Etsy is a go-to website for finding unique handmade, vintage, or craft items made by independent sellers around the world. From vintage clothes to hand-crafted jewellery and toys, you can find anything on Etsy. While it’s one of America’s largest e-commerce companies with over 40 million buyers, there are plenty of other options for online shoppers to choose from. 

#1. Amazon Handmade

  • Founded: October 2015
  • Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States

Need to Know:

Amazon Handmade is an online marketplace owned and operated by the American technology and e-commerce giant, Amazon. Users can browse Amazon Handmade, which is a section of Amazon’s website, to look for hand-crafted items made by individual merchants or small collectives. However, this pocket of the Amazon website is only currently available in North America and parts of Europe.  

To ensure buyers are receiving authentic and genuine products, new sellers undergo a screening process. For sellers of handmade products, creating your online shop and listing products on the website is free, but Amazon will take a cut per sale. Alongside individuals with small businesses, sellers can also include non-profit organizations, NGOs, or small social enterprises. 

#2. eBay

  • Founded: September 3, 1995
  • Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States

Need to Know:

eBay is a large American e-commerce company that allows consumers to purchase products from other individuals or businesses through its website. The original premise of eBay was to provide an online space for people to auction off their used products or collectibles. However, it has now shifted towards a traditional online shopping model where people around the world can buy or sell a number of different products. 

In 2018, eBay was named the second-largest online marketplace in the United States with a total of 689 million website visits, with Amazon coming out on top. eBay also differs from Etsy in that there is less of a focus on handmade and artisanal products. 

#3. Flipkart

  • Founded: October 2007
  • Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India 

Need to Know:

Flipkart is India’s most popular e-commerce company, and one of the most used in the world. Similar to Amazon, the company had initially focused on online book sales when it first launched. Since then, Flipkart has expanded to include a large variety of products and services, including fashion and home decor. Like eBay, sellers are not limited to listing homemade products. 

Since 2007, Flipkart has seen over 80 million products listed on its website, and in 2017 the company had over 40% of the market share in India’s entire e-commerce industry. In 2018, Walmart acquired 77% of Flipkart for $16 billion. 

#4. Bonanza 

  • Founded: 2007
  • Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States

Need to Know:

Bonanza is an American online e-commerce company that was created by CEO and founder Bill Harding after his frustration following an unsuccessful garage sale. In 2008, the company gained mass popularity after it was declared to be “The Best eBay Alternative” according to Ecommerce Guide. Since its launch, Bonanza has seen over 30 million items listed on its website and, like Etsy, includes more handmade and high-quality products compared to larger online e-commerce companies. 

Bonanza’s businesses goal has been to build a sustainable online marketplace for entrepreneurs who can rely on the company for repeat customers. In fact, the company has also earned the distinction as one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America.” As well, Bonanza does not charge sellers to list products. 

#5. Shopify 

  • Founded: 2006
  • Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Need to Know:

Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce company. However, it functions differently than similar e-commerce websites because it does not provide a marketplace for sellers. Rather, it gives entrepreneurs tools to create their own websites for their businesses, big or small. Accordingly, sellers have to do more marketing for the products compared to listing on Etsy. 

In 2021, Shopify reported hosting websites for 1.7 million businesses in 175 countries around the world and in 2019, the revenue of total gross merchandise sold on the platform was over $61 billion. In 2020 Shopify’s own revenue was nearly $3 billion, making it one of the largest publicly-traded companies in Canada. 

#6. IndieMade

  • Founded: January 1, 2009
  • Headquarters: Boise, Idaho, United States

Need to Know:

IndieMade is a small American online e-commerce company founded by Jennifer Rapp Peterson. The company’s goal is to provide independent entrepreneurs access to aesthetic and easy-to-use websites in order for them to sell their products and grow their businesses. Like Etsy, IndieMade is specifically geared towards crafters, do-it-yourself-ers, artisans, and other homemade products. 

Similar to Shopify, IndieMade doesn’t host an open marketplace for sellers and buyers. Instead, the company provides sellers with services like web hosting, marketing tools, and other supports. However, sellers can easily link their Etsy accounts to their IndieMade websites for ease of use. In this way, IndieMade is a good option for sellers looking to branch out from Etsy.

#7. ArtFire

  • Founded: February 28, 2008
  • Headquarters: Tuscan, Arizona, United States

Need to Know:

ArtFire is another small American online e-commerce company. It was launched in 2008 by John A. Jacobs, a member of the craft community who, with lots of experience at Gem and Mineral shows, wanted to create an online space for sellers of handmade goods. As a result, his company ArtFire provides an online marketplace for people to buy and sell handmade products, vintage items, and craft supplies, all while fostering a community of like-minded people.

What sets ArtFire apart from other online e-commerce companies is that it partners Jacobs’ other venture, Maker House, to foster a community of creatives in the Tuscon Arts District. This initiative helps supper indie businesses and entrepreneurs offline as well. 

#8. Zibbet

  • Founded: February 5, 2009
  • Headquarters: Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia 

Need to Know:

Zibbet is an Australian online marketplace built for independent artists and crafters to sell their products. While Zibbet is smaller than other e-commerce companies, it claims to be the largest online marketplace in the world for handmade items. 

Instead of just hosting websites, like Shopify or IndieMade, Zibbet lets buyers browse sellers and products on its website. Sellers can also connect their Zibbet pages to their Etsy store, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. However, since Zibbet is smaller than other online marketplaces, sellers are expected to advertise on social media or elsewhere to drive people to their Zibbet page. For sellers, the company requires a monthly service fee depending on the number of items you list. 

#9. Big Cartel

  • Founded: 2005
  • Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Need to Know:

Big Cartel is an American online e-commerce company founded by Matt Wighamand and Eric Turner. The company’s goal is to help small artists and brands open-up online stores in order to grow their businesses. On the Big Cartel website, over a million different sellers have set up shop, and sell anything from t-shirts to prints.

To date, Big Cartel’s total gross merchandise revenue is reported to be over $2.5 billion. However, like Shopify, Big Cartel does not function as an online marketplace, so sellers must direct internet traffic to their own sites. Sellers can list up to 500 products at any given time, and must also pay monthly fees depending on how many they list. 

Sources:

Amazon Handmade

eBay

Flipkart

Bonanza 

Shopify

IndieMade

ArtFire

Zibbet:

Big Cartel