider the overall costs associated with selling on the platform.

It compares the specific fees, features, and services relevant to your business to determine which platform is cheaper for you. Evaluating factors such as sales volume, customization requirements, and the value you place on a polished website design will help you make an informed decision.

5. Bonanza

Bonanza is an online marketplace that offers a unique twist on traditional eCommerce platforms. It combines elements of a marketplace like eBay, focusing on handmade and unique items. Consider the following reasons to explore Bonanza as an alternative to Etsy:

• Pricing Plans: Bonanza offers different pricing options, including a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting at $25 monthly.
• Lower Fees: Bonanza boasts lower selling fees compared to Etsy, which can be appealing for sellers looking to maximize their profits when they sell handmade items. The platform offers competitive rates and allows sellers to list items without upfront fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious sellers of handcrafted goods.
• Potential for Negotiation: Bonanza facilitates direct communication between sellers and buyers, allowing potential price negotiation. This feature can benefit sellers who prefer a more interactive and flexible selling experience, especially when selling handmade items.

How does Bonanza compare to Etsy?

Bonanza and Etsy are similar online marketplaces, but notable differences exist. While Etsy has a more extensive customer base and a strong focus on handmade and vintage goods, Bonanza offers lower fees and more flexibility in pricing negotiations. Bonanza’s emphasis on a broader range of product categories, including collectibles and antiques, may attract a different buyer demographic.

Ultimately, the choice between Bonanza and Etsy depends on your target audience, product offerings, pricing preferences, and desired selling experience. Evaluating these factors will help determine which platform aligns better with your selling goals and priorities.

6. Zibbet

Zibbet is an easy alternative 一 eCommerce platform that allows sellers to create their online store and list their products on the Zibbet marketplace. It offers customizable store templates and a range of features to help artists, crafters, and independent sellers showcase their products effectively. Here’s why Zibbet can be a viable alternative to Etsy:

• Pricing Plans: Zibbet offers different subscription plans, including a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting at $5 per month.
• Customized Online Store: Zibbet enables sellers to create a personalized online store with their branding, design, and domain name. This allows for greater control over the store’s appearance and customer experience.
• Increased Exposure: Besides the standalone store, Zibbet provides a marketplace where a wider audience can discover sellers’ products. This can increase exposure and potentially attract more customers to your products.

Does Zibbet take a percentage of sales?

Zibbet operates on a subscription-based pricing model rather than taking a percentage of sales. They offer different pricing plans with a monthly fee, allowing sellers to choose the option that best suits their needs and budget. By paying a fixed monthly payment, sellers can have more control over their profit margins and avoid transaction fees based on sales volume.

7. eCrater

eCrater is an online marketplace and store builder that stands out for its free service. It provides a platform for sellers to list and sell their products without any upfront fees or transaction charges. Here’s why eCrater may be worth considering:

• Cost-Free Selling: eCrater doesn’t charge fees for listing or selling products. This can benefit sellers on a tight budget or those who want to minimize expenses and maximize their profit margins.
• Basic Features: While eCrater offers a free service, it primarily provides essential features and tools for sellers. It’s suitable for those requiring basic functionality and those who don’t need advanced features or extensive customization options.

How does eCrater make money?

eCrater generates revenue through optional advertising services. Sellers on eCrater can promote their products using paid advertising options within the platform. These advertising services provide additional visibility and exposure for sellers’ listings. However, participating in these advertising programs is optional, and sellers can choose whether or not to utilize them based on their marketing strategies and budget.

8. Society6

Society6 is an online marketplace focused on art prints, home goods, and tech accessories. It provides a platform for artists and designers to showcase and sell their artwork and designs on various products. Here, Society6 can be an excellent alternative to Etsy for artists:

• Pricing Plans: Society6 does not charge sellers upfront fees or monthly subscriptions.
• Product Variety: Society6 offers many products, including art prints, home decor items, clothing, and accessories. This diversity allows artists to expand their product offerings and reach a broader audience interested in different types of merchandise.
• Fulfillment Management: Society6 handles the production, printing, and shipping of products on behalf of the sellers. This relieves sellers from the burden of managing inventory and fulfillment logistics, making it an attractive option for artists who prefer to focus on their creative work rather than operational aspects.

Are Society6 products good quality?

Society6 products are generally regarded to be of good quality. However, it’s important to note that the quality can vary depending on the specific product and the individual artist’s design. Society6 collaborates with a network of manufacturers to produce and fulfill orders, and they strive to maintain high standards.

To ensure customer satisfaction, it is recommended to carefully review the product descriptions, customer reviews, and artist profiles on Society6 before making a purchase. This will help you assess the quality and suitability of the products you are interested in.

Key Considerations When Choosing

1. Shopify

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Shopify does not charge listing fees for adding products to your store. You can upload an unlimited number of products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: Shopify charges transaction fees for each sale through external payment gateways. The costs vary depending on your plan, but you can avoid these fees using Shopify Payments as your payment gateway.
• Transaction Fees: If you use a third-party payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments, you may be subject to additional transaction fees imposed by the payment provider.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Shopify offers a range of marketing tools, including discount codes, gift cards, abandoned cart recovery, SEO optimization, and integration with popular social media platforms.
• Customization: Shopify provides extensive customization options, allowing you to design and brand your online store to match your unique style. You can choose from a variety of themes and customize them further using the theme editor or by editing the HTML/CSS code.
• Analytics: Shopify offers built-in analytics and reporting features that provide insights into your store’s performance, including sales reports, customer acquisition data, and conversion rates.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Shopify is a versatile platform suitable for various businesses, including retail, fashion, beauty, and more. It caters to a broad audience, making it ideal for many target markets.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Shopify is known for its ease of use and user-friendly interface. The setup process is relatively straightforward, and Shopify provides step-by-step guidance to help you get your store up and running quickly.
• Ongoing Management: Shopify simplifies ongoing store management with features like inventory management, order processing, and customer support tools. Additionally, Shopify’s app store offers a wide range of integrations to extend the functionality of your store.

2. Amazon Handmade

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Amazon Handmade charges a monthly subscription fee to sell on the platform. The fee varies depending on the country and category of the products you sell.
• Sales Commissions: Amazon Handmade applies a referral fee on each item sold, which is a percentage of the item’s total price, including shipping.
• Transaction Fees: Amazon Handmade does not charge additional transaction fees beyond the referral fee.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Amazon Handmade provides various marketing tools to help sellers promote their products, including sponsored product ads, deals, and social media integration.
• Customization: While Amazon Handmade offers some customization options, the level of customization is limited compared to other platforms. Sellers have control over product descriptions, images, and some branding elements.
• Analytics: Amazon Handmade provides sellers with access to basic analytics and reporting, such as sales reports and customer feedback. However, the level of detailed analytics may not be as comprehensive as other platforms.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Amazon Handmade caters to handmade products and artisans. The platform has a large customer base and can provide exposure to a broad audience interested in unique and handcrafted items.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Setting up an Amazon Handmade shop requires an application process to ensure that your products meet their handmade criteria. Once approved, the setup process is relatively straightforward, with guidance provided by Amazon.
• Ongoing Management: Amazon Handmade handles various aspects.

3.  Big Cartel

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Big Cartel does not charge any listing fees. You can add and manage your products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: Big Cartel does not charge any sales commissions on your transactions. You keep 100% of the revenue from your sales.
• Transaction Fees: If you use a third-party payment gateway, such as PayPal or Stripe, you may be subject to transaction fees imposed by those providers. Big Cartel itself does not charge any additional transaction fees.

Further reading: 10 Best PayPal Plugin For WooCommerce (Updated)

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Big Cartel provides basic marketing tools, including the ability to create discount codes, integrate with social media platforms, and add promotional banners to your store.
• Customization: Big Cartel offers a decent level of customization, allowing you to personalize your store’s appearance, choose from different themes, and customize HTML/CSS code. However, the level of customization may not be as extensive as some other platforms.
• Analytics: Big Cartel provides basic analytics and reporting features, including sales reports, order tracking, and inventory management tools. However, the analytics capabilities may be limited compared to more robust eCommerce platforms.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Big Cartel is designed for artists, makers, and independent creative businesses. It caters to a niche audience interested in unique, handmade, or artistically designed products. Consider whether this aligns with your target market and whether your products fit this niche.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Big Cartel is known for its simplicity and ease of use. The setup process is relatively straightforward, and you can quickly create and customize your store without advanced technical skills.
• Ongoing Management: Big Cartel simplifies ongoing store management with features like inventory management, order processing, and customer support tools. However, it may not offer as extensive a range of features for larger-scale businesses or complex inventory management needs.

4. Squarespace

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Squarespace does not charge any listing fees. You can add and manage your products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: Squarespace does not charge any sales commissions on your transactions. You keep 100% of the revenue from your sales.
• Transaction Fees: If you use a third-party payment gateway, such as Stripe or PayPal, you may be subject to transaction fees imposed by those providers. Squarespace itself does not charge any additional transaction fees.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Squarespace offers a range of marketing tools to promote your products, including email campaigns, social media integrations, discounts, and gift cards. You can also leverage SEO features to optimize your store for search engines.
• Customization: Squarespace provides extensive customization options, allowing you to design and customize your online store using their drag-and-drop website builder. You can choose from a variety of templates and customize them further to align with your brand.
• Analytics: Squarespace provides built-in analytics and reporting features, giving you insights into your store’s performance. You can track sales, monitor visitor behavior, and analyze customer data to make data-driven decisions.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Squarespace is a versatile platform suitable for various types of businesses and target markets. It caters to various industries, from small businesses to creative professionals, artists, and designers.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Squarespace is known for its user-friendly interface and intuitive website builder. The setup process is relatively straightforward, and you can easily create and customize your online store without advanced technical skills.

5. Bonanza

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Bonanza does not charge any listing fees. You can add and manage your products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: Bonanza charges a sales commission fee on each item sold. The fee structure is based on the Final Offer Value (FOV) of the item, which includes the item price plus any shipping fees.
• Transaction Fees: Bonanza does not charge any additional transaction fees beyond the sales commission.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Bonanza provides various marketing tools to help sellers promote their products, including the ability to create discount coupons, run promotional campaigns, and integrate with social media platforms.
• Customization: Bonanza offers customization options to personalize your store’s appearance, including the ability to customize your booth layout, header, and logo. However, the level of customization may be more limited compared to some other platforms.
• Analytics: Bonanza provides basic analytics and reporting features, including sales reports, traffic statistics, and customer data. While the analytics capabilities may not be as extensive as other platforms, they provide insights to help you track your store’s performance.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Bonanza caters to a wide range of sellers and products, including antiques, collectibles, fashion, home goods, and more. Consider whether this aligns with your target market and whether your products fit within the platform.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Bonanza offers a relatively straightforward setup process. You can create and customize your store using their user-friendly interface, and they provide guidance and resources to assist you along the way.
• Ongoing Management: Bonanza simplifies ongoing store management with features like inventory management, order processing, and customer support tools. However, it may not offer as extensive a range of features for larger-scale businesses or complex inventory management needs.

6. Zibbet

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Determine if Zibbet charges any fees for listing your products on their platform.
• Sales Commissions: Assess whether Zibbet imposes sales commissions on each item sold and understand the fee structure.
• Transaction Fees: Explore if Zibbet applies any additional transaction fees beyond the sales commission.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Research what marketing tools Zibbet offers to help you promote your products and reach your target audience.
• Customization: Assess the level of customization options provided by Zibbet, such as the ability to personalize your store’s appearance, product pages, and branding.
• Analytics: Determine if Zibbet provides analytics and reporting features to help you track sales, monitor visitor behavior, and gain insights into your store’s performance.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Understand your target audience, whether it aligns with your specific target market, and the type of products you offer.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Determine the complexity of setting up a store on Zibbet and whether it requires technical expertise or if it provides an intuitive interface for easy setup.
• Ongoing Management: Assess the effort required for ongoing store management, including tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and customer support.

7. eCrater

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: eCrater does not charge any listing fees. You can add and manage your products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: eCrater does not charge any sales commissions on your transactions. You keep 100% of the revenue from your sales.
• Transaction Fees: eCrater does not charge any additional transaction fees beyond the payment processing fees charged by the payment gateway you choose to use.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: eCrater provides basic marketing tools, including the ability to create discount coupons, integrate with social media platforms, and optimize your store for search engines. However, the platform’s marketing tools may be more limited compared to some other eCommerce platforms.
• Customization: eCrater offers some customization options to personalize your store’s appearance, including the ability to select themes, customize banners, and modify HTML/CSS code. However, the level of customization may be more limited compared to other platforms.
• Analytics: eCrater provides basic analytics and reporting features, allowing you to track sales, view traffic statistics, and monitor customer behavior. However, the platform’s analytics capabilities may be more limited compared to more advanced eCommerce platforms.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: eCrater is a general-purpose marketplace accommodating various products and sellers. Consider if this aligns with your target market and if your products fit within the platform’s audience.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: eCrater aims to provide a user-friendly and straightforward setup process. You can create and customize your store using their interface without needing advanced technical skills.
• Ongoing Management: eCrater simplifies ongoing store management with features like inventory management, order processing, and customer support tools. However, it may not offer as extensive a range of features for larger-scale businesses or complex inventory management needs.

8.  Society6

1. Fees:

• Listing Fees: Society6 does not charge any listing fees. You can add and manage your products without incurring additional costs.
• Sales Commissions: Society6 applies a sales commission on each item sold. The commission rate varies depending on the product category.
• Transaction Fees: Society6 does not charge any additional transaction fees beyond the sales commission.

2. Features:

• Marketing Tools: Society6 provides a range of marketing tools to help you promote your products. These include social media integration, the ability to create discount codes, and features to participate in site-wide promotions and sales.
• Customization: While Society6 does not offer extensive customization options for the overall store layout, it allows you to upload and customize designs for each product. You can choose from a variety of products and apply your artwork to them.
• Analytics: Society6 provides basic analytics and reporting features, allowing you to track sales, monitor product popularity, and gain insights into your store’s performance.

3. Audience:

• Platform Niche vs. Target Market: Society6 is a platform specifically designed for artists and creatives to showcase and sell their artwork. It attracts an audience interested in unique and artistic products. Consider whether this aligns with your target market and whether your products fit within the platform.

4. Effort:

• Setup Complexity: Society6 offers a straightforward setup process. You need to create an account, upload your artwork, and set up your store. The platform handles the printing, production, and shipping processes on your behalf.
• Ongoing Management: Society6 simplifies ongoing store management by taking care of production, fulfillment, and customer support. However, you’ll still need to manage your product listings, promote your store, and monitor sales and customer interactions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, several key considerations should be considered when considering an eCommerce platform such as Bonanza, Zibbet, eCrater, or Society6.

Firstly, fees play a significant role in your decision-making process. Assess each platform’s listing fees, sales commissions, and transaction fees to understand their impact on your profitability.

Secondly, each platform’s features should be evaluated. Consider the marketing tools provided, customization options for your store, and analytics and reporting capabilities to ensure they align with your business needs.

Thirdly, each platform’s audience must be considered. Determine if the platform matches your target market and if it provides access to your desired customer base.

Lastly, the effort required for the setup process and ongoing management must be assessed. Consider the complexity of setting up your store on the platform and the ongoing tasks in managing your products, inventory, and customer interactions.

By carefully considering these factors, you can decide which eCommerce platform best suits your business requirements, aligns with your target market, and offers the features and ease of Management you need for success.

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