Etsy vs eBay
Handmade vs Mass Market
Complete comparison of Etsy and eBay for Australian sellers. Discover which platform suits your products, understand handmade vs general marketplace dynamics, and learn how to succeed on both platforms.
Choose Etsy for:
- Handmade, custom, and unique products
- True vintage items (20+ years old)
- Building a creative brand and following
- Premium pricing for artisanal work
- Gift and special occasion markets
Choose eBay for:
- Any product category (no restrictions)
- Mass-produced and retail items
- Australian business compliance (GST)
- Maximum global reach and visibility
- Collectibles and rare items
Detailed Platform Comparison
Fees & Costs
| Aspect | Etsy | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0.20 USD per item (4 months) | Free for 200+ listings/month |
| Transaction Fee | 6.5% of item price + shipping | 10-15% (category dependent) |
| Payment Processing | 3% + $0.25 USD | 2.9% + $0.30 AUD |
| Total Cost ($100 AUD sale) | $9.50-10.50 USD | $15.80-18.80 AUD |
| Advertising Costs | Etsy Ads (variable CPC) | Promoted listings 2-12% |
Audience & Market
| Aspect | Etsy | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Type | Handmade, unique item seekers | Bargain hunters, diverse needs |
| Price Expectations | Higher prices for handmade/custom | Lower prices, deal-focused |
| Shopping Behavior | Considered purchases, gift-focused | Quick transactions, price comparison |
| Brand Loyalty | High - personal connection to makers | Low - transaction-focused |
| International Reach | Global handmade market | Broader global marketplace |
Australian Market Considerations
| Australian Factor | Etsy | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Local Presence | Growing Australian handmade scene | Dominant Australian marketplace |
| Shipping Integration | Limited Australian shipping options | Full Australia Post integration |
| GST Compliance | Manual GST tracking required | Automatic GST handling |
| Currency | USD-based (exchange rate impact) | AUD support available |
| Customer Support | US-based support | Local Australian support team |
Etsy Advantages
- Lower overall fees (6.5% vs 10-15%) for transaction costs
- Premium pricing accepted for handmade and unique items
- Built-in audience specifically seeking handmade products
- Excellent shop customisation and branding options
- Strong SEO within platform for handmade searches
- Customer loyalty and repeat purchase potential
- Gift-focused market with higher average order values
- Less price competition due to unique product focus
- Comprehensive business tools for creative entrepreneurs
- International appreciation for handmade goods
eBay Advantages
- No listing fees for standard sellers (200+ free listings)
- Massive global reach across all product categories
- Superior Australian integration (shipping, GST, support)
- Excellent Google search visibility drives external traffic
- Auction format can drive higher prices for rare items
- Accepts all product types without restrictions
- Strong buyer protection and dispute resolution
- Advanced seller tools and analytics
- Local Australian payment options (BPAY, bank transfer)
- Established trust and reputation systems
Best Products for Each Platform
Best for Etsy
- Handmade items (jewelry, crafts, art, clothing)
- Vintage items over 20 years old
- Craft supplies and creative materials
- Custom/personalised products
- Digital products (patterns, printables)
- Wedding and special occasion items
- Home decor and artistic pieces
- Building a creative brand and following
Best for eBay
- Mass-produced items and retail goods
- Electronics, technology, and gadgets
- Collectibles and rare items
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Business and industrial supplies
- Items needing auction format
- Quick inventory liquidation
- International sales expansion
Platform-Specific Marketing Strategies
Etsy Marketing Success
- Optimise titles with specific handmade/craft keywords
- Use high-quality lifestyle photos showing items in use
- Create seasonal collections and gift guides
- Leverage social proof through customer photos
- Build email list for repeat customers
- Participate in Etsy's promotional events
- Tell your brand story and making process
- Use Etsy Ads to target gift-buyers and craft enthusiasts
eBay Marketing Success
- Research completed listings for competitive pricing
- Use detailed condition descriptions and measurements
- Optimise for search with relevant keywords
- Offer fast shipping and handling times
- Build strong seller feedback ratings
- Use promoted listings in competitive categories
- Leverage auction format for unique/rare items
- Focus on international shipping for global reach
Expand Your Creative Business Across Platforms
Smart creators use both Etsy and eBay strategically. Handmade items on Etsy for premium pricing, broader inventory on eBay for maximum reach. Shopfront makes multi-platform selling simple and profitable.