External Website OR Etsy Shop???

[crafterholic]

Hi!
Just wondering whether people choose to have a stand-alone website shop, an Etsy (or other marketplace type website) shop, or both?

Also, why have you chosen to use each option - what are the pros and cons of each?

Isn't a stand-alone shop better because you don't pay fees for each listing, just a yearly fee perhaps? I have a stand-alone and Etsy shop but neither are in use yet, I'm deciding which to use

Thanks for any answers :-)

[Caroleecrafts]

I use a stand alone website, the pros is you manage your own are that you can upload items as you make them, control which is showcased on your front page etc, no fees for selling. Only problem is you have to advertise the site make sure you have tag words to be picked up by the google site map etc. Whereas with ETSY etc they do a certain amount of this for you. I have tried ETSY but found that it took too much time to constantly promote and in the end sold nothing so stuck with my own site.

There are fans of ETSY on here so they may be along later to give you a better idea how they get on. I don't hink it would hurt you to have both and then judge acordingly which is better for you, do this for a trial of say 6 months, perhaps at this time of year up until Christmas, then review in the new year.

Good Luck

[CeeGee]

Hi, I would always recommend having your own site, preferably to run alongside any additional shops. You have more control over it, you won't pay fees on listings and sales (apart from to your shopping cart provider) and I think it looks professional to have your own site.

Etsy is a tough one - the people who do well on there spend a vast amount of time promoting their shop and relisting items (and being charged each time) to keep them at the top of the search results. It's hard work and there's a lot of competition. Maybe it's different when you're not selling jewellery, but my stuff gets well and truly buried and I've only had one sale there in over a year. I only keep it open to use as a shop window to my own website! Make sure you tag any listings there as UK, so the Brits can find you.

Have you considered a UK marketplace like Coriandr (www.Coriandr.com (http://www.Coriandr.com))? Might be a less daunting place to start! Good luck!

[matt.chatterley]

Lots of factors tend to come into this, but three of the key ones (from people I talk to) are:

1. Control - Some of us like to have full control over things. I do for one - and in this case, even using a website builder / free website / package isn't the best idea - you'll eventually run into limitations, which may frustrate you. Let alone selling through someone elses market place. If you're not so fussed about control, then anything which works will do!

2. Scale - when you start out, most of these sites (even fleabay) can work out cheaper, because its almost a 'no win no fee' situation (not quite, but close). As you scale up, paying larger regular fees (e.g. hosting, mechant account, etc) in favour of reduced per-transaction fees will become more appealing!

3. Stability - If you trade through a marketplace site, you're at their mercy. Build a great business on fleabay (always use them as an example, because I have most experience with it!) and then they double their fees? You might go bust overnight!


It should be noted that it is probably harder to get your own site up and selling in the short term (thats a bit of a subjective statement, though) - but it does depend on your aims and goals. :)

[crafterholic]

Thanks alot guys!
I think I'll do both to start off and concentrate on advertising my stand-alone. Then I guess if the stand-alone starts doing well I'll probably switch to that :-)

[Erial]

Hi,

I have both (although I've only been using Etsy for a short time). I used to just have a stand alone site and people had to email me if they wanted to purchase a bear as I didn't have a shopping cart facility - and in all fairness people didn't seem to have a problem with doing this.

How I've set up my site now is that if someone wants to buy one of my bear they can click on "Buy Me" and it takes them to the same listing on Etsy, so I'm basically using Etsy as my shopping cart. People may also find my bears just my being on Etsy so I'm hoping it's a double whammy!! I've only had it like this a couple of weeks so time will tell if it works!

Claire
x

[TerriWoah]

I think as a buyer people would favour for established 'market place' sites like etsy/folksy/misi there's a sense of security that the seller is legit and you wont get ripped off as such. Whereas buying froma newly established private site you don't have the same sense of security.

[shpangle]

Personally I don't see a website as being solely for a place to 'sell' but as a portfolio of work.

I also find great satisfaction of creating your own website from nothing and then seeing it become part of your craft and part of you. A place that you can refer people to that like your crafted items has also been crafted by you.

I am all hot and bothered and that will probably make no sense in the morning !

[Vivalabeader]

hi

i started with my own site, and it felt nice, important and more 'proper' - however after a few months of paying 9.99 a month - and having a very limited ability to display pictures the way (and size) i wanted to, I decided to look at other options.

Now i have still the domain, so my address is still the same - but that links to both facebook -where I can upload millions of pictures for nothing any time i want

and to folksy (i prefer this to etsy personally, i think the paying in dollars thing confuses people and a lot i've talked to think they'll pay lots of postage because everything is from the states - not true, but the perception worried me).

I like the layout and the pictures, you pay to list but there's no commission and you can list 5 of each item for 20p (and it doesn't run out after 7 days like ebay etc).

so it feels like cost effective advertising rather than money down the drain

And..............very exciting, just had an email from my first folksy buyer who's recieved her charm necklace - this is the first thing i've sold to somone i haven't met at a craft show, isn't a friend of friends, colleague or family............

was lovely to get that.

so - that's my story............

C

[wendy]

I have my own website because i like to control how I do things - even if I don't always get it quite right.

I know I've learnt a great deal about websites, SEO, blogs, etc., and still have much to learn.

I'm not keen on the idea of being part of a bigger site, although I wouldn't totally rule it out. I don't think I'd be happy relying in it though. Also, because of the amount of work that goes into promoting online sales, I'd rather promote my own site than someone else's. As far as the trust thing goes, my adress and landline number are on my website. Also, people meet me at craft fairs and other events, which definitely builds up trust. Trust is a long-term thing, which does need to be developed over time - and that applies offline as well as on.

Lots of people seem to have both, and if you're unsure, it could be a good idea to try them out. I guess it's a matter of what works for you.

[shpangle]

In my opinion, I think a potential customer would favour a sellers personal site over etsy etc. The seller has obviously invested time and money into the development of her/his site and is therefore less likely to 'rip' anybody off.

A well developed personal site would also give the customer more of an insight into the crafter behind the product. That and by conforming to the distance selling regulations would give the consumer that bit more confidence.

[crafty sara]

After a lot of thought I went down the personal website route. As I though in long run it would be best.

I choose Mr Site Pro & still working on it as we speak, so if you chick on it says - under construction so wont be able to access it at the min

[shpangle]

After a lot of thought I went down the personal website route. As I though in long run it would be best.

Good for you, and now the fun starts ! Please don't end up like me though and spend more time playing with your site than crafting !

[CarLisaCrafts]

I have a Mr Site web site and I really like it. I am in control of it which is the way i like it but i can get carried away with perfecting it lol...

[shpangle]

I have a Mr Site web site and I really like it. I am in control of it which is the way i like it but i can get carried away with perfecting it lol...

Hi Caron and Lisa !

I have just been to your site and it is gorgeous ! I don't normally read much of the text on a website but I felt I had to read ALL of yours because it is so moving.

I love the grey and orange colours (although I am a little biased there !) and I absolutely LOVE THE BUBBLES !!

[CarLisaCrafts]

Hi Caron and Lisa !

I have just been to your site and it is gorgeous ! I don't normally read much of the text on a website but I felt I had to read ALL of yours because it is so moving.

I love the grey and orange colours (although I am a little biased there !) and I absolutely LOVE THE BUBBLES !!

Oh Thank you so much.. That's so kind of you to say. We try so hard and we are very lucky that we are able to help people even if it is just a small amount. ITs such a hard time for people and it doesnt just stop a few weeks after the loss, there are all the 1st to get through so if we can help them then thats really great and I always feel truly humbled when people share their stories with us...

Thank you again for your kind comments.. The web site is still a work in progress...

Many Hugs Caron x

[Makedoandmend]

I've got an alternative thats kind of between the 2 options - Etsy or having your own site. I'm setting up a site where craft makers can pay a fixed monthly cost to have their own page on the site but we pay for all the advertising and promote the site as a whole.

Its a good inbetween step for those almost ready for their own site but that want to test the water so to speak and see how well their product does online. It saves shelling out £100's on setting and site up and paying for the advertising. But also we are keeping to small so your product wont be one of 100's the same like on Etsy and will have a better chance of selling.

The focus of our site is that the prodcuts are bespoke handmade items made to order so you do not need to have a backstock of items ready to sell either. The buyer will get your contact details through the site and then discuss with you what they want and you agree the price, production timescales etc with them.

If you'd like to find out more please e-mail info@makedoandmendonline.co.uk. We are launching on 1st of August and have a special introductory offer for anyone who signs up either before we launch or within the first month.