Stay on Etsy or start your own e-commerce store?

[@motherstongue3183]

Ahh I’ve been on Etsy for the past yr after leaving having my own domain … and now I’m thinking about switching back to my own domain. Etsy is not driving traffic - or people are just not buying my products on Etsy

[@cindybaird9589]

I may regret it but I am in the process of opening an Etsy shop in the next few months. Working full time, I think this will at least get me started to create (I am a watercolor artist) a group of items and see how they sell, as I just don't have the time to promote my own sales right now. I have a website but at this point have only done commissions and one wholesale job. So this is a side thing, but I am having fun figuring out software, printers and scanners, packaging and all that goes with this that is new to me. Etsy may not last for long for me at least, but I think it will be a good start and learning experience:). As always thank you so much for your videos!

[@EasySundayClub]

All of what you said tells me you're doing the right things! All that matters is that you're having fun while figuring it out as you go.

[@BrambleAndPages]

I started out on etsy a couple months ago. I want my own site eventually but i think for the moment, etsy is a good stepping stone for beginner business owners

[@EasySundayClub]

yes etsy is still a good starting point. these are food for thought for when you have an inkling that it’s time to branch out.

[@Story_paint]

Ooooo very helpful. Thank you! Gives me good information to think about

[@EasySundayClub]

No problem :)

[@motherstongue3183]

Thank you so much … I just found your page and this is my 5th video I’ve watched of yours! And I never go on KZbin!

[@EasySundayClub]

Glad you found my channel (and thanks KZbin algorithm :)).

[@Inkysnootstudio]

Thanks for all the tips! How did you drive traffic to your website?

[@EasySundayClub]

a combination of SEO, social, and email list (which require the first two to grow). good topic to dive deeper though!

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

I have a website but it is not e-commerce so this is something I have been contemplating - along with a lot of other people - with the new *500subs=shopify presence capability* youtube role out. I'm still not sure but think starting with etsy until etsy profits can pay for one year of the shopify platform might be the strategy I will work towards.

[@EasySundayClub]

You brought up another point I didn’t touch on in this video which is Shopify’s ability to integrate with different social platforms like KZbin and Instagram/Facebook, and most print on demand sites offer shopify integration as one of their first. I don’t want to play favorite but it’s also hard to deny Shopify’s strengths in these areas :). I think your plan is prudent and thoughtful and can work too.

[@rhayes7005]

Does Shopify act as a "marketplace facilitator" for sales tax, like Etsy does? THANK YOU for so many excellent videos - been watching for years and I really appreciate your videos.

[@EasySundayClub]

no. we need to remit our own sales taxes collected through Shopify.

[@lisalisa13]

Such a helpful video, thanks so much. I do have one question. As a new subscriber I haven't watched all your videos yet so you may have shared this before, but do you do you art traditionally and edit in photoshop or digitally on an iPad/display tablet? I'm trying to decide how to edit my traditional art. Photoshop on my iMac or with Procreate on an iPad. I just don't want to make an expensive mistake and then I still have to figure out which printer to buy! I think I'm about to drive my husband crazy talking about the options. ha Any feedback you can give is much appreciated. Have a great day!

[@EasySundayClub]

I edit my scanned watercolor art in Photoshop. If you have a good scanner (we just released a video on it), and your art isn’t too complex, then you may be able to edit it on Procreate without needing to pay for Adobe Photoshop. I understand not wanting to commit to expensive tools and equipment at first.

[@lisalisa13]

@@EasySundayClub Thank you so much for answering my question. I do have an epson v550 scanner, just need a printer now. I have been watching your videos on that, too! 🙂

[@mikethafoodie4471]

Hello , I have a lot of big brand name greeting cards that I want to sell online but don’t want to spend 4-5 dollars to send a card with tracking. What is the best place to list cards for sale and best method to ship with tracking yet inexpensive.

[@Gj.Sherwood]

Would you do both?

[@EasySundayClub]

Yes, and I do both :). My Etsy sells a limited subset of what I sell on my website, so it's interesting to watch how different my best sellers are on both platforms. It might not be the case for everyone, but I feel like my Etsy and Shopify site work in sync rather than against each other.

[@Gj.Sherwood]

@@EasySundayClub thanks. I have a website, but I've been considering if I should also do Etsy. Very helpful!

[@EasySundayClub]

@@Gj.Sherwood You've already done the hard part then! Nowadays it helps to be on more than one online sales platform if you can manage.

[@elysegalloway]

I have dipped my toe into the Etsy pond, but for me, as a new seller there, their fees were way to high. I probably don't have the right inventory for that kind of market.

[@EasySundayClub]

What type of inventory do you sell?

[@elysegalloway]

@@EasySundayClub 😊 watercolor cards. I never could get my designs to sell

[@EasySundayClub]

@@elysegalloway Check what's already out there on Etsy. It might be too saturated or you just need to tweak it to differentiate. In my experience cards with a message on the front sells better than blank art cards.

[@allec555]

Thanks for the video always nice to get your take on running an art business. I stopped using Etsy years ago because of all the things you mentioned as well as there seem to be a lot of copy cats on there which is a shame. It would be interesting as a follow up video if you could maybe talk about the ways that have been most effective for you to drive traffic to your shopify and grow your brand, like selling in stores, at markets, pinterest, instagram, contacting influencers etc. I know you guys have a lot of videos on these individual topics but I think an overview might be nice. I donno as a small biz sometimes it's hard to know what to focus on cause there's just so many things you need to do to grow. Anyways your vids are always appreciated :)

[@EasySundayClub]

Hi, this is good feedback! Yes sometimes the important message can be drowned out by too much content. I’ll put on my priority list.