Small Business School: 5 places other than Etsy to sell your stuff.

I find the most successful years of my craft-based business were when I was selling on multiple platforms. It is a little more to keep up with when it comes to listings, orders, invoicing, and shipping- but I can tell you it is worth it to expand and expose your business to as many markets as possible.

1. Shopify

• Why: Shopify is ideal for crafters looking to create their own branded online store. It offers extensive customization options and integrates with various apps, making it a great choice for building a unique e-commerce presence.

• Marketing Benefits: Shopify offers powerful SEO tools, social media integration, and email marketing options. Additionally, sellers can use Facebook and Instagram Shops to sell directly from their social media profiles.

• Listing Fees: No per-listing fees, but monthly subscription plans start at $39/month (as of 2024).

• Payment Processing: Shopify Payments (no additional fees) or third-party gateways like PayPal and Stripe (with transaction fees).

The only downside is the monthly Fee, and it’s best if you have a good social media presence before starting a shopify. You’ll have to drive most of your own traffic. We’ll be touching on social media marketing in the next Small Biz School Lesson!

2. Big Cartel

• Why: Big Cartel is a straightforward platform designed for artists and makers with a smaller catalog of products. It's simple to use and caters specifically to creative sellers, with fewer features than Shopify but easier setup.

• Marketing Benefits: Offers integration with social media and analytics tools, and is great for small sellers who want a low-maintenance store.

• Listing Fees: Free plan available for up to 5 products. Paid plans start at $9.99/month for up to 50 products.

• Payment Processing: PayPal and Stripe, with standard processing fees.

Big Cartel is actually where I had my webstore for awhile. I like that you can integrate digital and physical products fairly easily. It’s considerably cheaper than Shopify- but it isn’t as integrative as Shopify. You definitely get what you pay for, though!

3. Folksy - great for UK Based Sellers

• Why: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace specifically for handmade crafts, which makes it a strong choice for European artisans. It focuses on handmade, vintage, and craft supplies.

• Marketing Benefits: Folksy promotes sellers through curated collections and blogs. It also has a supportive community of crafters and buyers interested in unique, handmade items.

• Listing Fees: £0.15 per listing + 6% commission on sales. There’s also a Folksy Plus plan (£5/month) for unlimited listings.

• Payment Processing: PayPal, which charges standard transaction fees.

4. GoImagine

• Why: GoImagine donates 100% of its profits to children’s charities, appealing to socially conscious buyers, is handmade only market place, and while its a newer market platform that means less saturation.

• Marketing Benefits: GoImagine’s charitable mission resonates with socially conscious consumers, allowing sellers to market their products as part of a platform that supports children’s charities, which can boost customer loyalty and attract a values-driven audience. GoImagine also features sellers in a blog, social media posts, and other marketing opportunities.

• Listing Fees: Affordable pricing starts at $2.50/month with no per-listing fees, plus a 3.5% commission on sales.

• Payment Processing: Stripe, with standard processing fees.

5. Aftcra

• Why: Aftcra is an American marketplace specifically for handmade goods from U.S.-based artisans. It’s a smaller, niche platform that emphasizes supporting local makers.

• Marketing Benefits: Aftcra focuses on high-quality handmade goods, giving sellers exposure to a community that values craftsmanship. It also promotes sellers through blog features and social media.

• Listing Fees: No listing fees. A 7% commission is charged on sales.

• Payment Processing: PayPal, with standard transaction fees.

BONUS- Zibbet

• Why: Zibbet offers a multi-channel selling platform that allows you to manage listings across several marketplaces (including Etsy, if you want to keep that option). It's great for sellers who want to reach a broader audience without managing multiple platforms separately.

• Marketing Benefits: Zibbet syncs your inventory across marketplaces, so your marketing efforts are unified. It also integrates with social media platforms.

• Listing Fees: No per-listing fee. Subscription starts at $5/month per marketplace channel.

• Payment Processing: Uses PayPal and Stripe for payment processing, with their respective transaction fees.

Zibbet is great because it allows cross-platform management- including Etsy if you choose to have that option- and it helps broaden your audience.

Conclusion:

Each of these platforms offers different benefits depending on your business goals. Shopify and Big Cartel are great for those who want more control over branding, while Folksy and Aftcra are community-driven marketplaces that appeal to niche audiences. Zibbet provides a middle ground with its multi-channel capabilities, making it easier to manage cross-platform sales.

What platform do you use? Or do you rely solely on Social Media?