Digital artists have more options than ever before when it comes to selling their creations online. One of the biggest decisions they face is whether to sell their digital products on a marketplace or their own store. Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for a particular artist.
Marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon offer a vast audience and built-in customer base, making it easier for artists to reach potential buyers. However, they also take a percentage of each sale and may have restrictions on the types of products that can be sold. On the other hand, selling through their own store gives artists complete control over their brand and products, but requires more work to build an audience and may be more costly upfront. Ultimately, the decision between marketplace and own store depends on an artist’s goals, resources, and priorities.
Understanding the Marketplace and Your Own Store
What is a Marketplace?
A marketplace is an online platform that allows multiple sellers to offer their products or services to a large customer base. Examples of popular marketplaces include Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. In a marketplace, digital artists can list their products, such as illustrations, designs, or digital downloads, and reach a wider audience. The marketplace takes care of the transaction process, including payment processing, shipping, and returns.
One of the advantages of selling on a marketplace is the built-in customer base. Customers come to the marketplace to search for products, so digital artists can benefit from the marketplace’s traffic and exposure. Additionally, marketplaces often have lower fees than selling on your own store, as they can leverage economies of scale to offer lower transaction fees.
However, selling on a marketplace also has some disadvantages. Digital artists have less control over their brand image, as their products are listed alongside other sellers. They also have less control over the customer experience, as the marketplace handles customer service and shipping. Finally, marketplaces can be competitive, with many sellers offering similar products, making it challenging to stand out and differentiate.
What is Your Own Store?
A digital artist’s own store is an online platform that they own and operate themselves. They have complete control over their brand image, product offerings, and customer experience. This option allows digital artists to create a unique shopping experience for their customers, and they can tailor their store to their specific niche.
One of the advantages of having your own store is the control you have over your brand image and customer experience. You can create a unique shopping experience that sets you apart from competitors. Additionally, you have complete control over your product offerings and pricing, and you can leverage data and analytics to optimize your store’s performance.
However, having your own store also has some disadvantages. You need to invest time and resources into building and maintaining your store, including website design, payment processing, and shipping logistics. Additionally, you need to drive traffic to your store, which can be challenging without the built-in audience of a marketplace. Finally, you may face higher fees than selling on a marketplace, as you need to cover the costs of running your own store.
Pros and Cons of Selling in a Marketplace
Advantages of Marketplace
Digital artists have two main options when it comes to selling their products online: a marketplace or their own store. A marketplace is a platform that connects artists with potential customers, while an own store is a website built and managed by the artist. Here are some advantages of selling in a marketplace:
- Audience Reach: Marketplaces have a large audience of potential customers, which can be difficult to build on your own. By selling in a marketplace, artists can leverage the platform’s existing traffic to reach a wider audience.
- Ease of Use: Marketplaces usually provide a simple and user-friendly interface for artists to upload their products. This can save a lot of time and effort compared to building and managing your own store.
- Marketing Support: Marketplaces often provide marketing support to help promote artists’ products. This can include email campaigns, social media promotion, and advertising.
Disadvantages of Marketplace
While there are many advantages to selling in a marketplace, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
- Fees: Marketplaces usually charge a fee for each sale made on their platform. These fees can vary depending on the platform and the product being sold, but they can add up quickly.
- Competition: Marketplaces are often crowded with many other artists selling similar products. This can make it difficult to stand out and attract customers.
- Lack of Control: When selling in a marketplace, artists have less control over the customer experience. They may not be able to customize the checkout process or include additional information about their products.
In summary, selling in a marketplace can be a great option for digital artists looking to reach a wider audience and save time on building and managing their own store. However, they should be aware of the fees, competition, and lack of control that comes with using a third-party platform.
Pros and Cons of Having Your Own Store
Advantages of Your Own Store
Digital artists often consider setting up their own online store to sell their work. There are many advantages to having your own store, including:
- Control over branding and design: With your own store, you have complete control over the look and feel of your website, allowing you to create a unique brand and showcase your work in the best possible way.
- Direct relationship with customers: When you sell through your own store, you have a direct relationship with your customers. This allows you to build a loyal following and receive valuable feedback on your work.
- No commissions or fees: Unlike marketplaces, you don’t have to pay any commissions or fees on your sales, meaning you can keep more of your profits.
Disadvantages of Your Own Store
While having your own store has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
- Higher upfront costs: Setting up your own store can be expensive, especially if you need to hire a developer or designer to help you create your website.
- More work required: Running your own store requires more work than selling through a marketplace. You will need to handle everything from website maintenance to customer service and marketing.
- Less exposure: Without the built-in audience of a marketplace, it can be harder to get your work in front of potential customers. You will need to invest time and money in marketing to drive traffic to your store.
Ultimately, the decision to sell through a marketplace or your own store depends on your goals and priorities as a digital artist. While having your own store gives you more control and can be more profitable in the long run, it also requires more work and investment upfront.
Choosing the Best Option for Digital Artists
When it comes to selling digital art, artists have two main options: selling through a marketplace or setting up their own store. There are pros and cons to both options, so it’s important to consider your goals, resources, and audience before making a decision.
Consider Your Goals
Before choosing between a marketplace and your own store, it’s important to consider your goals. If you’re looking to maximize exposure and reach a wider audience, a marketplace might be the better option. Marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy have millions of customers, which means your art will be seen by more people. However, if you’re looking to build a brand and establish a unique identity, setting up your own store might be the better option. With your own store, you have more control over the customer experience, and you can create a more personalized shopping experience for your customers.
Consider Your Resources
Another important factor to consider is your resources. Setting up your own store requires more time, effort, and money than selling through a marketplace. You’ll need to create a website, handle payment processing, and manage customer service. If you don’t have the resources to do all of this, selling through a marketplace might be the better option. Marketplaces take care of all the technical aspects of selling, so you can focus on creating and promoting your art.
Consider Your Audience
Finally, it’s important to consider your audience. Different marketplaces attract different types of customers, so you’ll want to choose a marketplace that aligns with your target audience. For example, if you create art that appeals to a younger audience, you might want to consider selling on platforms like Redbubble or Society6. These platforms are known for their trendy and youthful designs. On the other hand, if you create more traditional or high-end art, you might want to consider selling on a platform like Saatchi Art, which is known for its curated selection of high-quality art.
In summary, there are pros and cons to both selling through a marketplace and setting up your own store. The best option for you will depend on your goals, resources, and audience. By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that will help you reach your target audience and achieve your goals as a digital artist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both marketplaces and owning your own store have their advantages and disadvantages for digital artists. Marketplaces offer a broader audience, built-in traffic, and a sense of community. However, they also come with higher fees, less control over branding, and more competition.
On the other hand, owning your own store gives you complete control over your brand, lower fees, and the ability to build a unique customer base. However, it also requires more effort to drive traffic to your site, and you may miss out on the sense of community that comes with a marketplace.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to sell on a marketplace or own your own store comes down to your individual goals and priorities. It’s important to consider factors such as fees, control, traffic, and community when making your decision.
Digital artists should weigh the pros and cons of each option and determine which one aligns with their business goals. Whether you choose to sell on a marketplace or own your own store, remember to focus on creating high-quality products and building a strong brand that resonates with your target audience.