Etsy vs. Your Own Website: Pros and Cons

TLDRLearn about the pros and cons of selling on Etsy vs. having your own website. Etsy provides a built-in audience and easy setup, but you have limited control and face competition. With your own website, you have more control and can create a unique brand experience, but you need to handle marketing and traffic.

Key insights

🛍️Etsy provides a built-in audience and is easy to start with, making it great for beginners.

💻Having your own website gives you more control and allows you to create a unique brand experience.

🔎Etsy's competition and pricing pressure can make it challenging to stand out and maintain profitability.

📈Your own website requires marketing efforts to drive traffic and make sales.

🔄Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your goals and preferences.

Q&A

Is it better to sell on Etsy or have your own website?

It depends on your goals and preferences. Etsy provides a built-in audience and easy setup, but you have limited control and face competition. With your own website, you have more control and can create a unique brand experience, but you need to handle marketing and traffic.

Can I sell both on Etsy and my own website?

Yes, you can sell on both platforms. Many sellers choose to have a presence on Etsy to leverage its built-in audience while also having their own website for more control and branding.

How do I get traffic to my own website?

To drive traffic to your website, you need to invest in marketing strategies such as SEO, social media marketing, content creation, advertising, and building an email list. It requires effort and consistency to attract and retain visitors.

Is it expensive to have your own website?

The cost of having your own website can vary depending on your chosen platform, hosting, domain name, design, and additional features. It's important to factor in these costs and compare them to the potential benefits and control you gain.

Do I need technical skills to have my own website?

While technical skills can be helpful, many website builders and platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and templates that require no coding experience. You can customize your website with drag-and-drop features and pre-made designs.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Etsy and your own website have different business models - Etsy is a marketplace while your own website is standalone.

03:49Etsy has a built-in audience, but your own website requires marketing efforts to drive traffic.

06:29Understanding Etsy's search algorithm is crucial for success on the platform.

10:20Etsy's policies and changes can affect your shop, while your own website gives you more control.

12:32Competition and pricing pressure on Etsy can be challenging, while your own website allows you to set your pricing.