Top Websites for Selling Crafts: A Comprehensive …

So, you make cool stuff with your hands and want to sell it online? That’s great! The internet offers a huge opportunity for artisans to reach people who love handmade items. But with so many websites out there, where do you even start? It can feel a bit overwhelming trying to figure out the best places for selling crafts. This guide is here to help you sort through the options and find the right online spots for your creations.

Key Takeaways

Etsy is a go-to for handmade goods, known for its large community of buyers and sellers, though competition can be high.
Shopify lets you build your own branded online store, giving you more control but requiring you to drive your own traffic.
Amazon Handmade offers access to Amazon’s massive customer base, but comes with higher fees and less brand control.
eBay is a huge marketplace with flexible selling options, good for unique items or supplies, but not exclusively focused on crafts.
Social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shopping are great for local sales and visual marketing, respectively.

1. Etsy

When you think about selling handmade goods online, Etsy is probably the first place that pops into your head. And for good reason! It’s a massive marketplace specifically for artisans and crafters, making it a go-to spot for people looking for unique, handmade items. Setting up a shop is pretty straightforward, and you can get your products listed without too much fuss.

Etsy has a huge customer base, which means lots of potential buyers browsing for everything from knitted scarves to custom pottery. It’s a place where people actively search for things made by hand, so you’re not just competing with mass-produced items in the same way you might on other sites.

Here’s a quick look at the costs involved:

Listing Fee: $0.20 per item, lasts for four months or until sold.
Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping).
Payment Processing Fee: Varies by country, but typically around 3% + $0.25 in the US.

While Etsy is fantastic for reaching a wide audience, remember that it’s also a crowded space. Standing out means having great photos, clear descriptions, and understanding how to use keywords so buyers can find your work. It’s not just about listing your item; it’s about making it discoverable.

It’s a solid choice for most crafters, especially if you’re just starting out and want to tap into a market that already appreciates handmade quality. You can sell almost anything handmade here, from jewelry and art to home decor and vintage finds (though the focus is definitely on new handmade items).

2. Shopify

If you’re looking to build your own corner of the internet for your crafts, Shopify is a big player. Think of it like renting a prime spot for your shop, but online. You get to design the whole thing, from the look and feel to how customers interact with your brand. It’s not just a place to list items; it’s a tool to build a real business.

Shopify gives you total control over your brand’s presentation and customer relationships. This means no competing directly with other sellers on the same page, which can happen on marketplaces. You’re building something that’s uniquely yours.

Here’s a quick look at what you get:

Customizable Storefronts: Pick from professional templates and tweak them to match your brand’s vibe. You can make it look exactly how you want.
Inventory Management: Keep track of what you have, what’s selling, and what you need to make more of. It helps keep things organized as you grow.
Marketing Tools: Features like abandoned cart recovery can remind people about items they liked but didn’t buy, and built-in blogging helps you share your story.
App Store: Need something extra? Shopify has a huge marketplace of apps for everything from email marketing to advanced analytics.

It does come with a monthly fee, starting around $29, plus transaction fees on sales. There’s also a bit of a learning curve to get everything set up just right. But for serious crafters aiming for long-term growth and a strong brand identity, owning your own Shopify store is a solid move. It’s especially good if you’re producing a good amount of items or thinking about selling wholesale.

3. Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is a bit different from other platforms because it’s a curated section within the massive Amazon marketplace. Think of it as a dedicated corner for artisans, separate from the usual flood of mass-produced items. To get in, you actually have to apply and prove that your goods are genuinely made by hand. This vetting process helps keep the space special and ensures buyers are getting authentic crafts.

One of the biggest draws here is the sheer number of potential customers. Selling handmade items on Amazon offers a significant advantage by providing access to a massive customer base of around 250 million people. That’s a lot of eyes on your work! Your products can appear right in the main Amazon search results, which is a huge plus for visibility. Plus, you can take advantage of Amazon’s well-known logistics network, including Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), which can simplify shipping and returns for you. This means your items can even be eligible for Prime shipping, a big deal for many shoppers.

Here’s a quick look at what you’re dealing with:

Application Process: You need to apply and be approved. They want to make sure everything is truly handmade.
Fees: There’s a referral fee of 15% per sale. You’ll also need a Professional Seller account, which costs $39.99 per month, though there are no separate listing fees.
Reach: Unparalleled exposure to Amazon’s enormous customer base.
Fulfillment: Option to use FBA for shipping and handling.

While the application process and fees might seem a bit much at first, the potential reach and the ability to tap into Amazon’s trusted system are hard to ignore. It’s a good option if you’re ready to scale and can handle a larger volume of orders.

It’s important to remember that Amazon Handmade is a curated section, so they have strict rules to maintain the integrity of the ‘handmade’ label. This means you’ll also need to keep up with high customer service standards. If you’re an established maker looking to reach a wider audience and can manage the requirements, Amazon Handmade is definitely worth considering for your craft business .

4. eBay

Okay, so eBay. It’s been around forever, right? And while it’s not exactly a cozy little craft fair, it’s a massive place where millions of people are already looking for stuff. This sheer volume of shoppers is eBay’s biggest draw for artisans. You can list items with a set price, or you can do an auction, which can be pretty neat for those one-of-a-kind pieces that might fetch a surprising amount.

It’s a good spot if you’re selling craft supplies too, or maybe vintage-inspired items. Just be ready for a lot of competition, and some buyers might be more focused on the lowest price than the artistry. You’ll want to make sure your photos are top-notch and your descriptions really pop to stand out from the crowd.

Here’s a quick look at what you’re dealing with:

Reach: Huge, global audience. Seriously, it’s massive.
Listing Options: Fixed price or auction style – gives you some flexibility.
Categories: There’s a "Handmade" section, which helps, but you’re still mixed in with a lot of other things.
Fees: Generally around 13% for the final sale, plus you get 250 free listings each month.

Think of eBay as a giant flea market. You can find treasures, and you can sell them, but you need to be smart about how you present your stall and what you’re asking for your goods. It’s not always the easiest place for handmade, but the potential audience is hard to ignore if you’re looking to sell a lot.

5. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a pretty neat place to sell your handmade stuff, especially if you’re looking to connect with people right in your neighborhood. It uses Facebook’s huge network, so you’ve already got a built-in audience, which is kind of cool. Listing items is free, which is a big plus when you’re just starting out or testing the waters with new crafts.

It’s super easy to get started if you already have a Facebook profile or a business page. You can chat directly with potential buyers through Messenger, which makes haggling or answering questions feel more personal. This can be great for building a connection with your customers.

However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Because it’s so local-focused, you might find yourself dealing with a lot of people who just want to haggle or don’t show up for pickups. Also, if you’re not careful, it can eat up a lot of your time managing messages and coordinating meetups.

While Facebook Marketplace is fantastic for local sales and quick turnovers, remember that its reach is primarily local unless you’re willing to handle shipping yourself. It’s less about building a polished brand storefront and more about direct, often informal, transactions.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Pros:
- Free to list items.
- Connects you with local buyers easily.
- Direct messaging for quick communication.
- Leverages your existing Facebook network.
Cons:
- Can attract time-wasters and hagglers.
- Limited national reach without arranging shipping.
- Less control over branding compared to other platforms.

Fees: Generally, there are no fees for local pickup sales. If you opt for shipping through the platform, there’s usually a small percentage fee, around 5%.

6. Instagram Shopping

Instagram Shopping is a pretty neat way for crafters to turn their visually appealing work into direct sales. Since Instagram is all about pictures and videos, it’s a natural fit for showcasing handmade items like jewelry, art, or home decor. You can tag products right in your posts and stories, making it super easy for people scrolling through their feed to click and buy.

It’s not just about slapping a price tag on things, though. The real magic here is building a connection with your audience. By sharing your creative process, behind-the-scenes peeks, and engaging with comments and messages, you can build a loyal following that’s genuinely interested in what you make. Think of it as a digital craft fair where you can chat with customers.

Here’s a quick rundown of how it generally works:

Set up a Facebook Business Page: Instagram Shopping is linked to Facebook’s Commerce Manager, so you’ll need a business page first.
Create a Product Catalog: You’ll upload your product details, including photos, descriptions, and prices, to a catalog, usually managed through Facebook.
Connect Your Instagram Account: Link your Instagram business profile to your Facebook catalog.
Tag Products: When you post a photo or video of a product, you can tag it directly. Viewers can then tap on the tag to see product details and click through to purchase.
Utilize Stories and Reels: Product stickers in Stories and shoppable tags in Reels can also drive sales.

The biggest advantage is meeting customers where they already are, making the path from discovery to purchase much shorter. While it requires consistent effort in posting and engaging, it can be a powerful tool for growing your craft business organically.

While Instagram Shopping offers a direct path to purchase in some regions, in others, it might redirect shoppers to your website. It’s important to check the current setup for your location and ensure a smooth transition for potential buyers, whether it’s an in-app checkout or a link to your online store.

7. Bonanza

Bonanza positions itself as a more seller-friendly alternative to the big marketplaces, and honestly, it’s got some good points for crafters. It’s not exclusively for handmade items, so your unique creations will be sharing space with other goods, but the platform makes it pretty easy to get started. One of the standout features is its ability to import listings directly from other sites like Etsy and eBay. This is a real time-saver if you’re already selling elsewhere and want to expand your reach without a ton of extra work.

Bonanza’s fee structure is also quite attractive. They have a low base commission rate, and you don’t pay extra for listing items or for a basic storefront. They even offer optional advertising fees if you want to boost your visibility, which gives you some control over your marketing spend.

Here’s a quick look at what they offer:

Low Commission: A 3.5% base fee on sales, which is pretty competitive.
Easy Import Tools: Sync your listings from platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.
Customizable Storefronts: You can brand your ‘booth’ to match your business.
No Listing Fees: List as many items as you want without per-item charges.

While Bonanza might not have the sheer volume of shoppers that Amazon or Etsy does, it offers a more focused environment for sellers who want reasonable fees and helpful tools. It’s a solid choice for artisans who are already managing multiple sales channels and are looking for a place to diversify without getting lost in the shuffle.

8. iCraftGifts

iCraftGifts is a marketplace that’s been around since 2006, and it’s pretty focused on keeping things strictly handmade. It’s a Canadian-based site, but they do ship to the US and UK, so it’s got a bit of an international feel.

What’s interesting about iCraftGifts is their fee structure. Instead of taking a cut of each sale, they charge a monthly subscription fee. This can range from $5 to $15 a month, depending on the plan you choose. This predictable cost can be a real plus for sellers who have a steady stream of sales. There are no per-listing fees or commission on sales, which is a nice change from some other platforms. They also have a one-time registration fee of $25 when you first sign up.

Here’s a quick look at what they offer:

Strictly Handmade Policy: They have a verification process to make sure everything sold is genuinely handmade.
Unlimited Listings: All membership tiers let you list as many items as you want.
Seller Support: They offer features like an integrated blog and opportunities to be featured, which can help boost your visibility.

While the site might not have the most modern look compared to some newer platforms, its dedication to handmade goods and its commission-free model make it a solid choice for artisans who want to avoid transaction fees and compete in an environment focused solely on handcrafted items. It’s particularly good for jewelry, fine crafts, and anything where quality is the main selling point.

9. Folksy

Folksy is a UK-based online marketplace that really focuses on handmade goods. Think of it as Britain’s own version of Etsy, but with a more concentrated audience looking specifically for British-made crafts. It’s a great spot if you’re a maker in the UK and want to connect with customers who appreciate local artistry.

This platform has a nice community feel. They offer a blog and forums where sellers can connect, share tips, and support each other. It’s not just about listing your items; it’s about being part of a creative network. They also have a "Folksy Local" feature, which is pretty neat for helping buyers find makers near them.

When it comes to fees, Folksy keeps things pretty straightforward. They have a basic plan where you pay a small fee per listing and a percentage of the sale. There’s also a "Plus" account for a monthly fee that gives you unlimited listings and a lower commission rate. It’s a good idea to check out their pricing structure to see what fits your needs best.

Folksy is ideal for artisans who want to tap into the UK market and build a brand around their British-made creations. They don’t allow vintage or mass-produced items, so you know you’re always in good company with other genuine makers.

Here’s a quick look at what makes Folksy stand out:

UK-Centric Audience: Connects you directly with buyers interested in British crafts.
Community Focus: Offers forums and a blog for seller interaction and support.
Curated Marketplace: Keeps the focus strictly on handmade items.
Seller Promotion: Features makers on their blog and social media channels.

While the traffic volume might not be as high as some global giants, the quality of the audience and the supportive environment make Folksy a strong contender for UK-based artisans looking for a dedicated platform.

10. LoveCrafts

LoveCrafts is a UK-based online spot that really focuses on people who knit and crochet. Think of it as a place where you can sell your patterns and also connect with other crafters. It’s not just about selling, though; they also have a community feel to it, which is pretty neat.

They’re particularly good if you’re a designer looking to get your knitting or crochet patterns out there. It’s free to list your digital patterns, which is a big plus when you’re just starting out or trying to keep costs low. They handle things like VAT for sales in the EU, which can be a real headache to figure out on your own.

Here’s a quick look at what you might expect:

Listing Fee: Free for digital patterns.
Transaction Fee: Around 4% plus a small fee per sale.
Selling Fee: This kicks in if your monthly sales hit a certain amount, and it’s structured in tiers based on how much you sell.

It’s a good idea to check their current fee structure because it can change, and understanding those tiers is important for your profit margins. They do have an approval process for patterns, so make sure your designs meet their quality standards before you submit them. It can get a bit crowded with other designers, so getting your patterns noticed might take some effort.

LoveCrafts aims to be more than just a shop; it’s a place for crafters to gather, share, and grow. If your work is in knitting, crochet, or other fiber arts, it’s definitely worth looking into.

Wrapping It Up

So, you’ve learned about a bunch of places to sell your handmade stuff online. It’s pretty cool how many options there are now, right? Gone are the days when you were limited to just local craft fairs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, picking the right spot makes a big difference. Think about who you want to sell to, what your crafts are like, and what fits your budget. Don’t be afraid to try a few different platforms to see what works best for you. The most important thing is to get your amazing creations out there for people to find and enjoy. Happy selling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to start selling crafts online?

To begin selling your crafts online, first decide what you want to make and sell. Think about what you enjoy creating and what people might want to buy. Then, figure out where to sell. Many online places are great for handmade items, like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. Make sure your items look good in photos and write clear descriptions.

How do I price my handmade crafts?

Pricing your crafts involves a few steps. First, add up the cost of all the materials you used. Next, consider how much time you spent making the item and decide on an hourly wage for yourself. Finally, add a little extra for profit and to cover any fees the selling platform might charge. Compare your prices to similar items to make sure they’re fair.

What makes a craft item popular online?

Popular craft items online are often unique, well-made, and look great in pictures. Things that are trendy or solve a small problem for people can also be a hit. Good descriptions that tell a story about the item and why it’s special help a lot too. Plus, customers love great service and fast shipping.

Do I need my own website to sell crafts?

You don’t absolutely need your own website to start. Many online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade have built-in shoppers looking for crafts. However, having your own website, perhaps through Shopify, gives you more control over how your brand looks and feels. Many sellers use both a marketplace and their own site.

How important are photos for selling crafts online?

Photos are super important! Since customers can’t touch your items online, great photos are the next best thing. Use good lighting, show the item from different angles, and make sure the pictures are clear and attractive. A well-photographed item is much more likely to get noticed and bought.

What are the biggest challenges when selling crafts online?

Some common challenges include standing out among many sellers, figuring out the best prices, and dealing with shipping. It can also take time to build up a customer base and get your items seen. You might also face competition from mass-produced items that are cheaper. But with good planning and effort, these challenges can be overcome.