17+ Best Marketplaces to Sell Handmade Crafts Online

E-commerce is growing fast, and handmade crafts are joining the digital world. By 2026, online shopping will make up 24% of all retail sales. This is a big chance for artisans and small business owners to show their unique, handcrafted items to people all over the world.

Online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Bonanza make it easy to sell your crafts. They’re perfect for reaching customers who love handmade goods.

It’s important to pick the right place to sell your crafts. Each platform has its own features, fees, and customers. You might want to set up an Etsy shop, use print-on-demand sites like Society6 and Redbubble, or find a niche site like Depop and Storenvy. There’s a platform for everyone, helping you find your customers and grow your business.

Key Takeaways

• Online marketplaces give artisans and small businesses a way to sell handmade crafts to people all over the world.
• Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and eBay are top sites for selling handcrafted items.
• Each site has its own special features, fees, and customers. Sellers should think about these when picking a platform.
• Niche sites like Depop, Madeit, and Storenvy focus on specific types of handmade products and communities.
• Good product photos, great descriptions, and top-notch customer service are key to selling crafts online.

The Rise of Online Marketplaces for Handmade Crafts

In recent years, the demand for unique, handcrafted items has soared. This has led to a significant growth in online marketplaces. These platforms connect artisans with buyers all over the world. Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and eBay are now top choices for those looking for one-of-a-kind, high-quality handmade goods.

These marketplaces let crafters show off their products to a wider audience. They help small businesses in the creative sector grow.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the rise of ecommerce for crafters. In March 2020, Etsy saw a spike in searches for face masks. This showed a high demand for handmade masks.

Local craft businesses turned to online platforms when they couldn’t sell in person. Etsy proved the strength of online marketplaces for handmade crafts, staying profitable during the crisis.

Online marketplaces like Etsy have features for both sellers and buyers. Crafters want separate vendor pages, easy product uploads, and good inventory management. They also look for efficient selling tools, various payment options, low fees, and affordable membership.

Buyers want quality checks, reviews, secure payments, a wide variety of products, fast delivery, and discounts.

Consumers are willing to pay more for handmade items than mass-produced ones. A survey found they’re willing to pay up to 17% more. Another study showed people pay 60% more for artisanal soap than industrial brands.

As demand for unique, handmade products grows, online marketplaces are key in connecting artisans with consumers. They let crafters show their products to a global audience. This helps small businesses and grows the handmade craft industry.

Why Sell Your Handmade Crafts Online?

Selling your handcrafted products online can open new doors for your creative business. It lets you reach customers worldwide who love unique, handmade items. You can set up an Etsy store or use other online platforms to sell your crafts.

Expand Your Reach and Customer Base

Online sales let you reach more people. You can show your products on sites like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or eBay. This way, you connect with customers globally who want unique, handcrafted items. This can help you grow your customer base and boost sales.

Flexibility and Convenience

Online craft sales offer flexibility and convenience. You can run your business from anywhere, anytime. Set your own hours, work from home, and balance your craft with other life tasks. Online platforms also make listing, promoting, and selling your products easy.

Low Overhead Costs

Online sales often mean lower costs compared to a physical store. You save on rent, utilities, and store setup. Online marketplaces charge low fees and have commission plans. This makes it easier for artisans to start and grow their businesses without big upfront costs.

Using online marketplaces and digital sales can help you grow your craft business. It lets you reach more people, work flexibly, and keep costs low. Whether you’re starting or expanding, selling online can be rewarding and profitable.

Etsy: The Go-To Platform for Handmade and Vintage Items

Etsy is a top choice for craft entrepreneurs and artisanal sellers. It’s a place to sell unique, handmade, and vintage items. With over 1.8 million sellers, Etsy is the leading online craft store for both buyers and sellers.

Setting Up Your Etsy Shop

Starting on Etsy is easy. First, create an account and pick a memorable shop name. Then, customize your shop to match your brand. Etsy offers tools and resources to help you list your artisan goods, manage your stock, and handle orders.

Etsy’s Fees and Pricing Structure

Understanding Etsy’s fees is key for Etsy sellers. Here are the fees:

• $0.20 listing fee for each item, which lasts for four months
• 5% transaction fee on the sale price
• 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee for each transaction
• 15% Offsite Ads Fee for sales generated through Etsy’s advertising efforts

Tips for Success on Etsy

Here are tips for Etsy sellers to succeed:

1. Make your product listings stand out with catchy titles, detailed descriptions, and great images
2. Join in the Etsy community by using forums and teams
3. Give top-notch customer service to earn a good reputation
4. Use Etsy’s marketing tools like promoted listings and social media links
5. Keep improving your products based on what customers say and market trends

By using Etsy and following these tips, craft entrepreneurs can grow their businesses. They can also connect with a worldwide audience of buyers who appreciate their work.

Amazon Handmade: Tapping into Amazon’s Vast Customer Base

Amazon Handmade started in 2015 and is a special place on Amazon for artisans to sell unique, handcrafted items. It’s a great way for creators of handmade jewelry, custom crafts, and home decor to reach lots of customers in the U.S. and around the world.

Selling on Amazon Handmade means your products get noticed for their real craftsmanship. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or new to making things. This platform offers a selection of high-quality items that can make your products more appealing to buyers.

Amazon Handmade has fees for sellers. These include a referral fee based on the item’s price and a small fee for each sale. These fees might be higher than some other places like Etsy. But, the chance to sell more items might make it worth it for many artisans.

To do well on Amazon Handmade, focus on making quality, unique items and offering great customer service. Good reviews and ratings are key to building trust and getting more buyers. So, ask happy customers to leave feedback on your pages.

Amazon Handmade also offers tools like sponsored ads and promotional features to help market your products. Use these tools and make your product listings stand out with good descriptions and clear images. This can help you succeed on the platform.

Another plus of Amazon Handmade is the choice in how you fulfill orders. You can do it yourself or use Amazon’s fulfillment services. This can make shipping easier and get products to customers faster.

But, it’s important to think about your prices and all costs to make sure you’re making money. Many successful sellers sell on both Amazon Handmade and Etsy. This way, they can reach more people and sell more items.

eBay: A Versatile Option for Crafters

eBay is a big competitor to Etsy for crafters. It’s a versatile ecommerce platform where sellers can sell their handmade items. With a huge customer base and fewer rules, eBay helps sellers reach more people and grow their craft business.

Creating Listings on eBay

When making listings on eBay, follow these online selling tips to draw in buyers:

• Use titles that are clear and full of keywords to be seen more
• Write detailed descriptions that include size, materials, and how to care for the item
• Show off your items with high-quality images from different views
• Set prices that are competitive and offer good shipping options to attract buyers

eBay lets sellers list up to 250 items for free. This gives sellers the chance to show off a lot of crafting supplies and finished products.

eBay’s Auction and Fixed-Price Formats

Selling on eBay gives sellers the choice between auction and fixed-price listings. Auctions are great for unique or rare items. They let buyers bid against each other, which can make the price go up.

Fixed-price listings are simpler for buyers who want to know the cost right away. This is good for crafts with a set price and steady stock.

By using eBay’s different listing types and smart marketing strategies, crafters can sell their items well. They can also grow their customer base on this flexible ecommerce site.

Selling Handmade Crafts on Your Own Website with Big Cartel

Artisans can use Big Cartel to set up their own online shop and keep full control over their brand. Since 2005, Big Cartel has helped small artists and business owners. It’s easy to use and lets you show off your crafts like accessories, apparel, and jewelry in a way that shows off your style.

Customizing Your Big Cartel Store

Big Cartel lets you customize your store with many themes and templates. You don’t need to know a lot about HTML to make your store look great. This helps you create a store that looks professional and matches your brand.

By focusing on product photography and writing great product descriptions, you can make your items more appealing. This can help draw in more customers.

Big Cartel’s Pricing Plans

Big Cartel has different pricing plans for various business sizes and budgets:

Big Cartel doesn’t charge extra for listing or transactions, but sellers pay a monthly fee. Payment processors like PayPal and Stripe charge about 2.9% + $0.30 USD per sale. When setting up your store, think about these costs and offer various shipping and fulfillment options for customers.

To do well on Big Cartel, focus on customer service. Answer questions quickly, solve problems, and keep talking with customers before and after they buy. A great store, quality products, and good service can help you build a loyal customer base and grow your craft business on Big Cartel.

Folksy: The UK’s Leading Handmade Marketplace

Folksy is a top artisan marketplace for UK artists, designers, and makers. It lets them sell their crafts online. Folksy is a key ecommerce crafts site in the UK. It connects artisans with buyers who love artisanal goods.

Folksy stands out because it only sells handmade items. Only UK-based artists and small crafts suppliers can sell here. They check each item to make sure it’s real and high quality.

To sell on Folksy, items must be mostly handmade or original designs. Sellers can also list craft supplies if they follow the law. This keeps the marketplace honest and full of unique items.

Folksy doesn’t allow certain items to be sold. This keeps buyers and sellers safe. Items that copy others, lack original design, or are made in large quantities can’t be sold. There are also rules about adult content, illegal items, and more.

Folksy makes shopping easy with discounts and charity items. Buyers can find great deals and support good causes. They can check out popular items and new finds in various categories.

The site is full of unique crafts like picture frames, mushroom coffee, and crochet blankets. Folksy supports UK artisans and offers a trusted place for buyers to find real handmade items. It’s a top spot for ecommerce crafts and craft monetization in the UK.

Bonanza: A Growing Platform for Unique Crafts

Bonanza is a new e-commerce site that lets handmade sellers show and sell their crafts. It’s getting popular with diy fans because it’s easy for sellers and has lots of buyers.

Selling on Bonanza is great because it has low fees. It doesn’t charge to list products, unlike some others. This makes it a good choice for sellers wanting to make more money. Many Etsy sellers are moving here to sell more online.

Bonanza’s “Booth” System

Bonanza’s “booth” system lets sellers make their own shops. This way, they can show off their crafts in a fun way. It helps artisans build their brand and connect with customers.

On Bonanza, you can find all sorts of handmade items, like:

• Montana Made Naturals’ natural body butter
• Arasta Bazaar’s unique kilim travel bags
• The Mosaic Guy’s original mosaic art
• Seattle Fine Jewelry’s vintage jewelry

Promoting Your Products on Bonanza

Bonanza helps sellers get noticed and sell more with its promotions. They can advertise on Google Shopping to reach more people.

The table shows Bonanza’s fees are lower than Etsy and Amazon Handmade. It offers no listing fees and low transaction fees. This makes it a better place for sellers to sell their crafts online.

Exploring Niche Marketplaces: Depop, Madeit, and Storenvy

There are many marketplaces for handmade goods, besides Etsy and Amazon Handmade. These sites help sellers reach specific customers with their unique items. They offer great benefits for those wanting to market their crafts well.

Depop is a hit with Gen Z, especially those 18-25 years old. It’s all about fashion, vintage, and unique items. Crafters selling in these areas find Depop a great choice. Sellers on Depop often see 20% of their visitors buy something.

Madeit is a top spot for handmade goods in Australia. About 80% of its items are made by hand. It values sustainability, with 90% of sellers using green materials. Madeit also sees about 65% of customers coming back to buy again.

Storenvy mixes a marketplace with social networking. It’s home to 60% independent artists and designers. With free listings and customizable stores, it’s great for sellers. Social media drives 70% of its sales, and orders are often worth $50-$70.

When picking a marketplace for your handmade goods, think about your target audience and product type. Also, consider the platform’s special features. Choosing the right marketplace can help you show off your crafts and grow your online shop.

Print-on-Demand Marketplaces: Society6 and Redbubble

Print-on-demand marketplaces like Society6 and Redbubble have changed how artists sell online. These ecommerce platforms let creators upload their designs on various products. From t-shirts to home decor and crafting supplies, artists can focus on making unique designs. The platforms handle production, shipping, and customer service.

Uploading Your Designs

Starting on Society6 and Redbubble is easy. Artists create an account and upload their designs. Society6 has a more advanced design editor for more customization. Redbubble lets artists put one design on many products, while Society6 supports unlimited items, making it easier to create product lines.

Earning Royalties on Print-on-Demand Marketplaces

Selling on these platforms can earn artists passive income through royalties. Society6 gives a 10% commission on sales, except for art prints. This means $1 for every $10 sold. Redbubble lets artists set their own prices, which can lead to higher profits.

Both platforms offer tools for marketing strategies and online selling tips. Redbubble has analytics for tracking sales and customer behavior. Society6 doesn’t have analytics, making it harder to understand shop performance.

The choice between Society6 and Redbubble depends on the artist’s style and audience. Trying out both platforms can help artists find the best fit for their business. This way, they can successfully sell their crafts online.

Handmade Craft Marketplaces to Watch: iCraft, GoImagine, and UncommonGoods

The handmade crafts industry is growing fast. Marketplaces like iCraft, GoImagine, and UncommonGoods are leading the way. They focus on high-quality, handcrafted items. They also help sellers show off their work with professional photos and great descriptions.

iCraft is a great place for sellers, offering free membership and an easy-to-use interface. It supports independent crafters by only listing handmade products. This makes it perfect for those looking for unique, quality items.

GoImagine is another rising star in the handmade market. It stands out by telling the stories of the artisans. The site donates part of its profits to charity, attracting buyers who care about social causes. GoImagine’s focus on the stories behind the crafts builds a strong bond between artisans and buyers.

UncommonGoods is a well-known spot for unique gifts. It’s also a place for handmade crafts. The site is picky about the products it accepts, focusing on art and innovation. UncommonGoods helps artisans grow their businesses with a wholesale program, offering help with shipping and customer service.

These marketplaces give artisans a great chance to show off their work and reach more customers. They focus on quality, stories, and doing good. iCraft, GoImagine, and UncommonGoods are set to lead in the handmade crafts world.

Selling Handmade Crafts on Not On The High Street

Not On The High Street is a top UK online marketplace for unique, high-quality handmade crafts. It’s known for its strict selection process. This makes it a great place for craft makers to sell their items.

Selling your crafts here can expose you to a customer base that values quality. It can also help build your brand as a premium handmade business. But, keep in mind, the platform takes a 25% (+ VAT) commission on sales, including shipping costs. This is more than what platforms like Etsy charge.

Even with higher fees, Not On The High Street has perks for sellers. Your products will be shown with other high-quality items. This can draw in customers who are looking to spend more on unique, artisanal goods.

To do well on Not On The High Street, focus on making unique, high-quality items. Write great product descriptions and take beautiful photos. Also, think about offering personal touches or gift wrapping to make your products more appealing.

Handmade Artists’ Shop and ArtPal: Supporting Independent Crafters

In the vast world of artisan marketplaces, Handmade Artists’ Shop and ArtPal shine as top spots for handmade entrepreneurs. They provide special features and benefits to help independent crafters succeed.

Handmade Artists’ Shop’s Community Focus

Handmade Artists’ Shop was started in 2007 and focuses on building a strong community. It offers many resources for sellers to connect, work together, and grow their businesses. These include:

• Forums for sharing ideas and experiences
• Blogs with expert advice and success stories
• Tools for making craft marketing strategies

This community focus helps handmade entrepreneurs learn from each other and succeed in the online selling world.

ArtPal’s Free Listing and Selling Features

ArtPal, in Puerto Rico, supports crafters in a different way. It has free listing and selling options, perfect for beginners or those on a tight budget. Key benefits are:

• No membership fees or commissions on sales
• Unlimited product listings
• Customizable artist pages to highlight your brand

ArtPal removes financial hurdles, letting handmade entrepreneurs easily set up shop and sell globally.

Handmade Artists’ Shop and ArtPal both have great benefits for crafters wanting to shine in artisan marketplaces. By using these e-commerce platforms and smart craft marketing strategies, handmade entrepreneurs can reach more people and succeed on their terms.

Tips for Successfully Selling Handmade Crafts Online

To sell handmade products online, focus on key business and marketing areas. Spend 80% of your time on these to promote your items and draw in customers.

Product Photography

Good product photos are key to showing off your handmade items. Use professional photos or learn to take great shots. This makes your products look appealing and can boost sales.

Crafting Compelling Product Descriptions

Great product descriptions are as important as good photos. Share the story behind your crafts to connect with buyers. This can make customers feel the value and uniqueness of your items.

Pricing Your Handmade Items

Setting the right prices is vital for your craft business. Think about materials, time, labor, and costs. Check out the market to make sure your prices are fair but still show the value of your work.

Providing Excellent Customer Service

Having loyal customers is key to your business’s success. Offer great service by answering quickly, solving problems, and making customers happy. Good reviews and word-of-mouth can increase your sales and reputation.

By focusing on these areas and improving your products and marketing, you can sell your handmade crafts online successfully. This will help you grow in the competitive craft e-commerce world.

Conclusion

Selling handmade crafts online is now easier than ever. Many marketplaces let artisans show their work to people all over the world. Etsy is a top choice for crafters because it’s easy to use. Amazon Handmade also offers a big audience for sellers.

Other places to sell include eBay, Big Cartel, Folksy, Bonanza, and special sites like Depop, Madeit, and Storenvy.

To sell crafts online well, make sure your products show up in searches. Use social media to get the word out. And always give great customer service.

Set your prices right by thinking about what it costs to make the item and what you want to earn. Keeping your products and service top-notch is important for success.

Starting to sell online takes time and hard work. Getting your first 1,000 followers can be tough, but it gets easier as you grow. With the right plan, like the “C.R.A.F.T.” Framework, you can build a craft empire that draws in customers on its own.

Use these marketplaces to show off your creativity. With hard work and smart strategies, you can make your handmade business a big success.

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