From Crafting to Selling:

Which Handmade Marketplace should I choose?

Woman working from home selling online

Selling Handmade:

The Marketplace Buffet

How to Decide?

Crafting your path to selling handmade goods online is an exciting journey, whether you're an experienced artist or a newcomer. The right online marketplace is crucial for success. From established favorites to trendy newcomers, the internet offers many choices.

Click below to find more information about each e-commerce marketplace:

Several paintbrushes with colorful paint on their bristles and handles, lying on a paint-splattered surface.

ETSY

Where Handmade Meets Heart

Etsy, the beloved pioneer of online handmade marketplaces, is a haven for artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers. Established as far back as 2005, it's a platform that values the unique and the handmade. Your typical Etsy shopper is someone who appreciates the art of handcrafted gifts and seeks authenticity in the products they buy. Etsy offers services like secure payments, shipping labels, and advertising tools to support sellers in reaching a global audience.

Etsy Pricing:

Etsy charges a modest listing fee for each item, and a small transaction fee when your product sells. This pricing structure makes it accessible for small businesses and individuals.

Key Features for Sellers:

  • Niche Market: Specialized in handmade, unique items.

  • Global Reach: Access to customers worldwide.

  • User-Friendly: Easy to use, even for non-tech-savvy users.

  • Community Support: Connect with fellow artisans.

  • Subscription Plans: Convenient for busy sellers.

  • Low Cost: Affordable setup for small businesses.

Items you can sell:

When selling on Etsy, your listings must fall into one of these categories: handmade, vintage, or craft supplies. Handmade items are those you've personally crafted or designed; however, they do allow production partners.

Things To Watch for Sellers:

  • Intense competition among numerous sellers.

  • Limited control over branding.

  • Search ranking challenges for new sellers.

  • Potential policy changes.

  • Customer service challenges.

  • Dependency on Etsy's platform.

Etsy Shop Image Requirements:

  • Listing Images:
    2000px on the longest side
    1MB

  • Shop Icon:
    500 x 500px

  • Profile Photo:
    500 x 500px

  • Order Receipt Banner:
    760 x 100px

  • Mini Shop Banner:
    Minimum of 1200 x 160px
    Recommended 1600 x 213p

  • Big Shop Banner:
    Minimum of 120 0x 300px
    Recommended 1600 x 400px

  • Carousel Banner:
    1200 x 300px

  • Collage Banner
    2 images - minimum 600 x 300px
    3 images - minimum 400 x 300px
    4 images - minimum 300 x 300px

  • Imagine Orientation:
    The first image should be landscape or square

The cornerstone of e-commerce success?

Professional product photos!

Let me handle the visuals while you drive your business to success.

Close-up of a smartphone displaying the Amazon logo on its screen.

Amazon

Handmade

A Giant's Playground for Artisans

In the world of e-commerce, Amazon reigns supreme. With Amazon Handmade, artisans have an opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience. The typical Amazon Handmade shopper is someone who loves handmade items but is also looking for the convenience of Amazon's vast platform.

Amazon Handmade Pricing:

Amazon Handmade waives their professional selling fee for all approved handmade applicants. When you complete a sale, a 15% referral fee will be deducted. No extra charges for listing or payment processing.

Key Features for Sellers:

  • Vast Customer Base: Access to millions of Amazon customers that already shop there worldwide

  • Fulfillment Options: Choose between fulfilling orders yourself or using Amazon's fulfillment services (which makes them Prime eligible).

  • Secure Payments: Safe and secure payment processing through Amazon

  • Customizable online storefront to showcase your products

  • Sellers who've chosen to partner with Amazon through the Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program have access to inventory management system

Items you can sell:

On Amazon Handmade, it's all about the human touch. Every item sold is either handmade, hand-assembled, or hand-altered. Mass-produced products are a no-go and you have to apply for approval to join this exclusive community.

Things To Watch for Sellers:

  • Highly competitive marketplace

  • Limited control over brand identity.

  • Strict Policies: Amazon enforces strict policies, and violations can lead to account suspensions.

  • Potential policy changes.

  • Customer service challenges.

  • Dependency on Amazon’s platform as opposed to your own website.

  • Main Listing Image:
    Pure White background - RGB values of 255, 255, 2555

    At least 500 x 500px
    Recommended 1600 x 1600px

    Product needs to fill at least 80% of image area

Amazon Handmade Image Requirements:

A person's hands holding a handful of coins and a torn piece of paper with the handwritten message "MAKE A CHANGE." The person is wearing a blue top and ripped jeans, standing outdoors.

Goimagine

A Growing Hub for Creatives with a Misson to Support Children in Need

GoImagine is the new kid on the block, catering to creative entrepreneurs who seek a vibrant, supportive community. This platform offers a fresh take on the handmade marketplace scene. If you're targeting a creative and community-driven audience, GoImagine is worth exploring.

Goimagine Pricing

GoImagine offers various membership options, based on how many products you plan on listing. Sellers can choose what suits their needs and upgrade when needed.

Key Features for Sellers:

  • Goimagine offers a shared ownership model, giving the maker community voting rights and board representation.

  • A Handmade Integrity Team, run by the maker community, enforcing their commitment to handmade products.

  • Education led by e-commerce and handmade industry experts.

  • Community Support: The Maker Circle social space.

  • MOSAIC by Goimagine offers makers a private website alongside product listings on a handmade marketplace.

  • Goimagine donates 100% of its profits to charitable organizations that support children in need.

Items you can sell:

Authentic Handcrafting: Sellers must play an integral, hands-on role in crafting their products, whether alone or with a small, closely-knit team of family members or employees. Mass production through automated systems like POD and drop-shipping is not allowed.

Things To Watch for Sellers:

  • Since GoImagine is relatively new, it may have a smaller user base compared to more established marketplaces.

  • Application required for approval to sell on their platform

  • Listing Images:
    1000 x 800px
    5:4 Aspect Ratio

  • Shop/Logo Icon:
    400 x 250px

  • Profile Photo:
    500 x 500px

  • Order Receipt Logo:
    Square Logo - 100 x 100px
    Long Logo - 450 x 100px
    Recommended 275 x 100px

Goimagine Shop Image Requirements:

  • How It Is Made Image:
    1000 x 800px
    5:4 Aspect Ratio

  • Imagine Orientation:
    The first image should be landscape/horizontal

  • Meet the Maker Profile Picture:
    Recommended 500px