Etsy:
Pros: Well known, more people use it and purchase from it. People are always browsing etsy and your items could end up on the front page which gets tons of views.
Cons: You have to pay every single time you list a product. You want to continue re-listing so your items will show up at the beginning of searches and not 200 pages in. There is also a transaction fee every time you make a sale.
Big Cartel:
Pros: Is becoming more widely used. Doesn't charge transaction or listing fees.
Cons: Not as well known or as easy to search as etsy. If you want to list more than 25 items there is a big jump in price. (You could open a free shop with only 5 products but, eh). Doesn't really have the built in advertising like etsy does.
ArtFire:
Pros: No transaction or listing fees and unlimited listings.
Cons: Not very well known and I think it's kind of hokey/ugly looking.
So tell me, where do you sell? What do you like about it, what don't you like? Do you think it's worth the price of the service? Do you wish you would've opened shop elsewhere? Do you purchase from online shops? Which site do you prefer to shop from (easiest checkout, etc.)?

Well, I don't sell anything, but if I were looking to buy some handmade items I would go to etsy. I haven't heard of the other two. Sorry I'm not more help.
ReplyDeleteWe use Etsy. Actually we are kind of taking a break from our shop right now buuuuut we did like selling on there! have you ever thought of setting up your own shop through wordpress? i'm not sure how it all works but you can link your blog and shop all together and sell right from your site instead of having to go through any hosting shop at all!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the exact same position! Besides the sites you've listed, I've also been looking at goodsie which has a clean look to it. They have unlimited listings for 15 a month, and don't charge per item. First 30 days are free, which is nice.
ReplyDeleteI am still looking to set my store front up for even cheaper! I have a friend who has his own server, and I'm trying to set up the website myself but its much more complicated than I though. I'm about ready to throw my hands in the air and just pay one of the sites to host it.
Great post!
Nikki
yea...hmmm...it is so hard..etsy there is just sooo much and hard to stick out and i am just not a fan of the other sites...yes either ugly or hard to navigate...the best thing for me but i am still learning and sales haven't picked up that much but i am SUPER hopeful is advertising on other blogs and sponsoring & giveaways! really do help a lot! more work and money but then it gives you great exposure too!
ReplyDeletexo,
cb
I don't make anything, but I normally browse etsy.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with your blog! I just stalked all of your posts - and the recipes look so good. I'm following now.
Can't wait to see more in the future! :)
Ebay? Isn't that the most widely used engine for retail? Or is Ebay not for handmade items?
ReplyDeleteI dunno, though Etsy is the one I see most often on other people's blogs.
Nice work, sister. I'm going to check out Wordpress now and see how easy it is to tie a shop into your blog with it....
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what Etsy was for a long time... I would have thought that Ebay was the best place. Not living in the States for the past 6 years I am so out of the loop!
ReplyDeleteMy uncle just told me about the upcoming launch (I believe upcoming...perhaps still in the works) of Facebook Commerce (squeeeee!) which would allow her to set up a shop right there on facebook.
ReplyDeleteConga line!
I've only sold on (and heard of) Etsy. Had some success, but really didn't put that much work into it. I am an EBay fan, but I resale other items I find for cheap, not selling my own made goods. Good luck to ya'll and your business ventures!
ReplyDeleteI like surfing Etsy. Fairly easy to navigate...though the listing fee and transaction fees do explain some of the prices people ask for. I came across another site once that sold handmade items, i wish I could remember what it was called. It was difficult to navigate and thats why I moved on quickly.
ReplyDelete