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Etsy vs. Selling on Pinterest

Etsy vs. Selling on Pinterest

Etsy and Pinterest are two popular platforms for selling handmade crafts and vintage items. While Etsy is a dedicated marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to discover and share ideas through images and videos. Both platforms have their own unique features and benefits, making it difficult for sellers to decide which one to use for their business.

Etsy offers a built-in audience of buyers who are specifically looking for handmade and vintage items. The platform also provides tools for sellers to manage their shops, including inventory tracking, shipping labels, and payment processing. However, the competition on Etsy can be fierce, with thousands of sellers offering similar products. On the other hand, Pinterest allows sellers to reach a wider audience beyond the Etsy community. By creating visually appealing pins that link to their Etsy shop, sellers can attract potential customers who may not have found them otherwise. Additionally, Pinterest’s algorithm promotes popular pins, giving sellers the opportunity to go viral and gain exposure.

Understanding Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of unique, handmade, and vintage items. It was founded in 2005 and has since grown to become one of the biggest e-commerce platforms in the world. Etsy has over 4.3 million active sellers and over 81 million active buyers as of 2021.

Etsy is known for its focus on handmade and vintage items, and it has strict guidelines on what can be sold on its platform. All items sold on Etsy must be either handmade, vintage, or a craft supply. This means that mass-produced items are not allowed on the platform.

Sellers on Etsy can create their own online shop, where they can list their items and manage their sales. Etsy charges a small fee for each item sold on its platform, as well as a fee for listing items. In addition to its marketplace, Etsy also offers various tools and resources to help sellers grow their businesses, such as analytics, marketing tools, and support from a community of other sellers.

Overall, Etsy is a great platform for sellers who specialize in handmade or vintage items and are looking for a community of like-minded individuals. It offers a unique shopping experience for buyers who are looking for one-of-a-kind items that they can’t find anywhere else.

Understanding Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to discover, save, and share images and videos on virtual pinboards. It is a popular platform for creative inspiration, DIY projects, and online shopping.

Pinterest can be a powerful tool for businesses, especially those in the e-commerce industry. By creating visually appealing pins and boards, businesses can attract potential customers and drive traffic to their websites.

One of the unique features of Pinterest is its search functionality. Users can search for specific keywords, and Pinterest will display relevant pins and boards. This means that businesses can optimize their pins and boards for search by using relevant keywords in their descriptions and titles.

Another way businesses can use Pinterest is by collaborating with influencers. Influencers are users with a large following on Pinterest who can help promote a business’s products to their followers. This can be especially effective for businesses that sell visually appealing products, such as fashion or home decor.

Overall, Pinterest can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to expand their online presence and reach a wider audience. By creating visually appealing content and optimizing it for search, businesses can attract potential customers and drive traffic to their websites.

Setting up Shop on Etsy

To start selling on Etsy, the first step is to create an account. Creating an account is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow to create an Etsy account:

Creating Your Etsy Account

  1. Go to the Etsy website and click on the “Sell on Etsy” button.
  2. Click on the “Open Your Etsy Shop” button.
  3. Enter your email address, name, and password.
  4. Choose your shop name and create a listing.

Once you have created your account, the next step is to list your products.

Listing Your Products

Listing your products on Etsy is simple. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Click on the “Add a Listing” button.
  2. Enter the product details, including the title, description, tags, and price.
  3. Upload photos of your product.
  4. Set up your shipping options and payment methods.

It is important to ensure that your product descriptions are clear and accurate. This will help potential customers find your products and make informed purchasing decisions.

Promoting Your Etsy Shop

Promoting your Etsy shop is essential to drive traffic and sales. Here are some tips to help you promote your Etsy shop:

  1. Use social media to promote your shop. Share your products on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
  2. Use Etsy’s built-in marketing tools, such as promoted listings and sales.
  3. Offer discounts and promotions to encourage customers to make a purchase.
  4. Participate in Etsy teams and forums to connect with other sellers and buyers.

By following these steps, you can set up your Etsy shop and start selling your products. It is important to remember that success on Etsy takes time and effort. By promoting your shop and providing excellent customer service, you can build a loyal customer base and grow your business.

Setting up Shop on Pinterest

Pinterest is a great platform to showcase and sell your products. Creating a Pinterest business account is the first step to start selling on Pinterest.

Creating Your Pinterest Business Account

To create a Pinterest business account, you need to visit Pinterest’s business page and sign up. You can either create a new account or convert your existing personal account into a business account. Once you have created your business account, you need to complete your profile by adding your business name, logo, and description.

Adding Buyable Pins

Buyable pins are a great way to sell your products on Pinterest. These pins allow users to purchase products directly from your Pinterest page without leaving the site. To add buyable pins, you need to connect your Pinterest account to your e-commerce platform. Then, you can start creating buyable pins for your products.

Promoting Your Pinterest Shop

Promoting your Pinterest shop is essential to increase your visibility and sales. You can promote your shop by creating engaging pins, joining group boards, and collaborating with other businesses. You can also use Pinterest ads to reach a wider audience. Pinterest offers several ad formats, including promoted pins, promoted video pins, and promoted carousels.

In conclusion, setting up shop on Pinterest is a great way to increase your sales and reach a wider audience. By creating a Pinterest business account, adding buyable pins, and promoting your shop, you can showcase your products to millions of users and turn them into customers.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Etsy

Pros of Etsy

Etsy is a popular online marketplace that allows artists and crafters to sell their handmade creations. Here are some of the pros of selling on Etsy:

  • Large Customer Base: Etsy has a built-in audience of approximately 96 million active buyers, which means that sellers have access to a huge customer base. This is a significant advantage for sellers who are just starting out and looking to grow their business.

  • Easy to Use: Etsy makes it easy for sellers to list their products, manage their inventory, and communicate with customers. The platform is user-friendly and provides sellers with a range of tools and resources to help them succeed.

  • Low Fees: Etsy charges sellers a listing fee of $0.20 per item, which is affordable for most sellers. Additionally, Etsy takes a transaction fee of 5% on each sale, which is lower than many other online marketplaces.

Cons of Etsy

While there are many benefits to selling on Etsy, there are also some drawbacks that sellers should be aware of. Here are some of the cons of selling on Etsy:

  • Competition: Etsy is a crowded marketplace, which means that sellers may face stiff competition from other sellers. This can make it difficult for new sellers to stand out and attract customers.

  • Limited Customization: Etsy does not allow sellers to customize their storefronts, which means that all sellers have the same basic layout and design. This can make it difficult for sellers to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

  • Fees: While Etsy’s fees are relatively low, they can add up over time. In addition to the listing fee and transaction fee, Etsy also charges sellers a payment processing fee of 3% plus $0.25 per transaction. This can eat into sellers’ profits, especially for those who sell high-volume or high-priced items.

Overall, Etsy can be a great platform for artists and crafters who want to sell their handmade creations online. However, sellers should be aware of the pros and cons of selling on Etsy before they decide to open a shop.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Pinterest

Pros of Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual search engine that allows users to discover, save, and share ideas and inspiration. It is a platform that can help sellers to reach a wider audience and increase their sales. Here are some of the pros of selling on Pinterest:

  • Highly engaged users: Pinterest has over 400 million monthly active users who are highly engaged. This means that they spend more time on the platform than on other social media platforms. This makes it an excellent platform to showcase products and increase sales.

  • Visual platform: Pinterest is a visual platform that allows sellers to showcase their products in a visually appealing way. This can help to attract potential buyers and increase sales.

  • Free organic reach: Pinterest offers free organic reach to sellers. This means that sellers can reach a wider audience without having to pay for advertising.

Cons of Pinterest

While Pinterest has many benefits for sellers, there are also some cons that need to be considered before deciding to sell on the platform. Here are some of the cons of selling on Pinterest:

  • Limited product categories: Pinterest is primarily a platform for DIY, home decor, fashion, and beauty products. This means that sellers who sell products outside of these categories may not find Pinterest to be a good fit for their business.

  • Limited features for selling: Unlike other e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Pinterest does not have many features specifically designed for selling. This means that sellers may need to use third-party tools to manage their sales and inventory.

  • Limited control over the platform: As a seller on Pinterest, you do not have full control over the platform. This means that you are subject to changes in the algorithm and policies of the platform, which can affect your sales.

Etsy vs Pinterest: A Comparative Analysis

User Base

Etsy and Pinterest have different user bases. Etsy is an e-commerce platform that focuses on connecting sellers and buyers of handmade and vintage items. It provides a marketplace for independent creatives to sell their unique goods. On the other hand, Pinterest is primarily used for inspiration and idea generation. It allows users to create boards and save pins related to their interests.

Etsy has a smaller user base compared to Pinterest, but it has a more targeted audience. Etsy users are more likely to be interested in buying handmade or vintage items, while Pinterest users are more likely to be interested in browsing and saving ideas.

Sales and Marketing Tools

Etsy and Pinterest offer different sales and marketing tools. Etsy provides sellers with a variety of tools to help them promote their listings, such as promoted listings, social media integrations, and email marketing. Additionally, Etsy has a built-in search engine that allows buyers to find items based on keywords, tags, and categories.

Pinterest, on the other hand, offers a variety of marketing tools for businesses, including promoted pins, buyable pins, and Pinterest Analytics. These tools allow businesses to reach a wider audience and track their performance on the platform. However, Pinterest does not have a built-in search engine for products, which can make it harder for buyers to find specific items.

Fees and Charges

Etsy and Pinterest have different fee structures. Etsy charges sellers a listing fee of $0.20 per item, and takes a 5% commission on each sale. Additionally, Etsy offers optional paid services such as promoted listings and Etsy Plus, which provides sellers with additional tools and perks.

Pinterest, on the other hand, does not charge sellers to list items. However, it does take a commission on sales made through buyable pins. Additionally, businesses can pay to promote their pins, which can increase their visibility on the platform.

Customer Support

Etsy and Pinterest have different customer support options. Etsy offers a variety of customer support options, including a help center, community forums, and a direct messaging system for sellers. Additionally, Etsy has a team of customer support representatives who can assist buyers and sellers with any issues they may encounter.

Pinterest, on the other hand, offers limited customer support options. Users can contact Pinterest support through a contact form, but there is no direct messaging system or phone support. Additionally, Pinterest does not have a dedicated customer support team for businesses.

Overall, Etsy and Pinterest offer different benefits for sellers and businesses. Etsy is a more targeted platform for selling handmade and vintage items, while Pinterest is better suited for businesses looking to promote their products and reach a wider audience.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business

When it comes to selling handmade or vintage items, Etsy and Pinterest are two of the most popular platforms. Both platforms offer unique advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your business.

Etsy is a dedicated marketplace for handmade and vintage items, which means that it has a built-in audience of people who are specifically looking for these types of products. It also offers a range of tools and features that can help sellers promote their products, such as the ability to create custom coupons and discounts, and to showcase their products in curated collections.

On the other hand, Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to share and discover ideas, including products for sale. One of the key advantages of Pinterest is its visual nature, which makes it a great platform for showcasing products and inspiring potential customers. Pinterest also has a large and engaged user base, which can help sellers reach a wider audience.

Ultimately, the right platform for your business will depend on your goals and the type of products you sell. If you’re looking for a dedicated marketplace with a built-in audience, Etsy may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a more visual and social platform to showcase your products and reach a wider audience, Pinterest may be the better option.

It’s also worth considering whether you want to use both platforms together. Many sellers use Etsy as their primary marketplace and use Pinterest to promote their products and drive traffic to their Etsy shop. This can be a great way to leverage the strengths of both platforms and maximize your sales potential.