Posts by: garvit

6 Etsy Alternatives: Diversify Your Selling Channels and Boost Your Sales

Etsy has long been the go-to marketplace for artisans, vintage collectors, and craft enthusiasts. It’s a launchpad for creative entrepreneurs, offering a built-in audience of millions who appreciate unique, handmade goods. But as your business grows, you might find that the very platform that helped you start is now holding you back. Are high transaction fees eating into your margins? Is the fierce competition making it impossible to stand out? Or perhaps you are simply tired of having zero control over your branding and customer data. If you are nodding your head, you are not alone. While Etsy is a powerful tool, it shouldn’t be the only tool in your belt. Relying on a single marketplace is risky business. Algorithm changes, fee hikes, and policy updates can impact your livelihood overnight. That is why smart sellers look for an alternative to Etsy to diversify their income streams and build a brand they truly own. In this blog post, we will explore the top Etsy alternatives for sellers who are ready to expand their reach, protect their profits, and take full control of their ecommerce destiny. How to sell online Tips from e-commerce experts for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Subscribe Please enter a valid email address I consent to receive Ecwid Newsletter. I can unsubscribe anytime. Why Consider Etsy Alternatives? Don’t get us wrong—Etsy has its perks. It is easy to set up, and the traffic is undeniable. In fact, in 2025, Etsy reported nearly 88.5 million active buyers. That is a massive pool of potential customers right at your fingertips. However, the drawbacks are becoming harder to ignore for growing businesses. The Algorithm Game On Etsy, you are renting space on someone else’s land. If they change the search algorithm, your best-selling product could disappear from page one overnight. You have very little control over who sees your products and when. Brand Dilution When customers buy from you on Etsy, they usually say, “I bought this on Etsy,” not “I bought this from [Your Brand Name].” Building brand loyalty is incredibly difficult when your store looks exactly like thousands of others. Market Saturation With millions of sellers, the competition is fierce. You aren’t just competing with other handmade sellers anymore; you are competing with mass-produced items that sometimes slip through the cracks, driving prices down. Diversifying your selling channels mitigates these risks. If one channel slows down, the others can pick up the slack. Plus, expanding to other platforms or your own website allows you to find new audiences who might not shop on Etsy. The Fee Structure Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. They also have an off-site ads program that takes a significant chunk of revenue from sales attributed to their advertising efforts—whether you want to participate or not (depending on your revenue level). When you add it all up, a big slice of your hard-earned profit goes straight back to the platform. Selling on Etsy comes with different types of the marketplace fees Top Etsy Alternatives for Sellers Ready to branch out? Here are seven powerful platforms that serve as excellent alternatives to selling on Etsy. Ecwid by Lightspeed If you are asking, “What is a good alternative to Etsy that lets me own my brand?” Ecwid is the answer. Unlike a marketplace where you are one of many, Ecwid is a robust ecommerce platform that lets you build your own store. It is the perfect solution for sellers who are ready to graduate from renting space to owning their own digital storefront. Why Ecwid rocks: Total brand control: You design the look and feel of your store. No more cookie-cutter Etsy layouts. Your brand shines front and center. Zero transaction fees: Ecwid doesn’t charge transaction fees. You keep what you earn, which is a game-changer for your bottom line. Omnichannel selling: This is where Ecwid truly stands out. You can sell on your own website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), and even marketplaces like eBay and Google Shopping—all from one dashboard. Instant Site builder: Don’t have a website? No problem. Ecwid provides a free, mobile-friendly Instant Site that you can set up in minutes. The “Best of Both Worlds” strategy: You don’t have to quit Etsy cold turkey. Many successful sellers use Ecwid and Etsy together. You can use Etsy to acquire new customers and then direct them to your Ecwid site for repeat purchases (where you don’t pay those pesky transaction fees!). With Ecwid, you aren’t just a seller; you are a business owner. Ecwid provides you with website templates you can use to launch you online store faster Amazon Handmade If you want to trade one giant marketplace for an even bigger one, Amazon Handmade is a top contender. It is Amazon’s dedicated community for artisan-crafted products. Pros: Massive reach: You get access to Amazon’s colossal customer base. We are talking about hundreds of millions of potential eyes on your products. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): You can ship your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and they handle packing, shipping, and customer service. This makes your products eligible for Prime shipping, which is a huge conversion booster. No listing expiration: Unlike Etsy, your listings don’t expire after four months. Cons: Strict application process: You have to apply and get audited to prove your goods are genuinely handmade. It is a bit of a hurdle, but it keeps the marketplace authentic. Fees: While there are no listing fees, the referral fee (commission) is generally higher than Etsy’s transaction fee, usually around 15%. eBay eBay is the original online marketplace, and it is still a powerhouse alternative to Etsy. While it started as an auction site, it is now a massive platform for fixed-price goods, vintage finds, and yes—handmade items. Pros: Diverse audience: eBay attracts a different demographic than Etsy. It is fantastic for vintage sellers, collectibles, and unique supplies. Global reach: eBay’s international shipping programs make it incredibly easy to sell to buyers around the world without the logistical headaches. Auction format: Have a one-of-a-kind item? The auction format can sometimes drive prices higher than a fixed price would. Cons: A “bargain hunter” mentality: eBay shoppers are often looking for a deal, which can sometimes make it hard to command premium prices for high-end handmade goods. Fee complexity: eBay’s fee structure can be a bit of a maze, with insertion fees and final value fees that vary by category. eBay is a popular place to sell vintage items Bonanza Bonanza markets itself as a seller-centric alternative to Etsy, often described as a cross between eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. It is known for being incredibly easy to use and friendly to entrepreneurs. Pros: Integration: You can easily import your listings from eBay, Amazon, and Etsy, making the setup process painless. Lower fees: Bonanza creates a strong argument for being a cost-effective platform. They don’t charge listing fees, and their final value fees are generally lower than the big competitors. Customer interaction: Bonanza has a unique feature that allows buyers and sellers to negotiate prices, which can help close sales that might otherwise be lost. Cons: Smaller traffic: Bonanza doesn’t have the same brand recognition or traffic volume as Etsy or Amazon. You will need to work a bit harder on marketing to drive views to your items. Ruby Lane For those dealing in high-end vintage, antiques, and art, Ruby Lane is the gold standard. It is a niche marketplace that prides itself on quality and authenticity. Pros: Targeted audience: Ruby Lane attracts serious collectors who are willing to pay top dollar for genuine vintage items. You won’t find cheap knock-offs here. High trust factor: The platform has…