Etsy and eBay are two of probably the most well-known on-line marketplaces on the planet. It’s possible you’ve purchased one thing from them — however have you ever bought one thing with them? Every ecommerce platform has its execs and cons for sellers. We’ve put them head-to-head throughout 5 classes so you possibly can see precisely how they stack up for what you are promoting.
Buyer base
eBay is the go-to place the place absolutely anything (each new and used, however largely new) is bought to a largely American buyer base searching for well-priced and sometimes mass-produced objects. Etsy, alternatively, is a smaller international market the place largely American consumers flock for handmade objects or distinctive classic objects — and merchandise with inventive aptitude.
Etsy
Whereas Etsy is a smaller platform than eBay, the positioning attracted 81.9 million consumers in 2020. In case your potential clients worth high-quality, artisanal items, this can be the perfect platform for you. If constructing a loyal buyer base is crucial to what you are promoting technique, Etsy is an efficient place to arrange store. Over 40% of gross sales are repeat gross sales from energetic 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 huge 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 US. 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 degree of success there. Prime promoting classes embody cell telephones and different digital items. Different in style classes embody clothes and jewellery.
Eighty % of products bought on eBay are new — however don’t leap to any conclusions about eBay being an unsuitable platform for promoting used objects, as 39.8% of used objects promote.
Delivery
Each on-line shops exit of their option to make transport simple for sellers, but it surely’s essential to notice that for those who resolve to promote on eBay, chances are you’ll really feel obligated to supply free transport with the intention to compete with different sellers. Each eBay and Etsy supply sellers useful transport instruments and sources to make managing shipments simpler. The instruments and sources range from platform to platform.
Etsy
Delivery with Etsy is worth it. It’s cheaper than transport 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 useful instruments and capabilities that make transport simpler for sellers; calculated postage make figuring out transport value simple; handy cargo monitoring so you possibly can really feel in management; the power to create, edit, and bulk edit supply profiles to automate transport; and help with customs varieties, so crossing borders is a breeze.
Etsy just isn’t designed for dropshipping, as you can’t resell handmade items. The vendor should make all handmade items.
eBay
On eBay, there may be appreciable strain on distributors to supply free transport with the intention to compete. That is at your individual expense, so you want to issue it into your itemizing pricing. Not everybody can afford to supply free transport, however transport for the majority of purchases made on eBay (71%) is free.
There’s further strain to promote low-priced objects on eBay. {The marketplace} is understood for aggressive low pricing, and customers can type search outcomes by lowest worth + transport, as illustrated beneath. Because of this, offsetting free transport together with your itemizing pricing might be a problem.
(Supply: eBay)
eBay makes transport simpler by offering its sellers with sure transport instruments and capabilities. They embody transport labels, which could be printed at dwelling; free co-branded transport provides; a transport calculator to estimate the price of transport through varied carriers; the choice to ship internationally; and the power to supply consumers transport reductions, flat charges and free transport.
In the event you’re considering 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 per 30 days. Etsy doesn’t roll out the welcome wagon in that means, however its charges are extra predictable than eBay’s. Etsy all the time 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 a web-based 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 mechanically except in any other case terminated through handbook termination.
For listed objects, no further itemizing charges are charged to sellers who want to put these listings on their Etsy Sample retailer (Etsy’s customized web site device), and sellers incur no itemizing charges for Sample-only listings. Not like normal 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.
Fee processing charges for on-line gross sales apply for those who use Etsy Funds (these charges range primarily based on checking account location). Sellers might also incur cost account forex conversion charges to transform from USD.
In the event you resolve 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 less expensive 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 kind of listings they publish, the variety of objects they promote and any superior listings they buy.
eBay’s charges could be paid mechanically or through one-time funds. Your eBay charges will range dramatically for those who’re an off-the-cuff vendor or if in case you 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:
- Fundamental plan prices $27.95
- Premium plan prices $74.95
- Anchor plan prices $349.95
- If paid yearly:
- Fundamental plan prices $21.95
- Premium plan prices $59.95
- Anchor plan prices $299.95
Listings on eBay incur Insertion Charges (itemizing value) and Closing Worth Charges (share of ultimate sale) per merchandise — that adjust primarily based on the vendor’s use of eBay (in the event that they do or don’t have an eBay retailer subscription). Nonetheless, if in case you have an eBay retailer, you possibly can make the most of as much as 200 zero insertion charges in your listings.
Promoting charges
Etsy’s and eBay’s promoting charge constructions for his or her in-platform advert applications are very distinct. The charges for Etsy’s in-platform promoting program, Etsy Adverts, are pretty normal — akin to Google AdWords and Fb. eBay’s promoting charge construction is predicated on a share mannequin — one which Etsy lately adopted for its new exterior advertisements program.
Etsy
Similar to Fb advertisements, Etsy’s promoting charges for its in-platform Etsy Adverts are primarily based on a each day finances set by the vendor — their most each day spend. Etsy’s default minimal each day finances is simply $1.00. Sellers are charged when advertisements are clicked, and CPCs are calculated each day and added to the cost account of the vendor on the next day — which suggests Etsy advertisers are paying up entrance with none ensures that their advertisements 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 share (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 completely exterior of Etsy’s platform on Google, Fb, Instagram, Pinterest and Bing.
eBay
eBay’s promoting charges are chosen by the vendor and primarily based on a share of the merchandise’s sale worth. Because of this, 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 advertisements are decrease threat than traditional Etsy Adverts, as the vendor pays solely when the merchandise sells on eBay. Etsy Adverts, Etsy’s in-platform advertisements, 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 press. The charge is predicated on the advert price that was in impact on the time of the primary click on.
Vendor expertise
Vendor expertise is kind of totally different on eBay vs. Etsy on the subject of efficiency, instruments and extra. A significant 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 important and isn’t as extremely scrutinized by the platform. Prospects’ opinions matter most. Etsy Evaluations 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 by Etsy’s group boards. Etsy encourages sellers to observe their firm insurance policies and offers steering on methods to enhance their promoting (like through good advertising and marketing and promoting) however doesn’t price sellers.
You may learn this publish to learn to grow to be a prime vendor by scaling your Etsy enterprise.
Efficiency: eBay
Vendor efficiency issues vastly on eBay. The extra laborious work you set into it, the extra you’ll be rewarded. Sellers ought to intention to create a pristine buyer expertise and make numerous gross sales in alternate for eBay’s stamp of approval — vendor ranges. These ranges are like badges of honor that allow clients know they’re in good fingers — which in flip helps the vendor make extra gross sales on eBay. Vendor ranges (like Prime Rated and Above Normal) let clients know that purchasing from the vendor will almost certainly be secure and pleasing.
To grow to be a Prime Rated Vendor, you’ll must have an eBay account that’s been energetic for a minimum of 90 days; have a minimum of 100 transactions and $1,000 in gross sales with international and/or U.S. consumers over the previous 12 months; adjust to eBay’s promoting practices coverage; meet the necessities for transaction defect price, circumstances 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 also can present sellers with public suggestions through eBay suggestions scores. These scores present potential clients what they will anticipate.
Vendor instruments: Etsy
Etsy has a extra relaxed group vibe in comparison with eBay. This method makes it properly suited to small companies. Sellers are inspired to assist one another succeed, and Etsy provides 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 corresponding 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 could be 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 permits 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 along with ease.
- Gross sales Reviews: These free studies for sellers are designed to assist monitor what you are promoting, perceive the primary drivers of your gross sales and information key enterprise choices.
In the event you’re a newbie and this appears to be like overwhelming, don’t fret — take a look at this information to learn to begin your eBay journey.
Etsy vs. eBay: Which can you select?
The place will you select? Will or not it’s an eBay retailer or an Etsy retailer?
Each eBay and Etsy are excellent on-line marketplaces that might probably be an awesome match in your on-line enterprise. All of it is determined by what you plan to promote and who your potential clients are.
Whereas Etsy is undoubtedly a extra area of interest market properly suited to smaller companies that promote handmade, inventive, 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 suitable on-line market to promote merchandise.
