Big Cartel vs Etsy – Which Platform Is Best For Sellers?
With so many options for businesses selling products online, it can be hard to know which platform is the best for selling your products. That’s why we’re going to compare two popular eCommerce platforms–Big Cartel and Etsy. We’ll look at their pros and cons, features, fees, and user experience to help you decide which platform is best for your business.
What Is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an eCommerce software platform built to help creative entrepreneurs launch and run their online storefronts. This software simplifies the complex steps associated with setting up and managing an online store. With this platform, you can quickly launch an online shop and start selling your products to customers all over the world.
What Is Etsy?
Etsy is also an eCommerce platform, but it’s highly different from Big Cartel. Rather than a software platform, Etsy is a marketplace where buyers and sellers meet. It’s the perfect platform for creative entrepreneurs looking to start selling handmade items, vintage goods, and crafting supplies. Etsy provides a great way to reach customers from all over the world.
Pros and Cons of Big Cartel
Big Cartel comes with a lot of advantages for sellers looking for a platform to launch their online store. Here are some of the pros of using Big Cartel:
Pros:
• Easy to use and customize – Big Cartel is designed to be user-friendly and easy to customize. With Big Cartel, you can quickly and easily upload product images and descriptions, manage inventory, and accept payments from customers.
• No transaction fees – With Big Cartel, you won’t be charged any transaction fees on sales. This means that you can keep more of your profits and reinvest them into your business.
• Flexible pricing – You can choose your own pricing with Big Cartel, making it easier to maximize profit margins on products.
Although Big Cartel is a great platform to use, there are also some cons to consider. Here are some of the negatives of using Big Cartel:
Cons:
• Limited features – Big Cartel may not have as many features or third-party integrations as other eCommerce software platforms. This can make it hard to customize or add more options to your store.
• Limited scalability – Big Cartel may not be able to handle larger stores with many products and sales.
• Limited support – Big Cartel provides limited customer support, which can make it more challenging to get the help you need in a timely manner.
Pros and Cons of Etsy
Etsy is also a popular platform for sellers looking to start an online shop. Here are some of the pros of using Etsy:
Pros:
• Marketplace platform – Etsy provides a marketplace platform where buyers and sellers meet. This makes it easier for buyers to find and purchase your products.
• Access to larger audience – With Etsy, you can reach a much larger audience than you could with just your online store.
• Third-party integrations – You can easily integrate third-party apps with your Etsy store, making it easier to access more features and customize your store.
There are also some negatives of using Etsy. Here are some of the cons of using Etsy:
Cons:
• Transaction fees – Etsy charges a transaction fee on sales, which you can’t avoid. This is in addition to the fees you pay to list your items.
• Lack of customization – Etsy doesn’t allow you to customize your store as much as Big Cartel does.
• Slow customer support – Etsy’s customer support can be slow to respond, which can make it difficult to get help when needed.
Features of Big Cartel
Big Cartel comes with a range of features that make it easier for sellers to launch and manage their online stores. Here are some of its features:
• Easy to use dashboard – The Big Cartel dashboard is designed to be user-friendly and make it easier to manage your store.
• Customizable shop themes – You can choose from a range of customizable shop themes to quickly launch your store.
• Flexible pricing – You can choose the pricing you want for your products, making it easier to maximize profit margins.
• No transaction fees – There are no transaction fees with Big Cartel, which means you can keep more of your profits.
• Product management – You can easily manage your products and inventory with Big Cartel.
• Mobile support – Big Cartel is compatible with mobile devices, making it easier for customers to shop from their phones.
Features of Etsy
Etsy also comes with a range of features to help you launch and manage your online shop. Here are some of the features of Etsy:
• Marketplace platform – Etsy provides a marketplace platform where buyers and sellers can meet.
• Customizable shop themes – You can choose from a range of customizable shop themes to quickly launch your store.
• Third-party integrations – You can take advantage of third-party integrations with your Etsy store.
• Product management – You can manage your products and inventory with Etsy.
• Social media integration – You can easily integrate social media into your Etsy store, making it easier to get the word out about your products.
• Payment processing – Etsy makes it easy to accept payments from customers, with support for major payment methods.
Fees for Big Cartel and Etsy
When choosing an eCommerce platform, it’s important to consider the fees associated with the platform. Here’s a look at the fees for Big Cartel and Etsy:
Big Cartel Fees
Big Cartel has a range of fees that you need to consider when using their platform. Here’s a look at the fees for Big Cartel:
• Setup fees – Big Cartel doesn’t charge any setup fees.
• Monthly subscription fees – Big Cartel has four different plans, with monthly fees ranging from $9.99 to $29.99 per month.
• Transaction fees – Big Cartel doesn’t charge any transaction fees on sales.
Etsy Fees
Etsy also comes with a range of fees that you need to consider before signing up. Here’s a look at the fees for Etsy:
• Setup fees – Etsy doesn’t charge any setup fees.
• Listing fees – Etsy charges a 20¢ listing fee for each item you list in your store.
• Transaction fees – Etsy charges a 5% transaction fee for each sale you make.
• Payment processing fees – Etsy charges a 3% plus a 25¢ payment processing fee for each sale.
User Experience of Big Cartel and Etsy
The user experience is another important factor to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform. Here’s a look at the user experience of Big Cartel and Etsy:
Big Cartel User Experience
Big Cartel has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to customize your store, manage orders, and accept payments. Its dashboard is designed to be intuitive and straightforward, making it easier to use. The platform also comes with helpful tutorial videos that can help you get started quickly.
Etsy User Experience
Etsy also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to launch and manage your store. Its dashboard is designed to be straightforward and easy to understand. This makes it easier to list your items, manage orders, and accept payments. Etsy also provides helpful tutorial videos and support, making it easier to get help when needed.
Big Cartel and Etsy are both great platforms for creative entrepreneurs looking to start selling their products online. Big Cartel is an excellent platform for sellers who want an easy to use and customize store with no transaction fees, while Etsy is the perfect platform for sellers looking to reach a larger audience and take advantage of third-party integrations. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the features you’re looking for in an eCommerce platform.
