Selling handmade products has become easier than ever with the rise of online platforms specifically designed for artisans. If you’re making beautiful, eco-friendly polymer clay ear accessories, choosing the right platform can help you reach more customers and grow your brand. Here’s a guide to the best platforms for selling your handmade accessories, considering factors such as user base, fees, ease of use, and platform strengths.
1. Etsy
Keywords: sell on Etsy, Etsy for handmade, best platform for artisans
Why It’s Popular: Etsy is a leading marketplace for handmade, unique, and artisan products. With millions of active users, it offers a large audience for makers focused on eco-friendly, crafted items.
- Key Features:
- Easy Setup: Simple for newcomers to set up a shop and list products.
- Community of Buyers: A marketplace dedicated to handmade and vintage items, providing immediate access to relevant customers.
- Enhanced Visibility: Robust search and SEO options to help products be discovered.
- Fees: $0.20 listing fee per item and a 6.5% transaction fee.
- Best For: Makers of handmade jewelry, accessories, home decor, and gifts looking to tap into a large, existing audience.
2. Shopify
Keywords: Shopify for handmade, building an artisan shop, sell handmade online
Why It’s Popular: Shopify offers a customizable eCommerce platform where artisans can create their own online store, complete with branding and control over customer experience.
- Key Features:
- Full Control: Customize your store’s design and branding with a wide range of themes and plugins.
- Multi-Channel Sales: Shopify integrates with social media and other platforms like Amazon and eBay.
- Scalability: Ideal for artisans who want to grow their business, with tools to support every stage.
- Fees: Monthly fee starting at $29, with transaction fees for third-party payment processors.
- Best For: Artisans who want a dedicated online shop, especially those planning to scale and expand.
3. Amazon Handmade
Keywords: Amazon Handmade, selling handmade on Amazon, artisan marketplace on Amazon
Why It’s Popular: Amazon Handmade gives artisans access to Amazon’s huge global customer base and fulfillment services, such as Prime shipping.
- Key Features:
- Global Reach: Access to millions of customers worldwide.
- Prime Eligibility: Use Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for faster shipping.
- Trusted Marketplace: Amazon’s reputation for reliability adds credibility for buyers.
- Fees: No listing fees; 15% referral fee per sale. $39.99 monthly fee for professional sellers (waived for Handmade).
- Best For: Artisans seeking broad exposure and leveraging Amazon’s reach and fulfillment services.
4. Big Cartel
Keywords: Big Cartel for artisans, affordable eCommerce, simple platform for makers
Why It’s Popular: Big Cartel is a minimalist, budget-friendly platform ideal for small-scale artisans who prefer a straightforward online shop without the complexities of larger marketplaces.
- Key Features:
- Affordability: Free plans available for up to five products, great for beginners.
- User-Friendly Setup: Designed for those with no prior eCommerce experience.
- Simple Customization: Limited themes but enough to give your shop a unique look.
- Fees: Free for up to five products; paid plans start at $9.99/month.
- Best For: Small-scale artisans or beginners seeking an affordable, no-frills platform.
5. Folksy
Keywords: Folksy UK, British artisan marketplace, UK handmade platform
Why It’s Popular: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace focused on handmade goods, providing a more niche, localized platform for British artisans.
- Key Features:
- Niche Audience: Tailored to UK-based buyers, making it ideal for artisans selling locally.
- Support for Makers: Strong emphasis on supporting independent makers and handmade products.
- Simple Interface: Easy to navigate and set up, perfect for new sellers.
- Fees: £0.15 listing fee and 6% commission on sales.
- Best For: UK-based artisans who prefer a local, niche marketplace with a community vibe.
6. Zibbet
Keywords: Zibbet marketplace, multi-channel selling, artisan platform
Why It’s Popular: Zibbet allows artisans to manage multiple storefronts from one place, synchronizing listings on its marketplace as well as on Etsy, eBay, and more.
- Key Features:
- Multi-Channel Management: Syncs with various platforms for centralized listing control.
- Transparent Fees: No listing or transaction fees on Zibbet’s own marketplace; flat monthly fee instead.
- Customizable Storefront: Clean layout with options to customize.
- Fees: $5/month per sales channel, with no additional fees on its marketplace.
- Best For: Artisans who want to sell on multiple platforms and manage their listings in one place.
7. Madeit
Keywords: Madeit handmade Australia, Australian artisan marketplace
Why It’s Popular: Madeit is Australia’s largest handmade marketplace, similar to Folksy in the UK. It’s ideal for Australian artisans seeking to connect with a local audience.
- Key Features:
- Local Focus: Dedicated to Australian artisans, with a local shopping experience.
- Support for Small Makers: Offers tools and community support to help artisans grow.
- Curated Marketplace: Emphasizes quality, making it a great platform for standout items.
- Fees: AUD $5 monthly subscription and a 4% commission on sales.
- Best For: Australian artisans looking for a local market with a focus on Australian craftsmanship.
Conclusion
Choosing the best platform for selling your handmade, eco-friendly accessories depends on your target audience, business goals, and desired level of control. From Etsy’s broad reach to Shopify’s customization and Amazon Handmade’s massive customer base, there’s a platform suited for every artisan. Selecting the right one can help you expand your reach, strengthen your brand, and turn your passion for handmade products into a thriving online business.
