When it comes to selling your products online, choosing the right platform is essential. Two popular options are Big Cartel and Etsy. While both platforms offer a way to sell your products online, they have distinct differences that may make one a better choice for your business than the other.
Big Cartel is an eCommerce platform that allows artists and creators to set up an online store to sell their products. On the other hand, Etsy is a creative marketplace that allows artists and crafters to open a shop to sell handmade and vintage items. While both platforms offer the ability to sell digital downloads, Etsy is better suited for those who want to sell handmade and unique items.
Key Takeaways
- Big Cartel and Etsy are both popular platforms for selling products online.
- Big Cartel is an eCommerce platform while Etsy is a creative marketplace.
- Etsy is better suited for selling handmade and unique items.
Overview
What is BigCartel?
BigCartel is an e-commerce platform that allows artists, designers, and small businesses to create and manage their own online store. It was founded in 2005 and has since grown to become a popular choice for creative entrepreneurs who want to sell their products online.
BigCartel offers a variety of customizable themes and a straightforward interface that makes it easy for users to set up their store and start selling. The platform also offers a range of features, including inventory management, order tracking, and payment processing.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is a global online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique goods. It was founded in 2005 and has since grown to become one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world, with over 4.3 million active sellers and 81 million active buyers.
Etsy allows users to create their own online store and sell their products directly to customers. The platform also offers a range of features, including inventory management, order tracking, and payment processing.
Key differences between BigCartel and Etsy
One of the key differences between BigCartel and Etsy is the type of products that are sold on each platform. While BigCartel is primarily focused on handmade and unique goods, Etsy also allows sellers to offer vintage items and craft supplies.
Another difference is the pricing structure. BigCartel offers a free plan that allows users to list up to 5 products, while Etsy charges a listing fee and a transaction fee for each sale.
Finally, BigCartel is designed to be a simple and easy-to-use platform, while Etsy offers a wider range of features and customization options. Ultimately, the choice between BigCartel and Etsy will depend on the needs and goals of each individual seller.
Pricing
BigCartel pricing plans
BigCartel offers four pricing plans, including a free plan for new and small businesses. The free plan allows up to five products, while the other plans allow for more products and features. The paid plans range from $9.99 to $29.99 per month, and all plans include features like customizable themes, inventory tracking, and order management.
Etsy pricing plans
Etsy charges sellers a $0.20 listing fee for each item listed on their platform. Additionally, sellers pay a 5% transaction fee and a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee for each sale. Etsy also offers optional advertising services for an additional cost.
Comparing BigCartel and Etsy pricing
Overall, BigCartel tends to be more affordable than Etsy, especially for small businesses with fewer products. While Etsy charges a listing fee and transaction fees, BigCartel only charges a monthly fee for their paid plans. However, Etsy’s larger user base and built-in audience may make it a more attractive option for some sellers. It’s important to consider your business’s needs and budget when choosing between these two platforms.
Features
BigCartel features
BigCartel is an eCommerce platform that offers a range of features to help artists and creatives sell their products online. Some of its key features include:
- Customizable storefronts: BigCartel allows users to customize their online store with their own branding, colors, and fonts, to create a unique and professional look.
- Inventory management: BigCartel makes it easy to keep track of inventory levels, set up alerts when stock is running low, and manage orders and shipping.
- Payment processing: BigCartel integrates with PayPal and Stripe to make it easy for customers to pay for products securely and quickly.
- SEO optimization: BigCartel offers built-in SEO tools to help users optimize their store for search engines, including customizable meta tags, URLs, and sitemaps.
Etsy features
Etsy is a creative marketplace that allows artists and crafters to open an online shop to sell handmade and vintage items. Some of its key features include:
- Large customer base: Etsy has a large and active customer base, which can help sellers reach a wider audience and increase sales.
- Easy setup: Setting up an Etsy shop is quick and easy, with no need to worry about hosting, security, or payment processing.
- Community support: Etsy has a strong community of sellers who offer support and advice to each other, making it a great platform for new sellers.
- Advertising options: Etsy offers a range of advertising options to help sellers promote their products and reach more customers.
Comparing BigCartel and Etsy features
When comparing BigCartel and Etsy, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your business. BigCartel is a great option for artists and creatives who want to create a professional online store with a unique look and feel. It offers powerful inventory management tools and integrates with popular payment processors like PayPal and Stripe.
On the other hand, Etsy is a great option for sellers who want to reach a large and active customer base without worrying about the technical details of running an online store. It’s quick and easy to set up an Etsy shop, and the community support and advertising options can help new sellers get started.
Ultimately, the choice between BigCartel and Etsy will depend on your specific needs and goals as a seller. By considering the features and benefits of each platform, you can make an informed decision that will help you grow your business and reach more customers.
Ease of Use
BigCartel Ease of Use
BigCartel is a simple platform to use, especially for artists and designers who are new to eCommerce. The platform offers a straightforward setup process, and users can create their store in a few minutes. BigCartel’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. Users can add products, manage orders, and customize their store’s design with ease. The platform also provides a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing users to manage their store on the go.
Etsy Ease of Use
Etsy is a more complex platform to use than BigCartel. The platform’s setup process is more complicated, and users need to spend more time customizing their store’s design. Etsy’s interface can be overwhelming for new users, and it takes time to learn how to manage the store’s features properly. However, Etsy provides more advanced features than BigCartel, such as the ability to create coupon codes and run promotions.
Comparing BigCartel and Etsy Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, BigCartel is the winner. The platform is simple to use, and users can set up their store in a few minutes. Etsy, on the other hand, is more challenging to use, and it takes more time to learn how to manage the store’s features. However, Etsy provides more advanced features than BigCartel, making it a better option for users who need more advanced features. Overall, BigCartel is the better option for users who want a simple platform to sell their products, while Etsy is a better option for users who need more advanced features.
Customization
BigCartel customization options
BigCartel offers a range of customization options for your store. You can choose from a variety of themes and templates to give your store a unique look and feel. You can customize the colors, fonts, and layout of your store to match your brand. You can also add your own logo and images to make your store stand out.
Etsy customization options
Etsy also offers a range of customization options for your store. You can choose from a variety of themes and templates to give your store a unique look and feel. You can customize the colors, fonts, and layout of your store to match your brand. You can also add your own logo and images to make your store stand out.
Comparing BigCartel and Etsy customization options
Both BigCartel and Etsy offer similar customization options for your store. However, Etsy has a wider range of themes and templates to choose from, making it easier to find a design that matches your brand. Etsy also allows you to customize your store’s URL, which can help with branding and SEO. On the other hand, BigCartel’s customization options are more straightforward and easier to use, making it a good choice for beginners.
Overall, both BigCartel and Etsy offer good customization options for your store. It’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing between the two platforms.
Marketing and SEO
BigCartel marketing and SEO tools
BigCartel offers a few built-in SEO features to help you optimize your store for search engines. You can add meta descriptions and keywords to your product pages, customize your store’s URL structure, and add alt text to your images. BigCartel also provides a blog feature, which can help drive traffic to your store by providing valuable content to your audience.
In terms of marketing, BigCartel offers some basic social media integration, allowing you to share your products on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. However, BigCartel does not provide any built-in email marketing tools, so you’ll need to use a third-party service if you want to send newsletters or promotional emails to your customers.
Etsy marketing and SEO tools
Etsy provides a range of SEO tools to help you optimize your store for search engines. You can add meta descriptions and tags to your listings, customize your store’s URL structure, and use Etsy’s built-in keyword tool to research popular search terms. Etsy also provides a range of promotional tools, including paid advertising, social media integration, and email marketing.
Etsy’s email marketing tool, called Etsy Conversations, allows you to send promotional emails to your customers directly through the Etsy platform. You can also use Etsy’s built-in social media integration to share your products on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Comparing BigCartel and Etsy marketing and SEO tools
Overall, Etsy provides more robust marketing and SEO tools than BigCartel. While both platforms allow you to optimize your store for search engines, Etsy provides more advanced SEO tools, such as its keyword research tool. Additionally, Etsy provides a range of built-in marketing tools, including paid advertising, social media integration, and email marketing, which can help you drive traffic to your store and increase sales.
However, if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills platform for selling handmade or digital products, BigCartel may be a better choice. BigCartel’s basic SEO features and social media integration can help you get your store up and running quickly, without the need for advanced marketing tools or strategies.