Attention all Etsy sellers! Are you relying solely on the Etsy marketplace to sell your products? If so, it’s time to consider the benefits of having your own online shop separate from the Etsy marketplace.
Recent events have highlighted the importance of diversifying your sales channels and not being overly dependent on any one platform. In particular, the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) serves as a stark reminder that no company is immune to financial instability.
So why should you consider creating your own online shop separate from Etsy? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Branding and Customization: With your own online shop, you have complete control over the branding and design of your store. You can create a unique look and feel that reflects your brand and stands out from the competition. You can also customize your shop to include additional features such as blog posts, customer testimonials, and social media integration.
- Greater Control and Flexibility: When you sell on Etsy, you are subject to their terms and policies. With your own online shop, you have greater control over your store’s policies, shipping rates, and customer service. You can also experiment with different pricing strategies, product offerings, and marketing campaigns without the constraints of a third-party marketplace.
- Lower Fees: Etsy charges a variety of fees for using its platform, including listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. While these fees may be reasonable for some sellers, they can add up quickly for those with high sales volumes. By creating your own online shop, you can avoid these fees or choose a platform with lower fees.
- Increased Customer Loyalty: When customers purchase from your own online shop, they are more likely to remember your brand and return for future purchases. By building a loyal customer base, you can reduce your reliance on search rankings and other external factors that affect sales on third-party marketplaces.
- Backup Plan: As mentioned earlier, recent events have shown that even the largest and most successful companies can experience financial instability. By creating your own online shop, you have a backup plan in case Etsy or any other marketplace experiences issues that impact your sales.
In conclusion, while Etsy can be a great platform for selling handmade and vintage items, it’s important to consider the benefits of having your own online shop. By creating a separate sales channel, you can increase your control and flexibility, reduce fees, build customer loyalty, and have a backup plan in case of unexpected events like the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank. So why not take the plunge and start building your own online shop today?
Want to learn more or get a quote for your own online store? Contact us!