11 Websites Like Etsy for Building a Profitable Business
Are you looking to find sites like Etsy that actually work? And I mean the sites where you will generate more money with less effort…
Then this post is for you. Not to bore you with the story, but the purpose was to sell only handmade goods, which seemed beaten. For this reason, Etsy has closed new account creation in countries like India.
Etsy has been one of the most popular platforms for crafts and handmade items. Etsy has more than 9.04 million sellers in 2024, more than double that of the 4.37 million sellers in 2020.
And while more is needed, many people have collaborated with suppliers and sold what appears to be handmade products.
Results - High competition market with lesser profit.
To help you avoid this situation and set up a legitimate business, I have tested 100+ websites and created a list for you.
Let’s dive in!
1. Gumroad
Gumroad - Built in California, Gumroad offers a platform that allows you to sell anything as a creator. Be it a comic, a book, a course, or any digital or physical product, everything can be sold on Gumroad. The account registration is a simple login through Gmail, X, or Facebook. There’s no joining fee, but it charges a flat 10% on every sale.
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Fees: 10% of each sale (drops to 7% for premium users). Joining Process: Easy sign-up with just an email and product upload. Best Sellers: E-books, online courses, digital art. Refund Policy: Refunds are processed based on seller’s discretion, usually within 30 days. Other Info: Great for selling digital products, with options for recurring payments and memberships. |
2. Shopify
Shopify is originally an eCommerce Platform, but if you want to build a solid business or want a full ownership of your website then Shopify is for you. Shopify have an app marketplace that is loaded with tons of dropshipping, print on demand, and inventory suppliers for you to sell and test multiple products. Lastly if you prefer to sell handmade products, you can get started for as low as $1 subscription.
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Fees: $39/month (Basic plan), 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee per sale; lower fees for higher plans. Joining Process: Sign up for a 14-day free trial, create a store with customizable templates, and integrate payment options. Best Sellers: Apparel, beauty products, tech accessories. Refund Policy: Refund policies are set by the seller; Shopify doesn’t have a marketplace-wide policy. Other Info: Shopify allows full customization of your online store, with powerful tools for inventory, marketing, and SEO. It's ideal for entrepreneurs wanting to fully control their brand and operations. |
3. Udemy
You must have joined one course or the other at Udemy. It is an online educational site built in the U.S. but now has offices in many countries, including Ireland, Turkey, and India. Though yet to be accredited by any University, Udemy is the best platform to sell courses online. You need to record and upload your courses to reach a million users enrolled with Udemy.
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Fees: 3% of sales through your own promotions, 50% of sales through Udemy marketing. Joining Process: Create an instructor account, follow guidelines to create courses, and submit for approval. Best Sellers: Web development, graphic design, personal development courses. Refund Policy: 30-day refund policy for buyers. Other Info: Udemy handles all hosting, so you don’t need any technical expertise. Ideal for selling educational content. |
4. Amazon Handmade
Amazon's private platform for artists. With growing competition, it is almost impossible to get reach on Amazon, so it launched a separate platform for its maker-only community. It charges a fee of 39.99 USD, which is waived as soon as the account details are approved. This is to restrict fake sellers possibly. You may simply log in with your Amazon account or sign up and fill in the required details. The approval process will take 24-48 hours, and then you are good to go.
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Fees: 15% referral fee, no listing fee. Joining Process: Apply for an invitation by sharing details of your craft and business, then create a seller account. Best Sellers: Handmade jewelry, home decor, custom gifts. Refund Policy: Returns allowed within 30 days, subject to Amazon's policies. Other Info: The platform offers access to Amazon’s huge customer base, but comes with higher fees compared to other platforms. |
5. eBay
Known as Auction Web earlier, eBay is the torchbearer in the e-commerce field. It has a reach of over 190 countries worldwide and allows sellers to list products through different websites. One can list the products with a selling price or set it in auction mode. The primary business documents are enough to set up an eBay store.
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Fees: 12.9% commission + $0.30 per order for most categories. Joining Process: Simple account setup, product listing, with options for auctions or Buy Now. Best Sellers: Vintage clothing, collectibles, electronics. Refund Policy: 30-day return window for most items. Other Info: eBay is a general marketplace, so competition can be higher, but the platform offers global reach. |
6. IndieMade
This is more like Shopify for creators. It allows you to make a website under its domain, and the templates are specifically designed for artists and creators. They have four paid plans - Basic, Standard, Pro, and Plus. You may choose any depending on your requirements. Also, it allows you to link with Etsy directly so that all your products are automatically listed here.
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Fees: $4.95 to $19.95 per month depending on plan, no transaction fees. Joining Process: Quick sign-up and setup of a customizable website, often integrated with Etsy. Best Sellers: Jewelry, artwork, photography. Refund Policy: Managed by the seller as IndieMade provides a platform, not marketplace services. Other Info: IndieMade allows you to create your own brand identity through a standalone website, with e-commerce functionality. |
7. Bonanza
Based out of Washington, USA, Bonanza is a platform for everything. However, it’s not exactly a site like Etsy, as its focus is not on handmade goods, and it does have a separate category for the makers. Be you a crafter, a Masterchef, or a coffee aficionado, you can sell your physical or digital goods here.
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Fees: 3.5% on sales, higher for premium features. Joining Process: Simple sign-up and listing process, no approval needed. Best Sellers: Jewelry, fashion accessories, home goods. Refund Policy: Handled by the seller, varies based on store policies. Other Info: Handled by the seller, varies based on store policies. |
8. Goimagine
According to a quick search on Semrush, Gomimage has a monthly visitor base of 170.36k as of September 2024. Started by Jon Lincoln to support poor children in the U.S.A., Goimagine donates 100% of his revenue. It promotes the artisans based in the U.S., and you also get to be a part of the Maker CIrcle - a social community for the artisans. They do not allow people from other countries to register as a seller, and the primary audience is from the States, followed by Canada and Nigeria.
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Fees: 5% transaction fee + monthly subscription ($2.50 to $10 per month). Joining Process: Apply with product and store details, get approved, and start selling. Best Sellers: Handmade crafts, artwork, accessories. Refund Policy: Sellers manage refunds, and policies may vary. Other Info: A social enterprise where profits go to charity, focused on ethical selling and supporting causes. |
9. Temu
Starting in 2021, Temu is an online marketplace for only sellers from China and Hong Kong. You may instead register on Pinduoduo, the parent company of Temu. Since the process is invitation-based, you may send a proposal to seller@temu.com directly. Alternatively, here is a registration guide for your reference.
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Fees: Commission rates vary based on negotiation with the platform. Joining Process: Submit a proposal via email, get approved, and list products. Best Sellers: Electronics, fashion, home goods. Refund Policy: Refund policies depend on the seller but typically range between 7-30 days. Other Info: Specializes in sellers from China and Hong Kong, offering a large platform with low overhead costs. |
10. Zazzle
Zazzle is a perfect site like Etsy. It is based in the USA and allows people to make and customize their products and sell them on the platform. The seller registration process is manual, and Zazzle ensures that the person applying is genuine and that the products are worth being sold on Zazzle. You need to start by filling out an application form https://www.zazzle.com/sell, and then someone from the team will contact you and ask for a sample of the products. Once approved, the team will guide you through the step-by-step process of earning money on Zazzle.
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Fees: No upfront fees; Zazzle takes a 5%-15% commission based on product type. Joining Process: Create a free account, upload designs, and list products. Best Sellers: Custom apparel, home goods, stationery. Refund Policy: 30-day returns for most products. Other Info: Ideal for designers and artists who want to sell customizable products. Zazzle takes care of fulfillment, printing, and shipping. |
11. Folksy
Explicitly designed to promote British artisans, it only allows sellers from the United Kingdoms, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. It promotes the local craftsmanship of the place and offers two pricing plans to the applicant sellers. You may either pay as you list or pay 6.25 pounds per month. Register here.
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Fees: £0.15 listing fee + 6% transaction fee. Joining Process: Register an account, list items, and manage sales. Best Sellers: Handmade crafts, jewelry, homeware. Refund Policy: Sellers handle returns, but must comply with Folksy’s policies for customer satisfaction. Other Info: UK-focused marketplace, great for artisans looking to target local buyers. |
Over To You
This list covers various platforms, from handmade marketplaces to print-on-demand services, providing flexibility depending on your business needs. Readers are advised not to put all their eggs in one basket and try all of them to grow their businesses. You may always test and try the ones that suit your business needs. Feel free to drop a comment if you have any inquiries. You may also reach out to customer service at the respective site. Just make sure your products are handmade and stand out from the regular ones. People are paying enormous amounts for handmade gifts and home decor items. According to Yahoo Finance, the handmade industry is expected to reach USD 2317183.92 by 2030. Start your handmade business now to be on the train just in time.