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What is Etsy?

Industry Specialties: E-commerce

Etsy is an online global marketplace for artists, craftspeople and vintage vendors to sell unique pieces. It’s majorly focused on handcrafted and vintage pieces with categories like jewelry, clothing, bags, home decor, furniture, arts and more. Sellers can create stores online and use additional paid services like payments, ads, tracking and insurance for shipping, and currency conversions.
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#2

Etsy is ranked #2 in the eCommerce Platforms product directory based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

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Etsy Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Etsy pricing starts at $0 (Per Item, Usage-Based).

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Starting From
$0.20
Pricing Model
Per Item, Usage-Based
Free Trial
Yes, Request for Free

Etsy Benefits and Insights

Why use Etsy?

Key differentiators & advantages of Etsy

  • Global Reach: Etsy connects sellers with a worldwide audience, expanding market opportunities beyond local boundaries.
  • Low Startup Costs: With minimal listing fees and no need for a physical storefront, Etsy offers an affordable entry point for new businesses.
  • Community Support: Sellers benefit from a robust community of peers and buyers, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
  • Customizable Shops: Etsy allows sellers to personalize their storefronts, helping to build a unique brand identity.
  • Integrated Marketing Tools: Built-in SEO, social media integration, and promotional tools help sellers increase visibility and drive traffic to their shops.
  • Secure Transactions: Etsy provides a secure platform for financial transactions, ensuring both buyer and seller protection.
  • Analytics and Insights: Detailed analytics help sellers understand customer behavior and optimize their product offerings.
  • Mobile Accessibility: The Etsy app allows sellers to manage their shops on-the-go, ensuring they can respond to customer inquiries and orders promptly.
  • Handmade and Vintage Focus: Etsy's emphasis on unique, handmade, and vintage items attracts a niche market of dedicated buyers.
  • Customer Trust: Etsy's established reputation and buyer protection policies build trust, encouraging more purchases.
  • Scalability: Etsy supports businesses of all sizes, from hobbyists to full-time entrepreneurs, allowing for growth and expansion.
  • Environmental Impact: By promoting handmade and vintage items, Etsy supports sustainable shopping practices and reduces waste.
  • Educational Resources: Etsy offers a wealth of resources, including tutorials and forums, to help sellers improve their business skills.
  • Payment Flexibility: Multiple payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Etsy gift cards, make transactions convenient for buyers.
  • Customer Engagement: Direct messaging and review systems facilitate communication and build relationships between sellers and buyers.

Industry Expertise

Serves micro, small and medium businesses selling handmade goods, vintage items (20 years or older) and craft supplies.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Etsy reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

  • Niche Marketplace: Etsy is known for its focus on unique and handmade goods, attracting buyers looking for distinctive items.
  • Creative Variety: The platform boasts a vast selection of products, offering a diverse range of options for shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.

Cons

  • Customer Service Issues: Etsy has received complaints regarding its customer service, potentially leading to unresolved issues for businesses.
  • Shipping Challenges: Shipping delays are a recurring concern on Etsy, potentially impacting customer satisfaction and business operations. Businesses may need to meticulously manage shipping profiles and expectations.
  • Price-Focused Competition: Etsy's platform can lead to intense price competition, potentially impacting businesses focused on product quality and unique offerings.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Etsy really as easy as everyone says it is to buy and sell unique items? Etsy is an eCommerce platform known for its distinctive, handcrafted goods from independent sellers. Users rave about the platform's user-friendly design, which makes it simple to navigate and discover those one-of-a-kind treasures. Etsy's strength lies in fostering a community of passionate creators and buyers seeking unique, personalized items. This dedication to small businesses and artisans distinguishes Etsy from mass-produced goods found on platforms like Amazon. For instance, a buyer looking for a handmade ceramic mug with a specific design is more likely to find it on Etsy than on a more generalized platform. However, Etsy's dependence on individual sellers can lead to inconsistencies. Shipping delays, variable product quality, and customer service challenges arise from dealing with numerous independent entities. While Etsy has policies in place, enforcing them across a vast network poses a challenge. Potential buyers should prioritize individual seller ratings and reviews to ensure a smooth experience. Ultimately, Etsy is best suited for shoppers seeking unique, handcrafted items and willing to embrace the nuances of buying directly from independent creators.

Key Features

  • Online Store: Create stores using customizable templates and promote products using featured listings. 
  • Analytics: Provides detailed statistics to track orders and revenue, identify products with the most page views and understand performance trends. 
  • SEO Tools: Customers can find listings with the proper headings and descriptions. Helps recognize the keywords that get more traffic to the store. 
  • Logistics: Auto calculates shipping costs based on weight, dimension, shipping method and delivery speed. Prints shipping labels and directly sends tracking details to customers. 
  • Mobile App: Manage orders, update items, check shop analytics, create listings and talk to customers from anywhere. 
  • Promotional Tools: Promote items and listings in internal search and on social media. 
  • Payment Management: Collect and manage payments through PayPal or credit card, based on customers’ convenience. Also manages currency conversions, making it globally accessible. 

Limitations

At the time of this review, these are the limitations according to user feedback:

  •  Limited storefront customization. 
  •  Lacks branding tools. 

Suite Support

Must sign in to contact support. Access the help center and user community forums for online support resources.

mail_outlineEmail: [email protected]
phonePhone: Available upon subscription.
schoolTraining: A seller handbook in the vendor’s help center includes articles and steps for troubleshooting common issues and explains recent updates.
local_offerTickets: Open a case from the help center.
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