Picking the Right Platform for Your Crafts

Your craft deserves a storefront that works for you.
Let’s break down the most popular online options for handmade sellers.

Comparison: Top Platforms

Platform Best For Pros Cons
Etsy Beginners, marketplace sales Built-in traffic, easy to use Fees add up, high competition
Shopify Full control, growing brands Custom branding, scalable Monthly fee, setup takes time
Squarespace Portfolio + shop Beautiful designs, all-in-one Less e-commerce focused
Facebook/Instagram Shops Social sellers Easy setup, integrated audience Limited product tools
Craft-specific platforms Niche reach Passionate buyers Smaller traffic

Etsy: Great for Starting

Pros Cons
Huge buyer base You’re 1 of thousands
Easy listings 6.5% transaction fee + listing + processing
Simple shipping setup Can feel like “Etsy’s customer,” not yours

Shopify: Build Your Own Brand

  • Full-featured e-commerce solution
  • Your domain, your rules
  • Add apps, blogs, email lists
  • Best for businesses ready to scale

💡 Consider using Shopify Starter for low-volume sellers ($5/month)

Squarespace: For Visual Storytellers

  • All-in-one portfolio + store
  • Beautiful templates
  • Limited back-end commerce features
  • Great for artists or one-of-a-kind sellers

📱 Social Shops: Fast & Free

  • Great if you already have an audience
  • Facebook and IG now support full checkout
  • Best for impulse buys, smaller catalogs
  • Still need a fulfillment process in place

Final Thought

Your platform should match:

  • Your volume
  • Your brand goals
  • Your comfort with tech

Start where you are. Grow when you’re ready.
You can always move platforms later.

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