In the midst of Coralgate and on top of so many other issues I have with the way Etsy is run, I have been wondering - do I really need Etsy?
I need an online selling venue, that much is certain. And I'm grateful to Etsy for what they have allowed me to do. But as I'm getting ready to re-launch my art and photography shop and pump massive amounts of inventory into my supply and jewelry shops, I'm wondering if I'm better off going somewhere else. I'm wondering if I've outgrown them.
I've looked around and decided to move my shop to Big Cartel. Visually speaking it's fully customisable enabling me greater application of my brand concept. It's clean, easy to use and above all, their full service would cost me less than half as much as etsy does, because when I'm doing well my Etsy bill is roughly 30-50 a month. And I expect it to be higher after I re-launch the photography shop.
I have a solid enough presence now online that I can be comfortable making this move. I have a good readership here (if my google stats are right!) and my Flickr and Facebook are both healthy. I also have an audience on Tumblr and Livejournal, though I don't spend a lot of time there (and constantly mean to).
So from now on, all my new work will be on the Big Cartel site- and this includes my photography! I'll still be selling supplies on Etsy for as long as I have the stock, but once I'm finished listing all my de-stash (hopefully in a few weeks) it will be gone too.
It's time to step up the ladder.
14 comments:
Oh, the very best of luck with taking your wares to the next level! I have been thinking much the same and find myself envious with those that have web sites with bolog, shop and oodles of other pages accessible on one site. How do they do this, I ask? Oh well, my day job keeps me so busy now that I must continue to allow Etsy and blog to stay a bit back seat for now. But one day...
Belssings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Thank you for sharing Big Cartel. I have little luck with etsy and wanted to do my own site but it seemed like a daunting task.
I love your all your art and hope you have great success.
Good Luck, I have to say I was in the dark on Coralgate since I hadn't been on the forums or Storque reading for many months. (not anymore I read the post and the forum discussion for quite a while today) I can definitely see your reasons for moving on and yes I believe it is very possible to outgrow Etsy. Best of luck, of course I will come over and see your new shop.
Good luck Penny. Big Cartel was a site I was considering for Maud & Mabel, but as everything's going ok on Etsy, I'll leave it there for a while. I'll see how you get on with how it runs.
I'm sure you will do fabulously, because you're fabulous at what you do. x
Best wishes on the move! You're the 3rd person to mention Big Cartel this weekend. Have to check it out
I love your shop, so was eager to find out where you are moving to. Good luck at Big Cartel, although I'm sure you don't need it. Just wanted to let you know your link your Facebook page actually goes to your Flickr page.
Deb x
good luck with your move to Big Cartel! I just found your blog thru an Etsy forum post, which led me back to your shop...
I will definitely have to check out your other shops, and read the archives on your blog, since you have some of my favorite blogs on your sidebar, I'm sure I'll love it/them!
Just trudged through the coralgate posts and gimme a break. Love the new shop, sweets!
Hi.
I discovered your work recently and since then whenever I've been reading your blog. I have also had a shop on etsy but did not work very well. Right now I have a shopping cart linked to my blog that works very well, not a cost, as I can customize and add as many pieces I want and is very simple to use. You can see here: http://telmamota-loja.blogspot.com
Congratulations for your work and good luck for the new stage.
Telma Mota
good luck with the move, your work is beautiful i have no doubt that this next step will bring you more happiness...etsy is great but tend to be fulfill with so much pages of talent...i get sometimes lost myself...see you there..
Hi, I've always liked your shop, photos and items and was interested to see you're moving after Coralgate (sheesh, what a mess that is). Anyway, are you concerened that on BigCartel you're a shopping cart all alone and lost in the internet?...I mean, do you think people will still be able to find you by accident and stumble upon your work in the same way?
CONGRATULATIONS! You make gorgeous things and you'll do well no matter where you are.
I basically will be doing the same. I intend on splitting my stock to both Artfire and Cargoh to see which one works better for me.
I'll be leaving a few pieces up, but only because it's a requirement for my Team, of which I am a coordinator.
Eventually we want to move that team off Etsy though and so then, unless Etsy actually decided to listen to it's customer base, I will be gone completely.
It's sad, but sometimes you just have to think of what you need.
Good luck with the move. Your gorgeous creations will sell from anywhere you put them!
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