10 Leading Online Marketplaces for Artists: A Comparison (2023)
For artists looking to sell their work online, choosing the right platform can make all the difference in terms of exposure, sales, and overall success. With so many art marketplaces available, each with their own unique benefits and drawbacks, it can be challenging to decide which platform is the best fit for your needs.
In this post, I'll provide a brief comparison of 10 leading art marketplaces, including popular platforms like Etsy, RedBubble, Saatchi Art, Artfinder, and more. We'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of each platform, as well as the associated costs and fees, to help you make an informed decision and find the best platform for your art.
Why am I writing about this topic? Because so many artists begin their creative business trajectory on third-party art marketplaces, thanks to what has historically been a low barrier to entry. Many of these platforms were free, or were available at a nominal cost, and offered access to a global market of art buyers and collectors. But things are changing, and artists are feeling the sting.
For example, Etsy implemented higher fees beginning in April of 2023, and now requires sellers to pay up to 30% higher transaction fees. In fact, nearly 50,000 Etsy sellers signed a petition to try to avert the increase in fees, without success. The platform cited an increase in the number of users, which would require greater investment in their operations.
As a result, many artists are scrambling to research new options. This chart contains very basic information on ten of the leading platforms, but you can use it as a starting point to quickly compare the details that matter most to you.
Third Party Art Marketplaces: A Comparison. Note: These costs and fees are for U.S.-based companies, and are accurate as of April, 2023, and are subject to change. It is always best to check the current costs and fees on each platform's website.
If you’re open to exploring other options beyond art marketplaces, owning your own website can be the most cost-effective solution for selling your artwork over the long term. Essentially, relying on external platforms for selling your artwork means that you are subject to their rules, restrictions, and fees.
While these platforms can offer a large audience and exposure, they may also limit your ability to fully showcase your brand and artwork, and can eat into your profits. By owning your own platform, such as your own website, you have more control over your brand, artwork, and pricing, as well as the ability to build a loyal customer base.
It's important to understand the value in having control over your own business, rather than being at the mercy of external platforms.
To give you an idea of what’s required, here is a snapshot of what the average cost for your own website on Squarespace would be:
The cost of a Squarespace site on the Business Plan for one year, including a domain, would be:
Business plan: $216 per year ($18/month)
Custom domain: $20 per year (price may vary depending on the domain name, and you’re not obligated to purchase it through Squarespace)
Total: $236 per year
There are also payment processing fees to consider, via Stripe (around 2.9% + 30¢ per successful card charge) or Paypal (fees range from 1.9% to 3.5% of each transaction, plus a fixed fee ranging from 5 cents to 49 cents). Fees are based on information available at the time of this writing and may change.
The business plan is a perfect plan for starting an online shop on your own site; and when your sales volume increases, you can upgrade to the E-Commerce plan for access to additional features and options.
Note that Squarespace offers a free domain for the first year with annual billing, which would bring the total cost down to $216 for the first year. Additionally, Squarespace may offer discounts or promotions from time to time, so it's worth checking their website for current deals. Finally, if you choose to work with me on a custom site, you would receive a 20% discount on your first annual payment. Get in touch if you have questions and are interested in exploring this option.
If you have a large number of works/products, and you want your site to be shop-centric, you can also choose to use various e-commerce platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce, which can streamline the sales process and provide a secure checkout system for your customers.
Another advantage of having your own website is the ability to build a loyal customer base through email marketing and social media integration. While owning your own website does require ongoing maintenance and marketing efforts, it can provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution for selling your artwork.
Finally, if you’re interested in building your own portfolio site on Squarespace, enter your email below to get on the waitlist.
