Amazon Handmade vs Etsy? Are you thinking about starting an online business.  What do you think of when you hear “handmade”? Do you think of delicate, intricate crafts made by an artisan with care and attention to detail? Well, Etsy is the perfect place for that.

However, if your definition includes mass-produced items like those sold on Amazon handmade, then it’s time to reconsider. Here I will compare these two platforms and show how they are very different in terms of sellers’ prices.

 

Amazon Handmade vs Etsy: Similarities and Differences

Both Amazon Handmade and Etsy focus on handmade and vintage items when it comes to similarities. They also require sellers to provide photos of their products and a description of the items.

One key difference is that Amazon Handmade allows mass-produced items to be sold as long as they are handmade. This includes items made in a factory, as long as they are not labeled “Made in China.”

In contrast, Etsy only allows handmade items to be sold on its platform.

Another difference is that Amazon Handmade charges a flat 15% commission on all sales, while Etsy has a sliding commission scale that starts at 3.5% and goes up to 20%.

Finally, Amazon Handmade has a much wider reach than Etsy, available in many more countries.

Which is Cheaper to Sell on Amazon Handmade or Etsy

This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the products that you are selling. For example, if you sell a handmade item on Etsy that costs $10, your commission would be $0.35.

However, if you were to sell the same item on Amazon Handmade for $15, your commission would be $2.25.

It is generally cheaper to sell on Amazon Handmade than Etsy, as the commission rates are lower.  However, it is important to compare the individual fees for each platform to see which is cheaper in your specific case.

Selling on Etsy vs Amazon: The Pros & Cons

Selling on Amazon and Etsy, both have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the positives and negatives of each platform:

 

Pros of Selling on Amazon Handmade

The biggest benefit to selling on Amazon Handmade is the potential to reach a wider audience as it is available in many more countries than Etsy.

Additionally, Amazon has a very large customer base, so there is a good chance of making sales.
Another advantage of Amazon Handmade is that it charges a flat commission rate of 15%, lower than Etsy’s commission rates.

This can save you money on fees if you are selling many items.

Cons of Selling on Amazon Handmade

The downside to selling on Amazon Handmade is that you cannot choose who sees your product. This means that people will see your items without them being handpicked by the individual running the shop.

That automatically limits the number of potential buyers, as many may not be looking for mass-produced items.

Another downside is that Amazon Handmade is a new platform, so there may be some uncertainty about growing and developing over time.

This could impact your ability to sell products on the platform in the future.  Don’t let these cons that you read about impact your decision to start an online business.  There are plenty of ways to make money online with Amazon if you truly want to work from home.

 

Amazon Selling Fees

Amazon Handmade charges a flat 15% fee on all sales.

Pros of Selling on Etsy

The biggest pro of selling on Etsy is that your items are being seen by an audience actively chosen to visit the platform. That means they are likely looking for handmade, vintage, or supplies related to these topics.

Additionally, Etsy buyers tend to be more educated about their craft purchases than mass-marketed consumers on Amazon Handmade.

Another benefit is building a community of supportive buyers and sellers. Etsy is known for its tight-knit community, and being a part of it can benefit your business.

Cons of Selling on Etsy

The main disadvantage to selling on Etsy is the commission rates. If you are not selling many items, the commission rates can add up.

Another downside is that Etsy is not as well-known as Amazon, so it may be more difficult to make sales.
Finally, Etsy can be more difficult to use than Amazon Handmade, as there are more features and options to navigate. This can be overwhelming for new sellers.

Etsy Selling Fees

Etsy’s commission rates vary depending on the shop, but generally, they are between 3.5% and 20%.

Popular Products Selling on Etsy & Amazon

Below, I have listed some of the most popular products that are currently for sale on both Etsy and Amazon:

 

Jewelry

Both Etsy and Amazon Handmade allow jewelry to be sold on their platform. Popular types include silver hoop earrings, gemstone necklaces, simple gold rings, basic silver bangle, etc.

Trinkets & Home Decor

Some popular options are art prints of landscapes or cityscapes, succulent decorations, knitted wall hangings, and framed suncatchers for home decor items. Both Amazon Handmade and Etsy sell keychains, phone cases, and patches for trinkets.

Clothing

Clothing is a popular item on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Some commonly sold clothing types include children’s leggings, unisex shirts, women’s skirts, men’s bowties, etc.

 

Craft Supplies

Craft supplies are a popular item on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Some common types of craft supplies that are sold include yarn, fabric, beading materials, cake decorating supplies, etc.

Food & Drink

Food and drink are popular items on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Common items sold include cookies, cake pops, jams, jellies, sangria mix, etc.

 

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities between the products that are being sold on Etsy and Amazon Handmade. What’s important to consider is that Etsy buyers are looking for high-quality, handmade products while Amazon buyers are more price-conscious and may be looking for mass-produced items.

Get Started Selling on Amazon Handmade vs Etsy

If you’re interested in selling on either Etsy or Amazon Handmade, here is a step-by-step guide to getting started:

(Image Source: Amazon Handmade)

Sell on Amazon Handmade

To start selling products on Amazon Handmade, you will need to set up an account and list your items. Here are the steps to start selling on Amazon.
step 1: Go to their main site and click in the right hand corner “Sell on Handmade.”
step 2: Click “Sign Up” and Enter your name, email address, and password
step 3: Fill out the required information, then click “Submit.”
step 4: Review the seller agreement, then check the box to agree. Click “Start Selling.”
step 5: Enter your payment information.
Step 6: Fill out the product details for your item.
Step 7: Add photos of your product.
Step 8: Set your price and shipping costs.
Step 9: Select a shipping method.
Step 10: Write a product description.
Step 11: Review your item listing.
Step 12: Click “Submit” to finish the process and publish your product.
This will make your products available on Amazon Handmade.

Sell on Etsy

To sell items on Etsy, you need to set up an account and list your products. Here are the steps to start selling on Etsy.
Step 1: Go to the home page of Etsy, Click “Register.” Then enter your name, email address, and password.
step 2: Fill out the required information, then click “Submit.”
step 3: Review the seller agreement, then check the box to agree. Click “Create Account.”
step 4: Enter your payment information.
Step 5: Fill out the product details for your item.
Step 6: Add photos of your product.
Step 7: Set your price and shipping costs.
Step 8: Select a shipping method.
Step 9: Write a product description.
Step 10: Review your item listing.
Step 11: Click “Submit” to finish the process and publish your product.
This will make your products available on Etsy.

Is It Worth It Selling on Etsy

I’ve seen articles that discourage sellers from selling on Etsy because Amazon is better. I think this viewpoint is not entirely fair to Etsy, though many of the points made in those articles make sense and are true:

– Amazon has more traffic (about half a billion monthly visitors vs. Etsy’s 54 million).
– Many Amazon shoppers use Prime, which means they get free shipping and other benefits.
– Amazon does not charge listing fees or commissions.
– Amazon has a better return policy.

Despite these facts, I still believe that Etsy is worth selling on. Why? Because Etsy shoppers are looking for unique, handmade items, Amazon shoppers are more price-conscious and may be looking for mass-produced items.

So, if you’re looking to sell unique and high-quality products, Etsy is a great option. If you’re looking to sell less expensive and more mainstream products, Amazon Handmade may be a better choice.

Is Etsy Bigger Than Amazon Handmade

In some ways, Etsy is bigger than Amazon Handmade. According to Statista, 94 million active buyers on Etsy have bought something in the past year. This compares favorably to Amazon’s 185 million subscribers.

However, since Amazon has so many more visitors each month (about half a billion), it takes the lead over Etsy regarding the total number of buyers. How many active buyers does Amazon Handmade have?

Unfortunately, I can’t find this information anywhere online.

 

Is It Profitable Selling on Etsy?

Is it profitable to sell on Etsy? The answer depends on who you ask. Some articles claim that sellers average $1,000 in sales per month, while others say the average is closer to $400 per month.

A seller who makes an item for sale once a week can make around $500 per month. They’re probably getting lots of orders and making extra items for sale if they make more than that.

Or course, certain people will do better than others. If you take the time to learn how Etsy works and make a name for yourself as an awesome seller, you’ll likely do well on there

Can You Make Money Selling on Amazon Handmade?

Yes, you can. If you have a good product and an effective marketing strategy, you’ll do well on Amazon Handmade. You need to take advantage of all the available marketing opportunities for sellers.

You also need to offer great service and provide quality products. Make sure your product is one that you are excited about selling because this will give you the motivation to do your best work.

How Do You Know What’s Profitable?

This is a tough question to answer in general since it depends on what area of the country you’re in and other factors. You can get a rough idea by looking at the listings with the highest asking prices.

To do this, go to any category on Amazon Handmade (say, Kitchen & Dining) and scroll down until you see the section labeled “Top-rated.” Look for listings with high average ratings (4 stars or more).

Once you’ve found a couple of items like this, you can make a rough estimate of what top-selling items tend to go for.

 

Can Great Reviews Help Me Sell Products Better?

Yes, positive reviews can make a huge difference in your listings’ success. A good review can convince people to click on your product right away and increase its conversion rate.

I’ve found that even one great review will help me sell more products. If you have five or more quality reviews, they might be enough to convince shoppers to buy your product over a competitor’s.

It can be tough to get good reviews when you’re just starting. You may need to offer some incentive (like a discount or free shipping) to get people to leave feedback. You can also ask your friends and family to leave a review. Just make sure that you’re asking for honest feedback.

Once you have a few positive reviews, it will be easier to convince people to buy from you.
If you’re worried about the negative effects of bad reviews, don’t be. You can find out more info in this article.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon and Etsy

Q: Is it better to buy from Etsy or Amazon?

A: It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want unique, handmade items, then Etsy is the better choice. If you’re looking for a wider selection of products and lower prices, Amazon is the better option.

Q: Is it hard to get approved for amazon handmade?

A: No, it’s not hard to get approved. Most people are approved within a few days. However, you do need to have a product that meets the quality guidelines, and you must be able to ship quickly.

Conclusion

As you can see, selling on Amazon Handmade is profitable and easy if you have the right products.  You need to choose a popular product you are interested in selling, market it well, and provide outstanding service.  Most people who try this business end up loving it.