The Best Online Marketplaces for Selling Physical or Handmade Products
Whether you're an artisan, an e-commerce entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to sell handmade crafts and physical goods, the right online marketplace can make a significant difference in your business's success. In this article, we'll explore some of the top online marketplaces, discussing their best features and ideal use cases.
1. Etsy
Best for: Handmade vintage items and craft supplies.
Features: Etsy boasts a large audience specifically interested in unique handcrafted products. The platform offers robust customization and marketing tools, allowing sellers to promote their listings effectively. Additionally, Etsy provides various resources to help sellers build their brand and connect with customers.
Fees: A standard listing fee of $0.20 per item and a 6.5% transaction fee on sales.
2. Amazon Handmade
Best for: Artisans looking to reach a broader audience.
Features: Amazon Handmade offers access to Amazon's massive customer base, trusted platform, and the potential for Prime shipping eligibility. This marketplace also allows artisans to showcase their work through creative campaigns and promotional tools.
Fees: Amazon charges a 15% referral fee on sales, with no listing fees.
3. eBay
Best for: Selling collectibles, vintage items, and a wide variety of products.
Features: eBay supports both auction-style listings and fixed-price sales, offering flexibility that caters to different selling methods. The platform also includes various tools for tracking inventory, managing listings, and customer interactions.
Fees: Buyers pay an insertion fee per listing, and a final value fee of around 10-12%.
4. Shopify
Best for: Building a branded online store.
Features: Shopify gives sellers full control over their branding, allowing them to create a custom online store that aligns with their brand identity. The platform integrates seamlessly with social media platforms and offers a range of tools for marketing, inventory management, and customer engagement.
Fees: A monthly subscription starting at $39, plus transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments. Shopify also offers various plan options based on the complexity of your store needs.
5. Bonanza
Best for: Sellers looking for an alternative to larger marketplaces.
Features: Bonanza is known for its user-friendly listing process and easy integration with eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. It offers lower fees compared to other marketplaces, making it a popular choice for smaller sellers.
Fees: Bonanza charges a low commission fee, usually ranging from 3.5% to 9%.
6. Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shop
Best for: Directly reaching customers through social media.
Features: Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shop are easy to set up with access to a vast user base. Facebook Marketplace is ideal for local sales, while Instagram Shop excels for visual products. These platforms offer a social network-style selling experience, making them appealing for younger audiences.
Fees: Fees vary depending on the payment and shipping options, but both platforms offer a convenient and direct way to sell goods through social media.
7. Big Cartel
Best for: Independent artists and makers selling smaller quantities.
Features: Big Cartel offers a customizable online store with no transaction fees for the first five products. It's perfect for sellers who want a simple, low-cost setup and want to sell smaller quantities of goods.
Fees: Free for up to 5 products; paid plans start at $9.99 per month.
8. ArtFire
Best for: Artisans and crafters.
Features: ArtFire is a community-focused platform that offers various tools for promoting and managing a shop. It provides resources to help sellers grow their business and connect with customers.
Fees: A monthly subscription starting at $4.95, with additional listing fees and a final sale fee.
9. Redbubble and Society6
Best for: Artists looking to sell print-on-demand products.
Features: Redbubble and Society6 allow artists to sell designs on various products, such as T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. The platforms handle printing, shipping, and customer service, making it easy for artists to focus on their creative work.
Fees: No upfront costs, but the platforms take a commission from sales.
10. Depop
Best for: Fashion and vintage clothing.
Features: Depop is a social network-style platform for selling clothes and accessories. It's particularly popular among younger audiences and offers a unique selling experience that combines social media with commerce.
Fees: A 10% commission on sales, plus payment processing fees.
Conclusion
Choosing the right online marketplace depends on your target audience, product type, and how much control you want over the sales process. Each of these marketplaces has its strengths and unique features that make it suitable for different types of sellers. Whether you're a handmade crafts seller or a business owner, there's a platform here that can help you sell your products successfully.