17
in need of opinions.
6.13.2010
The bijou lovely shop is coming soon, but I have a fundamental question for you all.
Etsy or bigcartel? I really want to hear your opinions on the matter, because at the moment I'm torn.
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Welcome to Bijou Lovely. This blog is named after my great grandmother, Bijou Lillian, who encouraged me to embrace all the lovely things that the world has to offer. I hope to provide you with inspiration for sewing, quilting, photography, design, and daily life here at Bijou Lovely! It's truly lovely to have you here.
etsy...i love it. i have bought many things from different sellers, and have always been so happy with the ease of use on that sight....though i do not have a shop of my own there, it is definitely my go to when i want am looking for something.
ReplyDeleteetsy if you don't think you will be brining your own "audience"
ReplyDeletebig cartel if you will be.
I'll be watching the comments here, as I've been pondering that question myself, though in a much more in-the-future kind of way.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Big Cartel shop but I'd say start out Etsy and you can always switch over later. There is no built in traffic on Big Cartel as there is on Etsy. Just my two cents!
ReplyDeleteUHM, never heard of Big Cartel...love etsy! Buy things through etsy, and have never had a problem! If I were to start a hand made shop, that's where I would begin because that is where people are shopping!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
KT
I think Big Cartel is if you already have a fairly large following/customer base. You can always start with Etsy. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Big Cartel, but I shop etsy fairly regularly so I'd lean in that direction.
ReplyDeleteno one can find you on big cartel. you have to have a following first.
ReplyDeleteNeither. I honestly think that while Etsy is a wonderful resource, it is difficult for people to find you in the large pool of options. I've never even heard of Big Cartel, so I wouldn't want to give them any share of my profits. I honestly feel to be taken seriously, you should create a website where people can purchase through you...maybe through Google checkout? and you should market yourself in person and on the internet as your own, Etsy-free business. It will be harder to set up in the beginning, but much better for your brand in the end. The first thing I think of when I see an Etsy seller is 'craft-hobby-ist'. The first thing I think of when I see a website with something I want to buy is professional, professional, professional.
ReplyDeleteNow...that said, I STILL haven't set that up on my website and it's been three years. So do what I say and not what I do...which is hem and haw for three years, then have a baby, and then have no time to even hem an haw over it :)
Which brings me to my next point...if you ARE thinking about opening up shop, than you should join our women-owned business forum. It is just getting started, so there isn't too much action, but I am sure it will end up being a valuable resource. Email me for an invite at miriam at limoncellostyle dot com.
Etsy!
ReplyDeleteOf the two, I'd say Etsy for the same reasons listed above - seems like Etsy would be the best place to start out. Although in theory I agree with Coasting Anon, in practice that method would probably be pretty difficult - perhaps start out on Etsy and see what sells best, and how things go there and then open your own website!
ReplyDeleteEither way though, yay for a Bijou Lovely store!
I think Etsy, but that's only because I've never heard of Big Cartel. I mostly just wanted to write and say I'm so excited you're opening a store because you are so talented!
ReplyDeleteLots of opinions here! Lots to think about :)
ReplyDeleteI think if you have high traffic on the blog, you can purchase the middle package with big cartel for $9.99 a month and use your own url. They don't take out any additional fees (Etsy takes 3.5% then Paypal takes another 3.5%) and depending on the price points of your items, it can add up fairly quickly. I made the switch from etsy to bigcartel and prefer it since it looks like my own cart. Only one small icon shows it's actually Bigcartel.
ReplyDeleteAlso there's more options to customize through big cartel than etsy. You don't get as many photos but you can use html coding to insert in the item description. Found that loophole and it's been fantastic!
Etsy is good, but the problem is that its oversaturated. So you already need a client or reader base to have a successful shop.
ReplyDeleteIf you dont want to spend the money, then go with etsy.
Big Cartel is free up to 5 products. But then its a monthly fee + % of a paypal sale (taken from paypal)
I've heard of this new site where the shop is on our own site. You seem to have alot of followers already, so this might be good for you. The site is called http://www.vendr.com/
Vendr is currently in private beta. Use “BVF8KHC4QN” and it will allow you to sign up to any of the packages offered online during the closed beta.
Good luck
I've never heard of the BigCartel, so personally, I say Etsy. So exciting.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have BOTH. Etsy drives traffic to your shop without you having to work too hard at it BUT I love my big cartel shop. When people come see me on big cartel they see me alone (less competition). I love how you can control your big cartel shop as well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you can't really argue with all the traffic Etsy brings ... can't wait to see what you choose!