As an artisan or crafter, finding the right platform to showcase and sell your creations is crucial. While Etsy has long been a favorite for many, exploring other options can open up new opportunities and audiences. Here are the best Etsy alternatives to sell your craft on in 2024.

1. Shopify

Overview: Shopify is a robust e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store. It’s known for its flexibility and a wide range of features tailored to help you grow your business.

Benefits:

1. Customization: Extensive customization options to create a unique store.
2. Integration: Integrates with various social media platforms and marketplaces.
3. Support: Excellent customer support and a wealth of resources for sellers.

Drawbacks:

1. Cost: Monthly fees can be higher compared to other platforms.
2. Complexity: Requires a bit of a learning curve for beginners.

Ideal For: Crafters who want full control over their brand and are ready to invest in a customizable platform.

2. Amazon Handmade

Overview: Amazon Handmade offers artisans a platform with the massive reach of Amazon’s customer base. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to scale up their craft business.

Benefits:

1. Visibility: Access to millions of Amazon customers.
2. Trust: Leverages Amazon’s trusted infrastructure for payments and shipping.
3. Support: Dedicated support for handmade sellers.

Drawbacks:

1. Fees: Higher referral fees compared to other platforms.
2. Competition: High level of competition from other sellers.

Ideal For: Artisans aiming to reach a larger audience and leverage Amazon’s extensive logistics network.

3. Big Cartel

Overview: Big Cartel is a platform designed for independent artists and creators. It’s user-friendly and offers a straightforward setup process.

Benefits:

1. Simplicity: Easy to set up and manage.
2. Affordability: Free plan available with basic features.
3. Customization: Decent customization options to reflect your brand.

Drawbacks:

1. Limited Features: Not as feature-rich as some other platforms.
2. Scalability: May not be suitable for larger businesses.

Ideal For: Small-scale crafters and artists looking for a simple, low-cost selling solution.

4. Plaza AI

Overview: Plaza AI is an innovative website builder designed specifically for creative entrepreneurs. With its AI-powered tools, Plaza AI helps you create a stunning, functional online store without needing technical expertise.

Benefits:

1. Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface powered by AI.
2. Customization: Tailored templates and design options to reflect your brand.
3. Support: Excellent customer support with a focus on small businesses.
4. Integration: Seamless integration with popular payment gateways and social media platforms.

Drawbacks:

1. Newness: As a newer platform, it may have fewer third-party integrations compared to long-established platforms.

Ideal For: Crafters and artisans looking for a modern, user-friendly platform with AI capabilities to enhance their online presence.

5. WooCommerce

Overview: WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that turns your website into a fully functional online store. It’s highly customizable and ideal for those who already have a WordPress site.

Benefits:

1. Flexibility: Highly customizable with numerous plugins and themes.
2. Control: Full control over your store and its data.
3. Community: Strong support community and resources.

Drawbacks:

1. Technical Skills: Requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
2. Costs: Additional costs for hosting, themes, and plugins.

Ideal For: Crafters who are tech-savvy and want complete control over their online store.

6. Zibbet

Overview: Zibbet is a platform that allows you to sell on multiple channels, including its own marketplace, as well as on Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook.

Benefits:

1. Multi-Channel Selling: Manage multiple sales channels from one dashboard.
2. Ease of Use: Simple interface and easy setup.
3. Affordable: Competitive pricing plans.

Drawbacks:

1. Exposure: Smaller customer base compared to larger platforms.
2. Features: Limited features compared to dedicated e-commerce platforms.

Ideal For: Crafters looking to diversify their selling channels without managing multiple platforms separately.

7. Folksy

Overview: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace specifically for handmade items. It’s a great choice for British crafters looking to sell domestically.

Benefits:

1. Niche Market: Focuses on handmade goods, attracting the right audience.
2. Community: Strong community of UK-based makers.
3. Support: Excellent seller support and resources.

Drawbacks:

1. Market Size: Limited to the UK market.
2. Fees: Listing and commission fees apply.

Ideal For: UK-based crafters wanting to reach a local audience passionate about handmade goods.

Conclusion

Exploring alternatives to Etsy can help you find the perfect platform to grow your craft business. Whether you’re looking for more customization, greater reach, or simpler management, there’s a platform out there to meet your needs. Evaluate each option based on your specific requirements and take your craft business to new heights in 2024.

FAQs: Best Etsy Alternatives to Sell Your Craft On (2024)

1. What are the best Etsy alternatives for selling crafts?

There are several excellent Etsy alternatives for selling crafts, including:

1. Shopify
2. Amazon Handmade
3. Big Cartel
4. Plaza AI
5. WooCommerce
6. Zibbet
7. Folksy

2. Why should I consider alternatives to Etsy?

Exploring alternatives to Etsy can provide:

1. Greater customization options (Shopify, Plaza AI)
2. Access to a larger customer base (Amazon Handmade)
3. Lower fees and better scalability (Big Cartel, WooCommerce)

3. How does Shopify compare to Etsy?

Shopify offers extensive customization, integration with social media platforms, and excellent customer support. It’s ideal for crafters wanting full control over their brand, though it comes with higher monthly fees and a steeper learning curve.

4. What are the benefits of selling on Amazon Handmade?

Amazon Handmade provides access to millions of customers, trusted payment and shipping infrastructure, and dedicated support for handmade sellers. However, it has higher referral fees and significant competition.

5. Is Big Cartel a good option for small-scale crafters?

Yes, Big Cartel is perfect for small-scale crafters and artists. It’s easy to set up, manage, and offers affordable plans, including a free option. However, it lacks some advanced features and scalability options.

6. What makes Plaza AI a unique alternative to Etsy?

Plaza AI uses AI-powered tools to help you create a stunning online store without needing technical expertise. It offers a user-friendly interface, tailored templates, and seamless integration with payment gateways and social media platforms.

7. Can I use WooCommerce if I already have a WordPress site?

Absolutely! WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that transforms your site into a fully functional online store. It’s highly customizable and provides full control over your store and data, ideal for tech-savvy crafters.

8. How does Zibbet help with multi-channel selling?

Zibbet allows you to sell on multiple channels, including its own marketplace, Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook. You can manage all these sales channels from one dashboard, making it easy to diversify your selling platforms.

9. Is Folksy only for UK-based crafters?

Yes, Folksy is a UK-based marketplace specifically for handmade items. It’s ideal for British crafters looking to reach a local audience passionate about handmade goods.

10. Where can I learn more about growing my craft business online?

For more tips and insights on growing your craft business online, visit Plaza AI’s Blog and explore articles on e-commerce, digital marketing, and more.