Pros and Cons of a Online Marketplace vs. Your own Online Store

by Cynthia
(Southern IL)

I'm really struggling with the decision whether to add a store to my online content site in the future or list items in my Etsy store.

(The two are completely separate so there is no cross audience base to worry about, and I never really activated my Etsy store).

I'm wondering if you have any advice on how to decide between the two.

I'm still trying to decide what products to offer so I'm looking to test some products before I commit to something if this helps.

Thanks so much!

Cynthia

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Pros and Cons of a Online Marketplace vs. Your own Online Store

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I'd stay with Etsy
by: serasijewelry

I maintain both my own online store and an Etsy storefront. It takes a lot of time to do both; there are times when I wish I can just focus on one place. Etsy has gotten better at providing a platform and community for selling handmade. I'm also a web developer student, so before an Etsy seller jumps on the effort to run a separate website, I'd ask what they want that Etsy hasn't offered. Selling gift certificate? Offering discount code? There's a work around doing those in Etsy. There some of Etsy features that I wish I could adopt for my own website, but I'm only by myself and they have a team of web experts behind them making sure that things we don't see go smoothly. Things such as security, robust database, and other validations. Hope that helps.

So, What's an "Etsy"?
by: Boneva

I am dearth to admit I don't know what an Etsy is. For shame! I think it means that I haven't been religious about reading this newsletter!

Ok, I will now go to Etsy.com to find out ... hopefully!

Etsy vs. Other
by: Cynthia

I just struggle because you put in so much to Etsy, I wonder if your efforts would be spent better somewhere not so saturated.

Etsy vs Own Web Store
by: Teri (S & T Creations)

One other consideration, on the OPPOSITE side of the saturation comment, is how you will market your individual website so people find it. That, to me, seems like the biggest advantage and less work. Getting your individual page to pop up on even the first 3 pages in Google can be difficult. At that point, the search is competing with etsy sites, ebay sites AND individual websites.

Many people go to etsy and enter a search. I personally think etsy gets me more "possible" traffic than I would get with an individual site. BUT if you have name recognition with customers/in your area, or have a large email list to send out notices/newsletter, you might be fine. JMHO

Participate in as many options as you can!
by: Virginia Vivier

When the cost to participate is so reasonable, why not display your work in as many venues as possible?

I use Etsy, 1000 Markets, DaWanda, RubyLane, Artfire, Fine Art America, as well as Facebook and my own site. 50% of sales come from online marketplace sites and 50% from my own website. It does take a full day each week to keep them current, but it is well worth it.

You can setup free Google tracking reports that tell how many "hits" are coming from both online market place sites and your own website.

It's cheap advertising that also adds credibility to your Art Festival events.

Etsy Experimenting
by: Cynthia

Well I have my Etsy store back up and have not made any sales yet. I'm still updating it. I was told to get 42 items before I really launch. I think I have 28 now. I'm trying to add a few items a day so I stay in the search results somewhere. I have twitterfeed hooked to twitter and facebook but so far no bites. I have been listed in 3 treasuries since reloading items but I don't really know if that does much good for exposure. I'm trying to decide if I should make a gallery on my website and link it to my etsy store. Right now I do not have any mention of my etsy on my website. I receive about 90 visitors a day on my website.

unsure
by: Erika

Cynthia, thank you for this question. I also have been having a difficult time deciding what to do. I want to sell my ceramic pendants and jewelry on line but am unsure where to start.It seems like the more research I do the more unsure I become.

I Like Etsy
by: Bear Chick

For me, using Etsy is so much less time consuming than doing my own website selling. I work full time at a 9-5 job, so easiest is best for me. I still end up doing a lot of social networking and some advertising to bring traffic to my shop but listing is just so much less time consuming and complicated. Just my 2 cents.

Why not combine them
by: Ann Nolen

I had a store on my website AND Etsy and got very tired of listing everything twice. I visually liked the Etsy site better. I then discovered that you can have an Etsy Mini which shows your Etsy store right on your website. They also have a feature to show it as a tab on your Facebook page. That did it for me!
So now I have everything on Etsy and the rest of the work is done for me. I also love that Etsy has a vacation mode. I can temporarly put the store on hold when I have a show or go out of town. Look on your My Etsy page to set up these great features. I thought that made the decision a no-brainer.
PS- also check out MailChimp.com to do free email newsletters...
Ann
Animalcoin.com

Thank You Ann!
by: Cynthia

I really wanted to say thank you. I just checked out your website and I didn't realize you could make the etsy mini so large! It does look like a full size store on your website. That is something I'm definitely going to have to consider.

How about artfire?
by: Linda

I did sign up for an etsy store, but then found artfire.com...you can list and sell for FREE, plus if you have a Facebook page, you can add an "artfire kiosk" button, that brings your artfire store right to Facebook! Right now, most of my business is local, but I have and an order off artfire, and hopefully soon, some off FB. Good luck in whatever venue you choose :)

Big Cartel?
by: Cynthia

I didn't know about artfire because of all the different levels you can have depending on what you pay for. I have my etsy linked to my facebook and twitter but nothing so far.

I was wondering if anyone uses big cartel? It seems like a pretty good deal.

Thanks everyone for your help!

BigCartel
by: Decadence 2 Boutique

I use bigcartel for one of my stores, I put my wholesale line on there because I can load more quantities and give an instant discount code to my wholesale accounts.

Never put all your eggs in one basket.

~brenda
http://decadence2.com

Prefer my own online store
by: Mermaid's Purse

I was where you are. Started to set up for Etsy for sake of convenience but got a feeling I should research more.

This is what I found.
1. You need to decide who you are, how much freedom you want and who are you marketing to.

2. I wanted to create an environment that was uniquely mine, not set by the confines of an Online Marketplace.

3. Found that mostly people on Etsy shop Esty. I preferred a larger cross section of clientele.

4. I want a visitor to spend as much time on MY site as possible without distractions. Found that it is quite easy to start roaming on Etsy and found myself in a completely different site looking at a completely different product.

5. I love, love working with Wordpress..it's free, very user friendly, tons of plug ins to choose from, you can get a beautiful designer appearance and I have complete control. If you need a little help it's very easy to find a web expert to help here and there.

6. Lastly...I want my visitors to have a "Mermaid's Purse" experience not an Etsy or another online marketplace experience.

Good Luck and much success to you.

Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
Deborah Leon
www.mermaidspurseseaglass.com

I agree with Mermaid's Purse
by: Christine Gierer

I think that most people that shop on Etsy are on Etsy already too.

This means that most of the traffic you get is people looking for ideas and supplies.

If you sell supplies, Etsy may be a great venue. For jewelry I think having your own website is a much better option and a much better use of your time.

I think if you do sell jewelry on Etsy, you should have a very distinct niche to differentiate yourself from everyone else.

Christine Gierer
HandmadeResults"

WordPress
by: Anonymous

Deborah-
I just started a free blog at WordPress, too and I'm so impressed with all that you have added to yours. Can you tell me one or two of the best resources for finding out about how to build a free Word Press site? How did you learn about how to add all your features? Congratulations, it looks fantastic!
blog: www.lindasbeadblog.com
website: www.LindaLandig.com

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