Introduction
There is no denying that eCommerce is on the rise. The increased number of digital customers is a testament to this fact. There were 2.14 billion digital buyers in 2021, which is 900 million more than in 2020. This number shows how much more a seller can sell online and need not worry about not being able to garner customers.
Although there are ample selling opportunities on the online platform, one mistake here can cost you your hard-earned money. But what mistakes can it be? One of the common mistakes that online sellers make is choosing the wrong selling platform.
Today, several online platforms exist like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Ruby Lane, etc. The general mindset is to select any available platforms and start selling. This move leaves merchants with fewer sales, no audience, and no profits.
One thing that sellers need to consider is the type of products they trade. If you sell vintage or hand-crafted products, Etsy is an apt choice for you.
On the other hand, if you sell various products, you will be in a better situation by selecting eBay.
So, in the Etsy vs. eBay battle, we will help you by telling you how either is in various aspects of online selling. So stay tuned to unravel the truth in this eBay vs. Etsy battle.
Summary
Etsy is an online platform that acts as a bridge between merchants and shoppers passionate about making or buying custom-made items, vintage or unique products. On the other hand, eBay is a US-based company, an excellent place for shoppers and merchants to come together and trade almost anything. **Etsy vs. eBay: Pros of selling on Etsy** 1. Etsy is easy to use. 2. Etsy is an affordable marketplace than eBay for merchants. **Etsy vs. eBay: Cons of selling on Etsy** 1. Etsy does not let its merchants sell everything. The products you sell on Etsy need to be unique, vintage, and handmade. 2. All the niches present on Etsy seem to be saturated. It demands patience on one's part to become successful on Etsy. **Etsy vs. eBay: Pros of selling on eBay** 1. Sellers on eBay are easier to get discovered than on Etsy. 2. eBay lets you sell anything. 3. eBay is a suitable marketplace for auctions and used items. **Etsy vs. eBay: Cons of selling on eBay** 1. The fees on eBay are higher than on Etsy. 2. Numerous thrift stores like clothing, electronics, jewelry, etc., make the marketplace very competitive. 3. Listing products on eBay is more hard work than on Etsy. **Product types** **Etsy** Handmade, vintage, and antique pieces. **eBay** Mass-produced items. Sellers can sell anything on eBay. **Audience** **Etsy** Those interested in buying vintage products, jewelry, clothing, art, furniture, home décor, toys, craft supplies, and tools. **eBay** Merchants can sell second-hand items here as people want goods reasonably priced. It does not matter to them whether or not the product is new. **Ease of Selling** **Etsy** It is simple to open a shop on Etsy. It is simple to open a seller account on Etsy, type in your Etsy store's name, and upload your items. Once you have successfully registered, Etsy guides you on things that you should add to your listing. **eBay** Just like Etsy, eBay also guides you on how to get started. You will find step-by-step instructions on how to set up your account. Also, you will find yourself with some suggestions from eBay on how to promote your products to increase your sales. **Etsy vs. eBay: Selling fees** **Etsy** 1. Listing fee 2. Transaction fee 3. Payment processing fees **eBay** 1. Insertion fee 2. Final value fees
Etsy vs. eBay: Product types
Etsy
Etsy is suitable for those who want to sell handmade, vintage, and antique pieces. This platform focuses on boutiques and individualistic items instead of mass-produced ones. If you sell these items, you will do well by choosing Etsy.
However, if you sell any of the following products, you can not then become an Etsy Seller. Etsy prohibits selling the following types of articles:
- Animal products
- Human remains
- Intoxicating material
- Hatred and violence provoking items
- Weapons and dangerous materials
- Internationally regulated items
- Matured content
- Articles about illegal activities
eBay
eBay is for those merchants who have various products to sell. This fact implies one can sell anything on eBay. Here customers usually look for the lowest price for a product instead of the original items. eBay focuses on mass-produced items, unlike Etsy.
Just like Etsy, eBay forbids sellers from selling the following products:
- Currency, coins, and stamps
- Products that support illegal activities
- Intoxicating substances
- Digitally delivered products
- Autographed stuff
- Adult items
- Event passes
- Electrical and electronic appliances
Etsy vs. eBay: Audience
Etsy
On Etsy, one will find people who are interested in buying the following articles:
- vintage
- jewelry
- clothing
- art
- furniture
- home décor
- toys
- craft supplies and tools
So here, one can find people looking for items they can buy for personal use or collection. For them, the originality of items matters rather than the price.
eBay
On eBay, one can find people looking for new or used products. Merchants can sell second-hand items here as people want goods reasonably priced. It does not matter to them whether or not the product is new.
So if you are someone who wants to sell in more prominent market niches, you will be better with eBay.
Etsy vs. eBay: Ease of Selling
Etsy
It is simple to open a shop on Etsy. It is simple to open a seller account on Etsy, type in your Etsy store's name, and upload your items. Once you have successfully registered, Etsy guides you on things that you should add to your listing.
There is a forum on the platform where you can interact with fellow Etsy sellers and obtain the Etsy Seller Handbook, giving you instructions.
eBay
Just like Etsy, eBay also guides you on how to get started. You will find step-by-step instructions on how to set up your account. Also, you will find yourself with some suggestions from eBay on how to promote your products to increase your sales.
However, eBay is not the most visually-appearing medium. It is hard to find features on the platform.
Etsy vs. eBay: Selling fees
Etsy
Selling fees on Etsy are more straightforward than on eBay. Etsy has priced listing and listing renewal fees at $0.20 per item, and they expire after four months.
Sellers would need to pay the following three types of fees for using Etsy:
- Listing fee: One has to pay this fee no matter if their products do not get sold. Listing your products means paying the fees is mandatory.
- Transaction fee: One pays a 6.5% transaction fee on each product one sells apart from the already set shipping price.
- Payment processing fees: This fee depends on the country of the sellers. Those who sell from the U.S. and Australia pay 3% + $0.25 for each transaction.
eBay
Your eBay seller fees depend on whether you are just a casual seller on the platform or you own an eBay store. The eBay fees branch into two types, namely insertion fees and final value fees.
- Insertion fee: You can create up to 250 listings per month for no cost. After that, you must pay listing or insertion fees, which are $0.35 per listing for most categories.
- Final value fees: Once you sell your products, you need to pay a percentage of the good's total sale price.
We list the fees for an eBay store subscription below:
Monthly
- Basic plan: $19.95
- Premium plan: $59.95
- Anchor plan: $299.95
Annually:
- Basic plan: $24.95
- Premium plan: $74.95
- Anchor plan: $349.95
Etsy vs. eBay: Shipping
Etsy
Etsy has subsidized postage labels for sellers, and they can use Etsy tools such as calculated postage for shipping purposes. Etsy has discounted prices for carriers like USPS, FedEx, and Canada Post. Sellers can also print their shipping labels from their Etsy accounts.
eBay
Sellers need to give free shipping to customers as numerous other merchants on the platform have this option for their buyers. To ensure smooth shipping on eBay, you need to set up your shipping options and rates. Also, it would help to work on your estimated delivery timeframes.
Do not forget to see eBay's global shipping program if you are selling internationally.
Etsy vs. eBay: Tools that you will get
Etsy
Etsy does not offer tools to its sellers to improve their sales and simplify their selling process. Despite this, Etsy is easy to use, and one can become accustomed to using Etsy SEO in no time. In addition to Etsy SEO, sellers can also employ third-party tools like Etsy scrapers to streamline their business.
eBay
eBay provides its merchants with professional tools to boost their sales. These tools are as follows:
- Seller Hub
- Selling Manager tool
- Selling templates
- Promotions Manager
- Sales reports
- The eBay App
Etsy vs. eBay: Customer Support
Etsy
Etsy customer support is straightforward. Etsy deals with issues regarding handling orders, managing stores and business, payment FAQs, and inquiries about the Etsy listing tool.
Etsy has help on how to sell during Covid-19, how to search on Etsy, etc.
eBay
The customer support that you find on eBay is comprehensive. You can find information on the following things:
- selling fees
- listing creation
- refunds
- shipping
- selling tools
- performance factors
eBay provides numerous media to connect with like email, phone, live chat, social media, etc.
Etsy vs. eBay: Pros of selling on Etsy
- Etsy is easy to use.
- Etsy is an affordable marketplace than eBay for merchants.
- Etsy offers sellers built-in analytics tools to monitor their sales visitors.
- Listing on Etsy is easier.
- Setting up your online store is easy and quick with Etsy.
- Sellers on Etsy do not need to worry about configuring websites or product pages.
Etsy vs. eBay: Cons of selling on Etsy
- Etsy does not let its merchants sell everything. The products you sell on Etsy need to be unique, vintage, and handmade.
- All the niches present on Etsy seem to be saturated. It demands patience on one's part to become successful on Etsy.
- It isn't easy to get discovered by customers.
- Etsy does not allow merchants selling on this platform to ask for customers' email ids to create an email list. It is against the rule that Etsy follows.
- Often, sellers on Etsy encounter people replicating their work.
Etsy vs. eBay: Pros of selling on eBay
- Sellers on eBay are easier to get discovered than on Etsy.
- eBay lets you sell anything.
- eBay is a suitable marketplace for auctions and used items.
- One can find a vast number of potential customers.
- eBay has integrated with PayPal, letting it immediately accept payments from customers globally.
- Getting started on eBay is affordable.
- eBay offers merchants selling on the platform both options; the option to auction and buy it now.
Etsy vs. eBay: Cons of selling on eBay
- The fees on eBay are higher than on Etsy.
- Numerous thrift stores like clothing, electronics, jewelry, etc., make the marketplace very competitive.
- Listing products on eBay is more hard work than on Etsy.
- eBay has some strict policies that lockout numerous drop shippers.
- Selling on eBay is time-consuming. You need to manage your goods, measure them, take appealing pictures of them, ship them and reply to consumers; queries.
Conclusion
Etsy is suitable for small businesses, whereas eBay is for the experienced. Sellers on eBay have their hands-on professional tools to boost their sales, whereas, on Etsy, one needs to use third-party apps. As a seller, it entirely depends on your goals and goods, which platform is apt for you.
Since eCommerce platforms are the need of the hour and many merchants examine them well before deciding which platform to sell, one needs to roll out such eCommerce platforms that are easy to use and cater to all types of sellers.
If you have the blueprint for a better platform, let's build it with AppsRhino today! Check out this portfolio for more information.
