Exploring Alternatives to Etsy
Handmade Marketplace vs. Online Store Platforms
When I Googled “Alternatives to Etsy,” I found several lists featuring platforms often recommended for handmade sellers. Among the most popular:
Shopify, Amazon Handmade, Big Cartel, IndieMade, Bonanza Marketplace, Zibbet, and Storenvy.
As I dug deeper, I discovered a key distinction: not all of these platforms are truly focused on handmade-only products. In fact, some aren’t even marketplaces in the traditional sense. For those of you searching for platforms exclusively dedicated to handmade goods, see the following:
My Local Crafters, GoImagine, My Community Made, and Amazon Handmade.
I know this is a bit lengthy, but I believe the details are worth sharing for anyone considering alternatives to Etsy.
During my research, I noticed some confusion in how these platforms are categorized.
For example, platforms like Shopify are often touted as Etsy alternatives,
but how can Shopify truly compare to Etsy?
Etsy is a marketplace—a shared platform where sellers list their products for an audience that’s already there and actively browsing. Buyers can discover items through Etsy’s centralized search tools, making it easier for artisans to reach customers without having to drive their own traffic.
Shopify, IndieMade, Zibbet, and Storenvy are NOT marketplaces but Online Store platforms. While they provide excellent tools for building and managing online stores, they don’t come with a built-in audience like Etsy does. Sellers using these platforms must generate their own traffic through marketing and promotion.
So, I shifted my focus to identifying platforms that truly operate as marketplaces—platforms that offer sellers access to a central hub where buyers come to browse and shop. First is a chart comparing select features. Read further to see the list of true HANDMADE platforms and their features.
My Local Crafters - Ohio 2024
- Focus: Exclusively for handmade goods and supporting local artisans.
- Key Features:
- Offers a Search feature so buyers can find makers in their local community.
- Dedicated to promoting local crafters and small business.
- A dedicated Storefront for each crafter to showcase their products.
- Features local craft event listings to encourage in-person engagement.
- Focuses on helping artisans grow their regional and national presence.
- No commission fees: sellers pay a low monthly fee.
- Audience: Shoppers who prioritize buying local and handmade.
- Unique Selling Point: A hyperlocal approach that combines e-commerce with community-building.
GoImagine - Massachusetts 2020
- Focus: Handmade-only marketplace with a charitable mission.
- Key Features:
- Every product sold must be handmade; no mass-produced or drop-shipped items allowed.
- Profits are donated to charities focused on helping children.
- Offers tools for sellers, like storefront customization and analytics.
- No commission fees: sellers pay a flat subscription fee.
- Audience: Buyers who want authentic handmade items while contributing to a charitable cause.
- Unique Selling Point: The “Marketplace That Cares” philosophy, combining handmade goods with a social impact mission.
My Community Made - Massachusetts 2023
- Focus: Handmade marketplace created by and for makers.
- Key Features:
- 100% handmade products with a strong focus on artisan empowerment.
- Built-in tools for sellers, with an emphasis on supporting small business growth.
- Transparent fee structure, with minimal costs compared to larger platforms.
- Community-driven ethos, providing makers with a platform to thrive without the corporate feel of larger marketplaces.
- Audience: Makers and buyers who value a community-focused platform.
- Unique Selling Point: Completely run by creators for creators, with low fees and a supportive community spirit.
Amazon Handmade
- Focus: Handmade goods within Amazon’s massive marketplace.
- Key Features:
- Access to Amazon’s enormous customer base.
- Strict vetting process to ensure products are genuinely handmade.
- Tools for marketing, fulfillment (via Fulfillment by Amazon), and global reach.
- Charges a 15% referral fee on sales but no monthly fee for Professional Sellers.
- Audience: Buyers who trust Amazon and want handmade products alongside other mainstream items.
- Unique Selling Point: Unmatched reach and visibility due to Amazon’s global presence.
Bonanza Marketplace - Washington 2008
- Focus: General marketplace, handmade and non-handmade products.
- Key Features:
- Offers tools to easily import listings from other platforms like eBay or Etsy.
- Customizable storefronts with no listing fees and low commission rates.
- Sellers can market products on Google Shopping through Bonanza’s integration.
- Audience: A mix of buyers looking for everything from handmade goods to mainstream items.
- Unique Selling Point: Flexible listing tools and a broad audience across multiple product categories
Big Cartel - Utah 2005
- Focus: Independent creators and artists, handmade and non-handmade items.
- Key Features:
- Simple platform for small-scale sellers to create an online store.
- No marketplace component; sellers are responsible for driving traffic to their store.
- Free plan available for up to 5 products; paid plans scale up based on the number of products listed.
- Audience: Independent creators, artists, and makers who want a standalone storefront.
- Unique Selling Point: Affordable and user-friendly for those starting small businesses without relying on a marketplace
