Big Cartel Vs Etsy 2025 [Where To Find The Best Deals]

It's a fascinating time in the world of online commerce. Small business owners and creative talent have a plethora of platforms at their disposal to showcase their products, connect with customers and generate sales.

As an entrepreneur myself, I've spent countless hours wrestling with the decision of which platform to choose for my shop. Two of the most talked about contenders in my circle are Big Cartel and Etsy.

Big Cartel vs Etsy – it’s the debate that frequently floods online commerce forums, dominates creator community chats and almost feels as contentious as discussing politics at a family gathering.

This debate centers around which platform is better for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs looking for exposure, functionality and profitability.

Being deeply intrigued by both platforms, I decided to immerse myself in each one's unique features, advantages, disadvantages and Pricing schemes to help shed some light on this ongoing conversation.

What Is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace designed primarily for individual creators and small businesses. Launched in June 18, 2005, it's become a focal point for handcrafted items, arts, vintage products, and unique supplies.

The platform currently boasts more than 2.5 million sellers and over 39.4 million buyers around the globe, indicating the platform’s popularity and reach.

With its user-friendly interface and an extensive customer base, Etsy provides a fantastic platform for artists or creators wishing to reach a larger audience without having to build up their website.

The Ease of Setting Up a Store on Etsy

One of the strengths of Etsy is how intuitive it is to launch your online store. Here’s a basic rundown:

• Create an Account: This involves nothing more than providing some basic information about yourself.
• Choose Your Shop Name: Etsy gives you the ability to personalize your shop with a unique name.
• List Your Products: Upload high-quality product images, write compelling descriptions and fill in all relevant data like price, quantity and shipping details.
• Set Up Payment Methods: A vital part of setting up your store involves deciding how you want to get paid! Additionally, you'll need to set up your shop's billing method.
• Select Shipping Options: Decide whether you're shipping internationally or domestically then input shipping costs accordingly.
• Open Your Store!

What I particularly appreciate about Etsy is the extensive support center available for newbies just starting out with their shop: You can find detailed tutorials on everything from shipping options to optimizing your SEO!

Despite the simplistic setup process, selling on Etsy does come with its own set of challenges, but these are largely outweighed by the potential benefits as long as you're ready to invest time into growing your online business.

Types of Products Usually Sold on Etsy

At its core, Etsy is known as the marketplace for unique, handmade and vintage items. When you browse through the well-crafted galleries, you'll find a diverse range of products covering various categories like jewelry, clothing, home decor, art, craft supplies and even digital products like printables and graphics.

One thing I love about Etsy is that it provides an avenue for talented individuals to transform their creative passions into successful business ventures.

On Etsy, you can find anything from hand-knitted scarves to vintage record players. You can easily fall into a rabbit hole of beautiful ceramics or handcrafted leather goods.

Perhaps some custom wedding invitations catch your eye or maybe a vintage dress that's just perfect for a summer outing.

Such one-of-a-kind items you won't typically find in your local retail store are everyday finds on Etsy.

Key Features and Benefits of Selling on Etsy

Etsy, with its enchanting and artsy vibe, attracts a unique customer demographic. Unlike many other online marketplaces, Etsy successfully cultivated a community of people who value handmade, vintage items and unique products that deviate from the mass-produced items found on other platforms. This cultivation leads to a loyal and passionate audience that consistently supports Etsy traders.

Customer Demographic

Etsy has a broad user base that helps attract diverse shoppers to its platform. Many people shopping on Etsy specifically look for unique and handmade items; this means that if your business specializes in such products, you have an eager audience awaiting.

Integration Capabilities

Etsy has a profound advantage in terms of integration opportunities. The eCommerce platform allows sellers like myself to directly integrate our shops with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram - providing access to millions of potential buyers worldwide.

Marketplace Vibe

The marketplace vibe on Etsy is communal and vibrant. It nurtures creativity and supports entrepreneurs by creating a sense of community among its users.

As someone who values authentic connections with peers and customers alike, I find this aspect incredibly appealing.

Community Support

Whether it's technical issues with managing your shop or marketing tips to boost sales, Etsy provides comprehensive support via their Seller Handbook and community forums where sellers worldwide share tips and advice based on their experiences.

What Is Big Cartel?

Big Cartel is essentially an ecommerce platform, tailored specifically for artists and makers. It shines as a haven for creators, allowing them to establish a unique online presence and sell their work directly to their fans.

From painters and crafters to musicians and fashion designers, Big Cartel is designed with the independent creator in mind.

Users can choose from a selection of sleek, customizable themes that can be branded with their own logos and images.

Moreover, it's also possible to integrate the shop into a site you already own. But what really stands out about Big Cartel is its simplicity and straightforward nature. It’s built to be user-friendly even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.

How easy it is to launch a shop on Big Cartel

Starting your own digital storefront at Big Cartel is as easy as pie. Here are the quick steps I followed:

• Sign Up: Create an account using an active email.
• Product Listing: Add your products by filling in details like the product name, description, price, shipping information etc.
• Customization: Select from various themes available (or upload your own custom theme) to customize your storefront accordingly.
• Launch: Hit publish to launch the store.

Simplicity truly lies at the heart of Big Cartel - it upholds a no-fuss, easy-to-navigate layout that ensures you spend more time creating and less time meddling with complicated site tools.

A comprehensive guide available in their 'Help Center' further simplifies the process – making setting up shop feel less like rocket science and more like leisurely Sunday DIY project.

Common categories of products found on Big Cartel

Big Cartel primarily caters to niche artisans, designers, and musicians. The typical product categories you'll find here include the realms of handmade jewelry, graphic prints, vinyl figures, independent clothing labels, original artwork and homewares.

If you're an artist or creative entrepreneur who's looking to sell unique, non-mass-produced items in small batches or one-offs, then Big Cartel could be your platform of choice.

What sets it apart is the emphasis it places on its users majorly being artists - a landscape where creativity and independence are celebrated.

The significant features and advantages of selling on Big Cartel

Big Cartel holds a special charm for the artist and maker community, owing to its unique features that cater specifically to their needs.

• User-Friendly Interface: Big Cartel's interface is clean and straightforward. It's easy for people with no tech background to set up their shop quickly and easily.
• Target Audience: It specifically targets artists, designers or independent business owners like myself who deal in unique handmade products.
• Pricing Structure: The standout feature of Big Cartel lies in its pricing structure - there are no listing fees or extra charges per sale made which is a fantastic feature for sellers who produce small quantities.
• Customization Possibilities: As an artist or designer, having the power to customize your online store can be pretty crucial in reflecting your brand identity – thankfully that’s exactly what Big Cartel offers. From images to color schemes to fonts - you have complete control over how you want your website to look!

Limitations of using Big Cartel

Despite its many upsides, there are downsides worth considering too.

• Limited Design Options: Although it is quite flexible with customization options like colors and font choices (finer details), this could translate into limited design options for many users since there’s only so much you can do with these elements if you don't delve into any coding.
• Description Field Limitation: Also watch out for Big cartel’s 300 characters limit in listing description field , here Etsy comes out as the winner giving access upto 13k characters space each for title and description making SEO easier
• Recognition Factor: Unlike Etsy whose brand has become globally known amongst consumers over time, Big Cartel may not resonate loudly with the average Joe around the world so driving traffic to your store might need more effort from your side-think marketing strategies!

Remember that while all platforms will have their pros and cons,the final decision should always center around what best suits your specific needs as a seller.

Big Cartel Vs Etsy – The Pricing Comparison

Understanding the cost structures on these two platforms is key for making an informed decision between Etsy and Big Cartel. Let me break down the details here.

Etsy Cost Structure:

Etsy operates on per-listing fees model along with a small commission on each sale. A listing costs $0.20 and lasts for four months or until the item sells, whichever comes first.

Once a sale is made, Etsy takes a 5% commission on the final selling price (including shipping charges).

There's also a payment processing fee which varies from 3% + $0.25 to 4.4% + $0.25 depending upon the seller's location.

It's also worth noting that although setting up a shop on Etsy is free, they do offer paid subscription plans called Etsy Plus ($10/month) for sellers who are looking to take their business to the next level with advanced tools and perks.

Big Cartel Cost Structure:

Big Cartel operates differently when it comes to pricing. They have more of a tiered approach offering different monthly plans based on the number of products you wish to sell in your store – Gold (free but limited), Platinum ($9.99/month), Diamond ($19.99/month), and Titanium ($29.99/month).

The premium subscriptions come with added features such as theme editing, inventory tracking, Google Analytics integration, and discounts codes among others.

What makes Big Cartel stand out is that it doesn’t charge any listing fees or sales commission apart from payment processing fees charged by PayPal or Stripe; giving you more bang for your buck when it comes to profitability per item sold.

A Quick Side-by-Side Comparison:

Fee	Etsy	Big Cartel
Listing Fee	$0.20 per item	No Listing Fee
Monthly Subscription Fee	Starts at $10 (Optional)	Start From $9.99/month
Transaction Fee	5% of Item Sales Price + Shipping Price	No Transaction Fee
Payment Processing Fees	3%-4.4% + $0.25 based on location	Charges by Payment Providers – Stripe/PayPal

I feel like the pricing structures of both platforms cater very well to different types of sellers. If you’re just starting out with minimal investment capital?

Maybe Etsy is the best way forward due to its low upfront costs and massive audience reach! However for artists looking at heavier inventory loads while also keeping more profits from each sale? Big Cartel could be your better bet!

The key takeaway here: Consider what stage of selling you are at currently and where you see your shop scalability heading before choosing either platform based solely on cost structure.

Big Cartel Vs Etsy – Store & Theme Customization

One of the most exciting parts of setting up an online shop is undoubtedly the design phase. Let's dig into how Etsy and Big Cartel enable their users to style their shops.

Etsy Shop Customization

Etsy operates more like an online marketplace where each store follows the site's overall layout rather than having an individual identity.

You can customize your store to some extent but it's pretty basic—add your logo, a banner or cover photo, and a shop announcement about special deals or new products. Think of it as being invited to set up your booth at a big, bustling fair.

Big Cartel Theme Customization

In contrast with Etsy, Big Cartel offers far greater freedom for customization. It allows you to tweak themes, use CSS/HTML codes, and lay out your store page according to your vision.

Given its focus on artists and creatives, this customization feature is a huge plus point of Big Cartel as it gives you the freedom to showcase your brand more aesthetically.

Does More Customization Equal Better?

Well, that really depends on what you're after: Do you want quick setup with less customization options (Etsy), or do you desire flexibility and complete control over how you present your products (Big Cartel)?

Making the choice between these two platforms is akin to choosing between living in a bustling city apartment (Etsy) or a country house that you can decorate yourself (Big Cartel). Both have their charm; hence the decision comes down to what suits your needs best.

While Big Cartel edges in terms of theme customization, it may prove complex for those unfamiliar with code or design principles.

On the other hand, Etsy offers simplicity but at the cost of individuality—the key here is figuring out which approach works best for you.

Pros & Cons

As with any business decision, choosing your online sales platform involves weighing the pros and cons. Let's take a deep dive into what these two platforms have to offer along with their potential drawbacks.

Big Cartel Pros & Cons

To weigh the pros and cons of using Big Cartel for your online shop, we need to delve into the specifics.

Etsy Pros & Cons

Etsy is an incredibly user-friendly platform that offers a quick and straightforward setup process.

For those who are new to ecommerce, this can be a significant advantage. What I appreciate about Etsy is its automatic access to an established customer base.

This makes it a fantastic platform for those starting out or for businesses with niche products. More so, Etsy also allows you to sell both physical and digital goods, which adds

Both platforms come with their share of perks and pitfalls. I believe what’s crucial is understanding which platform's pros outweigh its cons based on your specific needs and goals as a small business owner or creative entrepreneur.

Big Cartel Vs Etsy – Customer Service

Providing top-notch customer service is vital when running an online store, and it's equally important that the platform you choose prioritizes this as well. Etsy and Big Cartel both offer customer service options, but they are quite different.

Etsy's Customer Service

Etsy provides a robust Help Center where you can find articles about selling, shopping, and managing your account.

When I've had a query, I've been able to find solutions to most issues within these resources. However, if you need personalized support, it can be a bit tricky.

Etsy lacks a direct phone line for customer service; instead, you have to request a callback which may not be convenient for some of us.

Big Cartel's Customer Service

On the contrary, Big Cartel remains limited in terms of self-help resources compared to Etsy but does well in providing direct support.

You can reach them through email during the weekdays (9 am - 6 pm EST). They also provide educational content via the Big Cartel College, focusing on teaching shop maintenance skills which is quite valuable.

Etsy offers more in-depth self-help content while Big Cartel excels with more personal, direct support.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

Delving into the realms of Etsy and Big Cartel has truly been an enlightening journey. After a deep dive into both platforms, here are some vital nuggets that can guide your decision-making process.

Understand Your Audience

If you're targeting a broad audience, Etsy may be right up your alley. Given its massive user base, it can offer a significant level of exposure.

On the other hand, if your merchandise caters primarily to creatives and independent artists, Big Cartel with its artist-centric ethos can potentially serve you better.

Pricing Matters

When it comes to pricing, Big Cartel's flat rates are a relief from Etsy's listing fees with each product.

Bear in mind though, costs can pile up in both cases. In Etsy's case it might be because of listings and selling fees, while on Big Cartel side, premium features could add up to your bill.

Customization is Key

Entrepreneurs keen on personalized store designs will find joy in Big Cartel's customization options letting you flaunt your branding aesthetics.

However, if ease and simplicity without much fuss is your game plan then Etsy’s predefined template could work for you.

Customer Service Counts

Quality customer service ensures smooth operations. Throughout my research I’ve discovered that both platforms offer support but there seems to be varying opinions around their effectiveness – based mainly on personal experiences.

Ultimately, as budding entrepreneurs heading into the world of e-commerce, it’s important to understand that there’s no 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

Your needs may evolve over time so remain flexible and don't be afraid to make a shift if necessary.

My Thoughts on Big Cartel Vs Etsy

After thoroughly examining both platforms, I have a couple of thoughts and leanings which might be helpful to consider:

• Etsy - I've found that Etsy is excellent for brand-new sellers, especially those who are catered towards vintage or handmade items. The built-in marketplace brings your shop lots of potential traffic. However, the marketplace is saturated and it can be challenging to stand out. Likewise, seller fees can add up over time.
• Big Cartel - On the flip side, Big Cartel works best for artists and independent creators who want more control over their store's look and feel. While there is no online marketplace like Etsy to draw traffic organically, the freedom in design customization can turn your shop into a unique digital reflection of your brand.
• From a pricing perspective, if you're selling a handful of different products, Big Cartel could be cost-effective with its flat rate plans.
• On the contrary, if you have an extensive collection to offer or drop-shipping business model in the fold, Etsy’s payment policy which combines listing and transaction fees might suit you better.

Ultimately though, it's essential to remember that no matter what platform you choose:

• It should align with your business goals.
• Success neither starts nor ends with choosing the right platform. It's about passion, strategy and relentlessly driving towards your vision.

The Bottom Line? Both Etsy or Big Cartel provide different benefits—your perfect match will greatly depend on what you prioritize as an entrepreneur!

So take your time envisioning what you want out of an eCommerce platform before diving in.

FAQs About Big Cartel And Etsy

Conclusion

So there you have it - the ins and outs of Big Cartel and Etsy! To sum it up, both platforms come with their unique sets of strengths and limitations.

If your aim is to capitalize on a large customer base and enjoy the comforts of a built-in marketplace, Etsy might fit the bill.

But if customization is high on your priority list and you prefer the predictability of a flat-rate pricing structure, Big Cartel should be your pick.

Regardless of your chosen platform, remember that success hinges on relentless passion, strategic marketing, steadfast dedication, and an overlying vision for your business.

Take into account what suits your specific needs and personal temperament as an entrepreneur while choosing platforms like Big Cartel or Etsy.

Remember, these are just tools to amplify your creative voice; ultimately, that passion-driven hustle will skyrocket any business to dizzying heights.