Have you
been thinking about where to sell your products online, but you're not quite sure
where to start? You might have heard of Etsy,
but today we're going beyond the obvious. I'm going to introduce you
to five online marketplaces that you might not
have considered yet, but absolutely should for selling your art
and crafts online. And that's not Etsy. Stick around
because you don't want to miss this list of the five places
to sell your products online. Hi there. My name is Mei Pak. In 2006, I began an incredible journey
with Tiny Hands Jewelry, my very own
handmade jewelry business. A decade later,
I founded Creative Hive, to pay it forward and help the vibrant,
inspiring, creative community I have come to love
so much. Today I invite you on an exploration
of the top five platforms to sell your handmade
products online. The first place to sell
your products online is Goimagine. This isn't just an online
marketplace. It's a platform with a cause. Goimagine operates on a business
giving model where 100% of their profits
are donated to charity. This means every sale you make
contributes to a good cause. Isn't that amazing? The fee structure is two-fold. First,
you have to choose between three tiers of membership, which ranges in monthly
fee from $2.50 to $10. The main difference
between each tier is the number of products
you can have in your catalog and the transaction fee once you've made a sale starts at 5% for the lowest tier
and drops to 3.5% when you go to the highest tier. As a marketplace, Goimagine aims to be a platform
that puts the needs of its sellers
first. It's an inclusive,
supportive environment which many of its sellers
appreciate. The platform is designed to be
simple and user-friendly, allowing even the most technophobic
creators to set up their online store
with ease. Additionally,
Goimagine prides itself on its proactive
customer service. They're ready to help with
any issues that might arise. Seller experience
on Goimagine reflects this ethos. There's a sense of camaraderie within the community,
with many sellers describing it
as an online family. They love the support they receive,
not just from the Goimagine team,
but also from other sellers. This community spirit,
combined with a charitable purpose, makes selling on Goimagine really appealing. However,
just bear in mind that Goimagine is a
relatively young platform. While it's growing steadily,
it hasn't quite reached the wide customer base
that some of its older, more established competitors
like Etsy have. This means
you'll need to be patient as you grow your business
here. But sellers seem excited about Goimagine's
potential in general. Finally, it's worth
noting that Goimagine's focus on charity resonates
with many buyers too. If your handmade business
aligns with a similar ethos, Goimagine
could be the perfect place to connect
with like-minded customers who appreciate and support
your shared values. Next, we have Artisans.coop,
an artist cooperative that's a little different from your usual online
marketplace. Artisans.coop is built on the principle that artists
should have control over their work and profits. As a member
of this cooperative, you're not just a seller
on a platform. You're part of a collective, a team of artists
with shared aspirations. The cooperative model
allows artists to have more control
over their business, share resources and benefit
from collective bargaining. In terms of fees Artisans.coop does not
charge for listing fees. There's no annual fees
and no advertising fees unlike Etsy. Artisans.coop charges an 8% commission on sales from members or 9.5%
if you're not a member. And as stated
on their website, they intend to lower their commission rate
as the co-op grows. That's pretty admirable
and it's pretty cool. But what does it mean
to be a member? So there is an application
process and a buy-in fee of $1,000
to join as a seller. Now, I know that seems high,
especially for a new platform. We're not sure will do
well or will even last, but they do have monthly
payment plans. I would suggest
only going this route if you're already an established online store
or you have some budget set aside
for growing your business. Otherwise your money would be
better spent elsewhere in the beginning of your
business building journey. It's interesting to note
that buyers are also required to pay a buy-in fee of $100
just to have the access to the shops on there. While these fees might seem
high at first glance, also remember
that you're getting more than just a selling platform. You're joining a supportive,
collaborative community. Sellers on Artisans.coop rave about the supportive community
and shared decision making. They appreciate that
they have a say in how the platform is run, which,
you know, isn't the case with many of the other online marketplaces,
especially not with Etsy. The level of transparency
provided by Artisans.coop is also highly valued
by its sellers. This cooperative is more
than just a platform. It's a community of artists
working together to succeed. But it's not perfect, right? Some sellers have mentioned that the site
could be more user-friendly. The interface isn't as sleek
or modern as some of the other
platforms, which can be a hurdle for those of us
who are less tech savvy. But for many of us,
the benefits of being part of a cooperative outweigh
these minor drawbacks. Artisans.coop is a platform that values its sellers
and the artistic process. So if you're an artist
looking for more control over your business
and a community of like-minded creators Artisans.coop
could be a great fit for you. Next up we have TheMakingApp.com. This is an innovative platform that focuses on craft and DIY
classes. Now, while there are already
a variety of similar learning sites like Domestika,
SkillShare, Udemy and Craftsy, what makes the TheMakingApp
different is it's more than just
a marketplace. It's a social platform too where creators can share
their creative process, engage with customers and
sell their digital products and courses. TheMakingApp's interactive features
enable sellers to share the story
of how their product is made, showcase their workspace,
and offer livestream demonstrations of their craft. This is such a cool
and immersive experience that I haven't seen
on other platforms. Instructors on the platform
receive 70% of the class fees and the app gets 30%. That's a pretty high
fee to get involved when you compare it
to other e-commerce marketplaces
like Etsy or Amazon. But that's comparing apples
to oranges. It's worth
keeping in mind that this is a learning platform. And so compared
to other opportunities, you have to make money
from teaching your craft. If you were to partner
with, say, a local store
to teach in their space, it's likely they'll ask for
around the same 30% or more commission too.
Reviews from sellers on TheMakingApp
are generally pretty positive. People are describing it
as a great alternative to social media
like Instagram. One person even described it
as a cozy, creative community. However, keep in mind
that this interactive approach also means that you will need to put in
a little bit more effort than on a typical online
marketplace. Some users have found this
to be a bit daunting, especially those
who are less comfortable with social media style
interactions. Additionally,
the platform is still growing, and while it's
gaining popularity, it might not yet
have the customer base of some larger platforms. So if you're a creative
who enjoys teaching, sharing your process
and engaging with customers, TheMakingApp.com could be
an excellent choice for you. The immersive interactive
nature of this platform is unique in the online
marketplace scene, offering an exciting way
for you to share your creativity
with the world. Next up, we're looking at a newcomer
to the scene: MakerPlace. Still in beta,
this platform is causing quite a stir
in the handmade community. MakerPlace is backed
by the trusted brand Michael's. It's a household name
in the creative world. They aim to be more than just
a marketplace though. Their vision is to create
a comprehensive ecosystem for creators, merging sales
resources, community and even creative inspiration
all in one place. So you can sell your handmade
products on there as well as teach online
classes. The fees to sell on there
are 7.5% of sales plus $0.20, so it's very similar to Etsy. Early reviews from sellers
are quite promising. Sellers
appreciate the convenience of having everything
they need, a marketplace, seller resources, community
all in one place. The potential for exposure
to Michael's established customer
base is also another draw, especially for sellers
just starting out. Since it's still in beta
though, Michael's maker place does
have a few kinks to work out. Some sellers have reported
minor technical issues
and others have suggested improvements to the platform's
user interface. But overall, sellers
are optimistic about the future of Michaels
MakerPlace. They're excited
about the platform's potential and look forward
to seeing how it will evolve. If you're a creative looking for a new platform
for selling your products other than Etsy,
keep an eye on MakerPlace and maybe even join
their waitlist. This platform could be a game changer in the world
of handmade shopping. Now let's check out Rubylane. Rubylane is a marketplace
that's been around for a while. They started in 1998. They specialize in authentic
vintage and antique products. Vintage for them is defined
as at least 20 years old. They also allow the selling
of contemporary items, but they must be fine craft, unique
or one of a kind. They do have some pretty strict
requirements for what
you can sell on there so if you're not sure, check out their website
for more information. Unlike other platforms,
Rubylane specifically targets a niche audience,
which can be a boon for sellers or products
that fit the bill. The fee structure is a bit
different here, with a $25 monthly store fee and a service fee of 9.9%
based on the order amount. Now what's interesting is the $25 monthly store
fee is completely waived if you add at least 15 items to your shop
during that month, while the service fee
or commission might seem a bit steep
at almost 10%, remember
that this platform caters to a niche audience who often don't mind
paying a premium for unique, high quality items that
they can't find anywhere else. Rubylane is not a one size
fits all kind of platform. It is tailored for those who
sell actual vintage items. For these sellers, Rubylane
is an excellent place to find
a dedicated customer base that appreciates and seeks out their specific style
of products. Sellers on Rubylane generally
have positive experiences. They appreciate the niche
customer base and the ability to charge higher prices
for their items, and sellers feel that their unique
products are valued here, and they enjoy connecting
with customers who truly
appreciate their curations. But like every platform,
Rubylane has its drawbacks. Some sellers have mentioned
that the user interface feels a little bit,
quite a bit outdated and the high monthly fee
might not be worth it for those with lower price
items or lower sales volume. However,
if your products are vintage and you can comfortably cover
the monthly fee with your sales, Rubylane
I think can be an excellent platform for you to be on. It offers
a targeted customer base and the potential
for higher pricing, which might be exactly
what your business needs. Remember, the best platform for you will depend on your specific
needs, your target audience and the nature
of your products. Don't be afraid to experiment. Try different platforms
to find the one that feels like home
for your business. If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up
and subscribe to the channel to join our creative hive. Together, we can learn, grow and make the world
a more beautiful place with our handmade crafts. Until our next adventure. Keep creating, keep selling.
Keep dreaming. The world needs our unique
creations. I'll catch you
in the next video. Bye.
