What do you do when your small family business on Etsy starts to outgrow the confines of the marketplace? Maybe it’s time to create your own e-commerce site with agencies from designrush.com.
But how do you know your business is ready to take the leap? It can be a very profitable risk to jump ship from the safety of Etsy. Here’s why…
Why Etsy is a Great Place to Start, but…
Not everyone puts all their eggs in one basket, business-wise, and starts big. Many successful multinational companies had humble beginnings as small family businesses. Sometimes it’s best to test the water before jumping all in. That’s why platforms such as Etsy are ideal for starter businesses.
However, while Etsy provides a safe haven, protecting small start-ups from cut-throat competition, there is a danger that your business will stagnate there. Etsy can be restrictive for a business that is gaining increasing attention and experiencing soaring sales. So while Etsy is a starting point, it shouldn’t be the final destination for your flourishing family business.
Resource: YouTube
Signs That Your Business May Have Outgrown Etsy
But, how do you know when to wave Etsy goodbye and create your own e-commerce website? Here are the telltale signs that your small family business needs space to breathe and may have outgrown Etsy and other such platforms.
Increasing sales and repeat customers
If you’re noticing a surge in sales and are regularly getting repeat orders from loyal customers, it might be time to expand. Repeat sales are a positive sign that may suggest a stream of steady income in the future. An upward trajectory, where you are seeing sales increase month by month, may mean you need to scale up your business to meet high demand.
Growing product range
Another reason you might have to spread your wings and fly away from Etsy is that you are expanding your product range. You could be beginning to have a wide enough product range to fill an e-commerce site. So, why not create your own website and showcase your stock in all its glory?
Sick of paying higher marketplace fees
Etsy is known for its high payment processing fees. Since these fees were raised in 2018 and again in 2022, many sellers have left the platform in search of a better deal. If your business is doing well enough to warrant a site of its own, this would help you to avoid budgeting for high payment processing fees.
Why Move to Your Own Site
So, you might be convinced to leave Etsy, but why would you move to your own site instead of choosing another marketplace platform? An Etsy alternative could give you the same old problem, while a site of your own may offer certain benefits. Let’s explore.
Design and branding control
Under the Etsy umbrella, there’s no room to really design your own branding. There is space for a logo and cover graphic, and also to develop your own tone. However, any real design and branding options are limited. With your own website, you have full creative control. Even down to how visitors use and experience your website.
Fewer restrictions
Etsy, like any marketplace, has rules and regulations to keep its users safe and happy with the service. However, these can seem restrictive to sellers who want more flexibility in how they do business.
Your own website will grant you greater control in how you communicate with customers, the offers you promote, and how you reward loyalty. Sometimes working around the restrictions of a platform like Etsy can be more trouble than it’s worth.
A more professional online presence
Etsy stores scream side hustle and not a successful small business. So, if you want to compete in a bigger pool, then a well-designed website is what you need. Nowadays, customers trust businesses with an established online presence. This suggests that the products are of good quality and that customers can contact the business easily if things go wrong.
Poor online presence rings alarm bells. Perhaps it’s unclear where the business operates from and who to call if there’s an order query. Scammers leave a flimsy digital trail, with low-quality graphics and branding combined with inconsistent messaging.
You Don’t Have to Ditch Etsy Altogether
Perhaps the signs are telling you to invest in your own website. However, this doesn’t mean you must ditch Etsy altogether. After all, you had some good times, didn’t you? Etsy gave you a push in the right direction. It can still serve you even after your website goes live.
Etsy can be used to feed your website. Through the platform, new customers can discover your brand and, if they like what they see, then head to your site for a closer look. Think of it as a tool, much like social media channels, to help your business bloom and become even more discoverable.
Final Considerations Before Making the Move
Within the safety net of Etsy, you probably didn’t have to manage shipping, marketing, or payment methods. What’s more, you now have responsibility for site security and the handling of customer data.
Then there’s the decision of which e-commerce platform to choose. That being said, this can be overcome with the right guidance, just like you took selling on Etsy for the first time in your stride.
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