10 Best Platforms for Selling Handmade Goods Online: Boost Your Side Hustle Income

Crafting and selling handmade items can be a fun and profitable side hustle.

With the rise of online marketplaces, it’s now easier than ever to share your creations with customers around the world.

You can turn your hobby into a source of extra income without leaving home.

There are many online platforms where you can sell your handmade goods, each with its own pros and cons. Some cater to specific types of products, while others offer a broad marketplace for all kinds of handmade items.

By choosing the right platform, you can reach more buyers and grow your small business.

Let’s look at some top options for selling your crafts online.

1) Etsy

Etsy is a go-to platform for selling handmade items.

It’s perfect if you want to turn your crafting hobby into a side hustle.

Setting up an Etsy shop is easy.

You can start selling your creations in no time.

The site has millions of buyers looking for unique, handmade goods.

Etsy charges small fees for listings and sales.

But the exposure you get can make it worth it.

You can reach a huge audience of people who love handmade stuff.

You can sell all sorts of items on Etsy. Jewelry, art, clothing, home decor – the options are endless.

If you make it by hand, chances are you can sell it here.

Etsy provides tools to help you manage your shop.

You can track orders, communicate with customers, and even get shipping discounts.

Marketing your products is easy on Etsy too.

You can use tags and descriptions to help buyers find your items.

Plus, Etsy’s search algorithm favors unique, handmade goods.

Remember, standing out on Etsy can be tough.

There’s lots of competition.

But with great photos and descriptions, you can make your products shine.

Etsy isn’t just for full-time sellers.

It’s great for side hustlers too.

You can put in as much or as little time as you want.

It’s flexible enough to fit around your schedule.

2) ArtFire

Looking to turn your crafty hobby into a side hustle? ArtFire might be the perfect platform for you.

It’s an online marketplace that caters to sellers of handmade goods, fine art, vintage items, and craft supplies.

When you join ArtFire, you get access to a customizable shop where you can showcase your creations.

You can make your store stand out with unique designs that match your brand.

One cool feature is the live customer service chat.

This lets you connect with potential buyers in real-time, answering questions and building relationships.

ArtFire also provides marketing tools to help you promote your products.

These can be super helpful when you’re just starting out and trying to get your name out there.

The platform offers different plans to fit your needs.

Prices start at $9.99 per month, which is pretty reasonable for budding entrepreneurs.

ArtFire has been around since 2008, so it’s got a solid track record.

It was started by John Jacobs, who had experience running a big jewelry supply company on eBay.

One thing to keep in mind is that ArtFire isn’t as well-known as some other platforms.

But this could work in your favor, as there might be less competition for your unique handmade items.

3) Handmade at Amazon

Want to sell your crafts on a huge platform? Handmade at Amazon might be your ticket.

It’s a special section on Amazon just for artisans like you.

Getting started is pretty simple.

You’ll need to apply and show that your products are truly handmade.

Once approved, you can set up shop right on Amazon’s site.

One cool thing about Handmade at Amazon is the massive audience.

Millions of people shop on Amazon every day.

That means lots of eyes on your creations.

You don’t need to worry about monthly fees either.

Amazon takes a cut of each sale instead.

This can be great if you’re just starting out.

The platform is user-friendly too.

You can easily manage your inventory and orders.

Plus, Amazon handles a lot of the customer service stuff for you.

Remember, competition can be tough on such a big site.

You’ll want to make your products stand out with great photos and descriptions.

Handmade at Amazon could be a great side hustle.

You can work on your crafts in your free time and let Amazon handle the selling part.

Just keep in mind that Amazon has rules about what counts as handmade.

Make sure your items fit the bill before you apply.

4) Zibbet

Zibbet is a cool platform for selling your handmade creations online.

It’s perfect if you’re looking to turn your craft hobby into a side hustle.

You can sell across multiple channels with Zibbet.

It lets you connect your shop to popular marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon Handmade.

The platform offers some handy features to make your life easier.

You can manage all your listings from one place, which saves you time.

Zibbet has a monthly fee, but it might be worth it if you’re serious about selling. It costs $5 per month for each sales channel you connect.

One neat thing about Zibbet is its automated social media promotion.

This can help you reach more potential customers without extra effort.

You’ll need to follow Zibbet’s guidelines to sell on the platform.

They have rules about what kinds of items you can list.

If you’re into vintage items or crafts, Zibbet could be a great fit.

It’s similar to Etsy but with its own unique features.

Remember, success on any platform takes time and effort.

But with Zibbet, you’ve got some solid tools to help you along the way.

5) Folksy

Looking to sell your handmade goodies from the UK? Folksy might be your perfect match.

It’s like a cozy online craft fair just for British makers.

Folksy focuses on handmade items, vintage stuff, and craft supplies.

You’ll find everything from quirky jewelry to cute homewares here.

Setting up shop on Folksy is pretty easy.

You can choose between a basic account or a plus account.

The basic one is free, but you pay a small fee for each item you list.

With a plus account, you shell out a bit each month.

But you get to list as many items as you want without extra charges.

It might be worth it if you’ve got loads to sell.

Folksy takes a small cut of your sales, just like other platforms.

But many sellers say the fees are fair compared to bigger sites.

One cool thing about Folksy is its community vibe.

You can chat with other crafters, share tips, and even team up for special events or promotions.

If you’re into the idea of supporting local makers, Folksy could be a great side hustle.

It’s a chance to earn money from your creative hobbies while connecting with other UK crafters.

Remember, Folksy is all about British-made goods.

So if you’re not based in the UK, you’ll need to look elsewhere to sell your creations.

6) Shopify

Want to turn your crafting hobby into a side hustle? Shopify might be your ticket.

It’s a powerful e-commerce platform that lets you set up your own online store to sell handmade goods.

With Shopify, you can create a custom website that shows off your unique products.

You don’t need to be tech-savvy either.

They offer user-friendly tools to build your site and manage your inventory.

One cool thing about Shopify is that you can sell on multiple channels.

This means you can reach customers through your website, social media, and even in person.

Pricing starts at $29 per month, which might seem steep at first.

But remember, you’re getting a full-fledged online store.

Plus, there are no listing fees like on some other platforms.

Shopify also takes care of secure payments and shipping calculations.

This leaves you more time to focus on creating your handmade goods.

You can even use Shopify to design your own logo and come up with a catchy business name.

It’s like a one-stop-shop for turning your craft into a real business.

So if you’re serious about selling your handmade items online, Shopify could be a great option to explore.

It gives you control over your brand and room to grow your side hustle.

7) Squarespace

Want to showcase your handmade goods with style? Squarespace might be your go-to platform.

It’s known for its sleek, modern website designs that can make your crafts look super professional.

You don’t need to be a tech whiz to use Squarespace.

Their drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create a stunning online store.

Plus, you can customize your site to match your brand’s vibe.

Squarespace offers tools specifically for selling crafts and handmade items.

You can set up product pages, manage inventory, and process payments all in one place.

One cool feature is the ability to sell on Instagram and Facebook directly from your Squarespace site.

This can help you reach more customers and boost your side hustle.

Pricing starts at $23 per month for a basic online store.

While it’s not the cheapest option out there, you get a lot of features for your money.

Remember, Squarespace isn’t just for selling.

You can also use it to build a portfolio, share your creative process, and connect with customers through a blog.

Keep in mind that Squarespace might have a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to website building.

But with some practice, you can create a gorgeous online home for your handmade goods.

8) Bonanza

Want to sell your handmade goodies without the hassle? Bonanza might be your new best friend.

It’s a marketplace that lets you set up shop and sell unique items like arts, crafts, and collectibles.

The best part? It’s free to list your stuff on Bonanza.

You only pay when you make a sale.

This makes it perfect for trying out your side hustle without breaking the bank.

Bonanza is kinda like eBay, but with a twist.

You can create your own standalone online store too.

This gives you more control over how you present your handmade goods.

Bonanza has been recognized as a “Best Entrepreneurial Company in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine.

That’s pretty cool for a platform where you can sell your crafts.

Looking to buy handmade stuff? Bonanza makes it easy to find artisanal products.

You can check out seller reviews to make sure you’re getting quality goods.

So whether you’re crafting jewelry, painting masterpieces, or knitting cozy scarves, Bonanza could be a great place to turn your hobby into a side gig.

Give it a shot and see how your handmade goods do on this platform!

9) Big Cartel

Looking to turn your crafty hobby into a side hustle? Big Cartel might be just what you need.

It’s a platform made for artists and creators like you who want to sell their stuff online without much fuss.

Setting up shop on Big Cartel is pretty easy.

You can choose from their free themes and customize them to fit your style.

No need to be a tech whiz – it’s all designed to be user-friendly.

One cool thing about Big Cartel is that you can start for free.

Yep, you heard that right.

You can list up to five products without spending a dime.

It’s perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into the online selling world.

As your side gig grows, you can upgrade to paid plans.

These let you list more items and give you extra features to make your shop shine.

But don’t worry, the prices are pretty reasonable.

Big Cartel is great for selling all sorts of handmade goodies.

T-shirts, jewelry, art prints – you name it.

It’s a hit with indie creators who want a simple way to reach customers.

Remember, Big Cartel isn’t a marketplace like some other platforms.

This means you’ll need to do your own marketing to bring in shoppers.

But hey, that also means you have more control over your brand and how you present your creations.

10) Storenvy

Looking to turn your crafting hobby into a side hustle? Storenvy might be just the platform you need.

This online marketplace lets you set up your own custom shop to showcase and sell your handmade creations.

What’s cool about Storenvy is that it gives you two ways to reach customers.

You can sell through your own personalized store and through their marketplace.

This means more eyes on your products and potentially more sales for you.

Setting up shop is pretty easy, and you don’t need to be tech-savvy.

You can customize your store’s look to match your brand, which is great for standing out from the crowd.

Storenvy doesn’t charge listing fees, which is a nice perk for makers just starting out.

They do take a small cut when you make a sale, but that’s pretty standard for these kinds of platforms.

You’ll find all sorts of handmade goods on Storenvy, from jewelry to clothing to home decor.

If you’re crafting it, chances are you can sell it here.

Keep in mind that Storenvy isn’t as big as some other handmade marketplaces.

But don’t let that stop you.

It could be a great place to start your selling journey or to expand your online presence.

Choosing The Right Platform

Picking the best place to sell your handmade goods can make or break your side hustle.

You’ll need to think about fees, who you want to reach, and how easy the site is to use.

Understanding Fees And Commissions

Before you jump in, take a close look at the costs.

Some sites charge to list items, while others take a cut when you make a sale.

Etsy charges $0.20 per listing and takes 5% when you sell.

Other platforms might have different fee structures.

Make a list of your top choices and compare:

• Listing fees
• Transaction fees
• Payment processing costs
• Subscription plans (if any)

Don’t forget to factor in shipping costs too.

Some sites offer better shipping deals that could save you money in the long run.

Target Audience Considerations

Think about who buys your stuff.

Are they trendy teens or eco-conscious adults? Different platforms attract different crowds.

Etsy is huge, with millions of shoppers.

But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

Maybe your quirky crafts would do better on a niche site.

Ask yourself:

• Where do your ideal customers hang out online?
• What age group are you targeting?
• Do you want local buyers or a global market?

Match your products to the platform’s vibe.

If you make rustic decor, look for sites that showcase country-style goods.

Ease Of Use And User Experience

You want a platform that’s a breeze to use.

After all, you’re here to sell, not struggle with tech.

Check out how easy it is to:

• Set up your shop
• List new items
• Process orders
• Communicate with customers

Some sites like Weebly offer tools like inventory tracking and abandoned cart recovery.

These can make your life much easier.

Try out the mobile version too.

You might need to update listings or chat with buyers on the go.

Remember, a good user experience isn’t just for you.

It’s for your customers too.

If they find it hard to browse or buy, they might not come back.

Marketing Your Handmade Goods

Getting your products in front of customers is key to success.

These tips will help you showcase your items and reach more buyers.

Utilizing Social Media

Social media is a great way to show off your handmade goods.

Pick 1-2 platforms where your target customers hang out.

Instagram and Pinterest work well for visual products.

Post regularly about your items.

Share behind-the-scenes photos of your process.

This helps customers feel connected to you and your brand.

Run contests or giveaways to boost engagement.

Ask followers to tag friends or share your posts for a chance to win.

This can help you reach new potential buyers.

Consider paid ads on social media too.

You can target specific groups likely to be interested in your products.

Effective Product Descriptions

Your product descriptions need to grab attention and give key details.

Start with a catchy title that includes important keywords.

Use bullet points to list key features and specs.

This makes it easy for shoppers to scan quickly.

Tell the story behind your item.

Explain how it’s made and what makes it special.

This helps justify the price of handmade goods.

Include size, materials, care instructions, and shipping info.

Answer common questions upfront to reduce customer service queries.

Use descriptive language to help buyers imagine owning your product.

But keep it honest – don’t oversell or make false claims.

Photography Tips

Good photos are crucial for selling handmade items online.

Use natural light when possible for the best results.

A simple white backdrop works well to make your products pop.

Take multiple shots from different angles.

Include close-ups to show details and textures.

For clothing or accessories, use a model or mannequin.

Edit your photos to brighten them and adjust colors if needed.

But don’t go overboard – the images should still look natural.

Add lifestyle shots showing your product in use.

This helps customers picture how they might enjoy the item themselves.

Consider making short video clips too.

These can showcase how a product works or highlight special features.