Storenvy Vs Etsy: Where To Sell Your Crafts

When you need a place to showcase and sell your lovingly handcrafted items, almost no marketplace comes close to Etsy – the only other option that offers a similar opportunity, albeit at a much smaller scale, is Storenvy.

So which is the best platform between both, Etsy with its long longstanding reliability or its relatively recent competitor? 

That’s what we’ll discuss in this post – we’ll pit Storenvy Vs Etsy so you can find what’s best for you. 

Storenvy Vs Etsy At A Glance

Let’s start with the basic differences first.

Is Storenvy the Right Choice for Your Business?

It can be, but that depends on your preferences. Storenvy caters to the same audience as Etsy does. 

If you’re a social person, you might be able to make better use of it, thanks to its smaller size. Thanks to this size, you’ll have to deal with less competition and you can grow together with both your buyers and the platform’s seller community.

Pros of Selling on Storenvy

• Niche community of artists and makers.
• Free plan option for budget-conscious sellers.
• Some customization options for your storefront.
• Direct communication with buyers.

Cons of Selling on Storenvy

• Smaller user base compared to Etsy.
• Limited marketing tools and SEO capabilities.
• Reports of challenges with customer service and technical support.

Is Etsy the Right Choice for Your Business?

In most cases, Etsy is definitely the right choice for your business. 

It’s objectively better, though it needs a lot of time to start making profits on it compared to Storenvy, considering the higher user numbers. 

However, when you put in enough time and it does start making profits, you’ll get a lot more from it than you can get from Storenvy. Especially if you’re good with unique crafts that can make you stand out.

Pros of Selling on Etsy

• Large and targeted audience of active buyers.
• User-friendly interface for easy setup and listing.
• Built-in marketing tools and SEO features.
• Established reputation as a trusted marketplace.

Cons of Selling on Etsy

• Increased competition among sellers.
• Complex fee structure (listing, transaction, payment processing fees).
• Limited customization options for storefront design.
• Not as much freedom for selling – too much curation.

Storenvy Vs Etsy: Comparison of Features and Services

Let’s check out the features comprehensively, shall we?

Product Catalog

Winner: Etsy.

Let’s start with the similarities first. 

Etsy specializes in handmade and vintage items, making it the perfect platform for artists like you to showcase your unique creations. Storenvy offers a similar selection, but it doesn’t have as diverse of a catalog compared to Etsy. 

In this aspect, Etsy takes the lead by providing a wider range of products. 

Storenvy still offers a perk – its curation isn’t as strict, allowing you to experiment with different types of products even if you’re not a seasoned artisan.

Ease of Use

Winner: Tie. Depends on preferences.

Setting up your online shop should be simple. Storenvy makes it super easy with a simple and streamlined setup process. You can have your shop up and running in no time.

Etsy, on the other hand, gives you more freedom to customize your shop to match your unique style. 

So, whether you prefer a quick and hassle-free setup or more customization options, both platforms have their advantages.

Market Reach and Target Audience

Winner: Etsy.

Getting your products in front of the right audience is important if you want to actually make sales. 

Etsy has a larger customer base actively searching for handmade and vintage items, which means more potential buyers for you. 

Storenvy is growing but currently has a smaller user base. However, it does provide a supportive artist community that can be a great place for networking and collaboration with fellow artists.

Design and Templates

Winner: Tie. It depends.

Your online shop’s design also plays a big role in attracting customers, especially when you’re selling content people buy based on looks. 

Etsy offers a variety of attractive and customizable shop templates that help you create a visually appealing storefront to complement your handmades.

Even though much of the customizability needs a paid plan, you can still get a lot for free.

Storenvy, while offering fewer template options, allows you to personalize your shop’s appearance using HTML and CSS. 

This gives you more flexibility to showcase your unique brand, especially if you’re tech-savvy.

Overall, both platforms are equally customizable.

Website Design

Winner: Etsy.

The way platforms present themselves matters when you’re trying to make your products look good to customers.

Etsy stands out more when it comes to design. Its homepage features cleanly arranged tiles, displaying handpicked items to make the page as attractive as possible and encourage buyers to dig deeper. And it works well in that regard.

However, there is one downside to how its homepage is designed: if you’re selling general creative items like artworks or custom clothing, your item is less likely to be shown.

Etsy’s homepage is better suited for more niche items such as Unique Gifts for Dads, Outdoor Entertainment Items, Wedding Gifts, and other kinds of gifts.

Storenvy is a better option if you would like the opportunity for your artwork or handmade clothing to appear on the homepage. However, it isn’t the best compared to Etsy. Storenvy has a somewhat generic look and lacks curation on what appears on its homepage. 

So, both options have downsides, but Etsy provides more overall benefits, especially if you can make its niche preferences work.

Pricing and Fee Structure

Winner: Storenvy.

Think of your budget and the long term financial impact on your business.

Etsy charges various fees, including listing fees, transaction fees, platform fees, and payment processing fees. 

These fees can impact your profitability, especially if you have a high volume of listings or sales.

On the other hand, Storenvy operates with a different fee structure. It does not charge listing fees but instead takes a commission on each sale. 

This means that you only pay fees when you make a sale, which can be advantageous if you have a lower sales volume or want to avoid upfront costs.

So, between both, Storenvy can be more cost-effective; you’ll only have to pay fees when you make a sale. It doesn’t even have any extra Pricing plans; you get everything for free. 

And Etsy has its Plus plan, which locks a lot of advanced features behind a paywall.

Support and Resources

Winner: Tie. It depends.

Having access to support and resources can make a big difference. 

Etsy has a thriving seller community with extensive resources, tutorials, forums, and educational content. As an Etsy Seller, you can benefit from the collective knowledge and experiences shared within the community, gaining valuable insights and guidance.

Storenvy offers a dedicated support team that provides personalized assistance and guidance to sellers. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the platform, the support team is there to help you navigate through challenges.

Etsy places a strong emphasis on fostering a robust community where sellers can connect, share information, and learn from each other. In contrast, Storenvy focuses on providing direct and personalized support through their dedicated team.

The right option between the platforms might depend on you, based on your preferred learning style.

Seller Competition

Winner: Storenvy.

So, how many sellers do you have to put up with when you’re trying to sell off your items?

Etsy has a larger user base (over a whopping 92 million active buyers), naturally resulting in higher seller competition. 

While this means more competition from other sellers, it also offers access to a larger pool of potential buyers seeking handmade and vintage products.

Storenvy has a smaller community size, which means relatively less competition among sellers. 

This can create a more closer-knit and supportive environment, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among sellers.

Discoverability and SEO

Winner: Etsy.

Being easily discoverable by buyers in both platforms, as even a smaller option like Storenvy can have a sea of products that can make it hard for you to stand out. 

Etsy has a strong search engine optimization (SEO) system that makes it easier for your products to be found within the Etsy marketplace and through search engines like Google. 

Storenvy is working on improving its SEO capabilities but currently lags behind Etsy SEO. The latter is also great for discoverability because of that, especially since it also has its own official Etsy Ads system. 

So, Which One Is Worth It: Etsy or Storenvy?

Which one will end up being your online storefront, then? Here’s our suggestion:

If you’re looking for a platform that caters specifically to artists, designers, and makers, and offers a truly free experience (besides sale fees), Storenvy might be the better choice. It provides a niche community and customization options for your storefront.

On the other hand, if you want to reach a larger and more diverse audience with built-in marketing tools and a trusted reputation, Etsy is a solid option. It has a massive user base actively searching for unique handmade and vintage items.

FAQs

Can you dropship on Storenvy and Etsy?

Yes, both Storenvy and Etsy allow dropshipping. However, it’s important to comply with their respective policies and guidelines for dropshipping.

Where is Storenvy based?

Storenvy is based in Chico, California, United States.

Where is Etsy based?

Etsy is based in Brooklyn, New York, United States.

Where are most of Etsy’s customers located?

Etsy has most of its customers located in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. (Source: SimilarWeb)

Where are most of Storenvy’s customers located?

Storenvy, being newer and smaller, only has a notable presence in the US, though it has been growing in Canada lately. (Source: SimilarWeb)

Is Storenvy free or does it have plans?

Exactly what it says on the tin – the platform is fully free, no plans or subscriptions needed.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this post cleared things up for you.

To make the right choice, think of your target audience, budget, customization needs, and desired level of community engagement. Consider your business goals and preferences to make a good decision. 

Both platforms have their unique strengths, so choose the one that aligns best with your specific needs.

Remember, you can always start with one platform and expand to the other if you find success or see an opportunity. 

The possibilities are endless, and the key is to find the right strategy for your business and maximize your chances of success in the online marketplace. Good luck!