Etsy versus your own website
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Original Post
Hi all :-) advice needed
So i have big plans for my shop
But i wanted opinions from shoppers and shop owners
what the pros and cons are of having an etsy shop and your own website with domain name
How many of you have a website AND an etsy shop and how do you find sales compare between the two
All feedback appreciated i really want to make my shop awesome and think i have a niche product for the market
Samantha
(Quirkyville)
Posted at 4:19am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
Responses
I have my own website apart from etsy (so that i can list in sterling for my local customers) -- and have totally different customers on there
Pro of etsy --built in customer base
Pro of own website -- can do/say/list whatever you want
both sites will need promoting to attract cusotmers
Posted at 4:22am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
its cheaper to list items on your own website ;)
but its more work building your website and taking care of it.
Posted at 6:28am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
"both sites will need promoting to attract customers " but on Etsy you know there will be lots of customers because they already know Etsy.
Posted at 6:29am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
I have my own site that redirects all buyers back to Etsy if they want to buy anything. here's my site if you want to see: woolybumblebee.viviti.com
I find it is the best way to do it so I don't have to constantly promote 2 places. Time is limited to 24 hours in a day, and I also have 4 kids, 4 rabbits, and a house to take care of in that time. Not to mention trying to find time to actually make things to sell ;)
Posted at 6:40am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
Getting traffic to your own site is the biggest challenge, but I find once they are there they do more buying and less browsing than those on Etsy. It's definitely worth having both. Just lately the balance has shifted and I'm actually getting more traffic to my own site than to Etsy, but it's taken about 18 months to achieve.
Posted at 6:42am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
Wow Wooly! 4 kids and 4 rabbits!!!! lol. I love big families. I'm the kid of one of those families-we`re 5! It used to hectic when we were little kids but it's been always SOOO fun! ;)
Posted at 6:44am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
Raquel, it is insane here on a daily basis, but I love it :) We run a small rabbitry business here, so not only do I take care of my 4 little kids, but also my 4 rabbits :) We have 2 angoras, 1 angora lop, and a netherland dwarf that require daily exercise time, grooming, cleaning, etc... All that takes me about 3-4 hours each day, and if it's nice I walk the angoras out at the park. So ya, I just don't have time to promote more than I do now. Which isn't a ton, but what little I do seems to bring in good enough sales.
Posted at 6:51am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
I always love to read these types of posts because I have been wanting to do my own website too. I think though having your own website would be a bonus because alot of customers don't want to make up and account to buy, they just want to buy through paypal. I'm thinking to get my own website. Nothing is free so you have to pay for a host and then go from there.
Posted at 6:51am Jul 8, 2010 EDT
Having a Homepage is also good for your branding. When coming in an Etsy shop I usually look for if they have their Homepage. If yes, I love to explore that page before making a purchase on Etsy!! I think that homepage is the head-quarter of your business and bringing the feeling of trust-worthy to your customers!!
Posted at 6:56am Jul 8, 2010 EDT