9 Etsy Alternatives To Sell Your Crafts On (2024)
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If you create crafts or curate collectibles, you’ll know the marketplace Etsy.
With more than 45 million buyers, Etsy is a popular website for entrepreneurs who want to start a business.
But as a centralized marketplace that owns your customer data, Etsy can only take your business so far. With restrictive store design and limited options for customer interaction, many sellers eventually search for Etsy alternatives.
For those looking for a new ecommerce platform or selling site, here’s a list of Etsy alternatives that allow you to sell items on other marketplaces or your own online store.
9 best Etsy alternatives
💁 This list is split into two categories: website-building Etsy alternatives for merchants who want to build their own website, and online marketplace Etsy alternatives for those looking for a new seller marketplace.
Website-building Etsy alternatives
Sellers who explore alternatives to Etsy often do so because of its restrictive rules. For example, Etsy owns all of your data, which makes it hard to create custom emails or targeted ads. Except for vintage items, it also prohibits reselling.
Faced by these constraints, many makers with crafts to sell decide to build their own online stores. Using these website builders, you can create an ecommerce site that includes sales channels, ecommerce tools, and other revenue-boosting features.
1. Shopify
Shopify is the best alternative for makers ready to leave Etsy and grow their business. As Shopify is an all-in-one commerce platform, moving from Etsy to Shopify is seamless—whether you want to sell online, in a retail store or pop-up shop, or through social media.
Unlike seller marketplaces, Shopify stores have a full suite of tools and resources, including merchant loans through Shopify Capital, a point-of-sale solution with Shopify POS, and even local delivery and fulfillment.
Shopify’s multichannel solution is user-friendly, with hundreds of templates for easy customization and branding. By using Shopify with a custom domain name, you fully own your online store and customer list.
Many current Shopify merchants began their businesses on Etsy before migrating to Shopify when they were ready to grow.
💡 You can use Shopify and Etsy together, with an integration app from the Shopify app store.
Compare Etsy alternative platforms
2. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is a store builder made for handmade-craft sellers, entrepreneurs, and creatives who want to sell art online. It includes templates that you can customize to match your branding. You can use your own domain name, and also access a number of marketing tools.
Sellers can set up a free online store or pay a flat monthly fee, depending on the number of products you sell. Shoppers buy directly from your store and can communicate with you through a contact form.
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is another ecommerce platform that makers can use to build an online store. It has page templates and drag-and-drop design tools that are suitable for beginners. Squarespace also lets you import your Etsy site, so you can keep the same listings URLs.
For Etsy sellers, Squarespace offers an inventory system and built-in social media tools. On higher-tier price plans, you can also sell gift cards and subscription products through the site.
4. Wix
Wix is a website builder with ecommerce capabilities and an Etsy integration for moving your store between platforms. Like the other builders on this list, there are templates and a drag-and-drop editing tool to create a website that reflects your products and brand.
Wix lets you track orders, accept PayPal and credit card payments, create promotional coupons, and set tax and shipping rules for different locations. There’s a tiered monthly pricing plan, plus a community knowledge hub.
5. Ecwid
Ecwid is a tool for adding ecommerce functions to your social media, website, and other sales channels. It allows customers to shop and purchase products from the places where they interact with you online.
For example, if you’re an artist with an existing portfolio on a compatible platform, you can use Ecwid’s Buy button to add shopping features.
If you don’t already have a website, you’ll need to use a separate website builder. And, if you want to sell on Etsy and Ecwid, you’ll need to choose a paid plan with a relevant product limit.
6. IndieMade
IndieMade is an Etsy alternative with features specific to artists and art dealers. In addition to a (limited) online store builder, you can create a calendar of events, an image gallery, a personal blog, and a news section.
IndieMade’s inventory management feature will sync your website with your Etsy store. Like Etsy, however, there are limited options for product variants, making it difficult for merchants with growing product offerings.
Online marketplace Etsy alternatives
If you’re looking for an Etsy alternative but want to stick with a third-party marketplace, take a look at these selling platforms.
Selling on multiple marketplaces can increase your exposure and improve your chances of being discovered by buyers. Different sites attract different shoppers, so signing up for a new marketplace can introduce you to alternative audiences.
Spreading your business across marketplaces also mitigates risk. If one marketplace changes its algorithm or policies, it could negatively impact traffic to your store.
7. Bonanza
Similar to eBay, Bonanza is an Etsy alternative marketplace for selling unique items such as arts, crafts, and collectibles and also allows you to create a standalone online store.
It’s free to list items on Bonanza, and the site charges final value fees. You can import items directly from Etsy and create automated listings on Google Shopping, eBay, and Nextag.
One unusual thing about Bonanza is that it lets buyers and sellers negotiate on price, so bear this in mind when pricing your products.
8. Amazon Handmade
Amazon is not generally associated with handmade or unique products but it does have a marketplace within its site for craft and artisan goods. Amazon Handmade offers makers an Amazon storefront to sell their items.
Benefits of Amazon Handmade include shipping through Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), no listing expiration, analytics, and Amazon-sponsored ads.
At the same time, costs are higher than other marketplace platforms, with Amazon taking a 15% commission per transaction as well as a monthly membership fee. Like Etsy, Amazon owns your customer relationships, which can make it difficult to harness other sales channels.
9. Goimagine
Goimagine is another marketplace site similar to Etsy. It allows artisans and craftspeople to list products on the platform and open online shops.
To list on Goimagine, products must meet guidelines that require them to be made by the seller using hand tools or light machinery.
Once accepted, sellers can use the built-in dashboard to view sales statistics, track orders, and manage inventory. New users can also import products from Etsy by emailing a CSV file to goimagine’s support team.
Switch to an Etsy alternative
Etsy is a marketplace for crafty founders looking for their first customers—but it has its limitations. Many Shopify sellers started their businesses on Etsy, then decided to keep their Etsy shop while building a Shopify store, growing their reach and sales.
You don’t need to delete your Etsy listings to expand with Etsy alternatives. Outgrowing your Etsy shop is a good sign—one that says your business has proven its potential and is ready to thrive.
Etsy alternatives FAQ
What is the best alternative to Etsy?
Is Shopify the same as Etsy?
Is selling on Etsy worth it?
Etsy is a platform for selling handmade items. However, running a business on Etsy means giving up access to customer data, so you’re limited in terms of branding and marketing.
