My Local Crafters vs Etsy: Which Platform is Right for You?
My Local Crafters and Etsy both offer unique advantages for artisans and crafters, but depending on your needs and goals, one may be better suited for you than the other. In this article, we’ll compare My Local Crafters and Etsy to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your creative business.
1. Focus on Local vs Global Reach
My Local Crafters:
My Local Crafters is dedicated to supporting local artisans and crafters, with a platform specifically designed to connect our Crafters with customers in their own community.
The focus on the local market is ideal for crafters looking to build a stronger presence in their area and those participating in local Arts & Crafts Events.
Etsy:
Etsy, on the other hand, has a global reach. As one of the largest online marketplaces for handmade goods, vintage & non-handmade products. Etsy allows sellers to reach customers worldwide.
This broad audience can be a significant advantage if you’re looking to expand your business beyond your local area and reach an international customer base.
2. Fees
My Local Crafters:
One of the standout features of My Local Crafters is its affordable pricing structure of only one low monthly fee.
Their platform offers lower fees compared to Etsy, making it an attractive option for artisans who want to keep more of their profits by eliminating excess fees.
Etsy:
Etsy imposes multiple fees. These include listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees.
While these fees are outlined, they can quickly accumulate, and can significantly impact your profit margins.
3. Community & Support
My Local Crafters:
My Local Crafters is a significant marketplace for a community looking to find and purchase from local crafters. Our platform also functions as a central hub for local Arts & Craft events connecting them to the crafters attending them.
My Local Crafters offers personalized guidance to support crafters in developing their local and national businesses.
Etsy:
Etsy boasts a global community of over 9 million sellers, presenting opportunities and challenges. While there are many resources for support, the sheer size of the community can make it difficult to be found and receive individual attention.
Some sellers may find Etsy’s support system impersonal and feel that personalized assistance is lacking or hard to access.
4. Advertising & Promotion
My Local Crafters:
One of the unique benefits of My Local Crafters is that they have a marketing strategy and advertising in place for you.
The platform actively promotes its artisans through social media, craft groups, and email marketing, ensuring that your events and storefronts get maximum exposure.
Etsy:
Etsy offers a variety of advertising options, including promoted listings and offsite ads. However, these come at an additional cost, and the effectiveness can vary depending on your budget and product niche.
While Etsy provides tools to help you market your shop, the responsibility of advertising largely falls on the seller.
5. Audience & Competition
My Local Crafters:
With its focus on the local market, My Local Crafters offers a less competitive market compared to a global platform like Etsy. This local approach allows artisans to build a loyal customer base without being overshadowed by thousands of other sellers.
Additionally, My Local Crafters isn’t limited to just the local community; it’s also marketed nationally, giving sellers broader exposure while maintaining a community-focused feel.
Etsy:
Etsy’s massive audience offers both advantages and challenges. While it provides access to millions of potential buyers, it also means you’ll be competing with approximately 9 million sellers.
To stand out on Etsy, you’ll need a solid marketing strategy, excellent branding, competitive pricing and additional investment in advertising to maintain visibility.
6. Finding Crafters
My Local Crafters:
My Local Crafters is designed to search for local and national crafters by state and community. This will allow you to find handmade items from crafters both in your local area and beyond, even outside the Craft Show arena.
Purchases are made directly between the buyer and the seller, with no payments processed through the website, eliminating “middle man” fees. This set-up offers a more personal buying experience (especially if local), with no shipping materials or fees and immediate payment – keeping all transactions within your control
Etsy:
While Etsy hosts a vast number of sellers, it doesn’t offer the option to search for crafters by local area or nationally. Etsy’s search functionality is limited to product categories, unless you already know the shop name.
Products are purchased through the website, fees applied and payments are managed by Etsy, leaving you to wait for your funds – a process that is out of your control.
7. Purchases
My Local Crafters:
Purchases are made directly between the buyer and the seller. No payments are processed through the website, eliminating “middle man” fees. This set-up offers a more personal buying experience (especially if local), with no shipping materials or fees and immediate payment – keeping all transactions within your control.
Etsy:
Products are purchased through the website, fees applied and payments are managed by Etsy, leaving you to wait for your funds – a process that is out of your control.
8. Products
My Local Crafters:
My Local Crafters is committed to showcase only handmade items. Like the crafters they support, they take pride in the uniqueness and craftsmanship of every product. This focus on genuine handmade goods reflects the philosophy that Etsy originally embraced
Etsy:
While Etsy continues to offer handmade items, it has broadened its product range to include vintage items, craft supplies and direct shipped products that are not handmade.
9. Arts & Crafts Events
My Local Crafters:
My Local Crafters is the only website specifically designed to give you the option to search for local crafters and discover Arts & Crafts events both in your area and across the country.
You can easily find crafters and see which events they’ll be attending, making it simple to connect with your favorite artisans and plan your visits to Arts & Crafts Events.
Etsy:
Etsy does not provide the option to search for local crafters, nor does it offer a way to find Arts & Crafts events.
Conclusion: Which Platform Should You Choose?
The decision between My Local Crafters and Etsy
ultimately depends on your business goals and needs.
- Choose My Local Crafters IF you want to build a strong local presence, enjoy lower fees, and prefer a platform that offers personalized support and advertising. It’s also ideal if you want to be easily found by local customers outside of Craft Events and promote the Arts & Crafts Events you will be attending.
- Choose Etsy IF you’re aiming to reach a global audience, are prepared to navigate higher competition, and are comfortable managing your own marketing and promotions. Etsy is a great choice for sellers who want to scale their business and reach customers worldwide.
Both platforms offer valuable opportunities, so consider what’s most important for your business and where you see the greatest potential for growth. Whether you choose the local charm of My Local Crafters or the global reach of Etsy, the most important thing is to find the right fit for your unique creations.
