Selling on Etsy Amazon Made Easy with Tips and Guides

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Etsy and Amazon are two of the largest online marketplaces where you can sell your handmade, vintage, or unique items. With over 39 million active buyers on Etsy and 300 million active customers on Amazon, it's no wonder that many sellers are turning to these platforms to grow their businesses.

To get started, you'll need to create a professional-looking shop on both platforms, which requires a one-time fee of $0.30 on Etsy and no fee on Amazon.

By optimizing your product listings, you can increase your visibility and drive more sales. According to Etsy's own statistics, shops that use high-quality product images see a 15% increase in sales.

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What is Etsy Amazon?

Etsy and Amazon are two separate e-commerce platforms that have distinct business models. Etsy is primarily a marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique items, while Amazon is a massive online retailer that sells a wide variety of products.

Etsy's focus on unique items sets it apart from Amazon's broad product offerings. Amazon, on the other hand, is known for its fast and reliable shipping, often with Prime benefits.

What is Etsy

A woman browsing handmade crafts at a vibrant local market stall.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman browsing handmade crafts at a vibrant local market stall.

Etsy is a unique online marketplace that allows artists, makers, and vintage sellers to sell their wares directly to consumers.

Founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik, Etsy provides a platform for small businesses and individuals to showcase and sell their handmade, vintage, and unique items.

It's like a big virtual craft fair, where you can find one-of-a-kind items that you won't find anywhere else.

Etsy has over 4 million active sellers worldwide, offering a vast array of products, from jewelry and clothing to home decor and furniture.

What is Amazon

Amazon is a multinational technology company that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. It was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos.

Bezos initially started the company as an online bookstore in his garage. He chose the name Amazon because it started with the letter "A", which meant the company would show up near the top of alphabetical lists.

Amazonian Tribesman
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Amazon's early success was driven by its ability to offer a wider selection of books than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This was made possible by its online platform, which allowed customers to browse and purchase books from the comfort of their own homes.

Today, Amazon is one of the world's largest and most influential companies, with a market value of over $1 trillion.

Key Features and Benefits

Etsy offers a user-friendly setup, making it easy to get started. This is especially appealing to those who are new to online selling.

Etsy's fees are lower compared to other platforms, with a listing fee of $0.20 and a 6.5% transaction fee. Sellers also have access to reporting and analytical features through the Etsy seller dashboard.

Here are some of the key features and benefits of selling on Etsy:

* Etsy allows you to sell a variety of items, including handmade crafts, vintage items, craft supplies, digital items, and more.Sellers can promote their listings through Etsy and Offsite Ads.Etsy offers a range of seller tools, including advanced customization options and restock requests for Etsy Plus sellers.

Amazon Handmade, on the other hand, offers a massive customer base and free listing, making it ideal for artisans seeking broader exposure.

Key Features for Sellers

Assorted Photo Lot
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Etsy offers a range of features that make it easy to manage your shop and connect with customers. You can create your Etsy shop through an easy application, and listing your products is also fast.

The Etsy seller dashboard has reporting and analytical features for Standard and Etsy Plus, giving you valuable insights into your shop's performance. With Etsy Plus, you also get additional seller tools, including advanced customization options and restock requests.

Sellers are responsible for shipping and fulfilling orders using third-party services like the United States Postal Service and FedEx. This means you'll need to coordinate with these services to get your products to customers.

Etsy has a smaller audience than Handmade, but that doesn't mean it's any less valuable. You can access shoppers specifically looking for handcrafted items, which can be a great way to connect with customers who are interested in unique, handmade products.

To promote your listings, you can use Etsy's advertising options, including Offsite Ads. These ads can help you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your shop.

Here are some additional features to consider:

  • Vintage items at least 20 years old
  • Craft supplies that are handcrafted, vintage, or commercial
  • Digital items designed by the seller
  • Tarot or psychic readings with a physical or digital copy, recording, email, or tarot photo
  • Spellwork supplies, such as herbs, crystals, and candles

Key Features and Benefits

Beautiful handmade terracotta pots displayed on shelves in an outdoor market, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship.
Credit: pexels.com, Beautiful handmade terracotta pots displayed on shelves in an outdoor market, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship.

You can list as many items as you want on Etsy without worrying about UPC codes, similar to Amazon.

Etsy's large audience is a great market for handmade or vintage items, and their customers are specifically looking for these types of products.

Setting up and maintaining an Etsy shop is very easy, thanks to their straightforward dashboard and user-friendly experience.

Their Seller Handbook is also a helpful resource for navigating the dashboard and available tools.

On Etsy, you can list multiple production partners, and it's required to include them in the listing.

Two-Way Synchronization

Two-way synchronization is a game-changer for sellers who use multiple platforms. This feature allows you to sync data from Amazon to Etsy and vice versa.

With ZapInventory, you can push and pull data from Amazon and Etsy, ensuring your inventory is always up to date across both platforms.

Cost and Fees

Amazon Handmade doesn't charge a listing fee, and all approved sellers are waived a $39.99 monthly Professional Selling fee. However, you'll still pay a 15% referral fee, and potentially additional fees if you use optional programs like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon Ads.

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Credit: pexels.com, Financial report. Data presentation, expense and cost calculations.

In comparison, Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item, a 6.5% transaction fee per sale, and a 3% to 4% payment processing fee plus a flat rate of $0.25, depending on the seller's location.

Here's a brief comparison of the fees between Amazon Handmade and Etsy:

Ultimately, the cost and fees associated with each platform will depend on your specific sales and usage.

Cost to Sell

Selling on Amazon Handmade is relatively affordable, with no listing fees and a waived monthly Professional Selling fee for approved sellers.

The main cost to consider is the 15% referral fee for each sale, which is higher than Etsy's 6.5% fee.

You'll also need to think about the optional Amazon programs, such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon Ads, which may add additional fees.

On the other hand, Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item, a 6.5% transaction fee per sale, and a 3% to 4% payment processing fee.

To compare the costs, consider the following:

Ultimately, the cost to sell on Amazon Handmade or Etsy depends on your specific situation and sales volume.

No Customisation

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Credit: pexels.com, Miniature shopping cart placed on a laptop keyboard, symbolizing online shopping.

Amazon's lack of store customisation is a notable drawback. Unlike Etsy, which offers some customisation, Amazon provides no options to personalise your shop.

This is a weak trait amongst many online marketplace platforms, where companies like Etsy and Amazon seem to discourage sellers from appearing too dissimilar from themselves. As a result, creating a genuinely recognisable brand for your business is challenging on these platforms.

To construct a unique brand, you'll need to consider starting your own hosted e-commerce site, separate from the online marketplace.

Comparison and Differences

Etsy and Amazon Handmade have some key differences. Amazon Handmade offers a massive audience and free listing, but it also means a 15% fee on each sale.

Etsy, on the other hand, prioritizes cheaper seller fees, a beginner-friendly dashboard, and a niche audience looking for handmade crafts. This makes it an attractive option for sellers who want to focus on a specific market.

Both platforms deduct selling fees, with Etsy charging 6.5% of the total sale plus a 3.5% payment processing fee, and Amazon charging a 15% fee on each sale.

Here's a comparison of the two platforms:

Etsy also allows sellers to access customer data, which can be a valuable resource for understanding their target market.

Differences

Credit: youtube.com, Compared To or Compared With - What's the Difference Between Compared To and With

Selling on Etsy and Amazon Handmade has its differences, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision.

Etsy is more flexible when it comes to the types of products you can sell, allowing you to sell vintage items that are at least 20 years old, craft supplies, digital items, and even tarot or psychic readings.

One significant difference is the audience you'll be targeting. Amazon Handmade offers a massive audience, while Etsy's audience focuses on handmade and vintage items.

Here's a breakdown of the fees:

Sellers on Etsy are responsible for shipping and fulfilling orders, while Amazon Handmade offers the option to use Amazon FBA, where Amazon will ship and fulfill orders for you.

Etsy listings expire after four months and require renewal, whereas Amazon listings never expire.

These differences will help you decide which platform is best for your handmade or vintage products.

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Similarities

Etsy and Amazon Handmade share some common ground. One key similarity is that both platforms deduct selling fees - Etsy charges 6.5% of the total sale plus a 3.5% payment processing fee, while Amazon takes a 15% fee on each sale.

Credit: youtube.com, Similarities and Differences

Both Etsy and Amazon Handmade are alternative marketplaces for selling handcrafted items. This means you can list unique, handmade products on either platform.

You can list as many items as you want on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade, and neither platform requires a Universal Product Code (UPC).

Etsy and Amazon Handmade both offer pay-per-click advertising, where you set your budget and only pay when a customer clicks on your ad.

Potential Competitor

Amazon may become your competitor, especially if your products start selling well on their platform. This is because Amazon uses data from third-party sellers to decide what products to focus on stocking next.

If your products are profitable, Amazon may start to compete with you by stocking similar items themselves. This is a risk you should be aware of when selling on Amazon Marketplace.

Amazon introduced the Marketplace to provide customers with niche items, allowing them to offer a wider selection of products without having to hold the stock themselves. This strategy makes them more competitive as a company.

You are essentially a guinea pig for Amazon, helping them recognize gaps in the market and profitable areas through your sales data.

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Versus Non-Handmade

Credit: youtube.com, Amazon Handmade vs Etsy - What is the difference?

Etsy's definition of "handmade" is strict, but some sellers are taking creative liberties with that term.

Much of what's sold on Etsy is labeled as "handmade", but some sellers appear to take creative liberties with that term.

Etsy bars sellers from listing "false, inaccurate or misleading information" in listings.

Some listings on Etsy say the goods can be customized, which falls under Etsy's dropshipping rules for handmade items.

In 2023, Etsy removed four times as many listings and suspended two times as many sellers for violating its handmade policy compared to 2022.

Etsy's leadership mentioned that it saw a 120% spike in "handmade" items taken down during the third quarter.

Sellers who list false or misleading information may have their accounts suspended or terminated.

Several listings of Stanley tumblers being listed on Etsy as "handmade" were taken down after Modern Retail flagged them to Etsy's team.

Broaden your view: Open Listings

Selling on Etsy Amazon

Selling on Etsy Amazon can be a great way to reach a wider audience and increase sales. If you're selling handmade items online, you'll want to consider using the best online marketplaces for your products.

Children engaged in festive winter craft activities around a cozy table with decorations.
Credit: pexels.com, Children engaged in festive winter craft activities around a cozy table with decorations.

Not all online marketplaces are created equal, and the best one for you will depend on what you're selling and how much of it you plan to sell. You can import all your orders, products, and customers automatically in real-time by connecting your Amazon store to ZapInventory. This will help you stay organized and on top of your sales.

Selling: Benefits and Drawbacks

Selling on Etsy and Amazon can be a great way to reach a large customer base.

Etsy is a popular choice for handmade retailers, and for good reason.

You can list as many items as you want on Etsy without worrying about UPC codes.

Similar to Amazon, this flexibility allows sellers to showcase their products without the hassle of inventory management.

Import & Export

Importing and exporting data is a crucial part of managing your online stores. ZapInventory makes it easy to import all your orders, products, and customers from Amazon in real-time.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Start Selling on Etsy (Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide)

Connecting your Amazon store to ZapInventory is a breeze, taking just a few clicks. This single-click connection also allows you to integrate your Amazon store with your Etsy store in no time.

You can automatically import orders, products, and customers from Amazon, which means you can focus on running your business instead of manually updating your inventory.

Shipping and Fulfillment

Shipping and fulfillment can be a challenge for sellers on both Etsy and Amazon. Both platforms offer tools to make order fulfillment and shipping easier.

Etsy and Amazon provide sellers with the necessary tools to streamline their shipping and fulfillment processes. This allows sellers to focus on other aspects of their business.

Syncing Amazon and Etsy and merging their SKUs helps sellers correctly track the quantity of items coming in and going out from both channels without any confusion. This can save sellers a lot of time and effort in the long run.

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Drawbacks and Challenges

Credit: youtube.com, Pros & Cons of Amazon Handmade - After becoming a top seller on Amazon Handmade

Selling on Etsy can be a challenge due to its oversaturated market, with more sellers than buyers and a rising number of competitors.

Competition on Etsy is fierce, making it hard to stand out and make sales. With so many sellers vying for attention, it's essential to put in extra time and money into marketing.

Amazon also has a high number of active sellers, but it has nearly ten times more traffic and consumer demand, making it a more viable option for some sellers.

Oversaturation can be overcome with effective marketing strategies, such as sharpening and honing your marketing mix.

Amazon reserves the right to limit or remove sellers who don't meet their Participation Agreement, so it's crucial to review and comply with their rules.

Tips and Guides

Etsy offers a range of features for sellers, including reporting and analytical tools, advanced customization options, and restock requests. These features can be accessed through the Etsy Plus plan.

See what others are reading: Wetransfer Features

Credit: youtube.com, Selling on Etsy vs Amazon: Find Out Which One Is Right for You!

To get started on Etsy, you can create your shop through a quick and easy application, and listing your products is just as fast. Sellers are responsible for shipping and fulfilling orders using third-party services like the United States Postal Service and FedEx.

Here are some additional categories of items you can sell on Etsy, beyond handmade items:

  • Vintage items at least 20 years old
  • Craft supplies that are handcrafted, vintage, or commercial
  • Digital items designed by the seller
  • Tarot or psychic readings with a physical or digital copy, recording, email, or tarot photo
  • Spellwork supplies, such as herbs, crystals, and candles

Is Selling Art Worth It?

Selling art on Amazon is a great way to reach a massive audience, with no listing fees until you make a sale.

Joining Amazon's Handmade platform is free, making it an attractive option for artists looking to expand their customer base.

You can leverage Amazon's vast customer base to expose your art to new buyers, giving you a wider reach than other online marketplaces.

Amazon only takes a cut of your sale once you've sold an item, so you won't be charged upfront fees.

101

Amazon Handmade is a platform that allows artisans to sell custom and handcrafted goods. It's available to all 200 million Prime members, giving sellers a huge potential customer base.

A woman focusing on a paper craft project at a table with plants and stationery indoors.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman focusing on a paper craft project at a table with plants and stationery indoors.

Amazon Handmade was launched in October 2015, so it's been around for a while now. This platform is a great way for small businesses and artisans to reach a wider audience.

There are more than 6 million sellers in Amazon's marketplace, which includes Amazon Handmade. This means you'll be competing with a lot of other sellers, but it also means there are plenty of opportunities to find buyers.

Amazon Handmade is an Etsy competitor, so if you're familiar with Etsy, you'll find that Amazon Handmade works in a similar way.

Consider reading: Is Venmo Secure for Sellers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make $10,000 a month on Etsy?

Yes, it's possible to earn $10,000 a month on Etsy, but it requires a strategic approach to selling high ticket digital products. Discover the proven strategy to achieve this goal and start building your online business today.

Carlos Bartoletti

Writer

Carlos Bartoletti is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in exploring the intricacies of modern work life. With a strong background in research and analysis, Carlos crafts informative and engaging content that resonates with readers. His writing expertise spans a range of topics, with a particular focus on professional development and industry trends.

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