Etsy FINALLY has a Competitor

Should you leave Etsy? Here's everything I learned after speaking to the CEO of Etsy's biggest handmade competitor.
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▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 -
#Etsy #HandmadeAlphas

[@StarlaMoore]

📺 MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 📺 💙 Our fight against Etsy: kzbin.info/aero/PLl27QKVQFjTtzi3umK_Vt46UZqQ-0HNhC&si=KFlffew7hhVHWS1t 💙 Our #KeepEtsyHuman movement: indiesellersguild.org/solidarity-with-the-keepetsyhuman-initiative/ 💙 GoImagine: goimagine.com/ 🎓 COACHING: Enrollment for my complete Etsy Training Program, the Handmade Alpha Academy, begins June 14th. Learn more about the program and get notified when doors open: www.joinHAA.com

[@SRose-vp6ew]

I would find it as a nice improvement if when you sign up to be a seller, they let you pick which of the five children centric charities. You want your profits to go towards. Just an idea.

[@Supportfreespeech]

I clicked on your Goimagine link and I was given a notification that someone was impersonating their website via YOUR link. Then everything I was trying to type out was backspaced (removed) but it wasn’t me removing my own typed out words. How is it that your link is basically a phishing link??

[@DaisyXray]

Because it‘s only for US sellers, unfortunately goimagine can‘t be the new Etsy, in my opinion. There are tons of sellers in other continents who haven‘t even the chance to support this gamechanger 😢 it should be open to all sellers to have the power of being one. Gatekeeping does not make sense when it comes to that.

[@yoyobird8427]

you didnt mention that they are a monthly subscription fee on the seller.

[@Og-Judy]

When Etsy started, it was supposed to be for HANDCRAFTERS. Now it seems like a sham of "anything goes" mass produced "garbage".😡

[@HalkerVeil]

That is partly because of the grey line of where "hand crafting" ends and where "produced" begins. A person who creates an image by hand then has a CNC machine they built by hand, carves it into wood for a coaster. Is hand crafted to some, and the devil if they are a Luddite. Judged by people who use the internet to sell. Which is a hilarious hypocrisy in itself but lets not go there.

[@stickyfox]

I get a lot of vintage computer and video game repair parts on there. I like that they're open-minded when it comes to the range of items. But the basic sales model is still predatory and horrible.

[@bethannew9207]

And dropshippers that will literally steal your photos for their listing.. I hate seeing dropshippers, those using 3rd parties to produce their goods (shirts, cups, etc), Chinese manufacturers, and those who steal product pics/essentially the original whole listing

[@jktechwriter]

I saw a boardgame that released two years ago listed recently as VINTAGE on Etsy. It's become a real joke.

[@joeyghostx]

Like who would go to Etsy for mass produced garbage? I am trying to get customer PSP mods for the PSP board. Not some cheap knockoff junk that gets white labelled on Amazon.

[@moonlitkhemistry]

I don't even have a business on Etsy but it used to be my FAV shopping place to purchase from CREATORS not manufacturing companies. So if you're a business owner and plan on moving yall should all making videos with the platform name in the channel here, so we can find yall. I miss shopping with people who do handmade items or have small businesses!

[@luluisfunny]

Same!!

[@mekko1413]

I agree 100% as someone just getting started it is really up to the sellers to funnel the consumers to the platform not the other way around. More of the small businesses need to treat these platforms as if it were their own brick and mortar store. The problem for the sellers here is that platforms like Etsy do not allow the sellers to treat customers as their own. As a buyer you are not customer of the creator but of Etsy. This is something that most customers do not understand and to be honest shouldn't need to. I am doing research to find a platform where i can communicate with my customers outside of the platform.

[@Rustic_Whisper]

@@moonlitkhemistry I'm working on my handmade business. I am just getting started. I have 1 item listed on etsy. I started with poshmark and got scammed as a seller. Now I'm working on my own website and shop.

[@neonlights836]

I don't have any platforms to suggest, unfortunately, but I will say that immersing myself in the real world and going to festivals has been great for finding handcrafted goods. ren faires in particular have been great for this! it's awesome because you get to talk with people who have made the goods, and it's really just a great time. I've made friends with more than a few vendors this way, just by being able to admire their work in person.

[@myopicdreams]

My handmade plush business closed down on Etsy because it was impossible to get a leg up and earn even money invested in when the market was oversaturated with resellers or people who just embroider names on things they bought in bulk.

[@elizabethm5794]

I already wait to get the occasional sale on Etsy because no one ever sees my items. I might as well do the same thing for a company that more closely aligns with my values.

[@Lacroix999]

Just because it’s on a higher trafficked platform, doesn’t mean you don’t need to market your business. It’s all a part of having a business! You can’t just open shop and wait for people to come and hope it makes it. Either way, you’d have to do the work, it’s just up to you whether or not you want to do it on one that has more traffic of one where it doesn’t.

[@SoferiaNebruin]

@@Lacroix999 I never marketed my Etsy business. My customers have always marketed it for me through social media and word-of-mouth. It's been successful until Etsy ran this experiment. They have so many technical issues right now that I am happy that I have my store on vacation. Just read the forums.

[@mekko1413]

@@Lacroix999 While i agree with you mostly about the seller needing to market their items i disagree about the later half as the poster is talking about aligning company values. This is huge and if they did the former and then used that as selling point any additional traffic from the platform is just icing on the cake. Nearly all your sales should come from your own marketing.

[@Petrichorus-]

I don’t know when this update happened but I noticed on my Etsy app that my “home/recommended” page only shows limited items compared to before. There’s a limit to how much I can scroll and it’s not very long. So if I want to see more stuff I’m interested in, I have to search it up, and the whole point of Etsy for me was seeing cool unique items I hadn’t thought of before

[@lunawolfheart336]

@@elizabethm5794 I've had my shop for a few years now. Never made one sale. In debating on just taking the items down because is it even worse keeping up

[@digiital]

I would LOVE to have another option, the BIG BIG problem is it's only US sellers only. Being in Canada we are shut out.

[@StarlaMoore]

Don't think of it as "being shut out". Think of it more as "waiting in line". One of the biggest issues Etsy has is oversaturating their platform with sellers when they don't have the staff to support everyone. GoImagine is rolling out slowly, which is a GOOD THING. You're not being shut out. You're just waiting in line for GoImagine to be ready to accept more countries. :)

[@EvilSquirrel83]

I'm right there waiting with you

[@EvilSquirrel83]

​@@StarlaMooredid they happen to share a timeline for when they may start to beta test into the Canadian or other international markets?

[@MorganPierce75]

Agreed, would love to see expansion into Canada soon, 6-12 month timeline, fingers crossed... Love this business model.

[@StarlaMoore]

Not yet but this would be a good question to ask Jon on Friday. :)

[@charlottehippen7677]

Thank you for this. I am not a business owner looking for a new marketplace. I am a buyer that wants to support small business but need to know where to look for them instead of Etsy.

[@highpeacetess]

🤗💕

[@moonlitkhemistry]

I second this!!! We want yall BACK and secure in turning your creativity to a business!

[@highpeacetess]

@moonlitkhemistry thank you so much, that's so encouraging 🪷🥰💕🥰🪷

[@AstroFreezeTreats]

Right here :D

[@IIzAnAngel]

Yes! I agree! I enjoy buying handmade things that are unique! Not the same tumbler that everyone is selling now!!

[@ParaStyling]

love: 'handmade is NOT passive'. Duh!!! thank you so much, Starla/Marc and John!!!!

[@Spreeberry]

It is a shame only US sellers are allowed yet. What also people do not think of is the early adopter effect: The ones being first are often the ones most successful because they were first and therefore able to dominate their niche on a platform.

[@StarlaMoore]

I think we will see other countries added, but it probably won't be any time soon. New countries mean new setup to comply with that country's rules and regulations. They are looking at adding Canada soon. I'm not sure yet which country would be next.

[@bilderlady]

@@StarlaMoore Yes. Maybe Germany not or not so fast, because of the Data..and other European and German rights. Is there no other good Alternative?

[@FreeBellatrix]

True, but also everything has its cycles. The beginning, the growth, the golden era and then decline. Etsy is in decline and it will only get worse. Healthy alternative is SO NEEDED and I hope Goimagine will be it.

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

Thank you! I am SO fed up with Etsy! The final straw is the gift collection I tried this week. I searched for an item that I had listed. (In bookmarks) Not only did mine not appear in the listings, but NON bookmarks were included AND many star sellers had multiple listings for the same product, by which I mean, six times their item was shown… the exact same listing. The algorithm should show any single item one time and show other seller’s items instead of repeating items. It is more than unfair. Not only does it make it nearly impossible to get seen if they select listings by how often they have sold (you can’t sell if you aren’t seen) but it prevents Etsy from making money from those sellers they are ignoring. I wonder how the shareholders would feel about their loss of even better sales if this weren’t the way Etsy is running the platform! 😡

[@stellamackeyloveworks]

Yes! Totally! As a shopper on Etsy that is so very annoying. I will see the same seller’s things multiple times! And will also see things completely irrelevant to my search.. even though there are still more options from my exact search to be seen. That’s the kind of stuff that drove me away from Amazon. And now I see it on Etsy! Very frustrating because it is time-wasting, and then I get frustrated and just give up. But bottom line is, they don’t care, none of the companies do.. because they make money regardless. lol. not lol.

[@PioneerPrint3D]

@@shirleykathan-sayess5764 Wait a second, you say that duplicate listings are a way to game the algorithm but aren't doing it yourself? If you aren't willing to participate in a winning strategy and are sad that you are losing it seems to me you just don't like life. Yes it sucks that a winning strategy is borderline manipulative but Etsy is still the only place for 3D printing companies like me. Where else can we go? Give me a good alternative that gets the same amount of sales and I'll jump ship.

[@christyviolet926]

Run-run-run!! Seriously: whether as a Seller or Customer; they do not care about anybody. Etsy has become abusive, by default; if Temu copies your original product, you are treated like the Problem & Culprit. Save yourselves!! I have...

[@richey_rock]

Hope that if they do grow to become a worthy Etsy alternative that they don't get bought out by Etsy, as that sort of thing frequently happens.

[@StarlaMoore]

Only if they would be willing to sell, which I'm positive Jon would not be.

[@IceRiver1020]

You can't buy something that isn't for sale, and it sounds like they don't plan on selling, so there's not much risk of that.

[@DFaught26]

I think thats a big hurdle that sellers will need to remind themselves of - this doesn't have the traffic that Etsy does, YET. But it could, if people stick with it and grow with it.

[@StarlaMoore]

EXACTLY! It won't happen overnight! It has to start somewhere. I hope this video inspires more sellers to stand by the platform.

[@livechilllife]

My stuff ranks on google faster on goimagine than Etsy

[@RT-kr4hv]

I’ve been on Etsy over 10 years. They were once small too. We have to show our support for people that have our back as well … so it’s worthwhile to open a shop and give them a chance.

[@emilymoon6013]

So disappointing it is only for US residents.

[@stickyfox]

I can't make a million pieces a year like Rolex can. I'm happy with a normal amount of exposures. There's a lot you can do yourself, or at a very modest fee, with social media to drive traffic to your site. You can even let godaddy make your entire website and find you customers for something like $200 a year, which is not unreasonable if you don't want to become a webmaster. Etsy offers you nothing special in their customer base.

[@samanthahornbeck2471]

This is VERY exciting. Thank you for sharing! I have been selling on Etsy for 7 years. Within the first year, I quit my full time job and this has been my family of 5's main income. Now...sales are down, views are down and I've been wondering what is next. Really didn't want to do Amazon...I am very excited about goimagine. Thank you Starla!

[@LilyGazou]

Sales may be down because the economy is tanking. It affects all the companies I work for.

[@kamiiu]

@@LilyGazou agreed. the us is in a recession and famies are struggling just with basic necessities to even think of buying for non essentials :(

[@OpalandOogum]

I left etsy for goimagine months ago. Totally worth it. I would never go back

[@twistedghost3200]

As an etsy seller, the new listing page is awkward to navigate around and messy. As a buyer i now find it more difficult to find what i am looking for as they have removed multiple filters. Once apon a time i sung etsys praises, not now.

[@StarlaMoore]

Uhg, I HATE Etsy's new listing builder.

[@debbiedrake1692]

Same

[@ninetiesperson7980]

Kara Buntin has been championing this for about six months. Thank you for alerting your viewers too.

[@StarlaMoore]

Yes! I've watched several of her GI video! :)

[@DarkAtticTreasures]

This is HUGE and such a breath of fresh air! Just looking at the website it really does feel like how Etsy used to be. Definitely joining this site, remember Etsy used to be small and grew with the sellers I just wish they hadn't lost their way. This is our chance now to be apart of something fresh 🖤 thanks for sharing.

[@StarlaMoore]

Exactly how I feel. I'm going to begin shopping on GoImagine as well. I still love Etsy but finding actual handmade items so waaaay easier on GI.

[@highpeacetess]

I'm so stoked! This is an answer to my prayers 😅😁🤸💕🤸

[@tweety15can]

I love goimagine. I been on the platform since the beginning. The way he wants to help you and help the community for children. I’m 100% on board. ❤

[@SoferiaNebruin]

Have you seen Etsy's latest move? They now have inserted a page to EVERY listing that is practically demanding that a VIDEO be added. This was the final straw for me. It may only be a test, but I am not subjecting my customers to a page that says, "This listing doesn't have a video just yet" with a button for the customer to click on, "request a video," before they can view the color chart to order my customized products. This is over the top. Not all products need or would benefit from a video. Not all sellers can hire videographers and photographers, as the videos posted by the ones who submit to this ridiculous requirement prove. To take the time to make and post videos would place typical artisans beneath the level of "slave class." I put my store on vacation and I'm not sure I will reopen. It looks like Etsy is slated for demolition and taking everyone still there down with them.

[@lifepointswithronda2968]

My store on etsy is experiencing the same thing. I have already opened shopify and will be leaving the etsy platform. Go Imagine is also good 10 dollars behind a good cause, It's a bit slow to get momentum but without consistent emails from etsy every day trying to force you to promote according to their narrative.

[@LilyGazou]

I work in product photography and video. Should I make some videos on that to help people? I made one short video about Photostyling and there was zero interest.

[@SoferiaNebruin]

@@LilyGazou The instruction is needed, but sadly, most people do not comprehend that. They seem to think any old video is good.

[@HighLevelNinja]

I’ve been on the must-have video list for over a year. Very annoying for sure.

[@SoferiaNebruin]

@@HighLevelNinja When corporations take control of people's lives and government, it's called fascism. Funny thing is, if you look up the definition of fascism, the fascists have even changed the definition of fascism so that people stay uninformed.

[@rusted_ursa]

Imagine "the art can't be made by AI" being listed as a con.

[@StarlaMoore]

I 100% agree that AI art shouldn't be allowed. Mentioned it as a con for the sake of my mental health because those selling AI generated art can be brutal in the comments.

[@queenmabarts2871]

Entitled people always are.​@@StarlaMoore

[@jennymcdonough2095]

I have seen AI generated crochet patterns on Etsy. The finished product in no way resembles the AI generated image that comes with the pattern.

[@mousedarkarts]

@@jennymcdonough2095 I hope those customers can get their money back. It's easy to spot for those who are familiar with what AI looks like, but not everyone does. It's very cruel.

[@tanyabrown9839]

@@jennymcdonough2095 I use AI to come up with new quilling patterns which I use to make things eg at Christmas I wanted to make a reindeer and there was no patterns at all for something like that when I searched.. AI art came up with a great pattern for it.

[@ecouturehandmades5166]

I listed in my handmade shop for a year before i got my first sale! No platform can promise near instant sales to the sellers - you MUST self promote.

[@StarlaMoore]

Exactly. It takes time no matter where you sell. ❤️

[@islandwills2778]

I started making sales on Etsy the same day i opened my shop. So far Etsy is the only platform that can promise that. And honestly I dont have the time to self promote inbetween making my product.

[@barbi111]

@@StarlaMoore If I have to make my leadI will use instead my webshop. Then there is no point using a marketplace. It would only have value if they would bring the customers. I beleive it was the point at the beginning, just now they have too bad seller / customer ratio.

[@TheRealLeahBibi]

Thank you for this! I was sold on this when you said they weren't corporate owned! I'm on the ship as soon as this vid is over!

[@life2essence]

Good to know that Etsy FINALLY has some competition! And I totally love their business philosophy. Will def check them out!

[@vaderladyl]

they had some competition, it is called Ebay.

[@LindaBarutha]

Love, love, love this Starla! The world is a better place for handmade sellers because of these type of initiatives.

[@FFTS]

I love that you're promoting a smaller non public business. We need to all move our business to smaller businesses with integrity.

[@barbararuden7848]

I closed my etsy shop when I realized how much of my profits were being taken my etsy for each sale.....way more than when I originally started with them. This new site sounds wonderful. 😊

[@willhaimerl]

It's good to see you diversifying. It's gotta be hard when you're deeply embedded into the Etsy universe with your job, your coaching and stores. People resist change. :)

[@debbiedrake1692]

Great observation, I agree

[@ellicel]

I don't have an Etsy business but I'd love for crafter on Etsy to feel like they have a real alternative if their work is undervalued and if Etsy is no longer treating them well. I never minded paying more or waiting longer for items from Etsy knowing it was handcrafted. But now that it's primarily the same things that are on Amazon I barely shop on Etsy anymore. It's too hard to tell if I'm getting something unique or mass produced and many of the posts on the first few pages are identical even though they're different sellers. I'm glad you covered this company. I'll be happy to check them out

[@discovercolorcode6560]

I just signed up today. Thank you! I’m excited to be on a growing platform.

[@itsivorie]

@@discovercolorcode6560 How’s it going for you?

[@wendy__lake]

This video came at the right time! I’m going to check it out! The fees on Etsy are so high now and there are other issues!

[@triciax79]

I abandoned Etsy a couple years ago when I saw the market being flooded by stuff that was paid to be advertised and wasn’t even hand made. That completely ruined the platform for both sellers and buyers. It’s encouraging there are other alternatives coming out.

[@debl102863]

Thank you so much for your honesty. Why wouldn't I want to try it. My Etsy sales have tanked. With all the fees and advertising fees I made .39 cents for May. I agree I need more coaching however I have made up to 500.00 a month . I'm a small fish in the sea but that 500.00 covered a lot of bills. I have nothing to lose trying go imagine. The Etsy shipping change is a nightmare. Item was purchased on May 3 I had a 1-2 day turn around to ship. Buyer was told it would be there May 3. Fed up

[@StarlaMoore]

I really hope more sellers will take the plunge and help to lift GoImagine's wings. Etsy needs a bit of healthy competition to keep them in check.

[@Jenniferlucia]

Me too

[@user-lr5cx1ni4r]

I agree 100%. I want to go to go imagine. My issue is I can't pay $10 a month to not have any sales for a long time. I am barely hanging by a thread financially. I really do want to try it though. I hear the website is clunky for sellers.

[@debl102863]

@@user-lr5cx1ni4r I'm not 100 percent sure but I think the 10.00 a month is for the Mosaic package. I think they have less expensive programs. I would check for you but I'm working now (maybe I should be working now lol)

[@KrispyKebab]

No, you don't need more coaching! There's literally nothing you can do because Etsy decides if/when you get seen. I've edited tags, changed pictures, descriptions, etc and nothing has made a difference. The only thing that seems to do something is having sales all the time. But that's not a solution and it's shady. But, when Etsy gives you no choice then you have to do something.

[@ashaashareem6290]

😢So happy to see this . As a Etsy shop owner… omg. This is amazinggggg🎉Thanks for letting us know this. Most importantly I love that the new platform helps children charities and great seller appreciation ect ….. wow . Amazing. Good job!

[@StarlaMoore]

Yes!!! I love that they are being so strict about who they allow. Handmade items need their own marketplace.

[@hollyegee2199]

I’m all in for it! I signed up months ago, but got overwhelmed by the process. Now that they also take PayPal and made it a little easier I reopened my shop. It’s still a little clumsy in navigation, so I’m taking it slow. So glad you’re helping him!

[@orcashadow8989]

THANK GOD. I'm going to sign up!! If we all group together as artists, we can make this site a success, I think.

[@CleanTactix]

Found this helpful. Figuring out sales tax in each state was a big driver to head to Etsy for me but seeing a competitor to Etsy that can simplify the tax collection process is huge. Not to mention that you don't have as much competition within the website itself. Really thinking I may move my stuff this way. Thanks for the tip!

[@2ndChanceCrafting]

This is very exciting. His approach is refreshing and the charity for children is a wonderful idea. I like the idea of Etsy not being the "giant" out there for crafters and having competition. I am in!

[@StarlaMoore]

Yes! I love that Jon puts charity first. Talking to him was TOTALLY different than talking to 99% of big CEOs I've communicated with over the years. Most brag about their profits but he bragged about the charities they support. To me, that was HUGE.

[@brianne8258]

Buyer here, thank you. I have been wanting to find a substitute and have no time to look.

[@mattjones3490]

Between Etsy and Amazon, I have no desire to sell on either platform. One bans you for no apparent reason while the other buries your products behind cheap china knock offs. I am inclined to enter a new marketplace that emphasizes seller relationships and connects them with buyers who understand and appreciate the work that goes into handmade products. This video came at a great time as I prepare to launch my own product oriented business. Thank you!

[@valerieEswenson]

Thank you for sharing this! Even tho I am not a handmade seller & trying to get into POD I am so happy to hear there are alternatives for those who this applies to. I’d love it if there was something different or an actual solution on Etsy to not have so much of the same thing.

[@benicio1967]

This is truly good news! It straightens up a company and prevents a lot of unnecessary abuse when they have competition. I hope they grow quickly.

[@marquinarawlings]

I love that your testimonials come from women AND men! We women speak and support all the time, so I appreciate hearing the men’s stories and viewpoints. 😊👍🏽

[@StarlaMoore]

We have some AWESOME guys in HAA!!! I dare say that 25% of my students are men. Maybe more!

[@marilynnschroeder4436]

I don’t sell anything on any platform, but had heard Etsy was really not treating its sellers well. Your video was very well done any easy to understand! Thank you for bringing this to the forefront!

[@lisawelch9788]

Love your passion for this topic. I want to grow my handmade business over the next year and have been surprised by the folks that I see getting paused by Etsy simply due to their poor customer service. Thanks for being a leader in the handmade community. I have been watching you now for about a year.

[@eileenmcintyre8632]

I was so excited....then you said not available in the UK. Please make this available here!!

[@kalexander00]

@@eileenmcintyre8632 same!! i’m in japan, but originally from texas and i was trying to create a shop on etsy, but goimagine sounds better

[@nemesisjuggernaut7920]

“Going public” is the ruiner of ethics in companies. As soon as you are beholden to shareholders, you may no longer just maintain, you must show growth/increase in profits. Therefore, a corporation gone public must put profit increase before integrity and customer/partner loyalty.

[@HeatherRenee619]

Starla! Thank you so much for doing this video! It's valuable to me. You're courageous and awesome! I'll be setting up my GoImagine soon!

[@adamfilipowicz9260]

My store was banned for no reason, and it sucks. Can’t use it at all. Even worse that I wasn’t doing anything shady

[@christyviolet926]

This is a form of projection: accusing you of being what they actually are: shady & other negative qualities. Projection is what toxic people/narcissists/abusers do. Run-run-run...

[@brandyover4069]

I really love this video. It highlights so many of the reasons that I love watching your videos. Clear message, impartial, focused on data, and key information that is needed. Thank you!

[@StarlaMoore]

You are so welcome!

[@stickeroonie]

Many of the biggest platforms have departed away from their original visions. Hopefully new and better platforms emerge.

[@ShikaHQ]

I love that they support different charitys with their profits!

[@StarlaMoore]

That was definitely one of my top reasons for choosing to support them! ❤️

[@Nclk619]

@@StarlaMoore, but 100% of the profit goes to charity. Don't you think this is a bit too good to be true? Working for free? Who guaranties he will stay strong in bringing buyers if he doesn't care about profits, about money? There is no shame on making money for yourself as long it is legal and moral. No need to give it all away. It makes me extremely suspicious.

[@LittleKikuyu]

The big drawback of GI is that it's limited to the US :( I hope that changes is the future! I'm in Europe and would love to sell in the US via GI, just like on Etsy. My US buyers are so enthusiastic about my handmade products 🥰

[@nps-ddpsavinglives]

Our foundation is thinking about going this route ( selling custom items ) and you bring up a lot of good points in your post. Thank you.. The glaring issue obviously for traffic is that if nobody leaves Etsy and tries other platforms then the traffic of those other platforms will not go up. Would it not be better to get your followers to cross over over and slightly lower their asking price on Jons site , and keep their Etsy site active until such time traffic increases. People will shop price so the emphasis here I would think would be on switch your account send the signal to Etsy that we are done with your abusive practices... Putting profits over people it looks to me like the vision of Jon Lincoln is a worthy version to support more people like yourself promoted that site he'd see us traffic numbers jump everybody to see more sales etc. etc. etc...

[@DeaShelton]

I love Jon Lincoln! Unfortunately, I did close my shop after a year because I did not get any sales there. If I had gotten a few sales during the year I would have stayed and waited it out. Thanks, I am going to now join again.

[@StarlaMoore]

It looks like they are seeing a bit more traction this season. Hopefully we see more sellers growing over the next year. :)

[@ginahumble5966]

Starla is a badass! Way to walk the line! Encouraging Etsy sellers while advocating for a new alternative at the same time! That's yes and yes thinking in action! As a former social worker, I'm very intrigued by the charitable aspect! I think that could have a lot of appeal for buyers as well. It's wonderful to know your purchases help handmade sellers as well as deserving non profit efforts! I was also intrigued by the ratio graphic. It doesn't seem that Go Imagine is SO far behind Etsy in that aspect. I love the idea of being part of shared handmade advocacy as well! I'm excited to learn more. Keep Handmade Handmade!

[@AChapin]

Thanks for sharing this! I plan to head over there and check it out. The video was very informative. Much appreciated!

[@FiberFoxStudios]

I truly appreciate your time and effort to put this together for us. I am absolutely setting up a shop on go imagine. All my patterns are currently only available on Etsy. I have been trying to find a nrw platforn but I've been left with no idea where to go to get away from the shareholder driven marketplace.

[@brandijohnston1950]

Headed there now! Thank you!!❤

[@produceman13]

No humans left at Etsy... only AI bots.

[@StarlaMoore]

That's very true. And the humans who do work at Etsy don't even know Etsy's rules and policies.

[@VictoriaGates]

There are plenty of us real humans on Etsy. I agree there are problems, but please don't believe that. A lot of hardworking people still exist on Etsy.

[@StarlaMoore]

I think they were referring to Etsy support, not the actual sellers. :)

[@SoferiaNebruin]

The bots even lie and say that they are human. I had to put my store on vacation yesterday due to Etsy latest stupid move: now they are practically demanding a video for each and every listing. There was no way to opt out of it. And the bots had no answers.

[@Tangobutton]

@@SoferiaNebruin if they do that I will simply include a nice video of my cat taking a dump. For every listing! marydtiles

[@lunaessencejewelryandhandb64]

This is wonderful information! Thank you Starla for what you do! 💕💕💕💕

[@porkchop8542]

I buy on Etsy but would prefer if these sellers had a personal business website, I’d follow them there. Etsy has forgotten who made them who they are.

[@markherman1211]

I'd absolutely love to see a platform that straight-up BANS drop-shippers and re-sellers. *ordering your product from a company, even if you designed it, makes you a re-seller

[@SarahFletcher12]

@@markherman1211 wait can you explain what you mean? Do you mean that if you design a plushie that doesn’t exist yet and work with a manufacturer, that makes you a “reseller”? I don’t think that’s what reseller means :/ reselling means it being sold again… right? That’s just a common way of doing regular business. It’s not like artists should have to learn how to hand make and source wood pulp, paper, and ink in order to print their stuff lmao

[@markherman1211]

@SarahFletcher12 An objectionally reasonable standpoint is that if it's within your ability to make, then you should make it. If you cannot make it, and rely on someone else to do so, THEY made it. I'll give you an example...If you give an artist criteria for a painting, and THEY produce said painting, it's THEIR painting. You merely bought it. Plenty of people make their own stickers, prints, plushie/knits, t-shirts, etc. People who don't are collaborative re-sellers at best.

[@mikechavez7844]

How does it work for laser engravers and 3D printers?

[@EnchantedDreamzGiftsShop]

​@SarahFletcher12, you would then be classified as the creator/designer if you sent the pushie to a third party to physically make the plushie. Then, it was sent to your place of business. But if you had the complete raw materials created the design, then sewn the plushie fabric and stuffed, sent that out, then that would be 100% handmade. This is a bit of a "grey" area. Because i know some sellers like katnipp for her stickers got so big she had to out source printing some of her products on etsy. But you could have someone who works at your business under roof or partner, to sew your plusies if that is an option. Then, that its considered in house. But that's how I am taking go imagine wants to run. As for Engraving and 3D printing, same thing goes as long as you, the seller Have the raw materials and physically imagine and create the design, physically own the software and computer and engraver and printer then its considered handmade. Now you can go above and beyond and say all items a handmade from scratch and naturally sourced. Meaning and engraved cutting board for example: You cut and sanded the tree down, shaped it, sanded it down, designed engraving, engraved it with your in house software and machine, sealed it w/neutral natural bees wax. Packaged and shipped. 100% scratch and handmade. But that's a bit extreme. Duable but long process in time, expensive and more expensive to the buyer. But some people prefer that. Some don't. Just way the pros and cons. Do what's best for your business. I put mine on hiatus for a while helping my Fiancé & I's other business EnchantedBricks. Which I make the jewelry and accessories using raw materials Lego and jewelery elements on Etsy. But sales have been slow, seeing people using non Lego and claiming it is. We go above and beyond with packaging, to set us apart yet we don't get the sales we used to even though we have been in business since 2019. So we may look at go imagine. Hope it helps❤

[@EnchantedDreamzGiftsShop]

​@@mikechavez7844I added your answer to my reply below with @SarahFletcher12... Hope it helps..😊

[@chloecasper1366]

Funny. I got teary-eyed watching this video, I love the passion both from starla and john. Thank you! Looking forward to Goimagine growing headtohead with Etsy

[@walkirias55]

I've been waiting for them to open to Canada, I will be on there so quick.

[@StarlaMoore]

I'm glad they are handling expansion slow. This has always been a huge issue with Etsy. They have sooo many sellers and not enough staff to support them all. GoImagine is growing with their sellers to ensure that the platform doesn't get out of hand. I'm excited to learn more about future expansion plans.

[@CherryBlawesome]

Me too! I am salivating at the thought of giving Etsy the middle finger. Even if they were to start in Canada slowly and allow digital for Canadians only, I’ll take it for now. I’m thrilled that they don’t allow AI. As a professional illustrator with over 20 years experience, Etsy basically slapped us all in the face by allowing it.

[@valeriew4833]

You're such a good speaker I thought THIS WAS A COMMERCIAL by the sound of your voice LOL do you get that a lot? Did you ever work in radio or something?

[@btc1589]

Thanks for covering go imagine.

[@StarlaMoore]

You're so welcome!

[@JodyLifeofAMom]

What a great alternative. Will you be doing a series on all the alternatives? I think it would be interesting to see all the pros and cons in one video of each. Even if they aren’t really comparable like only US or only UK. I think it’s my inner data nerd coming out. 😊

[@angeladoll5444]

Downloaded goimagine while watching this. I'm SO happy to see the sweet hand crafted products again. Thank you.

[@lg9373]

I love this! I’m onboard with goimagine! Thank you so much for sharing this info with us!

[@drawingonthemoon]

This is so interesting! Thank you, Starla!

[@Zullala]

Ok! I'm going to give this a go. I have a few premade items that I've made and was going to pop them up on my Etsy, but Etsy is crazy! So why not try to send my current buyers over there. I'm not currently in a rush to sell.

[@breathlessmouse]

Thank you for being you :) I appreciate all the hard work you do for all us Etsy sellers.

[@StarlaMoore]

I appreciate you!!!

[@sararatliff7707]

As a casual crafter who wants to support other artists, this is amazing! I wanted to try Etsy a couple years before the shutdowns. It happened to be right when they went public and started trying to compete with Amazon. It ruined it for me. Not going to try selling anywhere any time soon, but I'm am so glad to have a non-corporate option.

[@MiMoDesignLaserfiles]

What if you’re a digital files seller, that primarily has American customers, but don’t reside in the USA? Can you still make a account?

[@StarlaMoore]

I think you must be located within the US, even if you sell digital items. Keep in mind that business and tax laws are completely different, so even if your customers are in the US, GoImagine themselves are not yet ready for international businesses because they're not set up to support other country laws and regulations as of right now.

[@MiMoDesignLaserfiles]

@@StarlaMoore It’s really not as complicated as US taxes in the rest of the world and I think it would be really easy to set up (we have our own worldwide platform for digital files, and the US taxes are a nightmare) But I guess the rest of us will just be waiting patiently 😉

[@annmariebarreiroart]

Thank you for sharing this with us! I plan to look into it to see for myself, but i really look forward to this week's friday bean to learn more! ❤❤❤

[@ashwinipurandare9418]

I just hope this platform doesn't fill with dropshippers like etsy.

[@Delightedly]

It’s handmade exclusive and curated to prevent that.

[@StarlaMoore]

Every shop must submit an application with proof that they are handmade! :)

[@ashwinipurandare9418]

@@StarlaMoore awesome

[@marcias134]

This is why we all love you, Starla! You genuinely want to help people. Thank you!

[@ecouturehandmades5166]

PleasesayGoImagine, please sayGoImagine....

[@threecatsdancing]

What do you like about GoImagine?

[@StarlaMoore]

😉😉😉

[@smzeoanne3591]

One of the positive things about GI is that Jon and his crew are ALWAYS there to help answer your questions. Every Wednesday at 1PM you have the opportunity to ask question in his live stream which lasts an hour. There are Facebook groups available to anyone (you could join and see for yourself even if you're not a seller), where not only the admins but the sellers themselves can answer all your questions or at least direct you in the right path. I've been with GI from almost the beginning and though I'm not selling much (and that's all on me), I don't mind the monthly fee for it's being used for the good of the children. I now have two stores there. One for earrings, the other for everything else.

[@hoosierpreppingnurse]

Thank you for this video. I just reopened my Etsy shop with just a few items. I like what goimagine stands for. I am going to sign on.

[@classonglass]

Wonder if it will ever be available in the UK

[@delanamckay]

I have never understood the appeal of Etsy. Correct me if I am wrong on this, for sure, but it seemed to me to be a scenario where this company provided a website for people to publish their posts promoting their creations, crafts, and other merch...and in exchange, the company takes a cut right out of all the orders/sales for no other reason than the fact it's hosting these promotional posts. It's not fulfilling any orders. It's not handling returns or issues. It's not marketing anyone's stuff. It's not offering shipping. It's letting people create a post, is what it amounts to, with some nifty shop like elements, a "shopping cart" designed to make the sale and keep a percentage of it. Wouldn't it have been smarter to charge a hosting fee, maybe something nominal like 10 bucks a month to provide hosting and payment services and let all these people keep all the money they make on selling things? Why would anyone with any real business acumen let some other company arbitrarily take a cut of their sales when the vendor still has to promote it, sell it, package it, ship it, deal with returns that's costing them money already? If the creators have to do it all themselves, why not put it on their own website and put their own cart or payment link on it so they get all the money, minus whatever payment processor takes (paypal, stripe, etc). They do all this AND they go to somebody else's website and post the same things and let that company take a cut. Is it because they tripped over the idea it's free to set up a shop? Is it free, though? Or are they unnecessarily giving away their own profits?

[@Optopolis]

Okay so here's my question. Let's say I want to make custom made-to-order digital artwork (NOT generated or any of tht nonsense). Does this platform actually let you make digital artwork listings that allow for customization per order? Cuz etsy is wannabe; they have a spot for customization, but you can't do a digital product without immediate download of the item (which means no customization even though the text box for that feature is an option in the create product page).

[@StarlaMoore]

This would be a question for GI support.

[@brasileirotimon]

Red flags, goimagine doesn't have a phone number or address on their contact page, just a contact form. Second on their blog section on the bottom their footer copyright says 2023, seems like their website was built quickly without thought. Third, no faces of owners, would like to seems some faces and know who is behind the website.

[@StarlaMoore]

GI is insanely easy to reach. Their support is amazing and Jon is literally available for sellers to meet with live every week through his "Office Hours" streams.

[@IoneMahina]

Go imagine has Facebook groups too and although still small, it's a very strong community

[@TyPaff]

@@StarlaMoore That may be true and Jon looks like a great guy with a good concept, but the red flags are pertinent. Jon can’t scale with the website, he’s just one person. Having actual tools for the seller (and buyer) for problems or resolutions is a must have. I assume it is still a very small company and that is okay too, but give a timeline on when these important departments would be added. I love the concept, but they need to actively avoid the pitfalls of so many smaller websites that fade before they are great due customer service issues. You burn a customer, they don’t come back; you burn a seller the website loses a revenue stream.

[@SheSlaysCryptoVIBRA]

Starla! So happy to have found you in here. It’s been a minute since I saw you in RC’s Handmade Titan crowd. Way to crush 🔥🙌

[@HighLevelNinja]

Thank you so very much! Etsy has blocked my store several times, and the automated message about making sure I adhere to guidelines (which I do) and a link to the guidelines is demeaning. I totally appreciate the in-depth review of a great alternative.

[@victoriapanos1162]

Hello! My shop was recently suspended on Etsy due to the new policies. I make handmade cash budgeting envelopes, planner inserts, budget trackers, and planner accessories like handwired paperclips with embellishments. My shop was closed by Etsy due to the wallets/binders I was selling to compliment my handmade inserts. I filed an appeal and am waiting more information. I don’t like what to do when it comes to my social media where I market my products. I have a lot of repeat shoppers who are asking what happened and why I’ve closed and I don’t know what to tell people. I was thinking of being transparent and letting them know Etsy suspended my account but I’ll be starting my own website and maybe video and post updates of me going through the process… what do you think?

[@mandystevens5469]

Wow… all for this!!! Thank you for the information on this new site!! I will be signing up this afternoon ❤

[@deliziososkincare915]

We're in Canada here handmaking skincare products and can't wait for this to go internationally. Definitely sad to see all the drop shipped and non-handmade items all over Etsy these days.

[@karenl8837]

They’ve been going for years, and still US only, don’t hold your breath

[@MissHummingbird]

I love the idea of this as a back up for my etsy...waiting on the Canadian addition🍁. love the more local love on there as an artist/designer

[@GinaLay]

I love this video. I have seen this platform and wondered. Your video is so helpful. I am going to check it out.

[@kaitlynlowery]

Good to know, this video found me at just the right time. As I was about to launch my own product on Etsy.

[@dismurrart6648]

Thanks gor making this, im a buyer and will be switching. Im gonna be the change i want to see

[@Pressity1]

I knew Etsy was originally intended for handmade stuff, straight from the independent maker, but I’ve really only used it as the only real place to find specific antiques. I haven’t been able to find any other reasonable place for finding very specific antiques I’m hunting for. Reasonable being the operable word. You go to places that specialize in antiques, and they charge a fortune for antiques that only average people are seeking, not rich “antique collectors” that those other places target as customers.

[@vaderladyl]

Ever checked Ebay?

[@belindamason8286]

Look forward to seeing more videos regarding Goimagine.

[@goilo888]

That low cost website is a great idea. Looking forward to get on the platform as soon as they open up to Canada.

[@billygoat9381]

I love this and the emphasis the man said that handmade is not a passive job. It is all made with the hands. This is very inspiring and the kind of art I am more interested in making now.

[@foxerrr7864]

It’s super sad what Etsy has become. It used to be super cool and full of unique handmade and vintage things. I used to buy on there all the time - but now, I am super concerned about getting scammed and getting some made in china mass produced crap.

[@dneeceann]

I'm sold! Thanks Starla!

[@wildjungle11]

I just applied for a shop. Thank You!

[@YasuTaniina]

I don't know why this was recommended to me, I only do personal crafts with no plans to sell, but as an infrequent buyer I'm definitely grateful to have a good recommendation for an Etsy alternative. We got our wedding rings handmade from Etsy over 9 years ago.

[@fantasticmio]

I was in the middle of signing up for this when you mentiined it was US only right now. I was so disappointed! Im happy to hear they plan to expand to Canada at sometime.

[@Danaatjebananaatje]

Very happy to hear this :)