The Future of Public Marketplaces

In the "real world" commerce happens both at corporate malls and public marketplaces. This balance is a vital part of our physical economy giving people the option to purchase manufactured items from large corporations or choose to support local makers at markets and fairs.
Unfortunately, as more shopping happens online the ability to support local makers is being threatened. Corporate marketplaces (such as Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, etc.) have become an expensive toll booth to the internet making it difficult for makers to survive in the online world. It's no surprise that Wall Street owned platforms focus solely on profits to shareholders which creates a hostile environment for handmade sellers.
At goimagine we believe the internet is an extension of the physical world and deserves an affordable and inclusive platform for handmade sellers. Just like farmers' markets and street fairs in your hometown, artisans deserve to have a socially responsible space to sell online. Let's not forget the internet was built with public funding and it's only right that there are public spaces on the internet for commerce to take place.
Our community-driven platform is focused on community and economic development to support creators building their online business. Our mission is to strengthen the handmade community, promote entrepreneurship for artisans, provide online business education, and offer an affordable platform for selling handmade goods.

[@AshandAntAdventures]

Sounds good. I am honestly tired of Etsy, I make unique handmade items, and for a while now have had to compete with printed/fake versions of the same type of items from China. Etsy is flooded with cheap (both in quality and materials) versions of so many items that are made handmade, it's ridiculous. I have done years of research on my type of items, trends, etc... and found Etsy becoming more disappointing when it comes to their original idea of a handmade marketplace. Handmade is but a small part of that ever growing fee-ridden shell of a website that used to be. Will be checking you all out here in the very near future.

[@JahinIinI]

Great concept, feels like what i thought Etsy was supposed to be. Love to see this video without the exceedingly annoying background music. I presume this platform just launched with 1.1k views and 5 comments, 67 likes. It’s a lot of work to set up business on a different platform, especially when it is so new. Are there incentives for getting in on the ground floor? Otherwise we may be tempted to simply wait until the base on the platform grows.

[@staceymilochik6750]

Etsy WAS like this way back when it was established. I was a seller at the very beginning and it was wonderful. I had tons of traffic and sales and no one was a bulk seller or dropshipping garbage. I hope this new platform takes off and remains true to its original roots.

[@SparkleByMonica]

I just saw this on my social media feed along with one from Michaels. I’m intrigued by both, but like this concept of helping children better. What I don’t understand, however, is how putting all the profits into donations will keep your new marketplace competitive so that makers will get comparable traffic? We all market ourselves, but I’m wondering how this works if you don’t have budget to get makers seen as the platform grows. Ads cost, but donations won’t allow you to put profits into that. Maybe investors? Ad revenue like KZbin? I don’t know, but I’m curious and going to check it out because it sounds awesome. Im actually glad I saw your ad in my feed.

[@marienagy9384]

If you add investors they will find a way to profit. Advertising costs are part of operating expence and should come before charity donations.

[@justinwhouarehappyhealthyb8]

what about POD individuals with say shopify store that needs sales

[@dancingwithgravity]

This is not for POD. Handmade only; no production partners. 🙂

[@justinwhouarehappyhealthyb8]

oh im sorry my hand made items take as many as 100 hours to make and it takes a very serious set of buyers thank you sincerely@@dancingwithgravity