There are a few top online marketplaces that come to mind when making a jump to sell online. Two of the most popular platform are Etsy and eBay.
To help you decide between both of these popular platforms, let’s take a look at the differences of Etsy vs eBay.
Demographic Differences
Etsy’s platform is filled with handmade items and crafting supplies. If your items fall into this category, then Etsy is for you. Another great thing currently happening, is that people’s mindset about shopping is shifting. The importance of shopping small and local has never been more prominent. Luckily small businesses and Etsy go hand in hand.
The other side of reality is that eBay isn’t going anywhere. They single-handedly can go toe to toe with Amazon’s variety, all without those pesky membership fees. So are they a good demographic for the item you are selling? Usually, the answer to this question is yes. There is something for just about everyone on this platform, no matter how strange.
Customer Support Quality
If you need support from Etsy and you need it fast… too bad. You have to open a ticket. This process takes a bit of time. When you have a burning question that needs to be answered, it’s easier to find it on the community forum or Reddit. Etsy also has a blog and podcast to help solve any problems. They are useful for broad questions and answers. I’m not sure if I’ve ever gotten enough useful advice from these to make it worth my time.
eBay’s customer service is unmatched. When they’re open, you have the choice to call or chat with them. Speaking on the phone to a human being is a rare and treasured experience these days. Their blog and podcast are pretty boring but informative. They also hold a convention for their users to come and find out all the new and exciting things happening within the company.
Listing Your Products
Creating a new Etsy listing is simple and straightforward because of its extremely user-friendly interface. They charge $0.20 as a listing fee that renews every 3 months. Although, if you are creating hundreds of listings at a time this cost definitely adds up.
A common stereotype with eBay is that your products can only sell as an auction. They don’t. Usually, your first 100 listings are free, and creating these pages is almost as simple as Etsy. In my opinion, it’s without the ultra-friendly interface. But if you ever feel lost during this process, you can contact their support for help and they will guide you through.
The Future of Etsy and eBay
Etsy is continuing to grow. Their platform is offering new features like offsite ads and the ability to include videos on your pages. These two things are the secret sauce to more sales. Not only that, I would be surprised if you haven’t seen their commercials on TV or YouTube.
Like I said before, eBay isn’t going anywhere. They continue to be one of the most popular options for online shopping and their customer support is amazing.
Conclusion
The moral of my story is, it’s not Etsy Vs. eBay, but it’s about Etsy AND eBay. If you are unsure which one is right for you, try both. Creating multiple streams of revenue can feel like a juggling act. But you want to do this full-time, right? My advice is don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
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