Etsy is a great starting point for many handmade and product-based businesses, but relying solely on one platform can limit your growth. If you're ready to scale, diversify, and take full control of your brand, expanding beyond Etsy is a crucial next step. In this guide, we'll explore where to go next, from launching your own website to leveraging new marketplaces and social media strategies.
Why Expand Beyond Etsy?
While Etsy provides a built-in audience and a trusted platform, it also comes with high fees, algorithm changes, and marketplace restrictions that can impact your sales. By expanding, you can:
✅ Increase profit margins by avoiding Etsy’s transaction and listing fees.
✅ Build a brand identity without competing sellers in the same space.
✅ Own your customer relationships by collecting emails and marketing directly.
✅ Scale your business with more sales channels and revenue streams.
✅ Build a brand identity without competing sellers in the same space.
✅ Own your customer relationships by collecting emails and marketing directly.
✅ Scale your business with more sales channels and revenue streams.
If you’re wondering where to go next, here are the top strategies to grow your business beyond Etsy.
1. Launch Your Own Website
Having your own e-commerce website gives you full control over branding, customer experience, and pricing. Platforms like Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce make it easy to set up and customize a store that reflects your brand.
Benefits of an E-Commerce Website:
- No listing or transaction fees (besides payment processing).
- You control SEO, marketing, and customer communication.
- Opportunity to create an email list and increase repeat customers.
Pro Tip: Optimize your website for SEO so that customers can find you through Google searches, Pinterest, and social media.
2. Sell on Additional Marketplaces
Expanding to other online marketplaces can bring in more traffic while you build your own website presence. Here are some great alternatives to Etsy:
- Amazon Handmade – Huge audience, great for scaling, but competitive.
- eBay – Ideal for vintage, niche, and one-of-a-kind products.
- Faire – A wholesale marketplace connecting artisans with retailers.
- Goimagine – A growing marketplace focused on handmade goods.
Pro Tip: Keep your bestsellers on Etsy while testing new marketplaces to see which perform best for your niche.
3. Use Social Media to Sell Directly
Social media platforms are powerful sales channels and branding tools. Consider:
- Instagram & Facebook Shops – Sell directly through shoppable posts.
- TikTok Shop – Great for viral product marketing and direct selling.
- Pinterest – Drives long-term organic traffic to your website.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating engaging content (behind-the-scenes, product demos, and customer testimonials) to attract new buyers.
4. Grow an Email List & Build Customer Loyalty
One of the biggest challenges on Etsy is that Etsy owns your customers, not you. Building an email list allows you to communicate directly and increase repeat purchases.
💌 How to Start?
- Offer a discount or freebie in exchange for email sign-ups.
- Use email marketing tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp to send updates, promotions, and new product launches.
Pro Tip: A strong email list helps you make sales on demand—without relying on algorithms.
5. Explore Wholesale & Subscription Models
If you're looking to scale, consider wholesale partnerships or a subscription box model:
📦 Wholesale: Sell your products in boutiques, gift shops, or online retailers like Faire and Abound.
📦 Subscription Boxes: Create a monthly box featuring your handmade products, themed items, or exclusive limited editions.
Pro Tip: Wholesale and subscriptions provide consistent, reliable income, making it easier to plan inventory and production.
6. Run Paid Ads for Traffic & Sales
To gain visibility outside Etsy, invest in paid advertising:
💰 Facebook & Instagram Ads – Targeted ads to bring shoppers to your website.
💰 Pinterest Ads – Great for long-term organic traffic and discovery.
💰 Google Shopping Ads – Perfect for ranking higher in search results.
💰 Pinterest Ads – Great for long-term organic traffic and discovery.
💰 Google Shopping Ads – Perfect for ranking higher in search results.
Pro Tip: Start with a small budget and test different ad creatives before scaling up.
Ready to Expand Beyond Etsy?
Growing beyond Etsy is a strategic move that gives you more control, profitability, and long-term stability. Whether you launch your own website, explore new marketplaces, or leverage social media, the key is diversifying so you aren’t reliant on a single platform.
🚀 Next Step: Start by setting up your own website or testing a new marketplace while keeping your Etsy shop active. Over time, you’ll build a stronger brand, more sales channels, and a thriving business that you fully own.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Let’s expand beyond Etsy and build a brand that lasts! Join the Handmade to Entrepreneur Program today
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