Moving Your Shop from Etsy to Your Own Website: Saving Fees and Gaining Control

About Etsy 

Etsy has been a popular platform for artisans, crafters, and small business owners to sell their unique products for a long time. With its vast and diverse customer base, Etsy provides a ready-made marketplace for those who want to start an online shop. However, as your business grows, you may feel the impact of Etsy's fees, which can reduce your profits. Moving your shop from Etsy to your website can be a strategic decision to take your business to the next level and increase your revenue. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of this transition and guide how to make it happen.

Reducing Fees

As a seller on Etsy, you may be charged several fees, such as listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. These various fees can quickly add up, reducing your profit margins and making it harder to expand your business. However, creating your own website can significantly reduce the costs of selling your products. By exploring cost-effective payment processing options, you can enjoy the total value of your sales instead of paying a percentage of each sale to Etsy.

Brand Independence

Having your own website has a significant advantage in establishing and maintaining your brand identity. Different from Etsy, where your shop is only one of many, it can be challenging to differentiate yourself. With your website, you have complete control over your brand's appearance and overall vibe. You can design your site to reflect your unique style, story, and values, creating a more robust and memorable brand that resonates with your target audience.

Enhanced Customisation

While Etsy offers some level of customisation for your shop, it is limited compared to the level of personalisation you can achieve with your own website. Having your own website allows you to have the flexibility to create a unique shopping experience for your customers. You can optimise the user interface, create custom product listings, and integrate features and tools that best serve your business needs. This added flexibility can lead to improved customer engagement, which can result in higher sales and a better overall shopping experience.

Customer Data and Marketing Opportunities

When you sell your products on Etsy, the platform controls the customer data, which limits your ability to establish a direct relationship with your buyers. However, if you move your shop to your own website, you can access valuable customer data, such as their email addresses and purchase history. This information can help you develop personalised marketing strategies, including email campaigns, targeted promotions, and loyalty programs. Furthermore, you can use analytics tools to gain insights into your customer base and optimise your marketing efforts accordingly.

Improved SEO and Visibility

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is critical to the success of any online business. When you have your own website, you have the power to take charge of your SEO efforts and enhance your search engine rankings. You can optimise your website's content, meta tags, and structure to improve your visibility on search engines like Google. This can increase organic traffic and new customers who discover your products through web searches.

Complete Control over Policies and Pricing

Sellers on Etsy must comply with the platform's policies and pricing regulations. However, if you create your own website, you can establish your own policies, return procedures and pricing strategies. This flexibility level can be precious in tailoring your business to your specific requirements and goals.

Building a Long-Term Asset

Having your own website is a valuable asset for your business in the long run. When you have your website, you don't have to worry about changes in platform policies or algorithm updates that can affect your visibility and sales on third-party platforms. Your website is a stable and reliable platform you can invest in over time and expand as your business grows. It's a smart investment that will benefit your business long-term.

In summary

Starting an online shop on Etsy can be an excellent choice for many sellers, but moving your shop to your own website can offer you numerous benefits in the long run. You can save costs, have brand independence, enjoy enhanced customisation, gain access to valuable customer data, improve your SEO, and have complete control over your policies and pricing. While this transition may require time and effort, the benefits will be worth your investment. By making this move, you can take your business to the next level and maximise profits while building a strong and independent brand.

Read more about one of our clients who wanted to move from Etsy to their own website.

Do you have an Etsy site?

If you have an Etsy site, get in touch to discuss how much you could save on fees and make your shop unique.