Best Platforms to Sell Your Handmade Pet Toys

Selling handmade pet toys, such as those crafted from natural materials like hemp cord and wool felt, has become easier with the growth of online platforms for artisans and creators. Whether you are a new seller or looking to grow your business, choosing the right platform can help you reach a wider audience and enhance your brand’s presence. Below, we explore the best platforms to sell your handmade pet toys, specifically designed for dogs, considering factors like user base, fees, ease of use, and the types of products each platform excels at.

1. Etsy Why It’s Popular: Etsy is one of the most trusted and well-known platforms for handmade goods, including unique pet toys made from natural materials like hemp cord and wool felt. With a community focused on eco-friendly, handcrafted items, it’s an ideal marketplace for selling your handmade dog toys.

   Key Features:

   • Ease of Use: Simple setup for your shop, ideal for beginners.

   • Built-in Audience: Etsy attracts millions of buyers seeking unique, handmade pet products.

   • Search Visibility: Strong SEO features help boost your product’s visibility.

   Fees: Listing fee of $0.20 per item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee and payment processing fees.

   Ideal For: Sellers of eco-friendly pet toys who want access to a large, diverse audience.

2. Shopify Why It’s Popular: Shopify offers full control over your eCommerce store, giving you the freedom to create a branded space for your handmade pet toys. If you’re looking for scalability and a professional online presence, Shopify is a great choice.

   Key Features:

   • Full Control: Customizable themes and various plugins to match your brand.

   • Multiple Sales Channels: Integrates with social media platforms and other marketplaces.

   • Scalability: Perfect for growing businesses.

   Fees: Monthly subscription starting at $29, plus transaction fees for third-party payments.

   Ideal For: Artisans seeking complete control over their store and brand.

3. Amazon Handmade Why It’s Popular: Amazon Handmade connects sellers with Amazon’s vast global audience. It’s perfect for artisans looking to tap into a larger market and offers fulfillment options such as Prime delivery to attract more customers.

   Key Features:

   • Global Reach: Millions of potential customers worldwide.

   • Prime Eligibility: Sellers can offer Prime shipping.

   • Trusted Platform: Leverage Amazon’s reputation for fast service.

   Fees: No listing fees, but 15% referral fee per sale, with a $39.99 monthly subscription for professional sellers.

   Ideal For: Artisans who want large-scale exposure and to benefit from Amazon’s global reach.

4. Big Cartel Why It’s Popular: Big Cartel is great for smaller-scale artisans who need an affordable, easy-to-use platform to sell their handmade dog toys. Its simple interface and budget-friendly plans make it perfect for newcomers.

   Key Features:

   • Affordability: Free plan available for up to five products.

   • Ease of Setup: User-friendly, even for beginners.

   • Customization: Personalize themes to match your brand.

   Fees: Free plan for up to five products, with paid plans starting at $9.99/month and no additional transaction fees.

   Ideal For: Small-scale artisans who need a simple, affordable platform.

5. Folksy (UK) Why It’s Popular: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace focused on handmade products. It’s ideal for British artisans who want to sell locally, offering a platform for eco-friendly pet toys made from natural materials.

   Key Features:

   • Niche Audience: Perfect for UK artisans seeking a local market.

   • Community-Driven: A strong focus on supporting independent makers.

   • User-Friendly: Easy to navigate for new sellers.

   Fees: Listing fee of £0.15, plus 6% commission on sales. Folksy Plus plan for unlimited listings is available for £5/month.

   Ideal For: UK artisans looking to sell handmade dog toys locally.

6. Zibbet Why It’s Popular: Zibbet allows you to manage multiple storefronts, including Etsy and eBay, all in one place. This platform is perfect for artisans who want to sell their handmade pet toys across multiple channels.

   Key Features:

   • Multi-Channel Management: Manage listings on multiple platforms.

   • Low Fees: No listing fees, just a flat monthly fee for each sales channel.

   • Customizable Store: Clean, simple layout with customization options.

   Fees: Flat $5/month fee per sales channel (e.g., Etsy, eBay, Zibbet).

   Ideal For: Artisans selling across multiple platforms with one centralized dashboard.

7. Madeit (Australia) Why It’s Popular: Madeit is Australia’s largest handmade marketplace, offering a local platform for Australian artisans to sell their crafts, including eco-friendly dog toys made from hemp cord and wool felt.

   Key Features:

   • Local Focus: Perfect for targeting Australian customers.

   • Support for Small Makers: Provides tools and support for business growth.

   • Curated Marketplace: Focus on quality products.

   Fees: Small monthly subscription fee (AUD $5/month) and a 4% commission on sales.

   Ideal For: Australian artisans selling handmade pet toys.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, target audience, and desired control over your shop. Whether you choose a large marketplace like Etsy or Amazon Handmade, or prefer the flexibility of Shopify and Big Cartel, there’s a platform for every artisan. By selecting the platform that aligns with your business goals, you can grow your brand and turn your handmade pet toys into a successful online business.