The Best Platforms for Your Small Business

Starting your handmade business is exciting, but one of the biggest questions new sellers have is: Where should I sell my products? With so many platforms available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer - it depends on your product, target market, and how much control you want over your business.

Let’s break down the most popular options so you can make an informed decision.

1. Etsy: The Handmade Marketplace

Pros:
✅ Huge built-in audience looking specifically for handmade goods
✅ Easy to set up, no technical knowledge needed
✅ Trusted platform with strong brand recognition
✅ Great for international sales

Cons:
❌ High competition—your product needs to stand out
❌ Fees! Etsy takes a cut of every sale (listing fees + transaction fees + payment processing fees)
❌ Limited customization—you have to work within Etsy’s branding and policies
❌ Etsy controls the algorithm, meaning your visibility can change overnight

Best for: Handmade sellers who want an easy way to start selling with instant access to a marketplace of buyers.

2. Shopify: Build Your Own Online Store

Pros:
✅ Full control over branding, design, and customer experience
✅ No competition on your own website (customers only see YOUR products)
✅ More profit per sale (no marketplace fees, just a monthly subscription)
✅ Great for building a long-term brand

Cons:
❌ No built-in audience—you have to drive your own traffic
❌ Learning curve—requires some setup and marketing knowledge
❌ Monthly fee (starting at $39/month)

Best for: Business owners ready to build their own brand and drive their own traffic. If you’re serious about long-term growth, Shopify is a great choice.

3. Squarespace: A Stylish Website with E-Commerce

Pros:
✅ Beautiful, customizable templates for a professional look
✅ All-in-one platform with website, blog, and e-commerce
✅ No marketplace fees, just a monthly subscription

Cons:
❌ Less e-commerce-focused than Shopify
❌ Can be expensive (plans start at $27/month for selling online)
❌ Not as many integrations or features for product-based businesses

Best for: Sellers who want a sleek, professional-looking website but don’t need all the e-commerce tools Shopify offers. Great if you also want to blog or provide services alongside selling products.

4. Amazon Handmade: The Giant Marketplace

Pros:
✅ Access to Amazon’s massive customer base
✅ Trusted platform with global reach
✅ Handles payments and shipping logistics (if using FBA - Fulfilled by Amazon)

Cons:
❌ Strict application process—you have to be approved to sell on Amazon Handmade
❌ Higher fees than Etsy (15% commission on every sale)
❌ Less control over branding and customer experience
❌ Competing against mass-produced products

Best for: Sellers who want access to a huge audience but don’t mind the higher fees and stricter rules. Amazon is great for reaching more customers, but it’s not ideal for small, highly personalized handmade businesses.

So, Which Platform Is Best for You?

If you want quick access to a large audience → Etsy
If you want full control and build your own brand → Shopify
If you want a stylish website with e-commerce → Squarespace
If you want to sell on a massive marketplace (and can handle the fees) → Amazon Handmade

The best strategy? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Many successful handmade businesses start on Etsy to gain exposure, then build their own Shopify or Squarespace site to take control of their brand. Others test out Amazon Handmade once they’ve established themselves.

No matter where you choose to sell, pricing and marketing are key to success. That’s where Naptime Enterprises comes in. In my book, I walk you through the step-by-step process of pricing your products for profit, finding your ideal customers, and building a business that actually works.

Ready to start selling? Grab Naptime Enterprises and turn your handmade dream into reality.