Table of Contents
Introduction
When you’re in the business of selling handmade items, finding the right e-commerce platform can make a huge difference. You need a platform that understands the uniqueness of your products and provides the tools you need to showcase these items effectively.
Whether you’re a crafter, artist, or designer, the best e-commerce platforms for handmade items offer a range of features tailored to your needs. With the right platform, you can turn your passion for crafting into a successful online store.
1. Amazon Handmade
2. Etsy
3. Shopify
4. Big Cartel
5. Folksy Limited
6. IndieMade
7. Cratejoy
8. eBay
9. iCraft
10. Storenvy
Overview of the Best E-commerce Platforms For Handmade Items
How to choose the Best E-commerce Platforms For Handmade Items
Pros & Cons of Best E-commerce Platforms For Handmade Items
What to Watch Out For…
Pro Tips
Recap
1. Amazon Handmade
If you’re selling handmade items, you might consider Amazon Handmade for its wide customer reach. It’s a platform where you can showcase your unique products to a global audience to gain credibility.
- • Vast audience reach
- • Easy setup
- • Supportive sellers to assist with any issues
- • Eligible products can be included offering faster shipping to customers
- • Limited branding
- • Strict guidelines for handmade products
- • Limited access to customer data
- • Strict shipping requirements for some handmade items
- • Allows artisans to display unique handmade creations to a global audience
- • Tailor your Amazon Handmade storefront to reflect your brand and aesthetic
- • Integrate with your existing Amazon seller account
- • Provides secure payment processing
- • Utilize Amazon’s fulfillment network to store, pack, and ship your products
2. Etsy
Etsy connects you with a passionate community of handmade item enthusiasts. Your focus will be on unique, handcrafted goods, which helps you stand out. By opting for Etsy, you tap into a platform that celebrates creativity and supports your artistic journey.
- • Easy-to-use platform that allows sellers to quickly set up online store
- • Well-known brand
- • Community-oriented
- • Robust mobile app
- • Multiple payment methods making it easier for
- • Limited customization options
- • Unresponsive customer service
- • Limited control over the shopping experience
- • Provide a supportive community for sellers with resources for growth
- • Facilitate easy setup for online shops for sellers with minimal technical knowledge
- • Ensure a secure and reliable payment system for sellers and buyers
- • Encourage creativity and innovation in customising storefronts
- • Include detailed analytics and reporting tools for tracking sales
- • Feature an integrated shipping solution that simplifies the process of delivery
3. Shopify
Consider Shopify because it supports your passion for handmade items and appreciate the seamless integration with various tools that enhance your shop’s appeal.
- • User-Friendly interface for beginners to set up
- • Robust security features
- • Seamless integration with various payment gateways
- • Mobile-friendly
- • Access to a vast app store with additional tools
- • Expensive monthly subscription fees
- • Additional transaction fees on payment gateway fees
- • Limited inventory management features with basic plans
- • Integrate a variety of payment gateways
- • Include built-in SEO features to help handmade items rank higher
- • Enable easy inventory management for tracking unique handmade items
- • Facilitate marketing and promotional tools to boost sales
- • Connect with social media platforms for expanding reach
- • Offer detailed analytics and reporting for sales performance
4. Big Cartel
If you value simplicity and creativity opt for Big Cartel for your handmade crafts. It supports your unique, handmade creations, offering an environment where your artistic vision thrives.
- • Affordable pricing plans
- • Customizable to personalize your store’s design
- • Streamlined interface for quick setup and management
- • Excellent customer support
- • No listing fees
- • Less comprehensive SEO
- • Limited customization options
- • Less frequent updates and new features
- • Unsuitable for rapidly growing businesses
- • Enjoy the flexibility of affordable pricing plans
- • Leverage the power of social media integration
- • Benefit from Big Cartel’s mobile-friendly design
- • Utilize robust analytics to track your store’s performance
- • Take advantage of the platform’s minimal transaction fees
- • Access a supportive community of fellow makers and creators for inspiration in handmade business
5. Folksy Limited
Opt for Folksy Limited because it perfectly matches your needs as a maker and seller of handmade goods. You find the platform supports and values your craft giving you confidence and support in this community-focused environment.
- • Niche-focused providing a targeted audience
- • Strong community of artisans and crafters
- • User-friendly platform for sellers of all experience levels
- • Lower listing fees compared to some competitors
- • Transparent fee structure with no hidden costs
- • Less traffic compared to larger platforms
- • Limited payment gateways inconveniencing some buyers
- • Less supportive to high-volume sellers
- • Fewer advanced features and tools
- • Showcase your handmade items beautifully with a user-friendly platform
- • Reach a dedicated audience of handmade enthusiasts on niche marketplace
- • Benefit from marketing tools to promote your products
- • Enjoy low fees and fair pricing structures ideal for small-scale sellers
- • Expand your reach internationally with global shipping options
- • Grow your handmade business with valuable insights and resources
PRO TIPS >>> How To Choose The Best E-commerce Platform
6. IndieMade
When you’re looking for the best e-commerce platform for your handmade items, you should consider IndieMade. It offers unique advantages that cater specifically to artisans like you. Its focus on creativity and community sets it apart, making it an ideal choice for showcasing and selling your creations online.
- • High level of customization
- • Robust SEO tools
- • Integrative platform with popular payment gateways and shipping providers
- • Excellent customer support
- • Limited features and functionalities
- • Transaction fees impacting the overall profitability of the sellers
- • Reported occasional issues with platform stability and performance
- • Showcase your creativity with custom themes that highlight your handmade item
- • Enhance visibility by utilizing IndieMade’s integrated SEO tools
- • Connect with customers through built-in blogging features to share your creative journey
- • Streamline your sales with seamless payment processing options
- • Diversify your reach by syncing with your social media account
- • Customize your store with flexible design options that reflect your unique brand
7. Cratejoy
You find Cratejoy ideal for your handmade items because it connects you with a passionate audience who values unique creations. Your products gain visibility in a marketplace dedicated to curated, one-of-a-kind goods.
- • Easy-to-use platform
- • Supportive with a wide range of handmade items
- • Built-in marketing tools to help sellers promote products effectively
- • Strong reputation in the subscription box industry
- • Insightful to make data-driven decisions
- • Additional fees for payment processing and other services
- • Restrictive customization options
- • High competition among sellers can make it difficult to stand out
- • Time-consuming with subscription box fulfillment
- • Offer a wide range of subscription boxes tailored for handmade items
- • Integrate seamlessly with various marketing tools for better outreach
- • Facilitate a straightforward setup process for new sellers
- • Ensure a secure and reliable platform for transactions
- • Promote handmade items through targeted marketing campaigns
8. eBay
You choose eBay for handmade items because you value a broad audience and trust the platform’s reputation. You will appreciate eBay’s offering of extensive reach, helping you connect with buyers who appreciate unique, handcrafted products.
- • Well-known and trusted platform enhancing credibility
- • Robust analytics and reporting tools
- • Promotional in advertising your items for visibility
- • Fee-based
- • Complex return and refund policies
- • Strict policies and guidelines to follow
- • Highlight eBay’s vast user base to reach a global audience
- • Leverage eBay’s built-in marketing tools to enhance product visibility
- • Utilize secure payment system to ensure safe transactions
- • Benefit from robust seller support for resolving issues
- • Access detailed analytics to track sales performance and trends
- • Employ flexible listing options to tailor product presentations
- • Maximize sales opportunities with eBay’s international shipping options
9. iCraft
You pick iCraft because you want a platform dedicated to handmade items. You find it supportive of your creative endeavors and also appreciate that iCraft understands the value of originality, making it the perfect choice for your handmade business.
- • Niche-focused
- • Community-oriented
- • Optimized listings for search engines
- • Customizable for sellers to personalize shop pages
- • Less advanced features compared to bigger e-commerce sites
- • Limited payment processing options
- • High fee structure for small business
- • Showcase handmade creations in a curated online marketplace
- • Connect with a community of dedicated artisans and buyers
- • Enjoy a user-friendly interface designed for ease of use
- • Gain exposure through targeted marketing efforts
- • Participate in exclusive events and promotions to boost sales
- • Build a loyal customer base with a niche market focus
10. Storenvy
You find Storenvy ideal because you want a platform that fosters a vibrant community of artists and makers who appreciates how it supports unique, handcrafted creation. You recognize its positive reputation and user satisfaction.
- • Extensive customization of your store’s design
- • Free plan with the option to upgrade
- • Robust payment processing options
- • Built-in features may be too basic for advanced seller
- • High competition in the marketplace
- • Additional cost required to use a custom domain
- • Fewer third-party integrations
- • Limited payment gateway options
- • Feature a customizable online store for sellers to showcase products
- • Enable social sharing and community building through its platform
- • Support direct-to-consumer sales without intermediaries
- • Include built-in marketing tools to help sellers promote products
- • Facilitate seamless payment processing and order management
- • Encourage unique, creative and one-of-a-kind product listings
- • Host an easy-to-navigate website that enhances user experience for buyers and sellers
Overview of the Best E-commerce Platforms For Handmade Items
You want the best e-commerce platforms for handmade items, so consider Shopify which offers robust customization for your unique products. Etsy provides a dedicated marketplace where buyers seek handmade items, giving you excellent visibility. Folksy gives you a niche platform with a supportive community. Each platform supports your creativity, letting you reach your audience effectively and ensures your handmade products shine. You find tools to manage your store, showcase your crafts, and grow your business seamlessly.
How to choose the Best E-commerce Platforms for Handmade Items
To select the e-commerce platforms for handmade items:
- Begin by listing the specific requirements for your handmade items business
- Research e-commerce platforms like different e-commerce platforms
- Evaluate the platform’s pricing structure
- Look for platforms that offer customizable templates and themes
- Ensure the platform supports a variety of payment methods
- Check if the platform is mobile-friendly
- Select a platform with reliable customer support
- Look for reviews and feedbacks from other handmade sellers
- Try out the platform through a free trial and make a decision
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Pros & Cons of Best E-commerce Platforms For Handmade Items
Pros
- Creative outlet for artisans to showcase unique handmade items
- Flexible selling options for artisans to set prices and manage inventory
- Diverse customer base to connect with people who love the crafts
- Scalable for artisans with small business
- Convenient online shopping and selling
- Global reach to customers around the world
Cons
- Highly competitive space
- Complex and expensive shipping for international orders
- Total dependent on the e-commerce platform’s policies and algorithms
- Difficult in building brand recognition
- Online security risks
What to Watch Out For…
- Scalability
- Ease of use
- Support
- Customization options
Pro Tips
Check out these pro tips before you select a suitable e-commerce platforms for handmade items:- Choose a platform that allows you to customize your store
- Select a platform that is easy to use
- Ensure the platform is mobile-responsive
- Look for a platform that offers a variety of payment options
- Consider a platform that integrates with popular shipping carriers
- Consider a platform that has a strong community of sellers
- Ensure the platform offers robust security features
- Select a platform that can grow with your business
Recap
When selling handmade items online, you want a platform that’s easy to use, provides good customer support, and has a strong community of buyers interested in unique products like yours. Look for a platform that offers tools for showcasing your creations effectively. With the right platform, you can grow your handmade business successfully.
