You are probably wondering which one is best for your business: an Etsy Shop? a Website? or both maybe?
The answer to this question lies in the details of how you want to sell, what kind of customer interaction you want, and whether or not you have a budget.
We will go into detail about the benefits of each in this blog post so that it’s easier for you to make a decision.
Selling on Etsy Shop
Etsy is a marketplace for handmade and vintage items. It’s a great platform for people who want to sell these types of items because it has a built-in audience of millions of potential buyers.
Etsy is also very easy to use, so it’s a good option if you’re just getting started with selling online.
Etsy is a fantastic platform to sell handcrafted items since it is easy to use and has an enormous built-in audience of prospective purchasers. This means that you can be visible to customers very quickly, which can help you to start making sales sooner.
Etsy is also a good option if you want to sell on multiple platforms, as it is very easy to link your Etsy shop to your other social media accounts and website.
However, Etsy is not the right platform for everyone. Because Etsy is a marketplace you will be competing with other sellers who are selling similar items. This can make it difficult to stand out from the crowd and attract buyers to your shop.
Etsy is also not the best platform if you want to build a long-term brand, since you don’t have complete control over your shop’s branding and design.
Etsy is also a fairly limited platform when it comes to customizing your shop and listing pages, so if you want to have complete control over the look of your shop, Etsy may not be the right platform for you.
Selling on your own website
If you want to have more control over your online selling experience and build a stronger brand, then selling on your own website is the way to go.
When you sell on your own website, you have complete control over the design of your website, the branding of your business, and the customer experience.
You also don’t have to worry about competition from other sellers, since you are the only one selling on your website. This can make it easier to attract buyers and make sales.
However, selling on your own website does have some downsides.
First, you will need to drive traffic to your website yourself, which can be difficult and time-consuming.
You will also need to invest in a good eCommerce platform and possibly hire a web designer to help you get started.
This can make selling on your own website a more expensive option than selling on Etsy.
Pros and Cons of each option
Etsy Shop
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use. | You will be competing with other sellers who are selling similar items. |
| Built-in audience of millions of potential buyers. | Difficult to stand out from the crowd. |
| Can help you to start making sales sooner. | Limited control over branding and design. |
| Good option if you want to be at multiple marketplaces. | Not the best option for long-term branding. |
Website
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You have complete control over the design of your website and the customer experience. | You will need to drive traffic to your website yourself. |
| Don’t have to worry about competition from other sellers (on your own site). | More expensive option than selling on Etsy (website & marketing costs). |
Which One is Best for You: How to Choose Between the Two?
The best way to decide whether you should sell on Etsy or your own website is to think about your goals for your business and what’s important to you.
Let’s compare these two options by taking a look at some key factors.
Pricing and payment options
Etsy
Etsy takes a 6.5% commission on each sale, plus a $0.20 per listing fee. And the payment processing fees vary from 3% to 6.5% for each sale, plus a flat fee based on your location.
Website
When you sell on your own website, you will need to set your own prices and pay transaction fees to your payment processor. Payment options will depend on the payment processor you use but can include PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer. The transaction fees are usually cheaper which is usually around 1.4% to 3.5%.
Target audience
Etsy
If you are selling handmade or vintage items, your target audience is likely to be Etsy users who are specifically looking for these items.
Website
If you are selling your own products or services, your target audience is likely to be people who are interested in what you are selling, regardless of whether or not they use Etsy.
Budget
Etsy
Setting up an Etsy shop is free, and there is no monthly fee. You will only pay listing fees and commissions on your sales.
Website
Setting up your own website can be more expensive, as you will need to pay for things like a domain name, hosting, and possibly a web designer. You will also need to pay transaction fees to your payment processor.
Visibility and SEO
Etsy
Your listings will be visible to anyone who visits Etsy. You can also pay for promoted listings to appear in search results.
Plus, Etsy is also a search engine just like Google. Etsy may have a larger volume of specific search queries than Google does. So if you are selling items that people would search on Etsy, it might be a good idea to have your products appear in those results.
Website
Only people who know about your website will be able to find it at the beginning. You will need to drive traffic to your website yourself through things like SEO, social media, and advertising.
Advertising options compared
Etsy
Etsy offers a few different advertising options, including promoted listings and Google Ads.
Website
You will need to create your own advertising campaigns to drive traffic to your website. This can be done through things like Google Ads campaigns, social media feeds, and email marketing.
The benefits of selling on Etsy over a website
The main benefits of selling on Etsy over a website are that it’s easier to get started and you don’t have to worry about driving traffic to your listings yourself. Etsy is also a good option if you want to sell on multiple platforms, as it can be difficult to manage multiple websites.
The benefits of selling on your own website over Etsy
The main benefits of selling on your own website over Etsy are that you have more control over the branding and design of your business, you don’t have to compete with other sellers, and you can make it easier to attract buyers and make sales.
Bonus: Tips for Starting an Etsy Shop
1. Pick a catchy and unique shop name
2. Have great product photos
3. Create attractive listings
4. Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions
5. Offer free shipping
6. Provide excellent customer service
7. Promote your shop on social media and other channels
Bonus: Tips for Starting a Website
1. Choose a domain name that’s easy to remember and brandable
2. Find a good web hosting provider
3. Use a drag-and-drop website builder or hire a web designer
4. Create high-quality content that’s SEO-friendly
5. Promote your website on social media and other channels
Wrap-up with suggestions
My personal suggestion would be to start with Etsy because it is easier to set up and you don’t have to worry about driving traffic to your listings. You can always branch out to your own website later on down the road!
Takeaway: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether you should sell on Etsy or your own website. The best option for you will depend on your specific business goals and needs. If you’re not sure which platform is right for you, try out both and see which one works better for your business.
Should you stick with your Etsy shop, create an eCommerce website, or both?
The answer to this question lies in the details of how you want to sell, what kind of customer interaction you want, and whether or not you have a budget. If you’re not sure which platform is right for you, try out both and see which one works better for your business.
Is Etsy an eCommerce platform?
Yes, Etsy is an eCommerce platform that allows you to sell online. However, the platforms like Etsy are usually called marketplaces. You can create a shop on Etsy and list your products for sale. Customers can browse and purchase items from your shop.
Can you sell on Etsy and your own website at the same time?
Yes, you can sell on Etsy and your own website at the same time. This can be a good way to reach more customers and make more sales.
Is Etsy a good website? Is it good for your business?
Etsy is a good website for many businesses because it’s easy to use and customers can find items easily. However, it’s important to consider whether or not Etsy is the right platform for your business goals.
