Don't sell on Etsy. These are 4 alternatives most people completely miss.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses alternatives to selling on Etsy, highlighting four key platforms. First, they introduce Printify's popup shop, which allows users to sell print-on-demand products with no upfront costs. Next, the speaker explores YouTube as a distribution channel, showcasing its potential to generate income through ad revenue, brand deals, and product sales. The third option is Shopify, where users have full control over their business without marketplace fees. Finally, the video discusses eBay as an option, with its lower listing fees and effective promoted listings. The speaker recommends using a combination of platforms for diversification, control, and credibility.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diversifying your sales platforms helps protect your business from risks like account bans or changes in marketplace algorithms.
• 😀 Printify Pop-Up Shops offer a low-cost entry point for selling print-on-demand products with no upfront production or shipping costs.
• 😀 YouTube can generate income through ads, brand deals, and affiliate marketing before even selling products, offering multiple income streams.
• 😀 Building a YouTube channel helps attract an audience and can eventually lead to high income from ad revenue, as seen with successful channels like Happy Downloads.
• 😀 Shopify provides full control over your business, including design, customer experience, and more profit per sale by avoiding marketplace fees.
• 😀 With Shopify, you can integrate your store with social media platforms like Instagram, making it easier to drive traffic and sales.
• 😀 Starting on Shopify doesn’t require a huge upfront investment, with options like the Shopify Startup Plan providing an affordable entry point.
• 😀 eBay can be a great option for print-on-demand sellers due to its lower startup costs, with 250 free listings each month and the ability to run pay-per-sale ads.
• 😀 eBay's Promoted Listings feature only charges you for ads that result in a sale, making it more cost-effective compared to other platforms.
• 😀 A key advantage of having your own website (like Shopify) is that you can build an email list and market directly to your audience without relying on a marketplace's algorithm.
• 😀 Combining platforms like Etsy, eBay, YouTube, and Shopify creates a diversified strategy that mitigates risks and increases long-term business stability.

Q & A

Why are many sellers leaving Etsy, and what challenges are they facing?

Many sellers are leaving Etsy due to account bans, false copyright claims, and the risk of losing sales momentum. While their accounts are under review, they cannot make money, and if they are reinstated, they often lose their ranking and sales momentum, forcing them to start over.

What is Printify Pop-up Shop, and how is it different from selling on Etsy?

Printify Pop-up Shop is a feature that allows users to create a print-on-demand store directly on the Printify platform. Unlike Etsy, you don't pay upfront for production or shipping costs—customers make the purchase directly on Printify, and the proceeds cover production costs. However, it offers limited customization options.

What are the key advantages of using YouTube to sell products?

YouTube allows sellers to build an audience through helpful videos, leading to ad revenue and brand deals before even selling products. By focusing on distribution through YouTube, sellers can reach a wider audience and increase sales potential.

How can YouTube help sellers earn revenue before making a single sale?

YouTube generates ad revenue through video views. Even before a product is sold, content creators can earn money through ads placed on their videos, and as their channel grows, brands may also offer sponsorships and paid collaborations.

What are the main benefits of using Shopify for selling products?

Shopify offers full control over your store, unlike marketplaces like Etsy. Sellers can manage their brand, design, and customer experience, avoiding account bans. It also provides the opportunity for higher profit margins, as transaction fees are lower than Etsy's.

Why should sellers consider integrating YouTube with their own website rather than selling solely on Etsy?

Integrating YouTube with a personal website, like Shopify, allows sellers to control their brand and customer experience. With a dedicated website, sellers can build an email list, run targeted ads, and avoid relying on marketplace algorithms to promote their products.

What are the key differences between Shopify and Etsy in terms of fees?

On Etsy, sellers pay a 20-cent listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee, and credit card processing fees. Shopify has lower transaction fees (around 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction) and a small fixed monthly fee, but it requires sellers to drive their own traffic.

How does eBay compare to Etsy for selling print-on-demand products?

eBay offers 250 free listings each month, which can be cheaper than Etsy's 20-cent listing fee. However, eBay's vast marketplace means sellers are competing with a wider variety of products, making it harder to stand out compared to niche platforms like Etsy.

What is the advantage of using promoted listings on eBay?

Promoted listings on eBay work on a pay-per-sale model. Sellers only pay for the ad if the customer clicks and buys the product, giving them more control over ad costs compared to Etsy's pay-per-click model.

What should sellers consider when diversifying their sales channels?

Sellers should focus on diversification to reduce the risks of relying on a single platform. By using platforms like Printify, YouTube, Shopify, and eBay, they can reach a broader audience, maintain control over their business, and protect themselves against account bans or changes in algorithms.