Are you a crafter, an artist, a seamstress, or have another creative passion you want to share with the world? Have you dreamed of starting a small business to sell your goods, but felt like it was impossible? In today’s world, selling handmade items has never been easier. While in the past, creators were often limited to selling their goods at farmer’s markets and other local marketplaces, thanks to the world of e-commerce, it’s now possible for anyone to share their creations with the world–all it takes is a little hard work and know-how.
When it comes to crafting and DIY, product protection is key to protecting the materials you use to create. Subscribing to Mulberry Unlimited can help you get product protection coverage for nearly all your items, allowing you to focus on building your platform with added peace of mind.
Where can you sell handmade items online?
While there are plenty of online marketplaces that allow artists and other creators to sell their items, figuring out the best platform to begin selling your items on can be tricky–especially since it’s an important decision that can make or break your business. Wondering where to start? Let’s take a look at some of the best places to sell handmade items online.
Etsy
Etsy is perhaps the most well-known marketplace for unique and handmade goods. From custom sweatshirts to handmade jewelry and vintage Turkish rugs, you can really find or sell any unique on Etsy. Unlike many other online marketplaces, Etsy is unique because buyers come in search of rare and unusual products, making it an ideal platform for selling handmade items. Etsy is also a popular platform not only in the United States, but globally, allowing artisans from all over the world to come together to share unique items. You can even choose to shop by country, from Etsy USA to Etsy Australia and Etsy India.
Another benefit of using Etsy is that the upfront costs of using the platform are low. Etsy charges $0.20 for most listings, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on every item you sell, plus the cost of shipping and wrapping. You can also find an Etsy fee calculator online to help figure out profits and fees. All in all, Etsy fees are quite low compared to some other platforms.
Amazon Handmade
Although most people think of Amazon as a platform for big box stores to sell factory-made products, Amazon has a unique platform set aside specifically for artisans: Amazon Handmade. In many ways, Amazon Handmade is very similar to Etsy–you won’t find generic, mass-produced items on the platform, but rare and unique items instead.
However, there are some significant differences between selling on Amazon Handmade and Etsy. For example, Amazon Handmade does not charge listing fees, meaning you won’t be charged if you don’t sell anything. However, at 15%, Amazon Handmade fees are much higher than Etsy’s. It’s also important to note that Amazon Handmade also sells its own products on its platform, which makes the competition much stiffer for small sellers. That said, if you want to sell on Amazon Handmade, it's still a great option.
GoImagine
GoImagine is another online marketplace exclusively for handmade items. Unlike Etsy and Amazon Handmade, GoImagine donates all of its proceeds to charity (although sellers still maintain their own profit).
GoImagine’s policies are also much stricter than its counterparts. Sellers must go through a vetting process to verify they aren’t scammers before they’re permitted to create a shopfront. Sellers are also only allowed to sell items that are handmade, with much stricter guidelines than Etsy and Amazon Handmade have. Like many other sites, GoImagine reviews are key to building a good reputation as a seller.
Renegade Craft Fair
The Renegade Craft Fair provides a unique selling opportunity for local sellers. As a much smaller platform, an application is required to be considered as a vendor at the Renegade Craft Fair’s in-person events or online marketplace. It’s a highly selective, curated, and very niche platform, but the opportunity to sell both in person and online is a draw for many creators.
It’s also important to note that the Renegade Craft Fair is extremely selective about how your items are produced. In order for your application to be considered, you need to be able to prove that your materials are ethically and sustainably sourced.
Final thoughts
In today’s world of e-commerce, there are more opportunities than ever for creators and small-scale artisans to sell unique, rare, and handmade items. While there are plenty of online platforms, to choose the marketplace that’s the best fit for you, it’s important to think about what factors will help your business to thrive the most.
Regardless of the online marketplace you choose, the need for product protection is the same. Subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited to get the best in product protection for your crafting and DIY materials and more. Happy selling!
