Etsy and eBay are two of probably the most well-known on-line marketplaces on this planet. It’s possible you’ve purchased one thing from them — however have you ever offered one thing with them? Every ecommerce platform has its professionals and cons for sellers. We’ve put them head-to-head throughout 5 classes so you’ll be able to see precisely how they stack up for your enterprise.
Buyer base
eBay is the go-to place the place absolutely anything (each new and used, however largely new) is offered to a largely American buyer base in search of well-priced and sometimes mass-produced gadgets. Etsy, however, is a smaller world market the place largely American consumers flock for handmade gadgets or distinctive classic gadgets — and merchandise with artistic aptitude.
Etsy
Whereas Etsy is a smaller platform than eBay, the location attracted 81.9 million consumers in 2020. In case your potential clients worth high-quality, artisanal items, this can be the most effective platform for you. If constructing a loyal buyer base is important to your enterprise technique, Etsy is an effective place to arrange store. Over 40% of gross sales are repeat gross sales from lively consumers.
In case your sights are set on U.S. clients, relaxation assured that Etsy attracts a largely American buyer base. Etsy is the fourth most visited American ecommerce web site after massive giants Amazon, Walmart and eBay. Many profitable Etsy sellers have turned their Etsy outlets into full-time jobs.
eBay
Compared to Etsy, eBay is a behemoth market. As of 2021, eBay was the second-largest market in the USA. It had 159 million clients worldwide. Prospects on eBay are after just about something — secondhand, wholesale or model new. It’s value noting that almost all of sellers promote new, mass-produced merchandise.
What you select to promote on eBay will in the end decide your stage of success there. Prime promoting classes embody cell telephones and different digital items. Different standard classes embody clothes and jewellery.
Eighty % of products offered on eBay are new — however don’t leap to any conclusions about eBay being an unsuitable platform for promoting used gadgets, as 39.8% of used gadgets promote.
Transport
Each on-line shops exit of their method to make delivery simple for sellers, however it’s vital to notice that should you determine to promote on eBay, you might really feel obligated to supply free delivery with the intention to compete with different sellers. Each eBay and Etsy supply sellers helpful delivery instruments and assets to make managing shipments simpler. The instruments and assets range from platform to platform.
Etsy
Transport with Etsy is worth it. It’s cheaper than delivery immediately with most carriers as a result of Etsy provides sellers discounted postage labels (for carriers like USPS, FedEx, and Canada Submit).
Very similar to eBay, Etsy provides its personal helpful instruments and capabilities that make delivery simpler for sellers; calculated postage make figuring out delivery value simple; handy cargo monitoring so you’ll be able to really feel in management; the flexibility to create, edit, and bulk edit supply profiles to automate delivery; and help with customs kinds, so crossing borders is a breeze.
Etsy shouldn’t be designed for dropshipping, as you can not resell handmade items. The vendor should make all handmade items.
eBay
On eBay, there’s appreciable strain on distributors to supply free delivery with the intention to compete. That is at your individual expense, so it is advisable to issue it into your itemizing pricing. Not everybody can afford to supply free delivery, however delivery for the majority of purchases made on eBay (71%) is free.
There may be extra strain to promote low-priced gadgets on eBay. {The marketplace} is thought for aggressive low pricing, and customers can type search outcomes by lowest worth + delivery, as illustrated under. In consequence, offsetting free delivery together with your itemizing pricing may very well be a problem.
(Supply: eBay)
eBay makes delivery simpler by offering its sellers with sure delivery instruments and capabilities. They embody delivery labels, which could be printed at dwelling; free co-branded delivery provides; a delivery calculator to estimate the price of delivery through varied carriers; the choice to ship internationally; and the flexibility to supply consumers delivery reductions, flat charges and free delivery.
In the event you’re pondering of dropshipping your merchandise, like many different eBay sellers, the eBay platform permits this.
Vendor charges
At first look, eBay appears extra inviting for brand new sellers as a result of it incentivizes them with as much as 50 free listings monthly. Etsy doesn’t roll out the welcome wagon in that manner, however its charges are extra predictable than eBay’s. Etsy at all times requires itemizing charges, however these charges are extra outlined and standardized than eBay’s charges — which might range vastly, relying on a wide range of elements decided by the vendor. Each platforms allow customers to create an internet retailer, however Etsy’s Sample shops are extra reasonably priced than eBay’s.
Etsy charges
Promoting charges on Etsy are higher outlined and extra constant than on eBay. The charges could be damaged down into two sections, itemizing charges and itemizing renewal charges — Etsy listings expire after 4 months. Each charges are $0.20 per merchandise. Listings are renewed robotically until in any other case terminated through handbook termination.
For listed gadgets, no extra itemizing charges are charged to sellers who want to put these listings on their Etsy Sample retailer (Etsy’s personalised web site device), and sellers incur no itemizing charges for Sample-only listings. Not like customary listings, Sample-only listings don’t expire. Etsy doesn’t cost sellers to edit listings. When listings promote, sellers incur transaction charges, that are deducted from the vendor’s stability (5% per sale plus any supply and gift-wrapping costs).
Etsy sellers in good standing are eligible for Etsy Plus — a subscription that helps Etsy sellers take their shops and gross sales to new heights by offering their very own area identify and superior customization instruments. It prices $10 USD/month and is deducted from the vendor’s stability month-to-month.
Cost processing charges for on-line gross sales apply should you use Etsy Funds (these charges range based mostly on checking account location). Sellers may incur fee account foreign money conversion charges to transform from USD.
In the event you determine to make use of Etsy Sample, your website is free for the primary 30 days, adopted by a $15 USD/month subscription charge — a lot more cost effective than the eBay equal.
eBay charges
Sellers on eBay should pay the platform’s month-to-month and/or annual charges. These charges range from vendor to vendor, relying on the quantity and sort of listings they publish, the variety of gadgets they promote and any superior listings they buy.
eBay’s charges could be paid robotically or through one-time funds. Your eBay charges will range dramatically should you’re an informal vendor or you probably have an eBay retailer. Shops on eBay require a subscription. The charges for an eBay retailer subscription are as follows:
- If paid month-to-month:
- Primary plan prices $27.95
- Premium plan prices $74.95
- Anchor plan prices $349.95
- If paid yearly:
- Primary plan prices $21.95
- Premium plan prices $59.95
- Anchor plan prices $299.95
Listings on eBay incur Insertion Charges (itemizing value) and Last Worth Charges (proportion of ultimate sale) per merchandise — that modify based mostly on the vendor’s use of eBay (in the event that they do or don’t have an eBay retailer subscription). Nevertheless, you probably have an eBay retailer, you’ll be able to make the most of as much as 200 zero insertion charges on your listings.
Promoting charges
Etsy’s and eBay’s promoting charge buildings for his or her in-platform advert applications are very distinct. The charges for Etsy’s in-platform promoting program, Etsy Adverts, are pretty customary — akin to Google AdWords and Fb. eBay’s promoting charge construction relies on a proportion mannequin — one which Etsy not too long ago adopted for its new exterior adverts program.
Etsy
Similar to Fb adverts, Etsy’s promoting charges for its in-platform Etsy Adverts are based mostly on a day by day finances set by the vendor — their most day by day spend. Etsy’s default minimal day by day finances is simply $1.00. Sellers are charged when adverts are clicked, and CPCs are calculated day by day and added to the fee account of the vendor on the next day — which implies Etsy advertisers are paying up entrance with none ensures that their adverts will repay.
(Supply: Etsy)
In February of 2020, Etsy launched a brand new promoting service known as Offsite Adverts. It’s designed to be risk-free — Etsy customers get charged a proportion (12% if the seller makes over $10,000 USD in 12 months, 15% if below) solely after they make a sale. These Offsite Adverts are promoted solely outdoors of Etsy’s platform on Google, Fb, Instagram, Pinterest and Bing.
eBay
eBay’s promoting charges are chosen by the vendor and based mostly on a proportion of the merchandise’s sale worth. In consequence, an eBay vendor is aware of precisely how a lot they’ll pay to promote and promote the merchandise from the outset.
(Supply: eBay)
eBay adverts are decrease danger than traditional Etsy Adverts, as the vendor pays solely when the merchandise sells on eBay. Etsy Adverts, Etsy’s in-platform adverts, are charged per click on no matter whether or not the itemizing sells. The eBay advert price is charged solely when a purchaser clicks on a promoted itemizing and purchases it inside 30 days of the clicking. The charge relies on the advert price that was in impact on the time of the primary click on.
Vendor expertise
Vendor expertise is sort of totally different on eBay vs. Etsy on the subject of efficiency, instruments and extra. A serious distinction is eBay is a extra competitively structured platform whereas Etsy is extra communal.
Efficiency: Etsy
On Etsy, a vendor’s efficiency is much less crucial and isn’t as extremely scrutinized by the platform. Prospects’ opinions matter most. Etsy Critiques permits consumers to price their experiences with Etsy purchases.
Sellers are members of an intensive maker group on Etsy. It allows sellers to supply one another help and useful critiques via Etsy’s group boards. Etsy encourages sellers to comply with their firm insurance policies and provides steerage on methods to enhance their promoting (like through good advertising and marketing and promoting) however doesn’t price sellers.
You may learn this submit to discover ways to turn into a high vendor by scaling your Etsy enterprise.
Efficiency: eBay
Vendor efficiency issues vastly on eBay. The extra arduous work you place into it, the extra you’ll be rewarded. Sellers ought to goal to create a pristine buyer expertise and make a lot of gross sales in trade for eBay’s stamp of approval — vendor ranges. These ranges are like badges of honor that allow clients know they’re in good palms — which in flip helps the vendor make extra gross sales on eBay. Vendor ranges (like Prime Rated and Above Commonplace) let clients know that purchasing from the vendor will most definitely be protected and pleasant.
To turn into a Prime Rated Vendor, you’ll must have an eBay account that’s been lively for at the very least 90 days; have at the very least 100 transactions and $1,000 in gross sales with world and/or U.S. consumers over the previous 12 months; adjust to eBay’s promoting practices coverage; meet the necessities for transaction defect price, instances closed with out vendor decision and late cargo price.
eBay’s vendor ranges aren’t the one seals of approval on the platform. eBay clients may also present sellers with public suggestions through eBay suggestions scores. These scores present potential clients what they’ll count on.
Vendor instruments: Etsy
Etsy has a extra relaxed group vibe in comparison with eBay. This strategy makes it nicely suited to small companies. Sellers are inspired to assist one another succeed, and Etsy offers free sensible recommendation to extend gross sales through the Etsy Vendor Handbook. This digital handbook supplies recommendation and inspiration to Etsy sellers through articles on key subjects akin to product images, pricing and getting discovered.
Along with the handbook, Etsy group boards supply sellers the chance to help one another immediately, share recommendation and supply pleasant critiques.
For the vendor on the go, the Etsy app helps sellers handle their enterprise whereas out and about.
Vendor instruments: eBay
eBay is usually a extremely aggressive market. Sellers are inspired to scale up, increase their listings and thrive. To assist them try this, eBay provides the next skilled instruments designed to assist sellers hit and surpass their objectives:
- Vendor Hub: A free device that allows sellers to reinforce and streamline their enterprise operations and enhance gross sales.
- Promoting Templates: These reusable templates assist frequent eBay sellers create high-quality listings shortly and simply.
- The eBay App: The app allows sellers to promote and work with eBay’s instruments on the go together with ease.
- Gross sales Studies: These free experiences for sellers are designed to assist monitor your enterprise, perceive the primary drivers of your gross sales and information key enterprise choices.
In the event you’re a newbie and this seems overwhelming, don’t fret — try this information to discover ways to begin your eBay journey.
Etsy vs. eBay: Which is able to you select?
The place will you select? Will it’s an eBay retailer or an Etsy retailer?
Each eBay and Etsy are excellent on-line marketplaces that would probably be an incredible match on your on-line enterprise. All of it is determined by what you propose to promote and who your potential clients are.
Whereas Etsy is undoubtedly a extra area of interest market nicely suited to smaller companies that promote handmade, artistic, creative, distinctive and classic merchandise, eBay can probably work for any vendor due to its huge attain and huge variety of stock. We hope this cross-comparison helps you discover the best on-line market to promote merchandise.
