Etsy vs Website – Why You Should Sell On Both
Many artisans and traders face the dilemma of selling on Etsy or operating their own website. I have both, as you always need a backup plan if Etsy suspends your account for any reason!
An Etsy shop offers a built-in audience and a straightforward platform for listing and selling your wares. The marketplace handles transaction fees easily, making Etsy a great way for new sellers to enter the world of online commerce.
On the other hand, having your own website for your online shop means you have full control over your brand, from site design to customer experience. This is an important factor that can set you apart in the long run. Plus, there is no risk of getting your site suspended!
Deciding the best fit to market your products—whether they be handmade goods, unique items, or digital products—requires understanding the benefits each channel offers, including customer base access and marketing strategies.
An Etsy store can drive traffic to your offerings through its large audience and Etsy SEO.
Meanwhile, harnessing the power of search engines with your standalone website can build your brand recognition over time.
Additionally, a personal website allows the opportunity to connect directly with your audience, allowing for dedicated email marketing campaigns, an essential tool for building a loyal following.
Key Takeaways
- Combining Etsy and your own site can maximise exposure and sales opportunities.
- Utilising Etsy is beneficial for its existing customer base and ease of set-up.
- Owning a personal website provides more customisation options and complete control over branding.
Understanding Etsy and Your Own Website
Navigating the world of online sales involves understanding the strengths and constraints of platforms like Etsy and the freedoms that come with running your own website. Knowing the differences can significantly impact the success of your online shop.
Etsy: An Overview
Etsy is a global marketplace well-known for connecting Etsy sellers with a built-in audience interested in handmade, vintage, and custom-made items.
It offers a great platform for shop owners just starting due to its large audience and simpler setup process. The basic plan involves a listing fee for each item and transaction fees when a product is sold.
It’s important to note that Etsy SEO practices are crucial here since the Etsy platform itself is a search engine optimised to help active buyers find similar products. Additionally, Etsy’s offsite ads may increase visibility, but at a cost to your profit margin.
There is also the risk of your shop getting suspended. My Etsy account got suspended for no apparent reason, and some have had their account suspended for months and lost £1000’s in revenue. If your account gets suspended, read my other post >> What to do when your Etsy account gets suspended.
Key Features:
- Community of active buyers
- Etsy store setup with ease
- Integrated payment processor
- Etsy fees: listing fee, transaction fees, and payment processing fee
Etsy vs Website – Why You Should Sell On Both
Benefits of Having Your Own Website
Building your own website gives you full control over the customer experience. You can tailor your brand recognition, design the layout, and implement search engine optimization to rank well on search engines like Google.
Unlike an Etsy shop, own site expenses are predictable, with a fixed monthly fee for web hosting and any additional services like Google ads or email marketing campaigns you may undertake.
Gathering customer data and building an email list provide valuable resources for long-term growth, allowing for direct communication through marketing campaigns.
Advantages:
- Complete control over shop design and operations
- No extra transaction fees besides those from your chosen payment processor
- Direct search engine results exposure
- Potential for customer loyalty through personalised interactions and email marketing.
Get my SEO The Right Way e-book to help you, apply what’s in the book so you don’t have to pay for ads!
Comparing Features and Flexibility
When comparing an Etsy store with your own ecommerce site, it’s about matching the right platform to your business needs.
Etsy simplifies the process with its free trial, inventory management solutions, and Etsy customer service, making it a good option for beginners or those with limited resources and time.
On the other hand, building your own website requires hard work upfront but is a better option in the long run due to the customization options, ownership of the customer base, and search engine optimization capabilities.
A website builder can reduce the learning curve, allowing you to create a personal website that aligns with your brand recognition.
Feature | Etsy | Own Website |
---|---|---|
Control | Structured site with rules | Complete control over every aspect |
Costs | Listing Etsy fees, transaction fees, etc. | Fixed monthly fee for web hosting, etc. |
Flexibility | Limited customization options | Unlimited customization options |
Marketing | Etsy SEO, paid offsite ads | SEO, email marketing, social media |
Audience | Built-in, large audience | You drive your own traffic |
Profit | Reduced by Etsy fees | Greater profit margin potential |
The Synergy of Selling on Both Platforms
By harnessing the visibility of an Etsy shop and the customisability of your own website, you can tap into an extensive customer base, garner brand loyalty, and enjoy diverse revenue streams.
Maximising Exposure
Selling both on Etsy and your own site ensures maximum visibility for your products. Etsy’s built-in audience of active buyers significantly boosts your potential to reach a large audience.
At the same time, driving your own traffic through search engine optimisation on your personal website enhances the likelihood of being discovered via search engines like Google. Utilising this dual approach can be a great way to attract new customers, both locally and internationally.
- Etsy Store: Great for reaching a community of shoppers searching for unique items.
- Own Website: Ideal for building brand recognition in search engine results.
Diversifying Revenue Streams
Your own e-commerce site gives you full control over profit margins and avoids the listing fees and transaction fees associated with the Etsy platform.
Simultaneously, Etsy’s ease of setup and lower price of entry make it a great option for generating initial sales. Balancing the two can be a good idea in the long run, as it can safeguard against fluctuations in traffic and sales on a single platform.
- Etsy Fees: Bear in mind the payment processing fee and the possibility of offsite ad costs.
- Own Store: With direct payment processor integration, retain more of your earnings.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Creating a seamless customer service experience across both platforms can foster customer loyalty.
On Etsy, quick access to a large pool of similar products allows customers to compare options easily. In contrast, offering exclusive deals through your independent website can be a better option for building a dedicated email list for email marketing and fostering repeat purchases.
- Etsy Shop Owners: Leverage Etsy’s review system and customer data for target marketing.
- Personal Website: Use customisation options to present a bespoke customer experience, from shopping cart to checkout.
The Financial Aspects of Etsy vs Website
When deciding how to sell your products, understanding the financial implications of each sales channel is crucial. It determines the viability and sustainability of your online business in the long run.
Understanding the Costs
Having a clear understanding of the costs involved is essential when operating an Etsy shop or your own website. Every platform has its unique expenses, from listing fees to monthly fees.
On Etsy, you’ll encounter a listing fee for each item and a transaction fee when a sale is made. Conversely, owning a website involves costs like web hosting, domain name purchase, and perhaps website designer fees for initial setup.
Etsy Fees Versus Website Expenses
Etsy sellers face several fees, such as a 5% transaction fee, a payment processing fee, and potential costs for Etsy’s Offsite Ads. Fees on Etsy include:
- Listing Fee: £0.17 per item >> get 40 free listings
- Transaction Fee: 5% of the sale price
- Payment Processing Fee: Varied based on the country of the buyer’s bank
Operating your own site may initially seem pricey, with costs for a web builder, such as Wix or Shopify, but many offer a free trial.
For instance, Shopify’s basic plan starts at around £24 per month, and this often includes a suite of ecommerce tools, shopping cart functions, and basic customer service.
Profitability Analysis
Choosing the right platform can affect your profit margin. While Etsy brings a built-in audience that helps with customer base building, it takes a cut of your sales.
Owning your own online store affords complete control over profits, but you must generate your own traffic through avenues like search engines, social media, and email marketing.
Managing an Etsy store might be a good way to start and test new products before integrating them into your ecommerce website.
Conversely, search engine optimization on your personal website can accumulate repeat customers and create customer loyalty without the transaction fees of marketplaces.
Building Your Brand and Customer Base
When venturing into the online marketplace, establishing a presence on both Etsy and your own website can be a pivotal strategy for building your brand and expanding your customer base.
By leveraging the strengths of both platforms, you’ll benefit from Etsy’s built-in audience and the complete control that comes with running your own website.
Establishing a Strong Brand
On Etsy, you’ll start by crafting an enticing shop front with a memorable name and logo that reflects your brand’s aesthetic.
Your shop policies and product listings should convey your brand’s values and promise to potential customers.
Owning a personal website stands as a great option for brand recognition in the long run.
A domain name and professional design that align with your brand enhance credibility and foster customer loyalty.
Customer Relations and Retention
An Etsy store provides a good way to connect with a large audience of active buyers interested in unique items.
However, establishing customer data and an email list through your own online shop gives you full control over your email marketing campaigns.
This is a good idea for long-term relations and helps in attracting repeat customers.
Personalised customer service on your ecommerce business‘s own site can bolster customer experience and sustainable practices, making your own ecommerce site a better option for customer retention.
Leveraging Social Media and Marketing
Social media acts as a great platform for both immediate exposure of your Etsy shop and driving traffic to your independent website.
Utilising search engines and search engine optimization (SEO) on your standalone website will bring in own traffic, enhancing visibility beyond Etsy SEO and offsite ads over time.
While Etsy has its own search engine results, developing your own SEO strategy on a personal website can lead to even lower costs per acquisition, especially without Etsy’s listing fee and transaction fees.
It’s a great way to promote both new and existing products, and it’s advisable to use tools like Google Shopping and Google Ads for your online shop—in tandem with social media—to reinforce marketing efforts and attract a target audience.
Marketing Strategies for Both Platforms
When selling on both Etsy and your own website, it’s important to develop effective marketing strategies that cater to each platform’s unique features. Your efforts should focus on maximising online visibility, creating targeted campaigns, and using analytics to hone your approach.
SEO and Online Visibility
Etsy SEO:
- Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your product titles and descriptions to improve visibility on Etsy’s internal search engine.
- Tags: Etsy allows you to add tags to listings. Ensure these are specific and related to your product listings to attract active buyers.
Own Website SEO:
- Content: Regularly update your own ecommerce site with an engaging blog post or new products to rank well on search engines like Google.
- Backlinks: Encourage reputable websites to link back to your personal website; this is a great way to boost search engine optimization.
Crafting Targeted Marketing Campaigns
For Etsy Sellers:
- Etsy Ads: Use Etsy’s offsite ads and onsite promotions to target customers already browsing for similar products.
- Social Media: Share your Etsy shop items on social media platforms with direct links to boost traffic and customer base.
For Your Own Site:
- Google Ads: Invest in Google Shopping ads that take shoppers directly to your standalone website, where you have complete control over the customer experience.
- Email Marketing: Collecting customer emails through your ecommerce website allows for targeted marketing campaigns via your email list, fostering repeat customers.
Utilising Analytics for Refined Strategies
Etsy Analytics:
- Use data provided by Etsy about shop owners‘ customer data and behaviour to refine your Etsy SEO tactics and improve your Etsy store.
Website Analytics:
- Tools like Google Analytics can offer deeper insights into user behaviour on your own online store. Adjust your content and campaigns based on search engine results and shopping patterns.
Operational Challenges and Time Management
Running both an Etsy shop and your own website can offer a diverse marketplace and increase your potential customer base, but it comes with its own set of operational challenges and a significant investment in time management. Let’s examine how to efficiently handle these dual channels while maintaining the quality of your products and services.
Managing Two Sales Channels
In managing two sales channels, understanding the nuances of each platform is critical. Your Etsy store and your own site will have different audience engagement strategies and operational functionalities.
On Etsy, for instance, you benefit from a built-in audience of active buyers but are bound by the platform’s shop policies and transaction fees, which can affect your profit margin.
Conversely, establishing your own e-commerce website means you can avoid these fees and have complete control over the customer experience, though it requires building your own traffic and can be time-consuming.
Channel | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Etsy Shop | Large audience, Etsy SEO | Etsy fees, limited customization |
Own Website | Full control, custom SEO | Requires marketing, customer acquisition |
Streamlining Your Process
To effectively run both an Etsy shop and a personal website, streamlining your process is essential. This means synchronising inventory management, ensuring that product listings are updated on both platforms and managing customer service efficiently.
Utilise tools that can handle cross-platform operations, like integrating a shopping cart that functions for both your Etsy customers and those on your standalone website.
Also, consider using an email list to keep in touch with your customer base, regardless of where they shop.
- Inventory Management: Use compatible tools across both platforms.
- Customer Service: Devise a strategy that covers both Etsy and your own site.
- Email Marketing: Maintain an email list to engage with your audience collectively.
Balancing Creativity and Management
The most important factor in operating both an Etsy platform and a private online shop is balancing creativity and management.
Your time needs to be wisely allocated between producing unique items, refining your offerings, and managing the business side of things.
It’s key to have a set time for marketing campaigns on differing channels like social media and search engines, which can drive traffic to your sites and another for creating new products.
The long-term success depends on this balance and may involve a learning curve.
- Creative Time: Reserve specific slots for product development.
- Management Time: Dedicate periods for handling the business end, from marketing to customer service.
- Time Allocation: Strive for a schedule that gives attention to both creativity and the operational aspects.
Technical Considerations and Setup
When setting up your online presence, technical considerations are pivotal for ensuring your Etsy shop and own website function seamlessly. This involves choosing the right ecommerce platforms, planning website design for optimal user experience, and integrating a secure payment processing system.
Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platforms
Selecting the right platform to host your online shop can be the difference between a thriving business and a stagnant one.
For those starting out, Etsy offers a great platform with a built-in audience and a straightforward setup with no listing fee for the first few items.
In the long run, incorporating your own e-commerce site can offer more customization options and full control over your brand, with platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or WordPress proving to be good options. They often come with a free trial for you to test their features.
Platform | Free Trial | Basic Plan Starting Price | Notable Features |
---|---|---|---|
Shopify | 14 days | $29/month | Extensive app store, robust checkout system |
Squarespace | 14 days | £10/month | Beautiful templates, strong focus on design |
Wix | N/A | £3/month initially | Drag-and-drop builder, beginner-friendly |
WordPress | N/A | Variable with hosting | Great for SEO, extensive plugin options |
Website Design and User Experience
Your website design should aim to create a positive customer experience. This includes everything from the search engines to the shopping cart. A well-designed site not only reflects your brand but also streamlines the path to purchase.
Use a website builder like Shopify for an aesthetic feel. Meanwhile, use WordPress if you require extensive customization options.
Domain name, navigation, website speed, and mobile responsiveness are the most important factors to consider.
Payment Processing Integration
Integrating a payment processor is critical for any e-commerce store. Etsy simplifies this with its own system, which includes transaction fees and payment processing fees.
If you have your own site, you’ll have a broader range of options, from Stripe to PayPal. However, you’ll have to manage transaction fees independently.
It’s important to compare transaction fees and payment processing fees as part of your long-term cost strategy. Remember, the goal is to achieve a lower price point for repeat customers while maintaining a healthy profit margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
When navigating the choice between an Etsy shop and your own website, it’s crucial to understand the nuanced benefits and challenges of each platform. This section answers common questions that can help you determine the best fit for selling your unique items.
What are the advantages of selling on both Etsy and a personal website?
By maintaining both an Etsy store and your own e-commerce website, you can enjoy the built-in audience of the Etsy platform while having full control over the branding and customer experience on your independent website. This dual approach can maximise your exposure to potential customers and bolster your customer base.
How does managing an Etsy shop compare to running a personal e-commerce site?
An Etsy shop is often seen as a good option for those beginning their online business due to its user-friendly interface and less demanding learning curve. In contrast, a personal e-commerce website offers complete control and requires more effort in terms of search engine optimisation, marketing campaigns, and inventory management.
What are the different fee structures between Etsy and personal websites?
Etsy has a set listing fee and transaction fees, which can include payment processing fees and offsite ads. On your own site, you’ll usually encounter web hosting costs and any payment processor fees. You may also opt for services such as Google Ads or hire a website designer, which can alter your overall expense.
Can selling on Etsy increase traffic to a personal website?
Yes, by strategically using business cards or mentioning your standalone website in your Etsy store policies, you can direct Etsy customers to your site. This can help you build an email list and establish a direct connection with your customer base outside of the Etsy platform.
In terms of brand development, is it more beneficial to use Etsy, a personal website, or both?
Both can be instrumental for brand development. Etsy provides exposure to a large audience and a chance to build customer loyalty. Your own e-commerce site offers complete branding freedom, which is crucial for long-term recognition. Combining both can be a great way to leverage the strengths of each for your handmade business.
What are the logistical considerations for maintaining both an Etsy shop and a personal website?
Running both requires managing two sets of shop policies and customer service. It also requires double the marketing efforts and potentially dividing your inventory.
However, the additional hard work can pay off in the long run with a more resilient online presence and greater control over your profit margin.